Another Time When Florence Was News

New Zealand Listener, Volume 11, Issue 269, 18 August 1944, Page 15

Another Time When Florence Was News

HISTORY is important, but it can make dull reading, so when our contributor, A.D.L., came into the office the other day and suggested that he should be allowed to describe a former battle for the city of Florence, using for the readier. understanding of our readers the tamiliar language of the daily news-broadcasts and cable pages, we agreed on condition that he did not alter the essential historical facts. He had explained to us that conquering armies in ‘the 16th century had advanced from the south, as the Allies have done, using as vantage points the same hills, and that a man whose name must surely be known to every one of our readers had taken a prominent part in the defence of the citythe chief engineer and designer of fortifications, Michelangelo, Here,-then, is a series of "news items." Our readers may believe, if they choose to, that these appeared in Florentine "newspapers" or that they were messages written inside the city by accredited war correspondents and BBC reporters in the yeats 1529-30. They are certainly authentic, even to dates, so far as the broad historical picture is ¢oncerned.

Florence, April, 1529 T is reported by reliable spokesmen in Florence that a state of alarm exists among responsible citizens and members of the City Council. At a recent meeting of the Council, members emphasised the danger to the city from the Imperial] Armies in. the South. It was pointed out that the Pope, a member of the family of Medici, is in alliance with the Holy Roman Emperor, and hopes to restore Medici rule in FlorCe a % * * Florence, April, 1529 ‘THE alarm felt by responsible citizens in Florence took practical form yesterday when, at a special meeting of the City Council, it was decided to appoint Michelangelo*Buonarrotti to the position of Chief Engineer, his duties being to design fortifications around ,the city and to supervise their construction. The appointment .was greeted with approval in the city to-day. Messer Michelangelo, while a poet and an artist, has a high reputation as an engineer... Tie * * Florence, May, 1529 HE form which the city’s fortifications will take is no longer a secret, and correspondents were to-day granted an interview with the Chief Engineer, Michelangelo Buonarrotti, It was true that the numerous hills to the south of the Arno afforded natural protection, the Chief Engineer said, but their usefulness was being incréased by the erection of a stout wall with battlements, and a limited number of gates. . . .

Florence, July 21, 1529 ‘THE people of Florence were yesterday instructed to provide themselves with stocks of food sufficient for an indefinite period. Official quarters are now making no secret of the possibility of a siege. Extra transport facilities are being arranged to enable the speedy accumulation of stocks of certain foods approved by the ee Health Committee. Xk % % Florence, July 21, 1529 ORK on the city’s fortifications is being pushed forward with all possible speed. a report submitted to the City Council by the Overseer of Works, it is stated that 3000 men are employed for almost ‘20 hours a day, including holidays. . . . Mercenary soldiers to the number of 10,000, under the command of General Malatesta, , have been engaged to aid in the defence the city. ... * * * Florence, August, 1529 N pursuance of the order issued on July . 24, total destruction of the southern suburbs of Florence is now in progress. All dwellings outside the walls, and buildings which could be useful to the enemy are being or ished. What sniihe have been a "cathe ‘in the history of Florentine art was narrowly averted when members of a demolition gang engaged in obliterating the monastery of San Salvi halted in front of a> painting by Andrea del Sarto. Before proceeding with their work

they informed the Chief Engineer, Messer Michelangelo, who instructed them to destrdy all the walls except the offe bearing the painting. * * * Florence, September, 1529 EXCLUSIVE pigeon-messages received this week state that the town of Perugia is now in Imperial hands. The implications of this reverse should not be minimised, according to well-in-formed circles. ..,. * * * Florence, September, 1529 T is reported in the city that representations were recently made to the Government by supporters of the Medici in favour of a negotiated peace. Indignation is being expressed at the activities of traitors within the walls, and the internment of persons known to speak with a Roman accent is being urged. * * * * Florence, October, 1529 FLOWERS, wine, and kisses greeted the arrival of General Malatesta’s force of mercenary soldiers this week. .. % * * Florence, October, 1529 THE Chief Engineer, Michelangelo Buonarrotti, made sensational allegations before the City Council this week. General Malatesta had, he declaréd, given nonsensical instructions for the. positions of the cannon on San Miniato, The instructions were so ‘absurd that they might have been issued by a traitor, the Chief Engineer went on. . Members of the Council, who had been guests of General Malatesta at a banquet at his headquarters a few hours previously, ridiculed the suggestion. . . . Yesterday morning it was learned that the Chief Engineer had left the city under cover of darkness with some friends, Py ghee the cause of Florence to be lost. * * o Florence, October, 1529 RAITORS ‘to the cause of Florence _*.. were recently discovered by General Malatesta’s men driving spikes into the (continued on next page)

| (continued: from previous page) barrels of cannon on San Miniato. A statement from headquarters points out that this adequately answers the recent allegations of the former Chief Engineer against General Malatesta. .. . * % % Florence, October 30, 1529 HE Imperial Armies, which took possession of the southern hills outside the city a fortnight ago, have begun their bombardment. .. . * * * Florence, October 31, 1529 FTER two days of bombardment from outside the walls, it is established that the enemy has five large cannon and two smaller weapons. About 150 shots have come over southern Florence in the past 48 hours. Damage and casualties are reported. * * * Florence, November 20, 1529 MESSER MICHELANGELO BUONARROTTI, the Chief Engineer, has returned to Florence in ‘response to representations. , . . One Fi the. first tasks undertaken by the ief Engineer was the protection of the church of San Miniato, To protect the walls of this priceless monument from _ the cannon-fire of the besieging army, woolpacks have been slung from the tower and roof, and earth has been piled against the sides. . %* * * Florence, December 11, 1529 NEUTRAL observers state that the enemy has admitted reverses along the southern front. Citizens’ Home Defence, Units were out last night, and inflicted severe casualties on the besieging forces. Ten of our pesos are missing. % ae Florence, January 26, 1530 T is announced to-day that General Malatesta, Commander of the Allied ‘mercenary soldiers, has been appointed Commander-in-Chief of all the forces defending Florence. .. , E * x Florence, February 22, 1530 COMMUNIQUE from’ General Malatesta’s headquarters yesterday described the situation as "undoubtedly grave." The Spaniards have crossed the Arno on one side of the town, and a German artillery unit with 22 cannon has crossed it on the other side. % % %* Florence, February 29, 1530 STATE of emergency was officially declared yesterday by the Mayor.;., Fifteen collaborationists were arrested early last evening, % * * Florence, March 1530 GAZETTE published to-day gives the names of 5600 essential workers, hitherto exempted from Defence-of-the-,Walls duties, who will now be x) ypteRe ‘for military service. . ; . 1% * * Florence, June, 1530 [Tis is now one month since Headquarters admitted that the city was totally surrounded. The atmosphere in the city remains calm. Queues at the Civic Food-relief Booths are goodnatured, though the summer weather makes their long waiting an unenviable experience. .. . % * * Florence, July, 1530 ‘THE Health Department . advised yesterday that three cases of plague had been notified within the last 48. (continued on next page)

(continued from previous page) hours. Citizens are urged to boil all | wine before drinking. .. . * * * Florence, July, 1530 [JN response to several deputations which. have waited on the Government in the last-few days, it has been decided to ask General Malatesta to offer a pitched battle to the besieging army and thus force a decision, * * * Florence, August 3, 1530 SENSATIONAL news ‘shook the heart of Florence yesterday. General Malatesta was called upon to engage the Imperial forces in pitched battle, and after he had first refused on strategical grounds, it became apparent that he had no desire to fight. Many citizens are recalling’ the earlier fears of the Chief Engineer. . . , All Florentines are urged to stand firm in the face of this grave threat to their existence. * Es * Florence, August 11, 1530 ITIZENS of Florence! This is the journal of Free Florence, now under, completely new management. General Malatesta assumed full command and liberated your city yesterday, an attempt by your former civic authorities to usurp his command having failed. The general announced last night that all Florentines would be overjoyed to know that their legitimate rulers, the Medici, would shortly return to the city and restore order, Patriots who were imprisoned by the previous Government for having aided the cause of the Medici, have already been freed, and were greeted with flowers and kisses as they left their prisons. A monument is to be erected forthwith to those noble patriots whom your oppressors murdered. Floreat Florential