Siege of Faenza

These actions of Frederick II and the possibility that the Holy Roman Empire would dominate all of Italy soon became threatening to Pope Gregory IX. In defense, Gregory IX went on the attack against Frederick II in the early months of 1239. First the Pope formed an alliance with the republics of Venice and Genoa and asserted his support of the Lombard League. Then in March 1239 Gregory IX excommunicated Frederick II for ten crimes including exciting "rebellion in Rome against the Pope and Cardinals" and being in "contempt of the papal decision between himself and the Lombards."[6] In addition, Gregory IX proclaimed a Crusade against the Emperor and raised a large Guelph army to fight against the enemies of the Pope.[7] And finally, the Pope declared that excommunication included for Frederick II a forfeiture of the Empire and instructed the German princes to move forward with an election.[8]

The result was an extended and prolonged war between the Holy Roman Empire and Pope Gregory IX. Fighting began in 1239 when Frederick II named his son Enzio his Vicar or Lieutenant in Italy. Enzio won victories in north at Romagna and in central Italy at the Marche of Ancona. The Guelphs defeated the Ghibellines at Ravenna but the Ghibelline defeated the Bolognese. Frederick II considers a siege on Milan but changes his mind and leads his army into Tuscany where he spends Christmas in Pisa.[9]

In 1240 Frederick II advances south. He captures the cities Lucca, Sienna, and Arezzo. Frederick II continues south into Papal territory and captures the city of Foligno. The citizens of Foligno and Viterbo declare their loyalty for the Holy Roman Emperor. For a while the citizens of Rome lean toward Frederick II but Gregory IX wins back their loyalty. Rather than attack Rome, Frederick II takes his army to southern Italy to address a papal incited rebellion in Apulia. In southern Italy Frederick II attacks and razes Benevento and St. Angelo.[10]

Meanwhile in northern Italy, Ferrara surrendered to Venice. The Guelphs unsuccessfully attacked Padua but captured Mantua.[11]

In the south, Frederick II raises a new Apulian Army and moves where the city of Ravenna surrenders on 8 August 1240. Next Frederick II sets his sites on the Faenza, a city that has previously expelled their Ghibellines and is now the home of 36,000 Guelphs.[12]

Frederick II paid his troops with leather coins during the sieges of Brescia and Faenza[13] Nuova Cronica (c. 1348).

When the siege of Faenza began in August 1240, the citizens of Faenza were at first encouraged when they saw that Frederick II did not have hard currency to pay his soldiers and resorted to "coins" struck form leather. However, the citizens were soon discouraged when they saw that Frederick II's intrinsically worthless leather "coins" were readily accepted upon his word by his army. Frederick II attempted to negotiate a surrender however the Faenzans were told by Gregory IX's emissaries help from the Milanese and the Bolognese would be forthcoming.[14]

No help ever came from the Milanese or the Bolognese. The Venetians attempted to draw Frederick II's forces away from Faenza by conducting raids on the Apulian coast; however, Frederick II kept his soldiers in camp and let the Apulians defend Apulia. Faenza's last hope was that the winter would force Frederick II to retreat. Here again Frederick II held fast ordering his army to build huts that would withstand inclement weather. When food supplies ran short in the besieged city, the citizens sought permission to send out their women, children, and non-combatants. This request was denied by Frederick II as he knew that such an act would only prolong the siege of those fighting men that remained inside the city walls.[1]

Ultimately, the citizens offered to surrender if they would be allowed to leave the town with their safety protected. Here again Frederick II refused to make any promises because of past offenses against him including an assassination attempt. Finally the citizens surrendered unconditionally on 14 April 1241 when famine and the condition of the city walls gave them little choice. As the defenders of Faenza exited the city expecting death sentences, Frederick II pronounced their unconditional pardon.[15]