The theft of a wooden bucket sparked conflict in medieval Italy

In 1325, the Italian city-states of Bologna and Modena found themselves embroiled in an unexpected conflict known as the War of the Bucket. This peculiar war, sparked by the alleged theft of a wooden pail, unfolded within the intricate political landscape of medieval Italy.

During this period, Italy was not a unified entity but rather a patchwork of independent city-states and territories, each governed by its own laws and allegiances. The roots of the War of the Bucket can be traced back to the tumultuous aftermath of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa's campaigns in Italy during the 12th century.

What Sparked the War of the Bucket?

Although Barbarossa's siege had concluded, conflict persisted throughout Italy. The aftermath of the war saw the emergence of two distinct factions: the Ghibellines, who aligned with the Holy Roman Emperor, and the Guelphs, who sided with the pope.

This political polarization fueled resentment and animosity among the city-states of Italy, resulting in frequent skirmishes and disputes in the centuries following Barbarossa's reign.

Bologna and Modena, neighboring city-states with opposing political leanings, exemplified this division. While Bologna was predominantly Guelph-aligned, supporting the papacy, Modena leaned towards the Ghibelline cause and imperial authority.

This deep-seated ideological rivalry between Bologna and Modena led to numerous border raids over the years. However, in 1325, tensions reached a boiling point, resulting in the outbreak of the War of the Bucket, as documented by HistoryNet.

The Onset of the War of the Oaken Bucket

Under the veil of night in 1325, a group of Modenese soldiers clandestinely breached the city walls of Bologna. Their eyes caught sight of a bucket resting by a public well, which they promptly seized before hastily departing the city, jubilant with their spoils.

Upon the Bolognese discovery of the missing bucket, fury consumed them, and they demanded its immediate return. However, the Modenese adamantly refused to comply with their demands, further stoking the flames of anger and humiliation within Bologna. In response, Bologna declared a full-fledged war against Modena, thus marking the commencement of the War of the Bucket.

In this conflict between Bologna and Modena, the latter was deemed the underdog, lacking in both resources and soldiers compared to its adversary. Despite this, Bologna marshaled an impressive force of over 32,000 troops, bolstered by reinforcements from other Guelph-aligned contingencies in northern Italy. They even garnered the support of the pope, who, incensed by Modena's actions, branded its chief magistrate a heretic and personally led a contingent of foot soldiers against the city.

In contrast, Modena could only muster 7,000 soldiers for the impending confrontation. Despite being outnumbered, Modena possessed a crucial advantage: the inclusion of professionally-trained German soldiers within its ranks, owing to its status as Ghibelline supporters of the German Holy Roman Emperor. Although Bologna boasted a larger army, its troops primarily consisted of untrained militia.

Faced with the seasoned soldiers of Modena, the Bolognese found themselves outmatched outside the town of Zappolino. Amidst the chaos and disarray of Bologna's forces, Modena swiftly gained the upper hand, compelling the Bolognese to retreat. The skirmish resulted in approximately 2,000 casualties between the opposing sides.

Overwhelmed and humiliated, the Bolognese were compelled to abandon their assault and seek refuge behind the safety of their city walls. Meanwhile, the Modenese took pleasure in taunting their adversaries by staging a mock decathlon just outside Bologna's borders — a provocative act that further underscored their dominance. It's even rumored that they brazenly acquired a second bucket, adding insult to injury for the defeated Bolognese.

The conflict, however, extended beyond mere territorial disputes; it symbolized the enduring struggle between Guelphs and Ghibellines for supremacy in Italy.

Ultimately, an armistice was brokered in 1326, temporarily quelling hostilities between Bologna and Modena. To this day, the original bucket remains a symbol of Modena's triumph, proudly displayed in the city's cathedral tower, while a replica adorns the bell tower, perpetuating the memory of this bizarre yet significant conflict.