Fulcieri da Calboli 1330

Fulcieri di Calboli, from Forlì (… – 1340), was an Italian nobleman, from the Paolucci family of Calboli and grandson of Rinieri di Calboli, who lived in the 13th-14th century.

Exponent of the Guelph side, as per family tradition he was an opponent of the Ordelaffi, Ghibellines, who managed, however, to take the lordship of Forlì, first with Scarpetta and then with Francesco I.

However, he held important political positions, such as that of mayor in various cities: Milan, Modena, Florence, Bologna.

Just as mayor of Florence, in 1303, he had to reject an attempt to retake the city made by Guelph exiles and Ghibellines, including Dante, under the guidance of another Forlì, his old opponent Scarpetta degli Ordelaffi: it is the battle of Puliciano Castle.

Here is how Dino Compagni introduces the episode: “The third disaventura had the Whites and Ghibellines (which brought them together, and the two names are reduced to one) for this reason: that being Folcieri da Calvoli mayor of Florence, the Whites called Scarpetta degli Ordalaffi their captain, a young and temperate man, the enemy of Folcieri “. The “temperate” contrasts with Fulcieri’s character, who is instead described as violent and ferocious.

Here is what Dante makes Guido del Duca say about it, speaking with Rinieri da Calboli (Purgatorio, XIV, 58-66):

«I see your nephew becoming
hunter of those wolves up the shore
of the fiery river, and dismay them all.

He sells their meat by being alive;
afterwards he anchored them as an ancient beast;
many of life and self of value deprives.

Bloody comes out of the sad forest;
leave it so, that a thousand years from now
neither the state before it does not reinsel. ”

Obviously, these are judgments also influenced by political controversy. However, the fact remains that the Florentines, exceptionally (against the rule of changing podestà every semester), decided, for Fulcieri, to be re-elected for the second consecutive term.

In 1322 Fulcieri was hired as captain by Amelio di Lautrec, rector of the Marca, to bring some territories back to obedience: Fulcieri reconquered Osimo and Recanati with arms; Still, in the throes of a defeat, he immediately negotiated an agreement.