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1The family of Castracani was formerly numbered among the noble families of Lucca, but in the days of which I speak it
2had somewhat fallen in estate, as so often happens in this world. To this family was born a son Antonio, who became a
3priest of the order of San Michele of Lucca, and for this reason was honoured with the title of Messer Antonio. He had
4an only sister, who had been married to Buonaccorso Cenami, but Buonaccorso dying she became a widow, and not wishing to
5marry again went to live with her brother. Messer Antonio had a vineyard behind the house where he resided, and as it
6was bounded on all sides by gardens, any person could have access to it without difficulty. One morning, shortly after
7sunrise, Madonna Dianora, as the sister of Messer Antonio was called, had occasion to go into the vineyard as usual to
8gather herbs for seasoning the dinner, and hearing a slight rustling among the leaves of a vine she turned her eyes in
9that direction, and heard something resembling the cry of an infant. Whereupon she went towards it, and saw the hands
10and face of a baby who was lying enveloped in the leaves and who seemed to be crying for its mother. Partly wondering
11and partly fearing, yet full of compassion, she lifted it up and carried it to the house, where she washed it and
12clothed it with clean linen as is customary, and showed it to Messer Antonio when he returned home. When he heard what
13had happened and saw the child he was not less surprised or compassionate than his sister. They discussed between
14themselves what should be done, and seeing that he was priest and that she had no children, they finally determined to
15bring it up. They had a nurse for it, and it was reared and loved as if it were their own child. They baptized it, and
16gave it the name of Castruccio after their father. As the years passed Castruccio grew very handsome, and gave evidence
17of wit and discretion, and learnt with a quickness beyond his years those lessons which Messer Antonio imparted to him.
18Messer Antonio intended to make a priest of him, and in time would have inducted him into his canonry and other
19benefices, and all his instruction was given with this object; but Antonio discovered that the character of Castruccio
20was quite unfitted for the priesthood. As soon as Castruccio reached the age of fourteen he began to take less notice of
21the chiding of Messer Antonio and Madonna Dianora and no longer to fear them; he left off reading ecclesiastical books,
22and turned to playing with arms, delighting in nothing so much as in learning their uses, and in running, leaping, and
23wrestling with other boys. In all exercises he far excelled his companions in courage and bodily strength, and if at any
24time he did turn to books, only those pleased him which told of wars and the mighty deeds of men. Messer Antonio beheld
25all this with vexation and sorrow. There lived in the city of Lucca a gentleman of the Guinigi family, named Messer
26Francesco, whose profession was arms and who in riches, bodily strength, and valour excelled all other men in Lucca. He
27had often fought under the command of the Visconti of Milan, and as a Ghibelline was the valued leader of that party in
28Lucca. This gentleman resided in Lucca and was accustomed to assemble with others most mornings and evenings under the
29balcony of the Podesta, which is at the top of the square of San Michele, the finest square in Lucca, and he had often
30seen Castruccio taking part with other children of the street in those games of which I have spoken. Noticing that
31Castruccio far excelled the other boys, and that he appeared to exercise a royal authority over them, and that they
32loved and obeyed him, Messer Francesco became greatly desirous of learning who he was. Being informed of the
33circumstances of the bringing up of Castruccio he felt a greater desire to have him near to him. Therefore he called him
34one day and asked him whether he would more willingly live in the house of a gentleman, where he would learn to ride
35horses and use arms, or in the house of a priest, where he would learn nothing but masses and the services of the
36Church. Messer Francesco could see that it pleased Castruccio greatly to hear horses and arms spoken of, even though he
37stood silent, blushing modestly; but being encouraged by Messer Francesco to speak, he answered that, if his master were
38agreeable, nothing would please him more than to give up his priestly studies and take up those of a soldier. This reply
39delighted Messer Francesco, and in a very short time he obtained the consent of Messer Antonio, who was driven to yield
40by his knowledge of the nature of the lad, and the fear that he would not be able to hold him much longer. Thus
41Castruccio passed from the house of Messer Antonio the priest to the house of Messer Francesco Guinigi the soldier, and
42it was astonishing to find that in a very short time he manifested all that virtue and bearing which we are accustomed
43to associate with a true gentleman. In the first place he became an accomplished horseman, and could manage with ease
44the most fiery charger, and in all jousts and tournaments, although still a youth, he was observed beyond all others,
45and he excelled in all exercises of strength and dexterity. But what enhanced so much the charm of these
46accomplishments, was the delightful modesty which enabled him to avoid offence in either act or word to others, for he
47was deferential to the great men, modest with his equals, and courteous to his inferiors. These gifts made him beloved,
48not only by all the Guinigi family, but by all Lucca. When Castruccio had reached his eighteenth year, the Ghibellines
49were driven from Pavia by the Guelphs, and Messer Francesco was sent by the Visconti to assist the Ghibellines, and with
50him went Castruccio, in charge of his forces. Castruccio gave ample proof of his prudence and courage in this
51expedition, acquiring greater reputation than any other captain, and his name and fame were known, not only in Pavia,
52but throughout all Lombardy. Castruccio, having returned to Lucca in far higher estimation than he left it, did not omit
53to use all the means in his power to gain as many friends as he could, neglecting none of those arts which are necessary
54for that purpose. About this time Messer Francesco died, leaving a son thirteen years of age named Pagolo, and having
55appointed Castruccio to be his son's tutor and administrator of his estate. Before he died Francesco called Castruccio
56to him, and prayed him to show Pagolo that goodwill which he (Francesco) had always shown to HIM, and to render to the
57son the gratitude which he had not been able to repay to the father. Upon the death of Francesco, Castruccio became the
58governor and tutor of Pagolo, which increased enormously his power and position, and created a certain amount of envy
59against him in Lucca in place of the former universal goodwill, for many men suspected him of harbouring tyrannical
60intentions. Among these the leading man was Giorgio degli Opizi, the head of the Guelph party. This man hoped after the
61death of Messer Francesco to become the chief man in Lucca, but it seemed to him that Castruccio, with the great
62abilities which he already showed, and holding the position of governor, deprived him of his opportunity; therefore he
63began to sow those seeds which should rob Castruccio of his eminence. Castruccio at first treated this with scorn, but
64afterwards he grew alarmed, thinking that Messer Giorgio might be able to bring him into disgrace with the deputy of
65King Ruberto of Naples and have him driven out of Lucca.
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