In reality, Bolognese likely prepared for battle to reclaim a fort that had been taken by the Modenese. Again, due to their opposing sides, it was not uncommon for one city to burn the other’s fields or, in this case, take over a fort.
Regardless of whether the War of the Oaken Bucket was truly a war over a bucket, what is known is that it resulted in Modena winning despite overwhelmingly bad odds. Bologna’s army in the Battle of Zappolino involved more than 30,000 troops, compared with Modena’s 7,000. After more than 2,000 casualties in total, the Modenese forced the Bolognese to retreat.
For those waiting for the definite appearance of the bucket, here it is. After chasing the Bolognese army back to Bologna, the Modenese spent time essentially mocking their defeated foe. This culminated in stealing a bucket and taking it back to Modena.
Bologna never regained their bucket, and to this day, it remains in Modena. As for the overarching conflict between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, city-states in Italy continued to fight until regimes and conditions changed a century later, but the War of the Oaken Bucket continues to stick out for the scale of its lone battle.
Top Image: Adeodato Malatesta/Wiki Commons
Related: Meet The Medieval Warrior With A Blade For A Hand
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The Medieval Italian Battle Seemingly Fought Over A Bucket
Source: Pinoy Daily News
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