Louis Mendola

Sicily's Rebellion Against King Charles: The Story of the Sicilian Vespers Louis Mendola

The story of the Sicilian Vespers is a piece of history more thrilling than any historical novel. This is the first English translation of the chief chronicle of the uprising that changed the course of European and Mediterranean history. Written by a monk in Middle Sicilian around 1290, it is the earliest narrative prose (rather than poetry) in an Italian language, pre-dating by decades the better-known works composed in Tuscan. The colorful protagonist is John of Procida, one of the leaders of the revolt. This book will appeal to students of medieval literature as well as history. In addition to the text in English and the original Middle Sicilian, it contains lengthy commentary and notes, a background chapter describing Sicilian history up to 1279 (when the chronicle begins), biographical sketches on the chief players, a chronology, a glossary, five genealogical charts, dozens of photographs and ten pages of maps. Also included is Ciullo of Alcamo's poem The Dialogue, composed in Middle Sicilian before 1240. Enough material is included to make this a practical study guide on the War of the Vespers and a solid introduction to a medieval language about which virtually nothing has been published in English. The English publication of this work, an important if overlooked part of medieval Italian history and literature, is a long-awaited milestone.