2007 EDITION - | Photos | History and Winners | visit Cortona | E-Mail

THE JOUST OF THE ARCHIDADO - Historical origins

Of primary importance for this topic is the well documented historical work Cortona nel Medioevo by our illustrious fellow citizen Girolamo Mancini.
From chapter XXVI "Francesco Casali marries Antonia Salimbeni" (year 1397, pages 148-249).
The most beautiful young woman arrived in Cortona on January 8 of 1397, escorted by Uguccio and the bridegroom. Attending the nuptials were guests from Florence, Castello and m. Niccolò Castracani, each followed by ten horses, Ottavio Ubaldini and his wife and 20 horses, the landlord of Braschi and other gentlemen with smoller escorts, a large number of trumpets, pipes, players of several instruments, fencers and performers. The Malatestas from Rimini, Castiglione Aretino from Isola Maggiore, the Trasimeno lake rentors, all sent gifts. In the city the rectors of the Guilds, in the country the heads of villas, all the families in the city even modest ones offered sweets, poultry, birds, hay for the horses.
Among the gifts were especially admired one precious girdle made with pearls of the cost of 100 florins donated by Castello, one piece of vermillion velvet offered by Florence, one horse and two pieces of cloth interwoven in silk and gold sent by the Marcquise Malatesta Malatesti, and a chest jewel. of the value of 200 florins sent by Carlo Malatesti.
To furnish Palazzo Casali, that had been slowly depredated by courtesans, the citizens loaned beds, tables, linens, basins, silverware and such household goods. In the days of splendid festivities jousts and dances followed one another.
"The Joust of Archidado traces its origins back to the Middle Ages and precisely before the year 1000, origin certainly born of a legend…" So is narrated in the cronicle of prof. F. Magrini (a contemporary writer from Arezzo).