During the Middle Ages in Florence when times were very turbulent with the frequent seizure of neighbouring lands and family feuds; the sound of clashing arms was quite the norm! The sons of proud family dynasties were raised to learn the skills of sword fighting and lancing from a young age. Defending family honour was a must and many tales were woven of bloody encounters between enemies which became immortal when written into family histories.
Men were taught to seek revenge for their wounds and repay evil with evil. Forgiveness was simply not an option, it was a sign of weakness. This is most surely why the legend of the Merciful Knight of Florence shines out from the rest!
The story begins with the birth of two boys, Giovanni and Hugo of the great Gualberto family of Florence. They were raised and trained to become brave knights or high ranking soldiers of an army as well as loyal followers of Christianity.
Men were taught to seek revenge for their wounds and repay evil with evil. Forgiveness was simply not an option, it was a sign of weakness. This is most surely why the legend of the Merciful Knight of Florence shines out from the rest!
The story begins with the birth of two boys, Giovanni and Hugo of the great Gualberto family of Florence. They were raised and trained to become brave knights or high ranking soldiers of an army as well as loyal followers of Christianity.
They held in solemn reverence the humanitarian will of their god to be kind to all men on creatures of earth.
Tragedy struck this wholesome pair when they reached adulthood. Giovanni was met with the sight of his brother Hugo’s dead body being brought through the door one morning. A fight had ensued with an enemy but no doubt it was an act of deep treachery that Hugo was slain so cruelly. Giovanni was consumed with grief and along with his parents, vowed vengeance for his brother’s death.
The once happy youthful face of Giovani was replaced by a pained face of anger and sorrow as he searched the lands for his brother’s killer. After months of looking, Giovanni was ready to give up.
Wearily he turned to walk the long journey home but as he climbed a hill he came across a huddled man crouched on the side of the road. It was his brother’s killer, alone and unarmed!
Tragedy struck this wholesome pair when they reached adulthood. Giovanni was met with the sight of his brother Hugo’s dead body being brought through the door one morning. A fight had ensued with an enemy but no doubt it was an act of deep treachery that Hugo was slain so cruelly. Giovanni was consumed with grief and along with his parents, vowed vengeance for his brother’s death.
The once happy youthful face of Giovani was replaced by a pained face of anger and sorrow as he searched the lands for his brother’s killer. After months of looking, Giovanni was ready to give up.
Wearily he turned to walk the long journey home but as he climbed a hill he came across a huddled man crouched on the side of the road. It was his brother’s killer, alone and unarmed!
As Giovanni lifted his sword to strike, the man threw open his arms in the form of a cross and begged forgiveness for his heinous crime. He acknowledged that he deserved death but pleaded that his life be spared as an act of mercy.
Giovanni struggled to carry out his act of revenge as he remembered learning the act of compassion along with his brother Hugo in church. He finally lowered his sword and embraced the man in forgiveness.
Weary after his merciful act, Giovanni went into a local chapel to pray. He cried as he knelt under a statue of Jesus and felt great relief as he let go of all his anger and pain. The legend at this point describes the statue bending down to kiss the bowed head of the merciful knight for his great deed.
This beautiful story acts as a reminder to all that revenge is but a black deed from which no true relief can be sought. Forgiveness in contrast is a beautiful act that releases both parties from their pain. Why not explore the city where this valiant tale was set and stay in a beautiful holiday rental near Florence city for a few days?
There's so much to see and learn of its urban and legendary past! Read through our other Legends of Tuscany articles to discover more of this region's great tales.
Giovanni struggled to carry out his act of revenge as he remembered learning the act of compassion along with his brother Hugo in church. He finally lowered his sword and embraced the man in forgiveness.
Weary after his merciful act, Giovanni went into a local chapel to pray. He cried as he knelt under a statue of Jesus and felt great relief as he let go of all his anger and pain. The legend at this point describes the statue bending down to kiss the bowed head of the merciful knight for his great deed.
This beautiful story acts as a reminder to all that revenge is but a black deed from which no true relief can be sought. Forgiveness in contrast is a beautiful act that releases both parties from their pain. Why not explore the city where this valiant tale was set and stay in a beautiful holiday rental near Florence city for a few days?
There's so much to see and learn of its urban and legendary past! Read through our other Legends of Tuscany articles to discover more of this region's great tales.
Photo credits
picture 1: Søren Niedziella / CC BY 2.0;
picture 1: Søren Niedziella / CC BY 2.0;
