At the time of the facts, Molfetta was a small village of about 5,000 inhabitants, but it had a particular importance: for over three centuries, it had enjoyed a rare privilege, that of being a “state-owned” city. This meant that Molfetta had the right to self-manage, avoiding the control of the feudal lords and answering exclusively to the central power of the sovereign. During her reign, Constance of Altavilla, the last Norman sovereign and mother of Frederick II, granted Molfetta this privilege, which represented a symbol of autonomy for its citizens.
The University of Molfetta, which corresponds to the municipality, was governed by a Council composed of representatives of both nobles and commoners, with the number of members varying over the centuries, sometimes with significant tensions between the two factions. At the beginning of 1519, the Lordship of Molfetta and the Kingdom of Naples passed under the control of Emperor Charles V, who inherited the territory from his mother, Joanna of Castile. According to custom, an ambassador was chosen to pay homage to the new sovereign, but the choice fell on Erricolo Passari, appointed by the nobles without consulting the popular classes. Upon his return from Madrid, Passari was assassinated by some offended citizens, an act that sparked a deep conflict between nobles and commoners. Marinelli, a chronicler of the time, emphasizes how the hatred between the two factions was so intense that "they considered anyone who was not popular unworthy of life".
This escalation of violence continued to grow, leading to episodes of aggression on both sides. In 1522, Charles V sold Molfetta to Don Ferrante di Capua, Duke of Termoli, to cover the costs of the wars. The nobles, opposed to this sale, declared themselves ready to pay a ransom to regain the autonomy of the city, while the common people, on the contrary, welcomed the new feudal lord with enthusiasm. Marinelli describes the reception of the Duke, which took place with all the honors and ceremonies typical of a triumphal entry.
In 1528, with the outbreak of war between Charles V and Francis I of France, the population split again, taking sides alternately with one or the other of the contenders. An influential citizen, Antonio Bove, helped sow discord among the population, accusing the nobles of plotting against the interests of the people. Marinelli recounts that Bove did not tolerate the superiority of the nobles and warned the Duchess of Termoli of an alleged conspiracy. This led to an escalation of violence, culminating in direct attacks against the nobles.
When the nobles were accused of treason and one of them was sentenced to death, the tension finally exploded. The nobles, led by Diomede Lepore, undertook a punitive expedition against the commoners, instilling terror and confusion in the city. The population, feeling threatened, tried to rebel, but things became even more complicated when the nobles fled to Barletta, seeking refuge with Prince Caracciolo, an ally of the French. With the nobles absent, the commoners began to loot their homes, convinced they had achieved a definitive victory.
However, the situation worsened further when the nobles planned the reconquest of Molfetta, instigated by the news of the raids. Prince Caracciolo, driven by pressure from the nobles and the desire to restore control over the city, decided to attack. Thus, on July 18, 1529, the order to sack was given, marking the beginning of one of the most tragic episodes in the history of Molfetta. A real civil war with elements of class conflict ante litteram.
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