Mercenary Companies and the Decline of Siena

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The book delves into the significant impact of mercenary companies, known as Free Companies, on Siena during the fourteenth century. It details how these private armies, led by figures like Werner of Urslingen, conducted numerous raids that devastated the city economically and socially. The author, William Caferro, illustrates the toll of extortion, pillage, and the resulting financial strain on Siena's government, which resorted to desperate measures to fund bribes and recover from compounded crises like plague and famine. This analysis reveals the broader implications of mercenary activities on urban governance and societal resilience.