«Questa guerra non la si può fare che così». Prime tracce di mercenari in Italia (Siena, 1226-1253)

The rise of mercenarism in 14th century Europe is a common topic for medieval studies, but its earlier history is almost unknown. The Commune of Siena provides a good case study for the 13th century due to its administrative and financial archival records that date up to 1226. Many such documents can be used to trace the different steps of the recruitment and the archival material that these transactions produced. Another subtopic of paramount importance is the impact of mercenaries on urban economy and institutions.