Siege of Faenza
1240 CE.
Shown on the map at 44.290°, 11.260°.
The siege of Faenza was fought from late August 1240 until 14 April 1241 between the forces of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and the Guelph-controlled city of Faenza during the wars of the Guelphs and Ghibellines. One of the longest operations of Frederick's Italian campaigns, the siege ended in an Imperial victory after nearly eight months of blockade, bombardment and economic attrition. Faenza occupied an important position in Romagna on the communications linking northern Italy with the central peninsula and the approaches to the Papal States. It was closely allied with Bologna, one of the principal centres of papal resistance in the region, and Frederick regarded possession of Faenza as necessary to secure his rear before attempting a further advance against Bologna. The siege consequently formed part of the wider struggle between Frederick and Pope Gregory IX for control of imperial Italy after the emperor's second excommunication in 1239. The operation also demonstrated Frederick's ability to modify his methods after previous experience. An initial assault failed against a reinforced and determined defence.
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