Archive for the ‘History’ Category

The Sicilian Vespers

Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

The Sicilian Vespers is a phrase which refers to a bloody incident which took place on Easter Monday, 1282. At the Church of the Holy Spirit, half a mile to the south-east of Palermo, French officials mingled with the crowds to join in the festivities as the bells rang for evening prayer. The French were “overfamiliar” with some of the Sicilian women. Scuffles broke out. Daggers were drawn. Soon there were cries in the Sicilian dialect of “Death to the Frenchmen” (”Moranu li Franchiski!”).

Read more at Telegraph.co.uk