Barberino referred to at p. 117 of this volume: -
"Convienti qui manieri
Portolatti e prodieri
E presti galeotti
Aver, e forti e dotti."
[14] Spinello's works, according to Vasari, extended from 1334 till late
in the century. A religious picture of his at Siena is assigned to
1385, so the frescoes may probably be of about the same period. Of the
battle represented I can find no record.
[15] Engraved in Jal, i. 330; with other mediaeval illustrations of the
same points.
[16] To these Casoni adds Sifoni for discharging Greek fire; but this he
seems to take from the Greek treatise of the Emperor Leo. Though I
have introduced Greek fire in the cut at p. 49, I doubt if there is
evidence of its use by the Italians in the thirteenth century.
Joinville describes it like something strange and new.
In after days the artillery occupied the same position, at the bow of
the galley.
Great beams, hung like battering rams, are mentioned by Sanudo, as
well as iron crow's-feet with fire attached, to shoot among the
rigging, and jars of quick-lime and soft soap to fling in the eyes of
the enemy. The lime is said to have been used by Doria against the
Venetians at Curzola (infra, p. 48), and seems to have been a usual
provision. Francesco Barberini specifies among the stores for his
galley: "Calcina, con lancioni, Pece, pietre, e ronconi" (p. 259.)
And Christine de Pisan, in her Faiz du Sage Roy Charles (V. of
France), explains also the use of the soap: "Item, on doit avoir
pluseurs vaisseaulx legiers a rompre, comme poz plains de chauls ou
pouldre, et gecter dedens; et, par ce, seront comme avuglez, au
brisier des poz. Item, on doit avoir autres poz de mol savon et
gecter es nefzs des adversaires, et quant les vaisseaulx brisent, le
savon est glissant, si ne se peuent en piez soustenir et chieent en
l'eaue" (pt. ii. ch. 38).
[17] Balislariae, whence no doubt Balistrada and our Balustrade.
Wedgwood's etymology is far-fetched. And in his new edition (1872),
though he has shifted his ground, he has not got nearer the truth.
[18] Sanutius, p. 53; Joinville, p. 40; Muntaner, 316, 403.
[19] See pp. 270, 288, 324, and especially 346.
[20] See the Protestant, cited above, p. 441, et seqq.
[21] Venezia e le sue Lagune, ii. 52.
[22] Mar. Sanut. p. 75.
[23] Mar. Sanut., p. 30.
[24] The Catalan Admiral Roger de Loria, advancing at daybreak to attack
the Provencal Fleet of Charles of Naples (1283) in the harbour of
Malta, "did a thing which should be reckoned to him rather as an act
of madness," says Muntaner, "than of reason. He said, 'God forbid that
I should attack them, all asleep as they are! Let the trumpets and
nacaires sound to awaken them, and I will tarry till they be ready for
action.