Pietro Della Vigna - Imprisonment and Suicide

Imprisonment and Suicide

In the year 1249 members of the royal household attempted to poison Frederick. Frederick had Pietro imprisoned and chained like a dog in Pisa. After a year in prison he was visited by the Emperor; he was unable to communicate or defend himself as the Emperor had his eyes ripped out; the Emperor and his entourage left. Unable to bear the disgrace, della Vigna fell to his knees with his hands outstretched and begged for mercy, before smashing his head on the stone floor, until his brains rushed forth from his cracked skull. {TH}

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