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The Legend of the Sicilian Vespers

The term Sicilian Vespers originates from a period during the history of Sicily when the island was ruled by the “House of Anjou”. The House of Anjou included three distinct familial dynasties originally from Western France that came to rule over large areas of England, Ireland, Hungary, Croatia and Sicily. Their reach spread as far as Jerusalem, until the empire collapsed.

In the War of the Sicilian-Vespers, inhabitants rebelled against the highly unpopular rule of Charles of Anjou. French officials in charge of governing the island were known to mistreat the natives. There were reports of rape, theft and murder.

Although the record of what actually happened to set off the war is somewhat unclear, sources agree that it began just before the evening prayer or “vespers” on Easter Monday, March 30th, 1282. According to British historian Steven Runciman, who wrote a number of historical books, including one that concerned the history of Sicily and the 13th century Mediterranean world, the Sicilians had gathered for holiday festivities at the Church of the Holy Spirit, just outside Palermo. A group of French officials arrived and began to drink. A French sergeant dragged a young married woman from the crowd and made improper advances.

The woman’s husband attacked and killed the sergeant with a knife. A fight broke out and eventually the Sicilians killed all of the French officials. As the last Frenchman fell, it is said that all of the church bells in Palermo began to ring, announcing the time for evening prayer; vespers.

The history of Sicily was not well recorded during that time period. Steven Runciman wrote a book titled “The Sicilian Vespers” in 1958. It is quite possible that he romanticized the tale a bit. It is safe to say that the Sicilians were unhappy under French rule, but peace has often eluded the natives.

Most foreign rulers simply regarded the islands as a springboard to attack larger territories. The ambition of Charles of Anjou was to overthrow the Byzantine Empire. He had little real interest in Sicily, itself.

The event that occurred on the evening of March 30th in 1282 was only a moment in the long history of Sicily. But, it was the subject of an opera written by Verdi and first performed in 1855. It was the subject of a painting done by Francesco Hayez in 1846. The Sicilian Mafia in America used the term to refer to murders ordered by Lucky Luciano on September 10, 1931. A short-lived rock band from 1988 chose the name as well.

So, for over 700 years, the legend of the Sicilian Vespers has been a source of inspiration for people from all walks of life.

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