Arrighetto Capece’s imprisonment

Arrighetto Capece’s imprisonment marks the point at which political defeat turns a powerful Sicilian governor into a captive—and the later revolt reverses that fate, restoring him to leadership and rank. His captivity began amid the collapse of Manfred’s rule, but ended when the people of Sicily freed him and made him their captain against Charles I.

Political background

After the death of Emperor Frederick II, Manfred was crowned King of Sicily. Arrighetto Capece, a Neapolitan gentleman and governor of the island, held a position of considerable authority under him. When Charles I defeated and killed Manfred at Benevento, the kingdom passed into Charles’s hands, and the Sicilians’ allegiance appeared uncertain to Arrighetto.

Capture and imprisonment

Rather than become a subject of his lord’s enemy, Arrighetto prepared to flee. His intention became known, however, and the Sicilians suddenly seized him along with other friends and servants of Manfred. They delivered the captives to Charles and surrendered possession of the island. Arrighetto was consequently held in captivity by Charles; the account gives no precise duration or details of his confinement before the revolt.

Release and return to command

The reversal came when a revolt against Charles broke out in Sicily. The people stormed the prison, killed Arrighetto’s guards, and released him. They then made him their captain, and he led them in their effort to expel and kill the French. The former prisoner thus returned to political and military command through the uprising that overturned the authority responsible for his captivity.

Restoration and family reunion

Arrighetto’s fortunes were restored under King Pedro, who reinstated him in all his honors and possessions and received him with great distinction. News of his survival reached his family during a celebratory gathering in Lunigiana, where his wife, Madam Beritola Caracciola, and their son Giusfredi had been reunited with their other son, Scacciato. Arrighetto sent a brigantine carrying gentlemen to bring his wife and son to him, completing the account’s movement from political separation and imprisonment toward recovered status and family reunion.