The city has gone mad. Everywhere there is fighting and disorder. Old scores are settled and rapine and looting widespread. There was nearly two days of fighting around the Colisseo as the Frangipani tried once more to assert their rights to their old fortress while the bands of rogues that occupy the place made common cause to see them off. At the half finished Colonna Palazzo a riot, as looters tried to make off with valuable building materials, turned into something more akin to a pitched battle. It was only ended when a troop of Colonna cavalry arrived and began to lay about them indiscriminately with sword and lance. One of the most shocking tales comes from the Convent of Santa Bibita. Armed ruffians broke in there and are said to have abducted a dozen nuns and dragged them off to the brothels in the Suburra.
Rome has ever been a lawless place since the Holy Father abandoned the See of St. Peter for the brothels of Avignon. However, this summer of 1341 the whole city seems to have gone mad. Armed men roam the streets and do as they will. Otherwise law-abiding citizens arm themselves to resist their depredations but often seem unable to agree themselves with their neighbours and so every rione seems rife with strife.
Those who seek the reasons behind all this conflict point the finger at rivalries of the baroni, especially the Colonna and the Orsini. While they are not in open arms against one another, many believe that each is moving against the other's interests in the city while secretly fanning the flames of this anarchy.
The Senate of Rome has declared that Francesco Petracca the Arezzo-born writer and diplomat is to be crowned as Rome's first Poet Laureate since ancient times. He is to be presented with the symbolic crown of laurel leaves on the 8th April in a great public event upon the Capitol to which all are invited.
Petracca's public sponsors in this matter are Senators Giordano Orsini and Orso dell'Anguillara. However, many see the hand of the young up-and-coming notaio from the Aventine, Cola Di Rienzo, who is known for his enthusiasm for the customs of antiquity, and is known associate of Petracca.
There are rumours of a lavish festa to be held in his honour later that day upon the Palatine, with a more selective guest list.