Swiss Guard in Lucca: 1st and 2nd editions of regulations. No U.S. copies.
[Swiss Guard]. Capitolatione, oblighi, e decreti, per la compagnia svizzera del Cantone di Lucerna destinate alla Guardia del Palazzo dell’eccellentissimi Sig. Antiani, e Gonfaloniero di giustizia dell’eccellentissimi republica di Lucca. Lucca: Appresso Iacinto Paci, &c., 1666. 4to in 4s and 8s [44.4 x 31.4 cm the sheet], 22 pp, [2] pp. blanks, with woodcut arms of Lucca on title page, woodcut headpiece and initial. In sheets as issued, unopened, uncut, never sewn. Some toning and staining, edge wear with some marginal loss at upper portion of fore edge, some separation at fold of first sheet.
[With:]
[Swiss Guard]. Capitolazioni obblighi, e decreti, per la compagnia svizzera del Cantone di Lucerna destinata alla Guardia del Palazzo degli eccellentissimi signori Anziani, e Gonfaloniero di giustizia della serenissima repubblica di Lucca. Lucca: Nella stamperia di Filippo Maria Benedini, 1748. 4to in 8s [20.0 x 14.5 cm], 35 pp., [1] p., with woodcut arms of Lucca on title page, woodcut headpiece and initials. Bound in later decorated wrappers. Wrappers with minor spotting. Some toning to first and last pages, minor occasional toning and spotting elsewhere.
Very rare 1666 1st edition (1 copy worldwide, in Lucerne) and rare 1748 2nd edition (no U.S. copies) of regulations for the Swiss Guard stationed in Lucca. The 1666 1st edition is (remarkably) here preserved in sheets as issued.
The Swiss Guard has its origins in the 15th century, but its official date of foundation is recognized as 1506, when a contingent of 150 soldiers arrived in Rome at the behest of Pope Julius II (1443-1513). The Swiss Guard, with their distinctive Renaissance uniforms of blue, yellow, orange, and red, today still maintains a visible presence in Vatican City. The role of the mercenaries of the Compagnia Svizzera is less well known outside of Rome, making these two editions of the Lucca Capitolatione, oblighi, e decreti valuable sources.
The Republic of Lucca, hoping to maintain its independence, first hired mercenaries from the Swiss Guard in 1653 and continued to employ these soldiers until the end of the 18th century, at which point Lucca lost its independence during the Second Coalition invasion (1799-1800) of the French Revolutionary Wars.
The 1666 and 1748 regulations were the only two editions published and differ from each other only in matters of orthography. They describe the ranks, numbers, and roles of soldiers hired. Discussed are weapons and uniforms, pay, benefits (e.g, healthcare), rations and provisions (oil, grain, wine, meat, candles, charcoal, wood, etc.), and regulations for soldiers mixing with the local population (e.g., at caberetti and hosterie). Guard members who spoke blasphemies were subject to having their tongues cut out. Other matters of obedience are described in 27 numbered paragraphs, and there is given a point-by-point description of how guards should perform their rounds at the Palazzo dei Signori, including special duties and various feast days.
OPAC, KVK and OCLC locate the 1666 1st edition at the Staatsarchiv Luzern. The 1748 2nd edition is found at the Biblioteca Statale (Lucca); Biblioteca Palatina (Parma); Swiss National Library; and Zentral- und Hochschulbibliothek Luzern.
*Inventario del R. Archivio di Stato in Lucca Archivio diplomatico, carte del Comune di Lucca, part 1, vol., p. 250; Pier Giorgio Camaiani and Pier Giorgio Camaiani, Antichi stati: Repubblica, Principato e Ducato di Lucca, p. 128.