War of the Bucket

War of the Bucket
Part of the second phase of the Guelphs–Ghibellines power struggle
Date 1325 Location Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy Result Modenese Victory
Belligerents
Bologna (Guelph)	Modena (Ghibelline)
Commanders and leaders
Pope John XXII	Passerino Bonacolsi
Strength
32,000 (at Zappolino)	7,000 (at Zappolino)
Casualties and losses
c. 1,500 (Bologna)	c. 500 (Modena)

The War of the Bucket or the War of the Oaken Bucket (Italian: Guerra della secchia rapita) was fought in 1325 between the rival city-states of Bologna and Modena. It took place in the region of Emilia-Romagna, in northern Italy. The war was an episode in the over 300-year-long struggle between Guelphs and Ghibellines. Modena won the Battle of Zappolino, the only battle of the war.

A common myth surrounding the War of the Bucket is that it was caused by the Modenese stealing a bucket from a Bolognese well. However, that is mostly incorrect, as the bucket was, according to most accurate accounts, taken as a trophy by the Modenese after the war—in fact war was declared because Modena had captured the Bolognese castle of Monteveglio.^[1]