Masaniello

Masaniello (properly TOMMASO ANIELLO), a fisherman of Amalfi, born in 1623, was the leader of the revolt which took place in Naples in July 1647 against the Spanish viceroy, the Duke of Arcos. The people had been exasperated by oppression, and great excitement had been produced by a new tax upon fruit. Masaniello himself was aggrieved by the harsh treatment which his wife had received after being detected in an attempt to smuggle a little flour. Taking advantage of a quarrel between the fruit-sellers and the tax-collectors on 7th July 1647, Masaniello stirred up the multitude to a revolt. Their triumph was complete; palaces and public buildings were plundered, mostly for arms, a bloody popular justice was executed, and the viceroy was forced into a regular treaty with Masaniello in the church of the Carmelites on 13th July. But success and the weight of his responsibilities turned the fisherman's head; he gave himself up to excess, and his capricious despotism immediately became terrible to his own associates. He was assassinated by agents of the viceroy on 16th July.