<A>
Seine and Scheldt (home of the Gothic): *
The Seine is the southern river (in red), the Scheldt is the northern river (in red); the area in yellow highlight is the region Spengler labels as birthplace for the Gothic Soul
<B>
troubadours: *
map of historical region Occitania
<C>
Provence: *
map of Provence
<D>
Tuscan patricians (circ 1300): *
An example of a Tuscan patrician is Castruccio Castracani, signore at Lucca (1320–28). His family was exiled form Lucca when the papal party, the Guelfs, gained power. Castruccio served French, English & Lombard forces as a condottiere (mercenary soldier). He backed the imperial party in 1314 retaking Lucca, becoming the dominant figure in 1316. In 1320 the emperor Frederick III appointed him imperial vicar of Lucca and when Emperor Louis IV entered Italy to be crowned in Rome, he became an active imperial counsellor and was later appointed hereditary Duke of Lucca. In 1325 victory over the Florentines brought almost all Tuscany under his sway; he became one of the most powerful men in Italy. However he fell into conflict with the papacy, was excommunicated & upon his death in 1428 his empire was easily re-taken by Florence