Francesco Bentivegna

Francesco Bentivegna (March 4, 1820 - December 20, 1856) was an Italian patriot, who led various revolts in Sicily against the Bourbon rulers between 1848 and 1856.

Early life

Born in Corleone, his father was don Giliberto de Cordova, Marquis of Giostra, and his mother was donna Teresa de Cordova. His parents originally wanted him to become a priest. Instead, he became more fascinated, and involved, with his countrymen's aspirations of independence from their Bourbon rulers.

Struggle against foreign occupation

He initially fought against the Bourbons in Palermo in 1848. To honor his bravery, the provisional governor appointed Bentivegna to be the military governor of the Corleone district. He accepted the position but refused to be paid for his services.

Within 16 months the Bourbon forces reoccupied Palermo. The Bourbon governor offered amnesty to the renegades if they would pledge fealty to the French rulers. Bentivegna refused to make the pledge. On January 27, 1850, he once again attempted a coup against the Bourbon government of Palermo. Barely escaping, he managed to live more than two years as a wanted fugitive, continuing to organize the Italian revolutionaries. He was finally arrested on February 25, 1853 in the Albergheria quarter of Palermo. He was released on July 25th 1856 before his lawyers could plead his case in court.

After his release, Bentivegna deemed it was the right time for a full revolt of Italy from foreign domination. In 1856, with fellow revolutionary Salvatore Spinuzza, he attempted to create an uprising of the people. Bentivegna organized "squadre" of peasants to attack Mezzojuso and Villafrati, while Spinuzza centered his activities in Cefalù. Giuseppe Mazzini promised to aid Bentivegna with his group, "La Giovine Italia".

Arrest and execution

Before the 1856 uprising in Mezzojuso could occur, he was betrayed by the Corleonese Ignazio Milone who had been promised a knighthood and an annual salary of 300 ducats. Bentivegna was arrested on December 2, 1856 while hiding in a house in the Punzonotto Contrada of Corleone. After a summary process the next day, he was sentence to death by firing squad. The execution took place on December 20, 1856 at Mezzojuso.

Bentivegna's death sentence was pronounced based on the charges for his arrest in 1853. But since he was released without having been given a trial at that time, his capital punishment has historically been considered illegal.

Eyewitnesses recount that Bentivegna requested his estate be given to his mother, but this was prohibited by law since surviving males of the line inherited automatically. In signing his last will and testament, he noted that the cosigning notary's hand was shaking and commented wryly that one would think the notary was the one who was about to be executed. He had a last cup of coffee and requested that he not be blindfolded (the request was denied). He was then executed.

Fate of corpse

Following his execution by firing squad, Bentivegna's corpse was thrown into an ossuary, but was quickly, and secretly, removed and hidden.

On June 23, 1860, after Sicily had been liberated by Giuseppe Garibaldi, Bentivegna's body was transported to Corleone. One year later, wrapped in the Italian tricolor flag, he was entombed in the chapel of San Biagio (St. Blaise) in Cefalù, where a monument was erected in his honour.

References

* [http://www.cittanuove-corleone.it/La%20Sicilia,%20Bentivegna%20eroe%20dimenticato%2012.02.06.pdf Bentivegna: eroe dimenticato (Bentivegna: the forgotten hero)]

* [http://www.cittanuove-corleone.it/La%20Sicilia,%20Correva%20l%27anno...%201862,%2007.10.07.pdf L’esecuzione di Francesco Bentivegna (The execution of Francesco Bentivegna)]

* Sansone, Alfonso. "Cospirazioni e rivolte di Francesco Bentivegna e compagni".Palermo, tipografia del "Giornale di Sicilia", 1891. (OCLC OCLC search link|24682582)

* Spiridone, Franco. "Storia della rivolta del 1856 in Sicilia". Roma, Tipogrfia econ. commerciale, 1899 (OCLC OCLC search link|7090805)

* Riall, Lucy. "Sicily and the unification of Italy : liberal policy and local power, 1859-1866". New York : Oxford University Press, 1998, p. 63. (OCLC OCLC search link|37213400)