The War of the Bucket

A Deep Dive into the 1325 Conflict

A stolen bucket. Two proud cities. One of history’s most peculiar wars.

In the annals of medieval conflict, few tales are as bizarre—and as revealing—as the War of the Bucket. What began as a petty provocation between the rival Italian city-states of Modena and Bologna erupted into a bloody clash that claimed hundreds of lives, all over a wooden bucket taken from a city well.

In The War of the Bucket: A Deep Dive into the 1325 Conflict, author Terry Sloan unpacks the absurdity and the gravity of this infamous episode. With rich detail and a sharp narrative voice, Sloan explores the social tensions, political rivalries, and cultural pride that fueled the battle. This is more than a tale of medieval eccentricity—it's a vivid lens into the honor-based warfare and volatile alliances that shaped 14th-century Italy.

Whether you're a history buff or simply curious about the strangest causes of war, this thoroughly researched and engagingly written account will both entertain and enlighten.

Discover the bucket that sparked a war—and the world that allowed it to happen.