1294
Even while not the coldest, the first few months of 1294 were very damp and it snowed continually. Life in the village of Pietrarubbia, despite the starving people, went smoothly. In order to maintain his modest army, essential for the security and independence of the small State, the Count had left only the basic necessities to the peasants for their survival. They got by on boiled greens, dried legumes and old black stale bread. As always happened during the harsh season, the weakest among the undernourished died, some elderly and many children.
At fifty-five years old and with many aches and pains, Gostolo survived the winter, as much as his work allowed, indoors, in the semi-darkness near the heat of the fireplace. Skilled at wood carving, he would sculpt little toys for his gra
