A commemorative and cultural event on “The Events of Isernia in 1860” took place at the Church of San Giuseppe Lavoratore in Isernia. It saw the participation of various Two Sicilies associations (the Giglio Foundation, the Neapolitan Academy of Historical Studies, and the 1st Regiment of the King) and was coordinated by the Molise Delegation of the Constantinian Order of Saint George. A small exhibition of Bourbon relics from the collection of Alessandro di Pescolanciano was also held. The event began with soldiers from the aforementioned Regiment and the Constantinian Knights, bearing their respective banners, marching toward the church altar to honor the fallen soldiers of Isernia in this uprising. The local parish priest also offered prayers and a blessing to them. The parade concluded with the riflemen ( “fusilieri”) firing a blank. Subsequently, the conference opened with a presentation by Marina Carrese (Giglio Foundation) and Giancarlo Rinaldi (Neapolitan Academy of Historical Studies) regarding the need for the territories of the former Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to preserve the historical memory of their identity, for which so many people sacrificed themselves, as well as to spread certain truths about events hidden from official Risorgimento historiography. The Delegate, the Duke Don Ettore d’Alessandro di Pescolanciano, thanked all participants for their significant contribution in making the day an unforgettable moment for our national history. Furthermore, he focused on the presentation of certain family documents that identified his ancestor the Duke Giovanni Maria, a Gentleman of the Chamber with exercise, as one of the architects of the aforementioned revolt. Professor Carmela Spadaro (Federico II University of Naples) shed detailed light on the violent preludes of Garibaldi’s faction against the local citizens, who remained loyal to their King and his insignia. She highlighted how these repressive actions were consistently hushed up by the liberal propaganda-press of the time and subsequent Kingdom of Italy. A similar silence was maintained against certain Legitimist battalions that fought heroically near Isernia, winning a crushing victory over Garibaldi’s occupying troops. Don Giuliano Lilli, however, highlighted how Garibaldi’s provisional government was intolerant and ruthless toward local clerics of the reactionary faction, as in the case of Bishop Saladino, who was beaten to death along with other prelates. Furthermore, summary trials were held against these insurgents, unauthorized by the judiciary of a nascent and not yet constituted state. Historian Franco Valente has finally brought to light some portraits and paintings commissioned by the said Bishop of Isernia. Thus, the town square of Isernia, like Gaeta, Capua, and Civitella del Tronto, is preparing to be a new venue for these moments of study and reflection on “counter-history.” The Molise Delegate of the SMOC, Duke d’Alessandro, with the support of Secretary Lieutenant Giuseppe D’Amico, presented certificates of thanks, as well as souvenir gifts of the day, to all the important personalities in attendance.
Several brothers were present, including Dame of Justice Brunella Murolo, Vice Knight of Grace Giulio de Jorio Frisari, Knight of Grace Alessandro d’Alessandro, Knights Marco Laureti, Marino Tuso, Luigi Zappone, Michele Tartaglia, and other Campanian knights. Among the audience were various scholars, such as Giovanni Pedio, Lino Padula, and Giuseppe Magnetta.
