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The first written documentary evidences
about Chianciano date back to the twelfth century: in 1139
the place is by chance mentioned in a list of witnesses who
had been present at the donation of part of Radicofani Castle
by the Manenti Count to the Bishop of Siena. In 1167 Orvieto
Consul, Tancredi Manente, calls himself "Count of Chianciano".
In 1171 Chianciano is cited in a contract ("in Clanciano
ed in tota curie eius") and in 1230 is defined "Commune".
In that very year, on the 2nd July, Chianciano was subjected
by the Manentis to Siena. Florence, Orvieto and Montepulciano
didn't look favourably upon Siena expansionist attempts. After
seven years of fights, on the 14th May 1237, the Manenti Counts
subdued Chianciano to Orvieto, but in 1244 it was Montepulciano
to have the better, obliging the Manentis to become its lords
and annexing their lands: Sarteano, Chianciano, Paciano, Panicale.
Chianciano inhabitants had been feeling subjected to Orvieto
for years, but once Orvieto had decayed, in 1347, Chianciano
passed more steadily under Siena influence, though it maintained
its own autonomy, thanks to its economic vitality, its favourable
geographic position as boundary territory and above all thanks
to the agreements with the town of Siena. Even though the
treaty established the election of a Sienese citizen as podestà
and recognised to Siena the power to declare the state of
war or peace, it also defined a state of equality in the administration
of justice and in the imposition of taxes, besides the prohibition
for Siena inhabitants to hold any property in Chianciano,
however obtaining the warranty of defence in the case of invasions
and ravages. The treaty lasted until the end of Siena Republic,
when in 1556, its district became part of the Grand Duchy.
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