The Battle of Zappalino

A group of Modenaese soldiers crossed over into Bologna without anyone noticing. They absconded with a bucket from a well in the middle of the city. With no other course of action available, Bologna declared war on Modena. The offended city raised an army of over 30,000 against Modena's paltry 7,000 men. About 3,000 people died in the Battle of Zappalino.