TIL about Thomas Anello, (aka Massanello/Masaniello), the barefooted fisherman of Naples who aroused his countrymen against Spanish oppression, stirred them to revolt, and became king, all in the span of a few days.

Massanello is referenced by Thomas Paine in Common Sense:

If we omit [forming our own constitution] now, some Massanello may hereafter arise, who, laying hold of popular disquietudes (sic), may collect together the desperate and the discontented, and by assuming to themselves the powers of government, finally sweep away the liberties of the Continent like a deluge.

Interestingly, the footnote in Heath Anthology of American Literature, Volume A, sixth edition says that Anello went from fisherman to king in one day.

Can anyone explain the discrepancy? Wikipedia (and the internet in general) is coming up short, big time.

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