The late 70s and 80s saw Hawkwood move his home from the Romagna to Tuscany, within the orbit of Florence; and despite fighting on a number of campaigns, the relationship with Florence deepened.
In 1387 Hawkwood was approached by Giovanni Ubaldini, Padua's military commander, to come and fight against Verona. He agreed, and by March was in the field, facing his enemy by the River Adige near the village of Castagnaro.
A marriage feast, a divorce, a diplomat – and a possible meeting with a literary genius and torturer of school children. Oh – plus fightiness, of course
Libertas! Cried the citizens of Florence, and Libertas! Replied many of the Pope’s ‘loyal’ cities – Urbino, Gibbio, Orvieto and many more. Ruggerio Cane and the Florentine diplomats wereRead More
Hawkwood’s reputation, already riding high from recent victories when he met the Visconti at Montechiari. But soon afterwards, a change in Gregory XI’s policy would turn the political situationRead More
A matter of honour and professional pride? Or a contract negotiation? One of Hawkwood’s greatest victories appears not to ease relationships with the Visconti
1365-7 were confused years for Hawkwood without a consistent employer, and faced with the Papal anti mercenary league of Urban V – as well as picking up some payRead More
In 1364, Hawkwood received his full command,and took the Pisan armies out to face the opponents at Florence. The results would be …mixed. Good in parts. Could do better.
In 1363, Sterz and Hawkwood’s efforts helped bring the Visconti to a reluctant and truculent peace. Ironically they’d just done themselves out of a job. But never mind – theRead More
The Visconti of Milan had risen to power by defeating their local rivals. They constantly sought to use the fabulous wealth of the city to extend their patrimony, often confrontedRead More
The Pope did what many were forced to do with mercenaries – paid them to go away. Sterz took the White Company to northern Italy to fight for Montferrat, andRead More
The Hawkwood into which Sterz led the White Company in 1361 was a patchwork of loyalties, families, political ambitions and trade wars – and it was rich beyond theRead More
For 12,000 hardened warriors, Pont St Esprit was the perfect target – owned by the richest man in Christendom, the Pope, and vulnerable. So, a good place to pick upRead More
Four maps below, to help you navigate the life and times of John Hawkwood. Political Map of Renaissance Italy Detail Political map of northern Italy The Regions of Italy TheRead More