John Hawkwood

John Hawkwood or Giovanni Acuto (* around 1320 to 1323 in Sible Hedingham in Colchester, Essex, † 1394 in Florence ) was an Italian Condottiere of English origin.

Life

In his first appearance he is documented occupied November 1361 in the service of Montferrat, already mentioned as one of the leader of the " White Company " English mercenary. Over time before there is only conjecture due to later statements Hawkwood, or chronicler Jean Froissart and Filippo Villani as. In his father's 1340 will, he inherits some money and a year living right on the estate of his father, getting his older brother with the same name.

Then he will probably tailor in London, but takes the opportunity was that. Makes the ads of the English king Edward III offer him for a military career.

Possibly as an archer in the service of acquaintances from the vicinity of his father he takes part in the Hundred Years' War. His battles he played well under the command of John de Vere or William Bohun.

It is uncertain whether he is already in the service of France against the accolade received ( possibly even of Edward III. Himself or his son Edward, the " Black Prince ").

Hawkwood occurred around 1360, hardened in the Hundred Years' War, at the head of the White Company ( see also: Grandes Compagnies ) in Italy in the service of the city of Pisa against Florence on, then at the Visconti in Milan, then with Pope Gregory XI, and finished. his career in the service of the city of Florence. He was appointed Capitano del Popolo, received an annual pay of 130,000 gold ducats, and went in 1378 to retire. The city paid him a magnificent funeral and a fresco in Florence's Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore.

He was married to an illegitimate daughter of Bernabo Visconti, who married a total of five of his illegitimate daughters to leading condottieri.