Great Company (German)
The Great Company was a
History
1340s
The company was founded in 1342 by Werner von Urslingen, whose reputed motto was "Enemy of God, Enemy of Piety, Enemy of Pity", with some writers even reporting the phrase inscribed on his breastplate.[1] Urslingen was inspired by Lodrisio Visconti's Compagnia di San Giorgio, under which he had fought in the battle of Parabiago. Commanders included his brother Reinhardt, Ettore da Panigo, Konrad von Landau and Francesco degli Ordelaffi. The strength of the company at this point was recorded as 3,000 men-at-arms. In autumn 1342, the company was dissolved and Urslingen and many of his German followers returned home.[2]
In 1347 Urslingen was hired by
1350s
In 1351 Urslingen retired to Germany and Landau and Fra' Moriale reunited, the latter taking command of the company, which now added Italians, Provençals and Hungarians to the previous mainly German majority of mercenaries. The major area of operation was once more central Italy. In 1353–54, the company's strength was estimated at 10,000 fighting men and 20,000
In 1359 the company had again reached a substantial strength, amounting to some 20,000 men; it subsequently fought in battles against Rimini, Fabriano, Camerino, the Papal States and Florence. In July the company was crushed by the Florentine army under Pandolfo II Malatesta at the Battle of Campo delle Mosche.[4]
1360s
In 1363, hired by the
See also
- Condottieri
- Free company
References
- ISBN 9780313330452.
- ISBN 0370105028pp31-2
- ^ Mallett (1974), pp32-33
- ^ Mallett (1974), pp33-6
- ISBN 0-8018-8323-7.
Further reading
- Rendina, Claudio (1999). I capitani di ventura. Rome: Newton & Compton.
- Wise, Terence (1975). Medieval European Armies: 1300-1500. Osprey Publishing.