Ludovico Racaniello

Ludovico Racaniello (1352–1441) was an Italian condottiero active in Tuscany.

Biography

Ludovico was born in Todi, the first child of Riccardo, and a descendant of the Racaniello family of Umbrian origin.

He dedicated a number of years to the study of

, dedicated himself to a military career in which he rapidly achieved success.

In 1380 he married Giulia Albizzi, daughter of Maso Albizzi, thus ensuring the support of the powerful Albizzi family which in those years dominated the political life of Florence.

In 1395 Racaniello became captain of the castle of

.

In 1397 he entered into conflict with the

.

When control of Florence passed to the Medici in 1434, Racaniello displayed skills as a diplomat that matched his skills as a condottiere. In spite of the years he had passed in the service of the family that had fought them for the control of Florence, he succeeded in ingratiating himself with the Medici to the extent that they required no adjustments to be made to the size of the territory falling under his control. Instead they recognized him as guarantor of the power of the Florentine signoria over that territory.

Ludovico Racaniello died at Montecchio in 1441.

References

• Adar, Ghimel (1972). Storie di mercenari e di capitani di ventura (in Italian). Ginevra: Edizioni Ferni.