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Articles- The Companies of Soldier of fortune in Italy
In Italy, the first examples of such companies are to be found around …., led by foreign captains like John from Montreal - nicknamed ‘Fra Moriale’ - Werner from Urslinger, - nicknamed ‘Guarnieri’ - Corrado from Landau, Anichino from Boumgarten and the British John Hawkwook, called ‘Giovanni Acuto’.
In their earliest forms, Companies of Soldiers of Fortune were simple bands that brought together men of arms with one specific purpose in mind: to serve the highest-paying lord. These bands often consisted of outcasts and outlaws of various origins, their lowest ranks being composed of castaways coming from the countryside, the city and, in general, any social institution, including the Church. On the other hand, the leaders were mostly lords with a penchant for the adventurous life, where money could be made by using a sword. They were often knights who had been defeated by the Company itself, and who had chosen to join a mercenary army rather than try to rebuild their hopelessly ruined lands.
On account of their internal organization and discipline, Companies proved more efficient as battle troops than traditional knights - who were likely to disregard rules and war tactics to favor their own successes. However, once free of their engagements with noblemen and kings, soldiers of fortune would often become bandits and extort money from the most prosperous villages while setting the poorest ones on fire. The most efficient, merciless companies quickly became very popular, thus drawing an increasingly larger number of soldiers to their ranks. The most renowned companies could count as many as 2,000 units – all well equipped for battle, both on foot and on horseback.
One of the most celebrated captains of the time was Fra Moriale – his nickname was a remnant of his former career as the prior of the Knights of San Giovanni. His Company was so large that it featured a private council, secretaries, bookkeepers, judges and even gallows, ready to be used for any death sentence. Fra Moriale was so influential that he once asked the Republic of Venice for 150,000 gold florins to wage a war against the Duchy of Milan. He became extremely rich and famous, and was so self-confident that after receiving an invitation from Cola di Rienzo, he went to Rome without his escort. There, di Rienzo had him captured and sentenced to death.
Companies of Soldiers of Fortune reached Italy through France, Savoy, Lombardy and the Papal States, and came to play a very important role in 15th century Europe. In fact, they became a stable, primary figure of contemporary society, as well a lifestyle in itself. Rulers would largely make use of these companies, and sometimes even fight along them. However, at long last they would have to fight just as hard to get rid of mercenary soldiers. Their origins date back to the 11th century, as a result of the decline of the Spanish, Flemish and German feudal systems.
Condemned in 1179 by the 1st Lateran Council and then again in 1366 by Pope Urban V, these mercenary militias were nevertheless bound to flourish in 14th-century Italy and make their captains very successful. As a matter of fact, in a country where local lords and communes coexisted independently, and the military training of local citizens was impractical for both economical and political reasons, the presence of armed troops had become utterly important.
