John Hawkwood

John Hawkwood was an English mercenary captain who became a leading condottiero in fourteenth-century Italy, serving several city-states, including Florence.

Florence: Florence is a city in Tuscany that became a major center of politics, commerce, and culture. Hawkwood served Florence and was honored by the city after his death.
Hundred Years' War: The Hundred Years’ War was a prolonged series of conflicts between England and France from 1337 to 1453. Hawkwood gained his military experience in the wars before campaigning in Italy.
Condotta: A condotta was a written contract governing a mercenary captain’s service to an Italian state. Hawkwood’s employment depended on the terms and duration of such military contracts.
Florence Cathedral: Florence Cathedral is the principal church of Florence, formally known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Its interior contains the monument commemorating Hawkwood.
Bernabò Visconti: Bernabò Visconti was a ruler of Milan from 1354 to 1385. Hawkwood served Visconti before later entering the service of Florence.
Battle of Crécy: The Battle of Crécy was a major English victory over France in 1346. Hawkwood is traditionally associated with the English army that fought in France.
Company of Saint George: The Company of Saint George was a fourteenth-century Italian mercenary company organized by Alberico da Barbiano. Its organization illustrates the disciplined company structure associated with Hawkwood’s era.
Paolo Uccello: Paolo Uccello was a Florentine painter of the early Renaissance, known for experiments with perspective. Uccello painted Hawkwood’s equestrian memorial fresco in Florence Cathedral.
Gregory XI: Gregory XI was pope from 1370 to 1378 and returned the papacy from Avignon to Rome. Hawkwood fought for the papacy during conflicts with Italian city-states.
Free Companies: Free Companies were armed bands that fought for pay across France and Italy during the fourteenth century. Hawkwood’s English company operated within this wider world of mobile mercenary bands.

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CondottieroBroader topic: His career helped establish the model of the foreign professional captain in Italian warfare.