John Hawkwood

Sir John Hawkwood was a prominent English soldier during the fourteenth century. He became a famous leader of mercenaries in Italy. A mercenary is a soldier hired to fight for a specific leader or state. In Italy, these leaders were called condottieri. Because his English name was difficult for Italians to say, they gave him a new name. They called him Giovanni Acuto. This name means "John Sharp" or "John the Astute." This was a reference to his cleverness and cunning in military matters.

Hawkwood was born around 1320 in Essex, England. His father, Gilbert Hawkwood, was a tanner and a landowner. While some stories suggest he grew up in poverty, his father actually had considerable wealth. As a young man, Hawkwood moved to London to be apprenticed as a tailor. He eventually began a military career in France. He fought as a longbowman during the Hundred Years' War. He likely participated in the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. Following these battles, he joined a large mercenary group called the White Company. He became its captain in 1363 and eventually led the group into Italy.

In Italy, Hawkwood's career was defined by his ability to navigate complex political landscapes. He worked for many different powerful factions. These included the Pope, the city of Milan, and the city of Florence. His military success was often tied to his skill in tactical planning. For example, during the Pisan-Florentine War, he commanded the Pisan army. At the Battle of Cascina, he carefully considered the terrain and battlefield conditions. Although he lost that specific battle, his focus on the environment showed his strategic mind. He later won a major victory at the Battle of Rubiera in 1372. In that fight, he outmaneuvered the enemy and captured many high-ranking officers.

Hawkwood was also known for using military force to ensure he was paid for his services. During the Great Raid on Tuscany, he marched toward Florence because he was frustrated with the Pope. He demanded payment and successfully pressured Tuscan ambassadors to pay him 130,000 florins. This raid helped lead to the War of Eight Saints in 1375. During this conflict, Hawkwood fought for the Pope against Florence. He captured the city of Città di Castello to extract payment for his services. However, his relationship with the Pope became complicated. After his troops looted the town of Faenza, Florence offered him a pension to stop fighting for the Pope. Hawkwood eventually left papal service to work with Milan and Florence.

Being a successful condottiero brought Hawkwood immense wealth. He was typically paid in gold florins, which was the standard currency of the time. His annual earnings were staggering when compared to the average person. A skilled craftsman in Florence might earn only 30 florins per year. In contrast, Hawkwood earned between 6,000 and 80,000 florins annually during his thirty years as a captain.

This wealth allowed him to hold land in both Italy and England. His financial success was a direct result of his ability to secure contracts with the wealthiest states in Europe.

Even in his later years, Hawkwood remained a formidable military leader. By 1385, he was over 60 years old. He was an official citizen of Florence, though he was not permitted to enter the city. In the winter of 1385–1386, he fought in the war between Padua and Verona. He achieved a great victory at the Battle of Castagnaro. He noticed that the enemy's left flank was exposed and ordered an advance. This maneuver secured the win for his allies. During this battle, 4,620 fighting men were captured. This remains one of the most famous examples of his military prowess.

Hawkwood's personal life also reflected his high social standing. He was married twice. His second wife was Donnina Visconti, the daughter of the Milanese ruler Bernabò Visconti. This was a political marriage that gave him strong connections. Donnina was described as a forceful character who even managed part of his finances. They had four children: Janet, Catherine, Anna, and John. Hawkwood's legacy is preserved through his descendants and through art. Every year, millions of tourists visit the Duomo in Florence to see his large fresco portrait. This painting was created by the artist Paolo Uccello in 1436.