English Free Companies attack the Sienese at Montalcinello
The English Free Companies that travelled to the Italian states for richer pickings in the late 1360s were experienced, hardened and quite single-minded. These companies were in the fight for the money. They had, in general, served in France before moving on to the Italian conflict when it was more rewarding a region.
Led by men such as Hawkwood, Sterz and Belmont, the English mercenaries had gained a reputation in Italy as being valuable assets in the wars between the City States.
In October 1366 Hawkwood’s men were surprised by a papal army. It resulted in a loss for the English, some of whom were detained as hostages whilst an accord was reached between the Papal command and Hawkwood: the English would not oppose the church for at least a year and would make their way from the papal states.
Following this there was an English plan to attack Perugia. This was possibly plotted in collaboration with the Papal envoy, Gil Albornoz. Whether or not it was a collaborative plan, the English had good reason to attack the Perugian’s, and Siena.
Perugia and Siena had angered Hawkwood and the other English mercenaries by long imprisonment of comrades, failure to pay and, most recently, by the Perugian’s executing Free Company commander Albert Sterz.
English Free Companies attack the Sienese at Montalcinello
Hawkwood and Belmont chose to attack Siena first. On 6th March 1367 they attacked at Montalcinello. It was a devastating strike. The Sienese suffered heavy casualties and nearly all of their leaders were either killed or captured.
And the English then refused to negotiate terms, instead they exacted revenge through a scorched earth campaign. The Sienese had no leadership. No organised response. It led to a rapid collapse of society as the English devastated the region.
Such was the scale of destruction and fear that Siena was unable to undertake the basic functions of state. For example, court cases had to be postponed.
Image
1436 fresco depicting Sir John Hawkwood. Via Wikipedia
