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Renaissance Chivalry?
Joshua Santana:
Sir Francis Drake
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Drake
He is famous for his pirate style raids on the Spanish trading ships and his involvement against the Spanish Armada, even was involved at the siege of Cadiz in 1587. His service to Queen and country is how he earned a Knighthood (with a popular tale that Queen Elizabeth I did the knighting). Drake was also an explorer who made several trips around the Caribbean Islands and circumnavigated around the world. He made an unsuccessful attack at San Juan, Puerto Rico before dying of dysentery. He requested on is death bed to be buried with his armor on and for his coffin to be sent to the sea. The request was honored and divers to this day search for it. An amazing story indeed.
Joshua Santana:
The focus of my research turned to Italy where I began to research more into the Condottiere.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Condottieri
What I found interesting is that most of these mercenary knights fought for a common goal (the liberation of Italy from the Holy Roman Empire) and they were often governors of the cities they captured. No this in the Italian sense is more chivalric and they honor their names by naming their cruise ships after them or by erecting statues in their memory. This is rather a myth busting moment and how Chivalry can be perceived in a lesser occupation of the mercenary business.
More info on the Italian Wars
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_Wars
To start off, I came across an English condotteiri named Sir John Hawkwood.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hawkwood
Despite being a controversial figure during the late Middle Ages, he manages to become an influential figure in Italian history. The roots of the Italian Wars had their start during the middle to late Middle Ages and Sir John was involved in it. A veteran of the Hundred Years Wars siding with England, he fought in the battles of Crecy, Poitiers and was knighted by the Black Prince himself.
His mercenary career started in Burgundy, from there he rose to commander of a mercenary company called the White Company. He was involved in the Italian factions (which were the root causes of the later Renaissance Italian Wars). His career is a shifting change from fighting against the Papal forces to acting under orders from Pope Gregory XI (the tale surrounding his order is the source of the controversy).
Later on, King Richard III appointed him as ambassador of England and gained a victory at the Battle of Castagnaro six years later.
Lived the remainder of his life in Florence and is honored to this day as a hero for Florence against Milanese expansion. (Remember the factions were caused by region fighting against region for territory, Italy would not become a united nation until the 19th Century). Hope you enjoy!
Joshua Santana:
Here is an English Knight Renaissance whose own story is quite remarkable.
Enter Sir Thomas Hoby
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hoby
Originally a translator and diplomat, however when he traveled to France, Italy and the other nations in the Holy Roman Empire he did his job well and came across one of the popular books in the Renaissance: "Il Cortegiano" or "The Book of the Courtier" by Baldassare Castiglione. This book describes the mannerisms of the ideal courtier (it addresses to both men and women) and the ideals have it's roots to the Code of Chivalry and Courtly Love. Thomas was responsible for its translation it exploded in England as one of the popular books during the English Renaissance. Thomas Hoby was knighted on March 9, 1566 for this and for doing his job as a diplomat. Sadly, he died three months later and yet leaves behind one of the best translations of a popular book that describes the change of the Medieval Knight to the Renaissance Courtier/Gentleman or Knight.
Here is an online link to the actual book itself and the original work (translated by a different author) for you who are interested. Enjoy!'
http://www.luminarium.org/renascence-editions/courtier/courtier.html
http://books.google.com/books?id=E-gtAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+book+of+the+courtier&hl=en&sa=X&ei=E9qrT7yjCefg0QHSnfn6Dw&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=the%20book%20of%20the%20courtier&f=false
Joshua Santana:
I just recently ordered an downloaded this document detailing the last few days that Don Giovanni dalle Bande Nere lived. http://www.freelanceacademypress.com/DeathOfGiovanni.aspx
It is a letter written by his Pietro Aretino who recorded the entire ordeal. What struck me while I read this 7 page document is that Giovanni maintains a strange, positive attitude during his ordeal: "“As in all other matters, I have always fulfilled my duty. I will therefore not fail in this regard either.” (he was wounded in the leg (I suppose the calf area) by a falconet and a arquebus shot (a small cannon).)
In his confession he said these specific words which surprised me (since he happens to be a Condottiere or Mercenary Knight): "....as I am a man-at-arms by profession, I have lived by a soldier’s code, as I would have lived as a man of the cloth had I donned the same robe as you. And if it weren’t something unusual, I would confess myself before the whole world, as I have never committed acts unworthy of me.”
This was the surprise because he mentioned that he lived by "a soldier's code". This to me is hardcore evidence that Giovanni was a chivalric individual who genuinely lived by the code. I have done my research on him and I can profess that the letter is further proof of his Chivalric character.
Giovanni dalle Bande Nere (or Don Giovanni de Medici) died of septicemia as a result of the falconet, cannon shot wound and amputation. Aretino describes his passing as a great loss, he then describes his character in great detail that he was humble in his profession, loved by his men and "The goods that were sold and did not go to his son, but to feed his men, are proof that I laud him for his true worth, not for adulation."
"He was admirable in pacifying quarrels among soldiers, overseeing them by using love, fear, punishment and reward. There was never a better man to employ deception and strength in war. Nor was the audacity that armed his heart lacking; but his natural gallantry caused him to utter sentences frightening to his enemies."
This I find to be true as Giovanni lived up to his reputation. A final note I must add is that Aretino says these famous words concerning the future without men like Giovanni: "And Florence, and Rome (please, God, let me be lying!) will soon get a taste of a world without him. I am already hearing the cries of the Pope, who believes to have gained by the loss of our Lord." This becomes a reality as a few months after Giovanni's death, Rome become sacked by the Imperial forces under the command of Charles IV (I believe) In 1527. Pope Clement VII was a Medici who considered Giovanni to be a bad influence and put obstacles in his way while he lived. He believed to have gained an advantage from Giovanni's death, but he would flee from a burning Rome and he would go down in History for his cowardly infamy.
Consider this, a mercenary knight fighting not for money but rather his country's independence, seriously wounded in the, undregoes amputation (and helps the surgeons by putting candle light to his wounded leg while it is being removed, suffers a few days latter keeping his head high, dies from the wound infection. His death is monumental that the conquest of Italy by the Holy Roman Empire occurred months after his death. Tell me, this does not say that Chivalry was alive and well in the Renaissance.
All I can say is that the letter does not disappoint it's reader and I can tell you it an awesome letter, I recommend any one with an interest to order it. I hope you enjoy this small review of mine.
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