Ceccolo Broglia (Broglia da Tridino, Ceccolo da Trino)
From Trino; some sources claim he was instead from Chieri. He was the lord of Assisi, Civitella d’Agliano and Bastia Umbra.
Born: 1352
Death: 1400, July
| Year, month | State, Comp. ventura | Opponent | Conduct | Activity Area | Actions taken and other salient facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1378 | Served in the Company of Saint George under Alberico da Barbiano. | ||||
| 1379 | |||||
| Apr. | Church | Antipope | Lazio | Participated in the Battle of Marino. | |
| 1385 | |||||
| Spring | Comp. ventura | Marche | He joined forces with Azzo da Castello, Brandolino Brandolini, Giovanni da Barbiano, Conte da Carrara, and Boldrino da Panicale; devastated the Marche region, taking prisoners and raiding livestock. | ||
| 1386 | |||||
| June | Padua | Verona | 500 cavalry | Veneto | He commands a company of 500 cavalry with Brandolino Brandolini. He supports Giovanni degli Ubaldini against Cortesia da Serego; as the Scaligeri approach the Brentelle stronghold, he leaves Tencarola with 100 lances to inspect the enemy defenses and seek a skirmish. |
| 1387 | |||||
| Feb. | Veneto | He is in Cerea with John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto), Giovanni degli Ubaldini, and Giovanni Tedesco da Pietramala to confront the troops of the lord of Verona, Antonio della Scala. | |||
| Mar. | Veneto | Under the command of John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto), he participates in the Battle of Castelbaldo. He commands the third division, consisting of 1,400 cavalry, which includes Brandolino Brandolini, Francesco Novello da Carrara, Ugolotto Biancardo, Antonio Balestrazzo, Biordo dei Michelotti, Giacomo da Carrara, Conte da Carrara, and Bernardo Scolari. He initially repels an offensive action led by Giovanni Ordelaffi. Alongside Giovanni degli Ubaldini, Biordo dei Michelotti, and Filippo da Pisa, he captures the Count of Anchre, Benedetto da Malcesine, and Ugolino dal Verme, who, with 800 cavalry, attempt to flee towards Porto and Legnago. | |||
| 1388 | |||||
| June | Milan | Florence | Lombardy | In the Mantua area with Brandolino Brandolini, he clashes with Azzo da Castello. He reaches an agreement with his opponent. | |
| ……… | Comp. Ventura | Marche | He stops at Monsummano with Brandolino Brandolini; in the Macerata area, he threatens San Ginesio, which is defended by Milano d’Asti. He plunders the nearby countryside and reaches an agreement with the town, which commits to supplying him with provisions for the first four months of the following year. | ||
| 1389 | |||||
| Mar. | Fermo | Ascoli Piceno | 500 cavalry | Marche | He is contracted with Brandolino Brandolini for six months. They set up camp at Monteprandone; they are joined by Giovanni Tedesco da Pietramala, Biordo dei Michelotti, and Gentile da Varano. |
| July | Fermo | Church | Marche | He confronts Boldrino da Panicale and Konrad Von Weitingen (Corrado Lando). A truce is reached between the contenders, leading him to camp again in the Macerata area, at Monte San Martino. He demands payment of the contract until its natural expiration. | |
| Sept. | Milan | Florence | 200 lances | Tuscany | He is hired along with Ugolotto Biancardo by Giovanni della Porta, the treasurer of the Count of Virtù Gian Galeazzo Visconti, and by the ambassador of Siena, Battista Piccolomini, to move with Brandolino Brandolini (each with 100 lances) to defend the Sienese territory. |
| Dec. | Camerino | Church | Marche | He raids the countryside around San Ginesio and once again chooses Monte San Martino as the base for his incursions. He establishes a four-month truce with the town, starting from the following January. | |
| 1390 | |||||
| Jan. | Camerino | Comp. ventura | Marche | He positions himself with Brandolino Brandolini to guard Amandola following the threats posed by the incursions of Giovanni Tedesco da Pietramala. | |
| Apr. | Perugia Siena | Exiles Firenze | Marche, Umbria | Ceccolo Broglia leaves the Marca of Ancona and arrives in the territory of Perugia, where he unsuccessfully besieges the exiles in the castle of Agello for two days. He is urgently recalled to Tuscany by the Sienese to oppose the militias of John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto). | |
| May | Camerino | Comp. ventura | Marche | He is still reported to be defending the countryside of Amandola. | |
| Aug. | Siena | Florence | Tuscany | In Siena, he confronts the Florentines with Giovanni degli Ubaldini. | |
| Oct. | Church | Camerino | Marche | Once more, he approaches the territory of Amandola with Brandolino Brandolini. Bindo da Montopoli takes up the defense of the locality. | |
| Nov. | Marche, Umbria, Tuscany | He occupies Monte Rotondo near Caldarola and once again threatens Amandola. This leads to a truce between the parties and the collection of a ransom. He leaves the Perugia area with Giovanni Tedesco da Pietramala to devastate the lands of Orlando Malavolti. | |||
| 1391 | |||||
| July | Milan | Florence | Piedmont, Marche | In Alessandria, at the end of the month, he contributes to Jacopo dal Verme‘s victory at Castellazzo against Giovanni d’Armagnac. He immediately returns to the Marche region of Ancona, crossing the territory of Fano. Before the peace negotiations conclude, to save on expenses, several companies are sent back to central Italy, including those of Ceccolo Broglia, Biordo dei Michelotti, and Brandolino Brandolini. | |
| ……… | Umbria, Tuscany | He stops between the Monastery of San Paterniano and Cuccurrano, then continues to Città di Castello and Tuscany, where he collects some ransoms. | |||
| 1392 | |||||
| Jan. | Ceccolo Broglia is officially dismissed by the lord of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, following the Peace of Genoa. | ||||
| Mar. | Comp. ventura | Bologna, Florence, Assisi | Emilia, Liguria, Tuscany Umbria | He joins forces with Brandolino Brandolini and Biordo dei Michelotti with a force of 1,200 cavalry. Encouraged by the Visconti, he sets out toward Bologna, but is blocked by Bolognese and Florentine forces. He descends from the Apennines and heads toward Sarzana, where he is confronted by John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto) and Hugh of Montfort (Ugo di Monforte). Crossing the Arno at Pisa, he moves toward the Maremma and swiftly makes his way through Tuscany, eventually reaching Umbria. | |
| Apr. | Comp. ventura | Azzo da Castello also joins the company. | |||
| June | Comp. ventura | Montemarte | They are joined by Giovanni da Barbiano and Giovanni Tedesco da Pietramala, thus forming the Compagnia di San Giorgio, now boasting 4,000 cavalry. They raid the territory of Cetona, seizing 30 people and 60 loads of wheat. | ||
| July | Comp. ventura | Perugia, Città di Castello, Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca | Umbria, Tuscany | He devastates the counties of Fabro, Camposelvoli, and Benano, reaches Sigillo (Nocera Umbra), and harasses the Perugia area until 4,000 florins are handed over to him. He threatens Città di Castello and Florence, demanding a ransom of 100,000 florins. The republic prepares some defenses (600 lances and 4,000 infantry, not including the militias sent by the Bolognese, 300 lances, and the Este, another 100). In the end, the Florentines, also suffering damage from the very men supposed to defend them, choose to negotiate with the mercenaries, giving them 40,000 florins. Other ransoms are imposed on the Sienese (5,000 florins; in reality, the total cost of the raid to the commune is 11,112 florins, including the gifts given to various captains of the company), the Pisans (12,000 florins), and the Lucchese (8,000 florins), who yield to the intimidation. Ceccolo Broglia returns to the Perugia area, where the loot is divided; he stays there with Biordo dei Michelotti, Brandolino Brandolini, and Giovanni da Barbiano. He separates from some captains of the company and proceeds to Assisi, causing significant damage everywhere. Leading 6,000 cavalry and numerous infantry, he appears multiple times at the gates of Perugia. He takes many prisoners and holds at bay the Perugian bands led by Azzo da Castello and John Beltoft, capturing 60 horses from them. | |
| Aug. | Church, Rimini | Ancona, Camerino | Marche | The Perugians are forced to request a truce with Biordo dei Michelotti; 6,000 florins are handed over to him and the other captains. Ceccolo Broglia is now hired by Pandolfo Malatesta and the rector of the Marche, Andrea Tomacelli, to plunder the territories of communes and lordships opposed to the policies of the Papal States. | |
| Sept. | Marche | Corrado Lando also joins the company. The presence of too many renowned captains soon causes internal discord, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the company. | |||
| Oct. | Church | Fermo, Camerino, Ancona | Marche | With Brandolino Brandolini, Giovanni da Barbiano, and Conte da Carrara (2,500 cavalry), he is sent by the Marquis of the Marche to fight the league formed by several cities in the Marche region, such as Fermo, Ancona, and Camerino. The conflict involves the territories of Sant’Elpidio a Mare, Montegranaro, and San Giusto. The actions unfold around Fonte Fallera (Falerone). | |
| Nov. | Marche | He stations in the Marche region for two months. In Ancona, it is rumored that the Marquis of the Marche has granted his company permission to extract a ransom of 120,000 ducats from the territories they traverse (the agreement would be valid for two years) and has promised them the sack of Fabriano, Cingoli, San Severino Marche, and Tolentino. | |||
| 1393 | |||||
| Mar. | Marche | At the conclusion of a general pacification agreement in the Marche, he, along with the other captains involved in the recent conflict, commits to abstaining from any act of violence in the region for a year. | |||
| ……… | Pisa | Lucca | Tuscany | He infests the Lucchese territory with Brandolino Brandolini at the instigation of the lord of Pisa, Jacopo d’Appiano. | |
| Aug. | Rimini | Forlì | Romagna | He lies in ambush at Bosecchio and raids the territory up to the gates of Forlì. The defenders come out of the city and fall into an ambush, resulting in the capture of 800 men. | |
| 1394 | |||||
| Jan. | Church | Perugia | Umbria | Together with Brandolino Brandolini, Giovanni Tedesco da Pietramala (leading 1,500 cavalry), and many exiles from the noble faction, he supports Giannello Tomacelli, Duke of Spoleto and brother of Pope Boniface IX, in Perugia against Biordo dei Michelotti. They take control of Mignano, attack Montebiano—which capitulates after a four-hour assault—and occupy the fortress of Montelagello. Michelotti opposes them with 500 cavalry and 200 infantry but avoids an open-field battle, focusing instead on strengthening the border castles. In the end, due to his longstanding friendship with Michelotti, Ceccolo Broglia withdraws from the region after the three condottieri receive a payment of 5,600 florins. | |
| Feb. | Exiled | Ascoli Piceno | Marche | He is hired, once again alongside Brandolino Brandolini, by a faction in Ascoli Piceno with the aim of expelling the opposing party from the city. The mercenaries carry out these orders, only to later expel those who had initially hired them. They proceed to sack the city. | |
| Mar. | Pesaro | Church | 1000 cavalry, 300 infantry | Umbria | Together with Brandolino Brandolini, he enters the service of Malatesta Malatesta, targeting the Papal States. He recovers Monte Castello di Vibio, Fratta del Vescovo (Fratta Todina), Titignano, and enters Todi. The lord of Pesaro pledges the fortresses of Orte and Acquasparta to the two captains as a guarantee for their overdue pay. |
| Apr. | Umbria | The Perugians grant him passage through their territory. | |||
| May | Church | Perugia | Umbria | He enters the service of the Papal States, promising not to harass their lands for ten years. Along with Brandolino Brandolini and Giovanni Tedesco da Pietramala (1,500 cavalry), he once again supports the Duke of Spoleto, Giannello Tomacelli, against Biordo dei Michelotti. He ravages the Perugia area, notable at Ponte San Giovanni and Ponte Felcino, and reaches the suburbs of Perugia. He captures Migliano, negotiates the surrender of Monte Vibiano Vecchio after four hours of combat, and takes possession of the fortress of Agello. He is confronted by 500 cavalry gathered at Deruta by Biordo dei Michelotti, Ceccolino dei Michelotti, and Corrado Prospero. After some skirmishes between Cerqueto and Migliano, Tinto dei Michelotti is given to him as a hostage. He accepts 4,500 florins (or 10,000, according to some sources, to be paid 2,500 immediately and another 3,100 in pieces of velvet to be delivered in three installments by November) and withdraws from the countryside. | |
| July | Tuscany | He is hired along with Brandolino Brandolini by the Pisans and Sienese for a sum of 16,500 florins (10,000 paid by the Pisans, the rest by the Sienese). Jacopo d’Appiano turns to Visconti to help meet this financial commitment. | |||
| Aug. | Comp. ventura | Pesaro | Umbria | Malatesta Malatesta plans to imprison Ceccolo Broglia in Orte, while Brandolino Brandolini is to be confined in Todi. Ceccolo Broglia manages to escape capture with the help of the Malatesta captain Verrocchio da Orte. He moves against the lord of Pesaro to free Brandolino Brandolini. Galeazzo Maria Visconti intervenes and secures the release of the latter captain. | |
| Oct. | Umbria | With Brandolino Brandolini, he positions himself on the southern borders towards the Florentine territory. | |||
| 1395 | |||||
| Jan. | Umbria | He settles in the Perugia area. Together with Brandolino Brandolini, he launches a raid into the territory of Arezzo. Florence responds by sending Corrado di Altinberg against them. | |||
| Apr. | Comp. ventura | Church | Umbria, Lazio | At the urging of Biordo dei Michelotti, Ceccolo Broglia and Brandolino Brandolini raid Umbria, targeting the Papal States. He traverses the plain of Foligno, burning villas and taking many prisoners, for whom a ransom of 12,000 florins is demanded. In Lazio, he fights the Breton company; he captures and sacks Toscanella (Tuscania); he continues to harass the Papal States and attacks Paolo Orsini in Sutri, who is guarding it with 1,000 cavalry. | |
| May | Comp. ventura, Pisa | Florence, Lucca | Tuscany | With Brandolino Brandolini, he unexpectedly occupies Gargonza. He receives provisions and aid from the Sienese; Visconti intervenes as a mediator, leading to the return of the castle to the Florentines. He is then urged by Jacopo d’Appiano to raid the Lucchese territory for ten days: during the incursion, more than 250 men are captured, and palaces, houses, and huts are set on fire in Massapisana, Cerasomma, and Nozzano. | |
| June | Tuscany | He is defeated by the Florentines and the Bolognese who came to the aid of the Lucchese. He sets fire to the bridge of San Piero in Campo and retreats to the Pisan territory. He then rides into the Maremma region. | |||
| Aug. | Forlì | Florence | Romagna | He serves the lords of Forlì, Pino and Cecco Ordelaffi; with Brandolino Brandolini, he puts Corrado di Altinberg to flight near Faenza (Oriolo dei Mille Fichi). He captures several banners and takes many prisoners, who are all brought to Forlì. | |
| Sept. | Milan, Siena | Florence | Umbria, Tuscany | He is hired along with Brandolino Brandolini by Biordo dei Michelotti to confront the Papal forces. The contract is set for two months, and he is granted a salary of 4,000 florins. | |
| Nov. | Perugia | Church | Umbria | He is hired along with Brandolino Brandolini by Biordo dei Michelotti to confront the Papal forces. The contract is set for two months, and he is granted a salary of 4,000 florins. | |
| 1396 | |||||
| Mar. | Comp. ventura | Siena Perugia | Toscana Umbria | At the urging of Pope Boniface IX, he, along with Brandolino Brandolini, abandons Biordo dei Michelotti, leading 1,500 cavalry (or 1,000 lances, according to some sources). He occupies Torrita di Siena and Sinalunga, despite previous assurances given to the Sienese. Moving between Cortona and Arezzo, he joins forces with Giovanni da Barbiano. At the end of the month, the pope encourages him to seize Orvieto, which is under the control of Biordo dei Michelotti. | |
| Apr. | Comp. ventura Church | Florence Perugia Vico | Tuscany, Umbria | He halts at Baschi and Carnano, pillaging the countryside for three days. He then moves to Civitella d’Agliano, which he acquires from the Monaldeschi della Cervara. Passing through Seppie and Porano, he crosses Pozzarello and the road of Cannellato, breaks into the plains of Orvieto, and reaches Cetona, where he devastates the properties of Ranuccio da Montemarte. Arriving in Montepulciano, he faces opposition from Florentine cavalry commanded by Hugh of Montfort (Ugo di Monforte). He retreats to Val d’Orcia and camps at Lucignano d’Arbia. Jacopo d’Appiano sends Gherardo Aldighieri to persuade him to leave the Sienese territory. A few days later, he re-enters the service of the Papal States, capturing Tuscania and Montefiascone, which had rebelled against the Breton company, and then Acquapendente. He enters Viterbo, forcing the Prefect of Vico to surrender the city to the papal forces. | |
| May | Milan | Florence | Tuscany | He fights the Florentines with Alberico da Barbiano and Brandolino Brandolini. He is contacted by the Florentines themselves, who, to secure his services, go so far as to offer him a pension. However, he does not make any commitments. During the same days, the inhabitants of Città di Castello give him and Brandolino Brandolini 350 florins to leave their territory. | |
| June | Tuscany | He moves, still alongside Brandolino Brandolini, into the countryside of Borgo San Sepolcro (Sansepolcro) without causing significant damage. After receiving provisions from the local inhabitants, the mercenaries sell their plunder in the city, as well as in Citerna and Anghiari. Even the Sienese supply his men with bread, provisions, and money. Luchino dei Nobili, an enemy of Ranuccio da Montemarte, joins the company. Ceccolo Broglia is now compelled to invade Montemarte’s territories, conducting raids in Fabro, Salci, Caporsello, and Cetona. His forces halt at Marzano under pressure from Biordo dei Michelotti. | |||
| Summer | 1700 cavalry | Tuscany | He moves to assist the Pisans. | ||
| Oct. | Sinea | Florence | 1600 cavalry | Tuscany | He fights against the company of Bernardon De Serres (Bernardo della Serra). In the Aretino region, he devastates the countryside up to the walls of the capital with fires and robberies. Along with Brandolino Brandolini, he sacks the territories of Anghiari and Borgo San Sepolcro (Sansepolcro). He moves to defend Pisa with Guido da Correggio, forcing Bernardon De Serres (Bernardo della Serra) to abandon the territory and position himself between Volterra and Colle di Val d’Elsa. |
| Dec. | Tuscany | He confronts Bartolomeo Boccanera and Antonio degli Obizzi. | |||
| 1397 | |||||
| Jan. | Pisa | Florence | Tuscany | He is reported in the Pisan territory, still with Brandolino Brandolini. | |
| Feb. | Tuscany | He invades the Lucchese territory with Paolo Orsini and Ottobono Terzi; he is involved in some skirmishes near the capital. He clashes with the Florentines at San Quirico di Moriano, on the Serchio River; blocked, he retreats with the other two captains, causing significant damage to the population. He rides into the Florentine territory and then returns to the service of the Sienese. | |||
| Mar. | Siena | Florence | 1700 cavalry | Tuscany | He conducts several raids in the Chianti region and the territory of Volterra, reaching as far as San Donato in Poggio (San Donato). |
| July | Tuscany | He supports Alberico da Barbiano in besieging the castle of Ponte a Signa, which is defended by Tommaso Rucellai. The Florentines repel his assault, capturing his banner and that of Barbiano. Some infantry and Fabrizio da Perugia with 25 cavalry manage to enter the castle, overcoming the Visconti lines. The mercenaries retreat towards Siena due to the lack of forage for the cavalry, horseshoes for the mounts, and other necessities. Followed he attacks Florentine cavalry at Santa Regina, near Siena, who in turn have attacked the escort carrying the pay for Alberico da Barbiano‘s companies operating in the Aretino region. In the clash, 50 of the opponents are taken prisoner. In the last days of the month he goes into the service of Pope Boniface IX. | |||
| July – Aug. | Church, Milan | Perugia, Florence | Umbria | He aids the exiles of the Arcipreti faction. He threatens Perugia during an absence of Biordo dei Michelotti. Dissuaded from continuing the action, he returns to the service of the Duke of Milan. | |
| Sept. | Tuscany | With Alberico da Barbiano returning to Lombardy, he remains to guard Siena with 300 lances. In mid-month, there is a double treaty at Chianciano, at the end of which the Sienese capture 100 infantry and 25 men-at-arms. Ceccolo Broglia pursues the rest of the troops fleeing towards Montepulciano, takes many prisoners, and seizes much plunder; the vineyards in the surrounding area are set on fire. He clashes with Bernardon De Serres (Bernardo della Serra) on his return from a raid; his rival recovers a good portion of the plunder. | |||
| Oct. | Tuscany | He continues his depredations in Chianti and Val d’Elsa, assaulting the castles of Staggia and Rencine. Bernardon De Serres again takes a large part of the loot accumulated in the raid. | |||
| Nov. | Tuscany, Umbria | He secures Civitella del Vescovo in Val d’Ambra through a treaty: the podestà is killed, and all the inhabitants are either slaughtered or taken prisoner. In mid-month, he crosses the county of Città di Castello, demanding money in exchange for a promise not to damage the territory. | |||
| 1398 | |||||
| Apr. | Church | Perugia | Umbria | Upon hearing of the assassination of Biordo dei Michelotti in Perugia, he joins forces with Mostarda da Forlì and Conte da Carrara. Breaking camp, he moves towards Perugia with over 200 men-at-arms; what follows are hard days filled with skirmishes and ambushes, amidst the desperate resistance of the late condottiero’s followers and the declared hostility of the countryside. | |
| May | Milan | Florence | Tuscany | He sells Civitella del Vescovo to the Florentines for 6,500 florins. He then returns to the service of the Duke of Milan, Gian Galeazzo Visconti. | |
| Aug. | 600 cavalry | Lombardy, Tuscany | He leaves Lombardy with 600 cavalry and threatens to raid the Lucchese territory. To refrain from plundering, he demands 5,000 florins from the inhabitants, of which 3,000 are to be given as a loan. Disappointed in his expectations, he moves to Montignoso, where he sets 40 houses on fire. He arrives in Pisa, where Jacopo and Gerardo d’Appiano welcome him with full honors. He then rides into the Sienese territory. | ||
| Sept. | Perugia | Church | Umbria | He moves to Ponte San Giovanni; the Perugians, who hire him for a month, give him several thousand florins to recruit troops. He begins to damage the countryside of Foligno. He is approached by ambassadors of Ugolino Trinci, who convince him to withdraw to Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi, rebel against the Perugians, and defect to the Papal camp. | |
| Oct. | Church | Perugia | Umbria | He raids the Perugian territory up to Santa Trinità; his men rob some inhabitants of Assisi. The victims complain to the Perugians and demand the return of their plundered goods. They also send two friars minor to Ceccolo Broglia‘s camp, who, with the help of Travaglino da Gubbio, not only obtain the return of the stolen goods but also secure a promise that their territory would not suffer further harassment. Impressed by this promise, the inhabitants offer Ceccolo Broglia the lordship of the city; he enters with 1,500 cavalry. He takes possession of the Palazzo della Signoria, where he is granted the titles of Captain General and Gonfaloniere of the city. He confronts the Perugian garrison led by Ceccolino dei Michelotti. He has the Monastery of Monte Subasio destroyed and captures the fortress. He then returns to the Perugian territory after leaving Ugo della Rosa in the city as his lieutenant. | |
| Nov. – Dec. | Tuscany | He goes to Florence, where he sends his wife; he is received with great honors. He is given a substantial amount of money in advance. He is contracted for three years on a retainer and is also granted an annual provision of 2,000 florins. He then returns to Umbria and carries out his devastations up to the gates of Perugia: a direct attack on the Borgo di Sant’Antonio is repelled at night. In December, he is reported to be moving between Umbria and Tuscany. | |||
| 1399 | |||||
| Mar. | Umbria | Ceccolo Broglio sends some crossbowmen to Poggio di Morico to repel the repeated assaults launched by the troops of Ceccolino dei Michelotti. | |||
| May | Comp. ventura | Rimini | Umbria, Marche | At the end of the war, he reconciles with Ceccolino dei Michelotti, also due to the joint pressures from the Perugians and Florentines. Together with Conte da Carrara and the scattered soldiers from both sides, he forms a new company. They advance into the Marche of Ancona and, at Cingoli, defeat the forces of Galeazzo Belfiore Malatesta, who had been reinforced on this occasion by contingents from Bologna and the Visconti. | |
| June | Comp. ventura | Perugia | Umbria | He establishes himself at the pine forest of Bettona and spreads his forces throughout the Perugia area. Together with Conte da Carrara, he then heads toward Siena. | |
| July | Comp. ventura | Siena, Pisa, Lucca | 1500 cavalry | Tuscany | Perhaps spurred by the Duke of Milan, he raids the Sienese territory with Conte da Carrara at the head of 1,500 cavalry, spreading rumors that he is acting on behalf of the Florentines to fuel mutual distrust between the two Tuscan republics. He withdraws from the territory only after receiving a payment of 5,600 florins (though, in reality, the total cost to the Commune of Siena amounted to 6,137 florins). |
| Aug. – Sept. | Comp. ventura, Church | 600 lances | Tuscany, Lazio, Umbria | He threatens Pisa and Lucca. The two communes, with the intervention of the Visconti, manage to gather enough forces to compel the two condottieri to return to the Perugia region. From there, he carries out new raids in Lazio. Alongside Conte da Carrara, he is once again enlisted by the papal forces to counter the Breton company. He stays for an extended period in the countryside of Corbara, which belongs to Francesco da Montemarte, showing respect for the property of the local inhabitants. | |
| Oct. – Dec. | Florence | Battifolle | Tuscany | He is stationed near Cortona and definitively enters the service of the Florentines, agreeing to a ten-year contract with an annual provision of 2,000 florins. Urged by Giovanni da Cantiano, he invades the Casentino, launching a sudden attack on Roberto di Battifolle. The livestock seized is sold in Perugia; furthermore, the Count of Poppi is compelled to pay Ceccolo Broglia 600 florins and cover the costs for the losses incurred (100 mounts). | |
| 1400 | |||||
| Jan. | Florence | 200 lances | |||
| Feb. | Church, Assisi | Colonna, Milan | Lazio, Umbria | He initially confronts the Colonnesi; then he returns to Umbria to defend his lordship over Assisi from a Visconti-led attack conducted by Ceccolino dei Michelotti. | |
| Apr. – May | Umbria | Assisi falls into the hands of Ottobono Terzi; Ceccolo Broglia retreats into the Rocca Maggiore. In May, he is forced to surrender under negotiated terms in exchange for 4,000 florins. | |||
| July | Florence | Tuscany | He dies of the plague in Empoli in mid-month. In Florence, he is honored with a solemn funeral attended by many of his household, all dressed in black. He is buried in the city in the Church of Santa Reparata (Santa Maria del Fiore). His wife, Giovanna Montiglio, also from Trino, outlives him by nearly half a century, passing away with a reputation for sanctity. She uses her husband’s wealth to carry out numerous charitable works, such as supporting the poor, making donations to convents, and purchasing sacred objects for churches. Cambino Aretino dedicates the Laude di Messer Broglia di Piemonte to him. |
Sources
-“Il tratto saliente del personaggio fu la fama che ebbe come maestro di arte della guerra. Molti dei maggiori condottieri delle due generazioni seguenti ebbero un periodo o due di servizio nella sua compagnia e per questo motivo gli fu sempre portato grande rispetto. Facino Cane, Ottobuono Terzi, il Carmagnola, il Gattamelata e il Tartaglia furono tutti “allievi” del Broglia. Era di indole troppo irrequieta e fino agli ultimi anni della sua vita non accettò impegni permanenti.” MALLETT
-“E così d’unve sia l’opere conte/ che fu inmitator del fiero Marte/ chiamato miser lo Brolio di Piamonte./ Sono l’opere sue sì divulgate e sparte/ quando si loda in arme alcuno sperto/ si dice “Egli è brogliesco” in omni parte./ Facto gli è tale honor per degnio merto/ che fu inventor della più magna schola/ che fusse mai nel mondo chiaro e certo/…….Ottobuon terzo uscì da dicta schiera/ e Fazin son fra lor nel concistoro/ Gattamelata ancor nella bandiera/ el conte Brandolin tanto valente/ el feroce conte Carmignola fu suo aderente/ et così sono li lor nomi perogni rivera/….Vero maestro nell’arte della guerra.” BROGLIO
-“Così rinomato in Italia per tanti soprusi e per tante ladre vittorie”. FABRETTI
-“…../E così d’uno ti fien l’opre conte,/Che fu imitator del fiero Marte,/Chiamato Messer Broglio di Piemonte./Son l’opre sue sì divulgate e sparte;/ Quando si loda in arme alcuno sperto/ Si dice: – egli è Brogliesco in ogni parte./Fatto gli è tale onor per degno merto,/Che fu inventor della più maga scola/ Che fosse mai nel mondo chiaro e certo./Di lui discese quel da Cotignola/Signor Lorenzo e Sforza in armi fino,/Di cui la fama gloriando vola.” Cambino Aretino riportato da FABRETTI
-“Tenuto uno dei migliori cavalieri in arme, che allora fusse in Italia.” AMMIRATO
-“Valoroso capitano di militia be’ tempi de’ nostri avoli.” ALBERTI
-“Si diceva ch’elli era il più valente cavaliere d’arme che fosse in tutta Italia.” MINERBETTI
-“Broliam quendam magnum illa tempestate virum legionibus exercituique praefectum. ” CAMPANO
-“La scuola di quest’illustre capitano fu sì grande in rinomanza di prodezza e di virtù militare, che lungo tempo diceasi proverbialmente, è un nom Brogliesco, per dire che fosse molto prode di sua persona, e nell’arte di guerra eccellentissimo.” CIBRARIO
-Con Brandolino Brandolini “Huomini di non poco valore in quei tempi, ma molto cupidi di danari.” PELLINI
-Con Giovanni Acuto “Regis genere viri, qui..per multas victorias et miranda facinora summam erant in re bellicam auctoritatem, gloriamque consecuti.” CRIVELLI
-“Fu..maestro nell’arte della guerra.” ARGIOLAS
-“Antiquis etiam praeclarioribus Ducibus peritia et strenuitate comparandum.” VIVIANI
-Con Brandolino Brandolini “Latronum ducibus..Vir ferox.” BEVERINI
-Con Ceccolino dei Michelotti, Luca di Canale, Brandolino Brandolini e Paolo Savelli “Cohortium praefecti insignes.” PLATINA
-“Capitano… molto stimato.” GAZZARA
-“Capitan Cecolo Broglia.. è assieme alla “Bella Castellana” una delle maschere tradizionali del carnevale storico trinese. Narra infatti la tradizione di come egli un giorno, seguito da una piccola schiera di armati, assaltò la temibile rocca di Camino Monferrato per ricondurre libera la bella castellana ivi tenuta prigioniera, e riportata in un tripudio di festa nella sua amata Trino.” www.comune.trino.vc.it>>
-“La storia lo descrive a tratti come formidabile uomo d’armi, a tratti come cupido e spietato mercenario.” BASSETTI
-“Un capitano che non ebbe grande fama per le sue imprese, ma fu una sorta di maestro per tutti i condottieri del periodo.” SCARDIGLI
-“Brolia rerum agendarum industria et Dux ea aetate notissimus.” SANT’ANTONINO
-“La fama di cui godeva il Broglia, e indiscusso il suo prestigio anche come maestro d’arte della guerra, al cui seguito si erano formati molti tra i più illustri comandanti del tempo.” RIGON
-“La sua insegna (detta del “nodo”, su fondo nero) divenne famosa e temuta, al punto tale che era sufficiente avvistare le sue truppe con gli stendardi in prossimità delle mura di una città perché si inviassero ambasciatori a negoziare la resa ed il riscatto, versando la somma necessaria per non essere assediati e saccheggiati. Ceccolo Broglia era un opportunista che godeva di una pessima reputazione presso i suoi contemporanei, sfruttava ogni occasione per ottenere il massimo beneficio possibile, come documentato dal comune di Perugia, che lo definì “messer lo Imbroglia” ed i perugini ebbero per lui molta avversione, in quanto furono imbrogliati diverse volte. Si fece infatti pagare per proteggerli e poi si rivolse al loro avversario (il Papa) per farsi assoldare, ed estorse loro diverse volte somme di denaro per non attaccare la città.” C. MARTINOTTI DORIA in Casalenews.it
-Poesia celebrativa in occasione della presa di Assisi “Nescio cur positum est tibi, Broglia nomen/ B siquidem decepto, Gloria dictus est.” “Non so perché a te, o Broglia, si impose questo nome. Leva il B e avrai la lettera della parola Gloria.”” FORTINI
Featured image: wikipedia
