Military strategies of Cesare da Napoli in sixteenth-century Europe
Cesare da Napoli (Cesare Masi, Cesare Maggi). A native of Naples. Count of Annone and Lord of Moncrivello.
Born: 1488
Death: 1568, March
| Year, Month | State, Comp. ventura | Opponent | Command | Area of Activity | Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1505 | Campania | Possibly son of a doctor. Orphan, does not have good relations with his stepfather. At seventeen, he leaves Naples with only 5 carlini in his pocket in search of fortune. He reaches Rome on foot after having tried to get there by sea. He leaves the service of a Roman gentleman and takes up the profession of arms. He serves under the Venetians as a simple infantryman in the company of Andreazzo da Perugia. Falling ill, he is discharged. The following year he is noticed by Renzo di Ceri who has him rehired. | |||
| 1514 | |||||
| Feb.-Oct. | Venice | Milan Spain | Lombardy | He distinguishes himself in the defense of Crema. In Feb., under the orders of Renzo di Ceri, he takes part in the action of Castiglione d’Adda where 120 infantrymen and 50 men-at-arms of Alessandro Sforza are robbed. In Aug., at the head of the first assault squad, he takes part in the battle of Ombriano. He is the first to climb the bastions defending the Sforza encampment. In Sept., he fights in open field against the Grechetto with pike blows. In Oct., he follows the Ceri into Bergamo. Wounded at the city gate in the throat, a knee, and a thigh by a partisan, he falls unconscious into the moat. A fellow soldier, Giovanni Antonio da Parma, sees him, jumps into the water and saves him. He is taken to Crema to be treated. Through these actions he gains the esteem of the Ceri, obtaining the rank of captain. His title, however, is soon contested. | |
| 1517 | Church | Comp. ventura | Marche Lombardy | The cardinal of Santa Maria in Porta recommends him to Vitello Vitelli and Lorenzo de’ Medici. Included in the company of Pier Onofri da Montedoglio, he opposes the troops of Francesco Maria della Rovere, aiming at reconquering the Duchy of Urbino. He distinguishes himself in the conquest of Fermo. He encamps before the church of the Nunziata. In the same days he quarrels at the camp with Giovannantonio da Capua because he believes the latter acted dishonorably by sacking a convent. Cesare da Napoli challenges him to a duel, takes the reins of his mount and throws him to the ground. The rival dies after a few days from the wounds. With della Rovere’s victory, he escorts Lorenzo de’ Medici to Mantua. | |
| 1521 | |||||
| June | Venice | Empire Church | Lombardy | He is mentioned with other captains at Castelleone. | |
| Sept. | Emilia | At the siege of Parma. | |||
| 1522 | |||||
| Feb. | 180 infantrymen | Lombardy | At the camp of Rovato. He is included in the colonel of Antonio da Castello. | ||
| July | 112 infantrymen | Lombardy | Due to the Serenissima’s reduction in military expenses, the strength of his company is reduced. | ||
| Aug. | Lombardy | In Mantua to fight a duel with sword and partisan against Battista da Goito. | |||
| 1524 | |||||
| Jan. | France | Empire | 300 infantrymen | Lombardy | He is sent with his men to the fortress of Melegnano while 500 Landsknechts defend the city. Attacked by the Spaniards (400 lances, 4000 infantrymen with some artillery), he locks himself in the fortress: forced to surrender on terms after 60 men are killed. |
| Summer/Autumn | Liguria France | Due to difficulties in receiving his pay, he leaves the camp and withdraws for a few months, probably to Genoa. He decides to serve the Imperials as a simple infantryman. In Aug./Sept. he is in France at the siege of Marseille. At the death of Girolamo Marignanella, he is given command of that captain’s company. He clashes near Aix-en-Provence with the militias of Federico Gonzaga da Bozzolo. | |||
| 1525 | |||||
| Jan.-June | Empire | France | Liguria Emilia Lombardy | In Jan. he leaves Genoa and via the Piacenza area reaches Pavia’s territory. Under Ferdinando d’Avalos, he is present at the siege of Sant’Angelo Lodigiano where Pirro Gonzaga da Bozzolo must surrender. In Feb., he is reported near Pavia at Mirabello Park with the Salcedo. He is repeatedly wounded in the battle of Pavia, where the French are defeated. In June, still with the Marquis of Pescara, he takes part in the defense of Lodi; captured in a skirmish, he is taken to Crema and immediately released. | |
| Sept. | Piedmont | He stations with his company in the Marquisate of Ceva. | |||
| 1526 | |||||
| Feb. | Piedmont | In Asti. With Alfonso Galante he repeatedly clashes with Fabrizio Maramaldo: also suspected of treason for alleged contacts with the Marquis of Saluzzo or the Venetians. The Marquis of Vasto Alfonso d’Avalos intervenes and it is feared that he was executed by the Imperials. Instead, he is dismissed for his robberies. | |||
| May | Lombardy | Soon rehired, he gathers many Neapolitan infantrymen near Crema and enters Milan with Alfonso Galante: he still serves in the colonel of Fabrizio Maramaldo. | |||
| June – Dec. | Empire | Venice France | Lombardy Veneto Emilia Piedmont | In Soresina; he moves to guard Lodi. He tries in vain to warn Maramaldo about Ludovico Vistarini. When the Venetians enter the city with Vistarini’s help, he barricades himself in some houses; at dawn, believing himself abandoned, he surrenders. Locked in Crema’s castle, he bribes a guard and tries to seize the fortress with other prisoners. The revolt is quelled; he is immediately transferred to a Venetian prison. After five months, he escapes with the help of a Franciscan friar from Lecce. Penniless and starving, he first goes to Ferrara and then to Carpi, helped by governor Giovan Francesco Castaldo, brother of Giovambattista. He rejoins the imperial army of Antonio di Leyva in Lombardy and Piedmont (Tortona). | |
| 1527 | |||||
| June | Lombardy | Surprised by Venetians near Sant’Angelo Lodigiano, he loses 60 infantrymen and his banner. He goes to Melegnano and tries to prevent the enemy (led by Babone Naldi, Giampaolo Manfrone, Giacomo Novello, Ambrogio da Landriano, Antonio da Castello, Gian Ludovico Pallavicini) from crossing the Lambro. He is wounded in the arm in the clash. | |||
| July – Oct. | Master of camp | Lombardy | In July he defeats Gian Giacomo de’ Medici at Carate Brianza. Antonio di Leyva sends him to defend Pavia with 300 veteran infantrymen. Appointed master of camp. His captain is Ludovico Barbiano da Belgioioso. The French attack from the castle side, the Venetians (Francesco Maria della Rovere) from the dock. Cesare da Napoli and Giovambattista Castiglione guard it. He joins Belgioioso in the castle. The enemies demand surrender and scale the walls; Cesare da Napoli fires on them with four cannons. He returns to guard the dock. Slightly wounded in the head by an arquebus shot (protected by his visor), he repels the Venetians. | ||
| 1528 | |||||
| Mar. | Lombardy | He faces the Medici again in the Como area. He crosses the Adda at Lecco and breaks into the Bergamasco. Ercole Rangoni, charged with defending the pass, flees ignominiously. | |||
| Oct. | Lombardy | He opposes Venetians and French between Novara and Mortara and in Lomellina. Sent to guard Pavia, attacked by French and Venetians. He resists the Venetians at the dock. Belgioioso surrenders. On hearing it, he leaves the dock pursued by Venetians, hides in a church. He surrenders to Roberto da San Severino. The Count of Caiazzo presents him to Lautrec and the provveditori of the Serenissima. Released without ransom by San Severino. Di Leyva rewards him for his conduct, while other captains are punished. He goes to Como as colonel of infantry; the Spaniard Aponte replaces him as master of camp. | |||
| 1529 | |||||
| Jan.-May | Master of camp general | Piedmont Lombardy | He heads to Domodossola. Attacked by Gian Giacomo de’ Medici’s men under Gabriele and Federico Borromeo, who seize some of his artillery, he returns to Lombardy. He drives the adversaries from Caravaggio; inspects Monza’s defenses. With Pietro d’Ibarra he attacks a Venetian bastion at Ariozzo near Melegnano. He defends Melegnano from assaults by Saint-Pol and della Rovere. Filippo Tornielli and the Spaniard Valacerca (300 infantrymen) aid him. The foes withdraw. | ||
| June | Lombardy | He participates in the clash at Landriano. After the victory, he attacks the Swiss camp. In Milan he leaves Porta Renza (Porta Venezia) at night with Filippo Tornielli and heads to Fagnano with four cannons. The place is defended by 200 cavalry and 500 French infantrymen. He finds a gate open and overcomes light resistance. They capture 300 men. He then besieges the fortress into which the enemies have withdrawn. He bombards the walls with four artillery pieces. The enemies do not surrender despite Tornielli’s pleas. Tornielli goes to Novara; Cesare da Napoli continues alone. After the bombardment, the garrison surrenders, saving their lives and many Milanese bandits. The Imperials seize 250 horses. | |||
| July | 800 infantrymen | Lombardy | He leaves Milan and arrives at Trezzo sull’Adda with his colonel ready to cross into the Bergamasco. Opposed by light cavalry and 1200 infantrymen with four guns under Lucantonio Cuppano and Carlo Malatesta da Sogliano, he retreats at once and destroys the boat bridge. Thus, 100/150 of his infantrymen remain on the other bank and are all killed or captured. | ||
| Aug. | Lombardy | He occupies Brembate with Gianfrancesco Pusterla. After a few days, forced to return to Trezzo sull’Adda. | |||
| Nov. | Lombardy | He takes part in the conquest of Sant’Angelo Lodigiano with 7000 Spanish and 3000 Italian infantrymen. Initially pushed back, they prevail, seize the castle, and kill 400 defenders. Moves to Cassano d’Adda where peace is signed. | |||
| Dec. | Emilia | In Bologna with di Leyva. First intended to fight the Turks; then sent with his 1500-infantry colonel to Tuscany to help Papal forces against the Florentines. Meets Pope Clement VII. | |||
| 1530 | |||||
| Jan. | Church | Florence | 1500 infantrymen | Tuscany | Camped in Mugello to cut off Florence’s supply lines. |
| Feb. | Church | Romagna | With 4000/5000 men he appears before Monte Poggiolo and extorts Modigliana. | ||
| Mar. | Romagna | With Leonello da Carpi he besieges Castrocaro Terme with six guns; repelled by Commissioner Lorenzo Carnesecchi. Heavy losses. The Florentines try to bribe him with lands, honors, money; Cesare da Napoli refuses. Papal forces pay him 1395 ducats. | |||
| May | Tuscany | The Prince of Orange orders him to Hungary with 2000 men against the Turks, then a counterorder halts it. He attacks Marradi, moves into Mugello, captures men, imposes ransoms, sacks Fiorenzuola. The Prince of Orange threatens him with death. He moves into Valdarno; with the fall of Arezzo’s citadel to the Imperials, he heads to Borgo San Sepolcro (Sansepolcro). The Aretines pay him 3000 scudi; locals join him. He proceeds to Casentino, sacking it up to Rassina. | |||
| July | Tuscany | He reaches Barberino di Mugello and imposes a ransom on Mangona. Four of his men assessing the sum are killed by peasants with some of his infantrymen. He intervenes and an agreement is reached. | |||
| Aug. | Tuscany Emilia | With the surrender of the Florentine Republic, he descends from Valdarno, appears before Florence at Porta San Gallo, tries to enter but is repelled. Quarrels with Maramaldo, moves towards Piacenza where di Leyva is. At the end of the month in Montevarchi, he demands again 2000 florins from the Aretines. Only food is given. Charles V grants him a 200-scudi annual pension. | |||
| 1531 | Medici | Lombardy | In Mantua challenges Fabrizio Maramaldo to a duel; Ferrante Gonzaga forbids it. Later at Como with Cosco, facing Medici’s forces. | ||
| 1532 | Milan | Lombardy | Leaves Imperial pay for the Marquis of Musso against the Sforza. Followed by 400 Calabrian infantrymen. They slip past Vistarini and enter Lecco, bringing in much seized livestock. | ||
| Feb. | Lombardy | Given command of a colonel; receives 600 scudi to recruit 400 infantrymen in Brescia/Bergamo. Venetians hinder him. He leaves Lecco with Cosco, 300 infantrymen; lands at Parè Bay, climbs behind Rocca di San Dionigi, attacks with fire devices the Malgrate camp of Accursio da Lodi (300 infantrymen). The enemy captain is killed, 100 are captured, 3 guns seized. He sacks the valley, brings much livestock to Lecco. Mid-month he follows Medici in a sortie from Musso. | |||
| Mar. | Empire | Lombardy | With Gian Giacomo de’ Medici’s surrender, he leaves Musso with Cosco, Niccolò Pelliccione, Frate da Modena, Domenico del Matto, returning to Imperial service. | ||
| July | Empire | Ottoman Empire | Austria | With di Leyva in Austria. Before departing, he asks della Rovere for the Duke of Urbino’s armor from Ghedi’s muster. Refused. | |
| 1535 | Empire | France | Piedmont | Attacks Vische unsuccessfully. Feigns retreat, resumes assault when vigilance drops. The place is stormed and sacked. | |
| 1536 | |||||
| Mar. | Piedmont | Forced to leave Turin for Vercelli. That same time 300 of his infantrymen rebel and occupy Cavallermaggiore; after two days they are driven out by French under Marco Antonio Cusano. | |||
| June-July | Piedmont | Assigned to guard Volpiano. With Giacomo Folgore di Piossasco opposes Cusano leaving Turin for Savigliano. | |||
| Aug. | Piedmont | Besieges Turin; with Paolo Luzzasco is defeated by a sortie of the defenders. | |||
| 1537 | |||||
| Feb. | Piedmont | With Luigi Gonzaga, Brunoro Gambara, he follows Marquis of Vasto Alfonso d’Avalos in his Piedmont counteroffensive. Fails attempting to seize Turin by surprise, repelled by a few soldiers. | |||
| Mar.-June | Piedmont | Helps Marquis Francesco di Saluzzo retake Carmagnola. With Brunoro da Thiene takes it easily; besieges the castle defended by Stefano Malabaila. After some days, Saluzzo is killed by an arquebus shot. The Imperials storm the castle, Stefano Malabaila is hanged. Soldiers sent to galleys. Cesare da Napoli heads to Moncalieri with Camillo Colonna; with 600 infantrymen tries to block French reinforcements led by Anne de Montmorency moving on Susa. Then crosses Po at Pontestura, goes to Trino, Crescentino, Livorno Ferraris, Bianzé, Santhià, San Germano Vercellese. At Livorno Ferraris sends Biagio di Somma who is ambushed at Ciglione. Hearing this, Cesare da Napoli attacks a French contingent on Dora Baltea, drowning/capturing many. He returns to Ciglione, demands surrender. Enters Ivrea; obtains Foglizzo, Caluso. Crosses Dora Baltea aiming at Volpiano. The French abandon the siege and Lombardore, Feletto. He frees Gabriele Serbelloni at Lanzo Torinese. Andrea Marra takes Montalenghe (300 infantrymen). Cesare da Napoli with 300 helmets captures enemy captain, is struck in the face by many pikes, seizes the enemy banner and 3000 scudi. Prisoners freed without ransom. Back to Volpiano. Leaves at night with 2000 Italians, 7 German companies; heads to Mazzé, fords Dora Baltea in several places, demands surrender from Emilio Greco. Takes Mazzé, heads to Chivasso, obtains Strambino, Caluso. | |||
| July | Piedmont | Drives Cesare Fregoso from Chivasso. Camps at San Giorgio Canavese (defended by Tolosano di San Dalmazzo, 300 infantrymen). Demands surrender, bombards. Wounded in the flank by arquebus. Opens breach, assaults, captures borough and castle. Rewards first two soldiers over the walls. Loses 70 men. Tries to take Turin again, guarded only by Wartiz, Angart. Bribes a Gascon corporal to leave Bastion of San Giorgio open. Leaves Volpiano by night with ten ensigns and 200/300 cavalry. At the bastion, they place ladders and 5 ensigns enter. The gate is closed behind them, supposedly by four saints (Theban martyrs Solutore, Avventore, Ottavio). Forced to retreat. Lo Humières aids Turin. The French with Tolosano di San Dalmazzo (2000 Italians) at Aglié (near S. Giorgio C. and Ivrea). Cesare da Napoli is at Vische. With 2000 infantry, cavalry, artillery, and the Prince of Bisignano’s forces, he captures the place (200 cannon shots), re-captures Tolosano di San Dalmazzo. Enters Chivasso without resistance; attacks Turin from three sides, loses 120/140 men, no reinforcements arrive, retreats leaving 30-40 ladders. | |||
| Aug. | Piedmont | Alfonso d’Avalos gets 12000 Landsknechts and storms Cherasco, capturing Baldassarre della Massa and the Gascon Ramon. | |||
| Sept. | Piedmont | Maramaldo is made master general of camp. Annoyed, Cesare da Napoli thinks of leaving. Giambattista Castaldo, Alfonso d’Avalos reassure him. Sent beyond the Po with 3000 infantrymen, 500 cavalry to hinder German foot under Heinrich Ludwig von Landberg at Susa. | |||
| Oct. | Piedmont | Attacked en route by the Brissac, reinforced by Guglielmo di Furstenberg’s arquebusiers, he defeats them and takes their baggage. | |||
| ………………… | Piedmont | In retaliation, the French try to seize Volpiano. | |||
| 1538 | |||||
| …………………. | Piedmont | Termes leaves Turin for Chivasso. Cesare da Napoli, with Giovanni di Guevara, Lorenzo di Mendoza, Andrea di Solero (now Imperial), Pietro da Lignana (200 Spaniards, 200 Italians, 200 Germans, 150 cavalry) prevents them from crossing Dora Baltea. The French seem to retreat to Settimo Rotaro, then aim at Chivasso. He shadows them; Martino Albanese spies their moves. They turn to Caselle Torinese. He hides infantry in a wood, cavalry in a meadow. Martino Albanese meets Teodoro Bedegno (100 helmets) serving the enemy, talks, then flees to the meadow. The French fall into an ambush, lose 80 helmets. Termes (14000 infantry, 800 cavalry) chases Imperials; Cesare da Napoli retreats to Volpiano suffering losses. In Aug. he occupies Moncalieri under Alfonso d’Avalos. | |||
| 1539 | |||||
| ………………… | Piedmont | He leaves Volpiano with 1500 infantry, 4 cavalry companies, 4 cannons; raids Cirié and Rivoli, seizing many cattle sold in Lombardy. Thus nicknamed “Cesare delle vacche” (Cesare of the Cows). Langey, French governor, leaves Rivoli. Routed by Imperials, flees to Avigliana leaving wagons behind. Reinforced by German infantry, 100 sappers, Cesare da Napoli heads for Avigliana, defended by two Gascon ensigns. The town surrenders on terms; French escorted safely to Susa. He tries for Susa, defended by Langey, Giampaolo di Ceri. The French abandon it, leaving plague-stricken German troops behind. Brissac approaches Susa. Cesare da Napoli sends Cosco, Bigotto; they are captured. Imperial counterattack forces enemies back. At Passo del Ghiglione 6000 Landsknechts of Guglielmo di Wuttemberg appear; Cesare da Napoli’s intervention halts them. Moves on Avigliana with Camillo Colonna; in a skirmish both lose their horses but are saved by arquebusiers. Returns to Volpiano to guard Ivrea, Crescentino, Trino, Palazzuolo Vercellese, San Germano Vercellese. | |||
| ………………… | Piedmont | He arranges with a squad leader of Rinat’s Gascon company at Bastion San Giorgio in Rivoli near the Consolata church. Leaves Volpiano by night, finds the door poorly secured. Alarm is raised, he withdraws. | |||
| 1541 | Empire | France | Piedmont | Defending Trino. | |
| 1542 | |||||
| Feb. | Piedmont | He prepares 4/5 hay-loaded carts, each hiding six soldiers. At night peasants and a priest lead them to Turin. A rope breaks at the entrance, infantrymen are discovered by Gascons on guard. All but one are killed. Waiting outside, Cesare da Napoli fails to understand signals; many cavalry under Teodoro Bedegno charge out, forcing him to return to Volpiano. | |||
| 1543 | |||||
| Summer | Piedmont | For his merits Marquis of Vasto grants him 1000 scudi annuity in the Kingdom of Naples. With Alfonso d’Avalos retaking Carignano, he stays at Carmagnola with Italian ensigns. Plunders the countryside, spares Turin’s harvests for 300 scudi, seizes livestock at Rivalta di Torino. On hearing that Pietro d’Apport, governor of Fossano, died in Barge, he sends Biagio di Somma with three companies. They refuse to move without cavalry. Blaise de Monluc surprises and routes them. Cesare da Napoli leaves Carmagnola with 500 mounted arquebusiers and 500 light cavalry; near Vinovo, Vigone tries to ambush a French captain. Meanwhile, Guido di Bouttières seizes two undefended places. A skirmish ensues. Cesare da Napoli retreats to Chieri. Year’s end: sends stradiots to Stura at Laini crossing; orders Demetrio Basta to raid Turin. With 150 cavalry, he surprises 50 French men-at-arms at the ford. Bouttières withdraws again. Leaving Basta and Pozzo at Volpiano, Cesare da Napoli sets an ambush. The enemies attack Volpiano; defenders fire a cannon shot as arranged. He rushes with Giovanni di Guevara. Demetrio Basta charges 50 light horse of Francesco Bernardino da Vilmercate and 80 arquebusiers of Aussun. Cesare da Napoli completes the rout, surprising them with his cavalry. | |||
| 1544 | |||||
| …………………. | Maestro di campo | Piemonte | Appointed master of camp by Alfonso d’Avalos. At Carmagnola, defending it with 2000 German infantry and some Italian ensigns. With Girolamo Silva, Carlo Gonzaga aids Pirro Colonna besieged in Carignano. Moves on Villastellone with wagons, placing Lorenzo di Mendoza at rear near Bottigliera. Reorders infantry. Meets Rosales, Giovanni di Vagnes (200 cavalry) fleeing the enemy; unites them to his troops. Silva, pursued by French, also joins. Enters by force where Raimondo di Cardona is. Recalls Carlo Gonzaga (200 cavalry). Renews fighting with mixed results. Feigns confrontation but heads to Monferrato, Volpiano. Pirro Colonna still starves. | ||
| Apr. | Piemonte | Moves to Ceresole Alba. Mid-month, at the vanguard with 4000 Italian infantry, engages the French on the Gerbola plateau. On the Imperial side: Eriprando Madruzzi, Raimondo di Cardona, Ferrante da San Severino (Prince of Salerno), Filippo di Lannoy (Prince of Sulmona), led by Alfonso d’Avalos. The French: Duke of Enghien François de Bourbon, Termes, Paolo de la Barthes, Blaise de Monluc, Martino du Bellay (Langey), plus others. Initially Imperials seem to prevail; with da San Severino, Cesare da Napoli occupies a hill with falconets hurting French cavalry. German infantry under Madruzzi yields to Gascons and Swiss; 6000 Italians under Cesare da Napoli and da San Severino resist, Spanish are overwhelmed. Alfonso d’Avalos, wounded by mace and arquebus, retreats to Asti. Cesare da Napoli and Ferrante da San Severino, fighting Termes’ light cavalry, also flee. They reach Asti at night. Heavy losses on both sides: French lose Termes (captured by Rodolfo Baglioni’s Florentines), Giovanni Battista Grimaldi, D’Escros, Drosio, Ercole and Attilio da Martinengo, Vagnone di Trufarello. Imperials lose 10000 infantry, mostly Spanish. Captured are Raimondo di Cardona, master of camp, cavalry leader Carlo Gonzaga, and wounded Madruzzi. | |||
| May | Emilia | In Piacenza area, faces Piero Strozzi. By order of Alfonso d’Avalos, he closely follows the enemy rear. | |||
| June | Emilia Lombardy Piedmont | With cavalry and 3000 infantry (also Ferrante da San Severino) blocks Piero Strozzi at Stradella, defeats him at Scrivia River. Late month leaves Volpiano with Giuliano Cesarini, tries to relieve Pirro Colonna, Felice d’Arco, Michele Spagnolo besieged in Carignano. | |||
| July | Emilia | With Rodolfo Baglioni harasses Piero Strozzi’s rear in another attempt to enter Piedmont. | |||
| 1545 | Trentino Austria Germany | Replaced at Volpiano by Biagio di Somma. Ferrante Gonzaga calls him to fight Protestants in Germany. Falls ill at Trento, recovers, continues to Innsbruck and Germany with light cavalry. | |||
| 1546 | Empire | Protestants | Germany | Opposes Duke Johann Frederick of Saxony and Landgrave Philipp of Hesse under Duke of Alba. With Giambattista Castaldo (master general), Medici, Francesco d’Este, Pirro Colonna at Regensburg. Leaves city to harass Protestants marching on Ingolstadt. In a skirmish loses 25 cavalry and some of Adriano Baglioni’s men. Fights again near Augsburg; with Castaldo, Alessandro Vitelli, Giulio Orsini, Pirro Colonna, Paolo Vitelli reaches Ulm. Sent ahead with 600 Italian/Spanish arquebusiers, 60 cavalry; with Tommaso Coccapani, Astorre Baglioni falls into ambush near an abbey. Escapes into a forest until night. Escorts 200 supply wagons with help of 400 Vitelli’s arquebusiers. Protestants retreat to Nördlingen. Italians on right wing, Spaniards left with 3000 horse of Count of Buren, Germans center. A first clash involves Ottavio Farnese, Giambattista Savelli attacking Sebastiano Schartlin’s infantry (early Sept.). Cesare da Napoli with 2000 cavalry demands surrender promising safety. Landgrave withdraws as his ally must return home attacked by Maurizio di Sassonia. Defenders surrender. The army moves to Saxony. | |
| 1551 | |||||
| ………………… | Empire | France | Piedmont | Returns to Volpiano. Appointed master general of camp in Piedmont by Ferrante Gonzaga. French counterattack, take Chieri, San Damiano d’Asti, most of the region. He defends Asti. With Giorgio Costa (Lord of Trinità) and Battista della Chiesa retakes Cuneo for Marquis Ludovico di Saluzzo. City is sacked. | |
| Sept.-Oct. | Piedmont | Hearing of Ludovico da Birago in Saluzzo, Ferrante Gonzaga urges him to cross Po with infantry to Livorno Ferraris, Crescentino. Later with Niccolò Secco moves on Saluzzo. Enemy flees. Castle demolished. Serbelloni stays. With Gonzaga attacks Braimarate. Inhabitants resist; castle taken, Duke of Savoy Emanuele Filiberto hangs prisoners. Attacks Dragoniere, bombards 4 days, defenders surrender with goods safe but must pay 4000 scudi. Montemale’s defenders also surrender if no help in 3 days. Defeated at Chivasso, he and Ferrante Gonzaga withdraw to Asti. Moves into the Langhe, skirts the Bormida, enters Marquisate of Ceva. Now Federico Savelli, Pietro da Lignana command at Volpiano. | |||
| Nov. | Piedmont | Aids Lanzo Torinese with 6 companies of Italian infantry. | |||
| 1552 | |||||
| Mar.-June | Piedmont | Leaves Lanzo T. for Volpiano. French seize chance to enter Canavese via San Martino. At Mango he joins Alvaro de Sande, with Ferrante Gonzaga near Alba. Imperials in poor shape, retreats to Nizza Monferrato with Alessandro Gonzaga, de Sande. Urges attack on San Damiano d’Asti: uncertain result, retires to Asti. Summer guarding Asti; tries to help Verrua Savoia too late. Ferrante Gonzaga sends him to defend Crescentino. | |||
| July-Oct. | Piedmont | Follows Ferrante Gonzaga to besiege Casale Monferrato; Brissac takes Vercelli. He leaves Volpiano with Demetrio Basta for Ivrea, S. Germano Vercellese. No success at Vercelli. Brissac threatens Volpiano. He leaves Rivarolo Canavese with half infantry to attack French camp at S. Martino. A clash near gate to Chivasso. Hardly repels the French. More attacks by Brissac follow. Reinforced by Spanish under de Sande and others. | |||
| Nov.-Dec. | Piedmont | Brissac leaves to take Valenza, reclaims Langhe, Acqui Terme. Freed from Volpiano siege, Cesare da Napoli storms Ponte fortress, razes it, returns to Rivarolo C. Joins near Acqui T. with Germans under Alberico di Lodrone, col. Giovan Francesco da San Severino, 4 cavalry cos., 4 guns to recover lost towns. Acqui T. inhabitants refuse lodging, yield after threats. Crosses Bormida, takes Melazzo easily; attacks Cartosio, bombards it. Lodrone, S. Severino storm it. Defenders spared and leave unarmed. Moves on Ponzone, lacking forces, joins Gomez Suarez de Figueroa at Casale M. Brissac threatens Volpiano again. He returns with Giovanni di Guevara to defend it. | |||
| 1553 | |||||
| Feb. | Piedmont | At Cortemilia, opposes French from Alba. | |||
| … | Master of camp infantry | Piedmont | Appointed master of camp of Italian infantry; tasked with retaking Alba: besieges for 17-18 days, bombards a week, detonates 2 mines after digging tunnels from moat to walls. Also seizes San Martino camp. | ||
| Nov.-Dec. | Piedmont | With Francesco d’Este sets out to retake Vercelli. He advances with 1500 cavalry, as many infantry riding double, while main army lags behind. French abandon Vercelli, pursued by Cesare da Napoli. Before leaving, they plunder Duke Carlo di Savoia’s tomb at Sant’Eusebio. In Dec. he sends troops to defend Ivrea. Ludovico da Birago attacks fiercely. The Spanish captain Morales surrenders before help arrives. | |||
| 1554 | |||||
| Aug. | Piedmont | At Volpiano; Brissac operates near Valfernera. Cesare da Napoli sends spies to Turin, negotiates with a French guard at Porta Palazzo. The plot is discovered. On the set night, Remonet’s troops and populace ambush inside. Cesare da Napoli approaches, spots the trap, withdraws. | |||
| 1555 | |||||
| May | Master of camp infantry and Captain General of artillery | Piedmont | Defends Valenza with Figueroa. Attacked by Brissac, makes many sorties with Ferdinando d’Avalos (Marquis of Pescara) and de Sande. | ||
| July-Aug. | Piedmont | Crosses Po, takes Torrione without a fight; urges Duke of Alba to besiege Santhià. After 20 days, forced to withdraw due to stout defense. | |||
| Sept. | Piedmont | Attacks Ponzone; leads 4 infantry, 4 light cavalry cos. to aid Volpiano garrison. Only Emanuele di Luna enters with 200 men. Many die, 72 captured: Aumale besieging Volpiano hangs 25 Spaniards, sends 25 to galleys. Cesare da Napoli raids countryside, takes Robella. By month-end Volpiano falls to the French. | |||
| Nov. | Piedmont | Defeats some enemy units with Marquis of Pescara. With Pescara and Castaldo, ambushes near Incisa Scapaccino: Vecchialanza lures enemies, French suffer heavy losses. | |||
| 1557 | |||||
| Spring-Summer | Master of camp general Captain General of artillery | Piemonte Emilia | Assists Raimondo di Cardona at Santhià’s siege. French attempt Volpiano. Imperials abandon Santhià and Volpiano after 19 days of bombardment. He is made master general of camp. Proposes to relieve Cuneo besieged by Brissac, but is sent to Guastalla to help Correggio’s garrison. With Sigismondo Gonzaga brings 150 cartloads of munitions into Correggio. Later raids surroundings but is repelled. Figueroa names him captain general of artillery in Piedmont and Lombardy. Another supply run with Ottavio Farnese (200 carts) into Correggio at night, then returns to Guastalla. Moves with 4 guns to Brescello where French block Po navigation. Intercepts 300 infantry, capturing many and goods. Harvest carried to Guastalla. At Casalmaggiore. Must return to Piedmont. | ||
| July-Aug. | Piedmont Lombardy | Storms Ponzone. Ordered to retake Gattinara, Candia Canavese, nearby places. Has 5 men-at-arms cos., 6 light cavalry cos., 4 guns, supported by Marco da Ems (German infantry). Crosses Sesia; in Aug. Gattinara surrenders (200 French under Barasse, Italians under Giovan Paolo Cusano). San Lorenzo, Masserano also yield. Candia C., Gaianino, Zumaglia castle taken (he is wounded by a musket at a hand). Withdraws to Pavia for treatment. | |||
| 1558 | France | Early year in Nice advising Savoy governor Andrea Provana to strengthen Monte Albano and Forte Sant’Elmo. | |||
| 1559 | |||||
| … | Spain | In Spanish King Philip II’s pay. | |||
| July | Duke of Savoy | Switzerland | Serves Duke of Savoy Emanuele Filiberto, who plans to seize Calvin’s Geneva. A Neapolitan adventurer feigns Protestantism, buys Barony of Vitry in Geneva with ducal funds. Cesare da Napoli visits Geneva, plans using 20000 infantry, 1500 cavalry. Plan fails due to French hostility and lack of Spanish support. | ||
| 1561/1562 | Duke of Savoy | Piedmont Lombardy Marche Lazio | Owns half a corsair galley at Villefranche with captain Giovanni Moretti of Nice. Governor of Milan Consalvo Ferrante di Cordoba sends him and Giovambattista d’Arco (German infantry) to seize Centallo. Guns breach walls, moat drained, final assault succeeds. The Pope calls for him. Granted 3-month leave by Imperials. June 1562 at Urbino visiting Duke Guidobaldo della Rovere, mid-July in Rome. Welcomed by cardinals, meets Pope Pius IV at Palazzo di San Marco. Offered command of Papal infantry, he refuses due to leave expiry and retains his 3000-scudi artillery pension. Returns to Milan, Fossano where Duke of Savoy resides. | ||
| 1565 | |||||
| …………………. | Lombardia Emilia Toscana | Ordered by King of Spain to collect 3000 infantry for Malta’s defense. Leaves Lombardy, via Piacenza, Pontremoli with 4000 infantry. Camps 3 days at Annunziata, pieve of Saliceto, Costa, Campoli, Vico. His men cause serious damage everywhere. | |||
| Dec. | Piemonte | Duke of Savoy confirms his purchase of Moncrivello. | |||
| 1566 | Piemonte | Duke Emanuele Filiberto di Savoia tasks him to inspect Savoy fortifications on Swiss border. | |||
| 1568 | |||||
| Mar. | Spain | Lombardia | Obtains command of Duchy of Milan’s artillery. Dies (perhaps in Asti) mid-month. Buried at Sacro Monte di Varallo, where he built a chapel. A legend says on an expedition against Valsesia, his horse knelt thrice at sight of Sacro Monte tracing a cross with its hooves. Member of Accademia degli Affidati of Pavia, a literary circle linked to Lombardy’s Spanish politics. Marries Gabriella Valperga (Marquises of Masino). |
Sources
-“Uno dei più vecchi, ed il più astuto e ardito tra i capitani che servivano a Spagna..Soldato vecchio e di valore..Soldato vecchio e di lunga sperienza.” ADRIANI
-“Capitano accorto e intraprendente.” ARGEGNI
-“Soldato spertissimo e vigilante, ma poco fortunato nelle sue spedizioni.” BOTTA
-“Capitano dell’artiglieria; questo solo è soldato consumato nella guerra già molti anni.” ALBERI
-“Colonnello vecchio di fanteria, il quale più che alcuno altro era stato alla guerra, si come quel che trenta anni continui con intera fama di valore, e di fede havea servito l’imperatore.” GIOVIO
-“Homme vigilant, subtil et entrepenant, mais peu herreux en ses entreprises.” DU BELLAY
-“Uno de’ più pregiati Capitani, che stati sieno d’assai tempo addietro..Era Cesare di persona giusta e forti membra; il volto hebbe alquanto rubicondo; occhi, barba e capelli neri.” ROSCIO
-“Huomo bellicoso, vigilante nel fato della guerra, e che sempre cercava di opprimere i nimici con qualche artificio.. Capitano molto esperto.” ROSEO
-“In historiis clarus.” PUTEANO
-“Senza contrasto è stato sempre in nome e in effetti col valor del corpo e col consiglio, uno de’ primi e migliori Capitani de’ tempi nostri.” RUSCELLI
-“Ottimo soldato..Esperto duce italiano.” SEGRE
-“Homme qui pensoit plus à remplir la bourse qu’à bien servir.” GOMEZ DE SILVA
“A esté un fort grand capitaine, vigillant, subtil et entreprenant, mais pourtant peu heureux en ses entreprises, qui furent neanmoins belles et bien inventées.” BRANTOME
-Alla battaglia di Ombriano “E Cesare da Napoli anchor esso/ fa meraviglia col suo ardire, e forza/ e di nemici con il capo fesso/ ne mandò più d’un par sul pian a l’orza./ Chi potrebbe narrar tanto successo/ sendo mortal, e di fraggida schorza/ perché forse non fu sopra la terra/ fra così poca giente maggior guerra.” DEGLI AGOSTINI
-“Unendosi agli ufficiali e condottieri italiani che servirono gli eserciti dei conquistatori, il Maggi poté sviluppare, negli anni, le sue doti di soldato e le sue capacità strategiche, mostrando di saper rispondere adeguatamente alle nuove modalità di combattimento proposte dalle innovative milizie spagnole. Destinato a seguire un percorso di ascesa nella scala del prestigio militare e sociale, divenne fin dai primi tempi capitano di fanteria, alla testa di unità di media portata, composte quasi sempre da italiani, e seppe sfruttare abilmente le prospettive di vittoria offerta dall’artiglieria. Combinò con successo l’abilità nel guidare le truppe allo scontro aperto con la strategia dell’incursione rapida e continua, dell’attacco a sorpresa, della difesa del territorio. Non rinunciò, al tempo stesso, ad agire con l’astuzia e all’occorrenza con l’inganno, né a compiere scorrerie e incursioni, saccheggi e violenze.” TEODORI
-“Era solito di salvare e rispettare i luoghi Ecclesiastici…Oltre alla virtù sua militare, mostrò sempre di poco stimare la sua vita, dove conosceva il servigio del suo Re et la reputatione della sua patria et tanti sono i suoi meriti che coloro, i qualinelle molte fattioni di guerra lo videro…Diciamo di gratia il vero, in tante fattioni dove non mostrò atto di crudeltà, massimamente che in quei giorni si faceva professione di ammazzare le genti per poca cosa, anzi la gloria consisteva nella crudeltà, nella biastemma et in altri vitij indegni dell’essercitio militare….Fu Cesare sempre mirabil soldato e invitto Capitano, percioche egli nel guidarele imprese persuadeva e animava i suoi, facendo e tacendo e quel poco che diceva era molto in sustantia….Fu accettato con molta mirabil contentezza nell’accademia degli Affidati di Pavia, dove egli mostrò segno di liberalità. ” CONTILE
-“Chi considererà l’intrepidezza di cuore, la sagacità grande, e arte singolare di guerra, con le quali Cesare da Napoli sapeva così notabilmente offendere il nemico, e tanto ben guardarsi da lui, senza dubbio il reputerà per un de’ più pregiati Capitani, che stati siano d’assai tempo adietro..Era Cesare di persona giusta; e forti membri: il volto hebbe alquanto rubicondo: occhi, barba, e capelli neri. Ricevé egli in dono dall’Imperatore Carlo V in Lombardia un Marchesato, con due Contadi.” CAPRIOLO
-“Capitano vecchio di grand’esperienza…Capitano di tanta virtù.” LAZARI
-“..del famigerato Capitano Cesare Maggio.” A.G. CAGNA (Alpinisti ciabattoni)
