Chiappino Vitelli: Military Career and Service Records

The Italian Mercenary Who Fought for Cosimo de’ Medici and Philip II

Chiappino Vitelli (Gianluigi Vitelli). From Città di Castello. Marquis of Cetona and Count of Montone. Son of Niccolò Vitelli, brother of Giovanni Vitelli, nephew of Alessandro Vitelli, uncle of Camillo Vitelli and Giambattista del Monte a Santa Maria, brother-in-law of Aurelio Fregoso, and father-in-law of Vincenzo Vitelli. Knight of the Order of Saint Stephen.

Born: 1519
Death: 1575, July

Year, Month	State, Comp. ventura	Opponent	Command	Area of Activity	Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts
Year, Month	State, Comp. ventura	Opponent	Command	Area of Activity	Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts
…………..	Florence			Tuscany	Serves under the Duke of Florence Cosimo de’ Medici (Cosimo dei Medici). In the first years of his military activity, he fights alongside his uncle Alessandro.
1542					With his brother Paolo, he avenges the death of his father Niccolò by assassinating Niccolò Bracciolini.
1543	Florence			Tuscany	He is elected governor of Piombino.
1544
Summer	Florence	Ottoman Empire, France		Tuscany	In Casoli with 500 infantry and 150 light cavalry to oppose the Turks of the corsair Barbarossa, who have landed on the Sienese coast. He vigorously engages the opponents; he is not able to prevent them from occupying Talamone and Porto Ercole. With the support of Stefano Colonna and the Spaniards under Giovanni di Luna, arriving from Siena, he enters the defense of Orbetello, likewise threatened by the Ottomans and by the French fleet of Leone Strozzi. He blocks any attempt by the enemies to land on the beach.
1546	Florence	Siena		Tuscany	He is sent with Rodolfo Baglioni to Staggia after a revolt in Siena against the imperial governor Don Giovanni di Luna.
1547
Jan.				Tuscany	In Pisa upon news of the revolt by Gianluigi Fieschi in Genoa against Andrea Doria.
Summer			1000 infantry	Tuscany	He receives orders to return once more to Pisa with 1000 infantry to embark for Naples, where he is assigned to support the Viceroy of Naples Don Pietro de Toledo, who is facing a civic uprising due to the introduction of the Inquisition tribunal into the kingdom.
1548				Tuscany and Liguria	He marries Eleonora Cybo, daughter of Lorenzo (the first Marquis of Massa and Carrara), widow of Gian Luigi Fieschi. In the same year (July) Cosimo de’ Medici sends him to Genoa to pay homage to Archduke Maximilian (Massimiliano) of Austria, who is passing through that city.
1550
Apr. May	Empire	Ottoman Empire	1000 infantry	Tuscany, Lazio and Campania	In Livorno he joins the imperial fleet led by Andrea Doria; he reaches Civitavecchia to unite with the papal army of Carlo Sforza. He then moves on to Naples.
Sept.				Libya	He clashes repeatedly with the troops of the corsairs Barbarossa and Dragut. He commands 300 Florentine soldiers in the final assault on the castle of Afrodisio (Mehedia).
1551				Liguria	November. He visits Andrea Doria to pay respects on behalf of the Duke of Florence, and at the same time to convey the Florentines’ homage to the King and Queen of Bohemia, who are currently staying in Genoa.
1552	Genoa	Ottoman Empire			He is present at the engagement in which the fleet of the corsair Dragut is defeated.
1553
Summer	Florence	France	2000 infantry	France	He is dispatched to Corsica to confront the French. He lays siege to the castle of Furiano: the defense by Taddeo da Petricano and Vitello della Rebbia compels him to withdraw after eight hours of attack. With Carlotto Orsini he fights against the forces of Termes and Sampiero Corso; he besieges Giordano Orsini in San Fiorenzo (Saint-Florent).
1554
Jan.	Florence	France		France and Tuscany	With the surrender of San Fiorenzo, he returns to Tuscany to fight the French in the war of Siena, commanding four cavalry companies.
Mar.				Tuscany	He plunders the Torre della Chiocciola belonging to the Turks; he breaks into the Val di Chiana and aims for Civitella with Commissioner Girolamo degli Albizzi, 1000 Spanish infantry, and 120 cavalry. He seizes Belcaro.
Apr.				Tuscany	He follows Gian Giacomo de’ Medici (Gian Giacomo dei Medici) against Siena to attempt seizing a Benedictine monastery near the village of San Marco. He positions himself with 200 cavalry in ambush between Buonconvento and Cuna and takes Count Teofilo Calcagnini, also capturing his lieutenant. He arrives at Castello di Brolio, where with two companies of cavalry and two of infantry he transports some artillery pieces to besiege San Gusmé; he is reported at Poggibonsi. From that location, with 1600 Spanish and Italian infantry, he returns to the siege of Siena.
May				Tuscany	He orders that any smugglers caught carrying foodstuffs and livestock into Siena be hanged. A reward is provided for their capture.
July				Tuscany	With Vincenzo Nobili, he leads an attack on the fortified monastery of Santa Bonda in Siena; among the defenders 400 are killed, and just as many are wounded; among the Florentines, 130 die (including Carriglio, Federico da Fermo, and Alfonso Bernel) and 200 are wounded (including Pietropaolo Tosinghi). He takes part in the Battle of Marciano.
Aug.				Tuscany	Falling ill, he is taken to Castello di Brolio to be treated.
Nov.			Lieutenant General	Tuscany	He returns to the siege of Siena as Lieutenant General to Cosimo de’ Medici. His camp is set up at Montecchio.
Dec.				Tuscany	On Christmas Eve, he teams up with Gian Giacomo de’ Medici to make a nighttime approach to Siena’s walls: the ladders are too short, so the attempt fails.
1555
Feb.				Tuscany	He pays 200 scudi to some imperial soldiers for custody of the Sienese captain Angelo Chellocci, who is wounded. He has him placed in a stable to sleep on straw and prevents anyone from treating him.
Apr.				Tuscany	With the surrender of Siena, he places himself at the Porta di San Lazzaro to ensure that the departing French troops are treated according to the agreement. He exchanges an embrace with Blaise de Monluc and escorts them a short distance.
May, June				Tuscany	Initially he commands the troops in place of the ailing Gian Giacomo de’ Medici. Under him are 5000 veteran infantry (900 Spanish, 2000 Italian, 2500 German) and 500 cavalry. He sets off for Buonconvento; occupies San Quirico d’Orcia, Rocca d’Orcia, Castiglione d’Orcia, and Castel della Ripa; sacks Campiglia d’Orcia. The defenders, led by Metello Simoncelli from Orvieto, surrender at once upon seeing the artillery being positioned. He captures the small stronghold in the Val di Chiana, moves on Pienza, halts at Chianciano, where the recovered Gian Giacomo de’ Medici joins him. He supports the latter at Porto Ercole against Piero Strozzi. First, he assaults the fort of Sant’Ippolito with 400 Spaniards and 300 Germans (1500 infantry according to other sources); he ascends cliffs, enters a wood, and attempts a breach with Giovan Francesco da Bagno, scaling the walls. The Germans get inside with heavy casualties; among the opposition, Captain Antonio Maria Francese is slain with 250 infantry (100 Italians and 150 Gascons). He prevails over the defenders of the islet called d’Ercole at the harbor entrance, preventing the French galleys from nearing the shore; he attacks Forte Strozzi defended by Alessandro da Terni; he obtains the surrender of Forte di Galera. At the end of June, he occupies Capalbio and destroys the tower of Talamone with the German infantry and the cavalry of Bartolomeo Greco. He assaults Montepescali, defended by Bastiano Guascone with 300 men; after intense naval artillery fire, the Germans attack on land. The place surrenders under terms. Lastly, he occupies Castiglione della Pescaia, Scarlino, and Gavizzano.
July, Aug.				Tuscany	With Gian Giacomo de’ Medici returning to Milan, he again leads the troops. He is stationed to guard Piombino; along with Gabriele Serbelloni (700 Germans) he repels the attacks by 3000 Janissaries who land at Porto Filiegi (Portovecchio). The infantry press the enemies, who scatter. Then Vitelli goes to Populonia with the cavalry of Leonello da Carpi; he drives the Turks back to the shore, capturing one of their yellow-and-red standards (400/550 of the enemy die, at the cost of 40 infantry and 20 cavalry on the Medici side). He seizes Pienza from Cornelio Bentivoglio. Stricken by tertian fever, he withdraws to Florence for treatment; Sforza Sforza replaces him in command.
Oct.				Tuscany	The Duke of Florence, worried about the policies of the new Pope Paul IV, sympathetic to the French, prevents Vitelli from proceeding against Radicofani and orders him to reinforce border garrisons.
Nov.				Tuscany	Papal policy does not turn out to be pro-French. Together with Leonida Malatesta da Sogliano (1000 Italian and Spanish infantry, 2 cannons, and a culverin), he is now directed to seize Radicofani, defended by Bastiano Guascone and Giulio da Thiene with 150 infantry. The first attack occurs, with the French captain letting the imperials enter the barbican and the battery, where many attackers die under fire, arquebus shots, and thrown stones. A second assault likewise fails. Chiappino Vitelli is forced to withdraw to Siena and Florence; he requests artillery.
1556
July				Tuscany	He enters Siena with a body of German infantry. The republic comes to an end.
Oct.				Tuscany	He strengthens the fortifications of the Duchy of Florence facing Lucca; he fortifies Montecarlo. The King of Spain, Philip II, presses him to take up arms in the “guerra cafaresca” against Pope Paul IV: he refuses.
1557
Mar.				Tuscany	He supervises work to reinforce the defenses of Arezzo and Borgo San Sepolcro (Sansepolcro) in case of a French attack.
Sept.				Tuscany	A force of 1500 Spanish infantry under Sancio di Leyva arrives by sea in Porto Ercole. Once landed, they join Vitelli’s men and those of Simone Rosselmini. Talamone surrenders without a fight—its 35-man garrison is mostly stricken by malaria and months behind in pay. Castiglione della Pescaia likewise gives in after a few artillery rounds. The island of Giglio is also handed over to Vitelli. During the year, he is bestowed the marquisate of Cetona.
1558
…………..				Tuscany	He oversees in Porto Ercole the construction of a fort on the Sant’Elmo (Monte Filippo) hill.
…………..				Spain	He goes to Spain to convey condolences to the sovereign for the death of his sister Eleonora, Queen of France.
1559
Jan.				Belgium	He travels to Brussels on an official mission to extend condolences for the death of Charles V, while also advocating for the transfer of all of Siena to Cosimo de’ Medici.
…………….				Romagna	He inspects the progress of the new fortress at Castrocaro Terme.
July				Tuscany	Following the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis, he gains possession of Montalcino partly by intimidation and partly through payments. When the French garrison mutinies over twenty-one months of unpaid wages (the French agents offer to settle just one), he positions himself at Buonconvento with 2000 infantry and 150 cavalry, backing Cornelio Bentivoglio in resolving the crisis.
Aug.	Comp. ventura	Montone		Umbria	Following the pope’s death Paolo IV, he allies with Paolo Vitelli; with 3000 infantry, he besieges Montone held by Angela dei Rossi, widow of Alessandro Vitelli, demanding lordship. The College of Cardinals intercedes, urging both captains to withdraw. Instead, Vitelli wipes out the garrison, and Paolo Vitelli enters with numerous troops. Pope Pius IV initially excommunicates both brothers. A compromise leaves Montone under their control.
1560
…………..					Cosimo de’ Medici arranges forgiveness for Chiappino Vitelli and his kinsman Paolo for their assault on Montone.
July	Florence	Pitigliano		Tuscany	He moves on Sovana with 6000 infantry and takes it from Nicola Orsini. When Pitigliano also rebels against Orsini, he advises the Duke of Florence to have Giovan Francesco Orsini, who claims lordship there, killed by Niccolò Bombaglino.
1561			Captain General of Infantry
1562
Mar.				Tuscany	He is among the knights of the Order of Saint Stephen, being appointed Grand Constable. He escorts the Spanish heir to the throne through the grand duchy.
1564
Aug. Sept.	Empire	Ottoman Empire	Maestro di campo	Morocco, Tuscany	Leading 4000 infantry, he takes part in the expedition against the Penon of Vélez de la Gomera—between Ceuta and Alcadia—under Don Garcia de Toledo. He lands, advances on Vélez de la Gomera with Francesco d’Ibara, and enters the town with 100 arquebusiers; he sets up six artillery pieces to batter the fortress on the island, manned by 130 Moors and Turks. After two days it surrenders; by mid-September, the prisoners leave behind a small garrison. Vitelli designs sturdier fortifications than those built earlier in the century by Pietro Navarro. He is then at Pisa.
1565
Feb.				Tuscany	He gathers troops for a possible move on La Goletta.
Aug.	Empire	Ottoman Empire		Tuscany, Sicily and Malta	He embarks at Livorno with 3200 infantry on Giovanni Andrea Doria’s galleys; in Messina, he unites with the rest of Don Garcia de Toledo’s forces. He proceeds to Malta, under siege by the Turks; as soon as he lands, he disputes rank with the Spanish commander, who grants him only the title of colonel. He clashes with the Ottomans, who are forced to pull back, losing 1000 men; the imperial side also suffers many casualties.
Sept.				Malta	With 700–800 arquebusiers, he conducts an attack on Falca Tower before it can fall to the Turks. The corsair Occhiali (Occhiali) sets out for the same objective with 2000 men from Mustafa Pasha (Mustafa Pascià)’s fleet. The enemies are driven off.
…………….				Sardinia	He relocates to Sardinia under the orders of Don Garcia de Toledo, Viceroy of Sicily.
1566					He has a monthly allowance of 200 scudi.
1567
Feb. June	Spain	Orange	Captain General of Infantry	Lombardy, France, Belgium	In February he gathers militias in Lombardy. Leading them, he crosses Piedmont, Savoy, and Burgundy to join the Duke of Alba in Flanders. In June he is in Luxembourg; he is assigned command of the infantry, with cavalry under Don Hernando de Toledo (son of the Duke of Alba) and artillery under Gabriele Serbelloni. Chiappino Vitelli arrives in Brussels, where, on Fernando Álvarez de Toledo’s (the Duke of Alba) orders, he treacherously arrests the Count of Egmont. He moves on to Antwerp with Gabriele Serbelloni and Federico Paciotti to find the best place for building the citadel.
July				Belgium	He heads to Frisia following the defeat suffered by Count of Aremberg, aiming to secure Groningen for the Spaniards. Louis of Nassau (Ludovico di Nassau), leading 12000 troops, camps near the city. In mid-month, the Duke of Alba arrives with 15000 men; Chiappino Vitelli also halts near the Abbey of Salvaret. Skirmishes and ambushes ensue between the city and the bridge to the monastery. In the first skirmish, Nassau loses 3000 men and decides to halt at Jemmingen, on the left bank of the Ems at the Dollard confluence. The area, shaped like a narrow peninsula, allows Spaniards to attack along one route only. Vitelli moves to Slochtereh to cut off enemy escape. The Spaniards assault; Nassau tries in vain to open dikes to flood the land. The fight, from ten in the morning to one in the afternoon, is a slaughter: 7000 Dutch die (killed or drowned), versus just 80 of the Duke of Alba’s men. Victorious, they return to Groningen, sacking everything en route.
1568
Sept. Oct.			Maestro di campo general	Holland and Belgium	Moving on to Brabant, he is Maestro di campo. He confronts Maurice of Orange (Maurizio d’Orange). Chiappino Vitelli is in Maastricht, watching possible fords on the Meuse, always in the forefront. The Dutch invade Brabant with 30000 troops. The Duke of Alba refuses direct battle, shadowing them while they deplete their resources. Prince of Orange changes camp twenty-nine times; each time, the Duke of Alba keeps close watch. Vitelli is also constantly active. In late October, he goes out with two cavalry bands at dusk to check enemy camps, falls into an ambush, and is driven off, losing his horse. Next morning, with a detachment of mostly Spanish and Burgundian light cavalry, together with Fadrique de Toledo—another of the Duke’s sons—he strikes the rear guard of the Prince of Orange, which has fallen behind. Vitelli, alongside Camillo Gonzaga, attacks, killing 400 men at a cost of only fifteen. They seize the baggage and 150 horses. The Duke of Alba rebukes it as reckless. Ordered not to engage the Prince of Orange’s army while crossing the Gete, Vitelli defies orders, attacks, and destroys Colonel Loverull’s unit, capturing the enemy flag. Two thousand opponents die in two hours of fighting. On this occasion, he is praised by the Duke of Alba.
1569
………………				Great Britain, Spain, Tuscany	He leaves the Flanders front briefly due to conflicts with the Duke of Alba. He is dispatched to England to negotiate with Queen Elizabeth about returning some Spanish ships (one from Biscay and four vessels) seized by the English while carrying funds to Flanders and forced to take shelter in English ports because of a storm. The negotiations fail; he goes back to Spain, where a mission against the English is proposed to him. When that command is granted instead to Fadrique de Toledo (the Duke of Alba’s son), disappointed, he secures permission to return to Florence.
……………	Florence			Emilia	Cosimo de’ Medici employs him on various embassies, including one to Ferrara to see the widow of Duke Ercole d’Este.
1570
Feb.				Lazio, Emilia	He accompanies Cosimo de’ Medici to Rome for his coronation as Grand Duke of Tuscany. Then he travels to Ferrara to visit Renata of France, widow of Ercole d’Este.
1572
May. Sept.	Spain	France, Orange		Belgium	The Prince of Orange resumes the conflict, aided by France and the Huguenots. Vitelli is asked to return to Holland. In May, Nassau seizes Mons. Vitelli advises targeting Holland and Zeeland; in July he sets up near Mons with Fadrique de Toledo, commanding 4000 infantry and 800 cavalry against 6000 men from the King of France and the Huguenot admiral Gaspard de Coligny, led by Jean de Hangest (Signore di Genlis). Coligny tries to bribe him with lavish offers: Vitelli promptly burns the letter. The Protestants are badly beaten in mid-month outside Mons, and Genlis is taken prisoner. Found on him is a letter from King Charles IX (Carlo IX) assuring Nassau of France’s commitment to free the Netherlands from Spanish rule. Mid-September, after the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre in Paris, Mons surrenders to the Spaniards. During the siege, Vitelli is hit in the left leg by an arquebus shot. It does not hinder his commands: from a chair, he orders the attack on the enemy lines. The Protestants (7000 infantry and 1000 cavalry in total) have suffered large losses—1200 killed and 600 captured—defending the city.
1573
Aug.				Holland	After Haarlem’s fall, following an eight-month siege, the Spanish troops mutiny over pay in arrears for that entire period. Vitelli calms the revolt and arranges for four months’ pay instead of plundering the city. Once the soldiers start dispersing, against all promises, Fadrique de Toledo arrests the leaders and has them shot in groups of twenty. Vitelli is given command for operations in Holland against the “Sea Beggars”; he advances from one victory to the next, pushing on into the Zeeland islands.
1574				Holland and Belgium	Luis de Requesens succeeds the Duke of Alba in command. Vitelli defends Balduch from the Prince of Orange’s assaults, advances toward the island of Bommene, and captures Leerdam, Leijaen, Asperen, and Huechelen. His first attempt on Bommene fails; he builds two forts and returns to Antwerp, where he erects a fortress funded by confiscated rebel property. He later attacks the fort of Bommene again, wiping out the Frenchman Ly’s garrison.
1575
…………….				Holland	He supports Cristoforo Mondragone in the siege of Zierikzee; to step up the operations, he advances on the island of Sconven.
July				Holland	Falling ill, he boards a ship bound for Antwerp to seek treatment. He dies during the crossing. Some chroniclers claim a jealous Spanish officer caused him to fall from his chair into a deep trench while inspecting fortifications. His body is taken to Antwerp, where solemn honors follow. His heart is interred there; the embalmed remains are sent to Città di Castello for burial at San Francesco. He is mentioned by Pietro Aretino in his letters. Girolamo Maggi refers to him in the “Cinque primi canti della guerra di Fiandra.” Also cited by Giovanni Battista Belluzzi in the “Trattato delle fortificazioni di terra.” Some sonnets by Laura Battiferri, wife of Bartolomeo Ammannati, are dedicated to Chiappino Vitelli and his spouse. He is portrayed by Giorgio Vasari in the Sala di Cosimo at Palazzo Vecchio in Florence (“Trionfo della guerra di Siena”). He builds a large square in Cetona, originally called Piazza Vitelli, then Piazza Grande, now Piazza Garibaldi.

Sources

-“In gran credito per virtù familiare.” SEGNI

-“Famoso pel suo valore e per la sua mostruosa corpulenza.” BONAZZI

-“Capitano molto stimato a’ suoi tempi ed affezionato al duca (di Firenze).” BOTTA

-“E’ troppo obbligato a sua eccellenza (Cosimo dei Medici), lo quale dall’altra parte, deve averlo caro e tenerlo sempre amico, avendo fidato in lui le cose di maggiore importanza, e fattolo consapevole del suo animo, e dei suoi disegni.. Era costui di tale smisurata grassezza che bisognava cingergli il ventre con apposito apparato perché potesse muoversi: ed essendo gran mangiatore e di fede ateo, per quanto dicevasi, i protestanti fiamminghi gli fecero questo epitaffio “O Deus omnipotens, crassi miserere Vitelli,/ Quem mors praeveniens non sinit esset bovem./ Corpus in Italia est, tenet intestina Brabantus/ Ast animam nemo. Cur? quia non habet.” Cita però il Du Maurier nella vita di Guglielmo principe d’Orange, che per avere Chiappino fatto abbondantissimo uso di aceto a fine di dimagrire, ottenne talmente l’effetto desiderato, ch’egli cadde in non minore imbarazzo per le pelli che gli ciondolavano da tutte le membra, di quel che prima si fosse per l’impedimento della sua smisurata pinguedine.” ALBERI

-“Fu capitano di nobil grido, e che alla riputazione acquistata prima nelle guerre d’Italia aveva saputo far molto ben corrispondere quella che poi egli aveva conseguita ancora fra le armi di Fiandra.” BENTIVOGLIO

-“Qui avoit une des meilleurs et de plus fortes compagnies qui fust en Italie.” MONTLUC

-Con Ascanio della Cornia “Capitani famosissimi, e di grande esperienza nell’arme.” P. GIUSTINIAN

-“Cavaliere molto honorato e nel mestier dell’armi famosissimo Capitano.” PELLINI

-“Capitano illustre de tempi nostri..Valorosissimo cavaliero e illustre nella militia.” SANSOVINO

-“Valoroso Cavaliero.” MONTALVO

-“Che nel mestiero dell’armi si haveva guadagnato gran riputazione.” ADRIANI

-“Reputatissimo capitano del 16° secolo.” PAOLINI

-“Uomo, che nelle cose militari non tralignando punto dalla sua famiglia, si fece un nome molto distinto.” LITTA

-“Uno de’ più distinti uomini d’arme del suo tempo.” BOSI

-“Signore reputato meritevole d’ogni grado honorato e principale.” CIRNI

-“Soldato animoso e forte.” ROSEO

-“Chiapin Vitelly, gentil homme Italien, très grand et advisé capitaine. Grand cas pourtant que les Espagnols souffrirent un Italien leur commander en telle dignité. Mais ils le permirent, estant choisi de leur brave général, et qu’ils le trouvèrent fort capable, doux et gracieux, et qui leur sçavoit commander gracieusement et de grace.” BRANTOME

-“Crebbe in nome di fiera anziché d’uomo..Fu uomo colto.” PROMIS

-Con Paolo Vitelli “Giovani ripieni di virtù illustre.” P. ARETINO

-“Fameux dans les derniéres guerres de Toscane.., son mérite extraordinaire l’ayant emporté sur l’aversion naturelle aux Espagnols d’obéir à un étranger.” VARILLAS

-“Fu il Marte delle Fiandre.” G. MUZZI

-Alla battaglia di Marciano.”…Chiappin Vitello/ Ch’oggi ben guiderà per monte, & piano/ Il suo gagliardo. & franco colonnello/ Il qual ben mostrerà con l’armi in mano/ Ch’egli era degno di coral drappello.” L. PIERI

-“Mio nobile gentilhuomo dilettissimo.” Da un dispaccio di Cosimo dei Medici riportato da A. CONTINI-P. VOLPINI

-“Capitano, ingegnere e diplomatico accorto, Vitelli fu una figura chiave per il consolidamento del Ducato di Toscana come potenza regionale nel contesto dell’egemonia asburgica in Europa. Non lasciò scritti di architettura o arte militare, ma di esse trattò ampiamente nel suo carteggio con Cosimo I, suo figlio Francesco e il segretario Bartolomeo Concini… La prestanza fisica di Vitelli..è ritratta da Vasari, nel Salone dei Cinquecento di Palazzo Vecchio, negli affreschi del “Trionfo della guerra di Siena” e della “Rotta dei Turchi a Piombino”..e nella “Presa di Porto Ercole”..(La sua) prestanza cedette, intorno ai cinquant’anni, a una corpulenza presa di mira – insieme alla presunta empietà.. – da un epitaffio satirico diffuso dai calvinisti fiamminghi: “O Deus omnipoyens, crassi miserere Vitelli./quem mors praeveniens non snit esse bovem./Corpus in Italia est, tenet intestina Brabantus/ast animam nemo. Cur? Quia non habet.” LODONE

-“Una delle figure alle origini dell’affermazione del Ducato di Toscana come potenza militare regionale nel contesto dell’organizzazione asburgica. Soldato tra i più famosi e ammirati della sua epoca, Chiappino è però oggi una delle vittime più illustri del vero e proprio “buco nero” storiografico creato dal sovrapporsi degli effetti della visione negativa della storia militare italiana dell’età moderna elaborata dalla storiografia nazionale a quelli del disinteresse manifestato verso tale soggetto dagli storici italiani a partire dalla fine della Seconda Guerra Mondiale. Questo ha finito per indebolire (e in molti casi cancellare) la memoria dell’effettivo ruolo del Vitelli nella storia della nascita del Granducato di Toscana.” ARFAIOLI