The Treachery and Ambition of Condottiero Gabrino Fondulo
Gabrino Fondulo (Cabrino Fondulo) of Soncino. A Guelph. Count of Soncino and Marquis of Castelleone. Lord of Cremona, Soresina, Robecco d’Oglio, Piadena, San Giovanni in Croce, Castelnuovo Bocca d’Adda, Maccastorna, Fidenza, Pizzighettone, Casalmaggiore, Castelleone, and Gabbioneta.
Born: 1370, March
Death: 1425, February
| Year, Month | State. Comp. ventura | Opponent | Command | Area of Activity | Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lombardy | Born in the Ghibelline quarter located near the piazza del Monte di Pietà, called piazza dei Guasti. Baptized in the church of San Giacomo. Completes his first studies in Soncino. | ||||
| 1386 | |||||
| Lombardy | During carnival festivities with his cousins Pranto offends the Ghibellines Barbuò: a brawl ensues in which his antagonists are killed; Gabrino Fondulo is instead wounded in a shoulder. | ||||
| June | Lombardy | Enters the house of Filiberto Barbuò, corrupts a groom and kills his rival in the stable with dagger blows with some of his henchmen. Is arrested by the podestà of Soncino with his brother Pagano; is sentenced to decapitation. Is saved by a friend, Giuliano Chierasco, who induces the guards of the fortress to fail in their duties and to let him escape. | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | Leaves Soncino in disguise, stops at Gallignano and kills Luigi Barbuò there; takes refuge in Cremona where he joins with his friend Maffeo Moro and his cousin Costanzo Fondulo. Goes to Viadana and enters the service of Ugolino Cavalcabò. | |||
| 1387 | |||||
| Apr. | Milan | Verona | Veneto | Serves under the orders of Ugolino Cavalcabò. Finds himself at the camp of Desenzano del Garda with Giovanni degli Ubaldini. Participates in the capture of Garda. | |
| Oct. | 200 horses | Veneto | Enters Verona after an attack carried out at the Porta di San Massimo with Guglielmo Cavalcabò. Escorts Guglielmo Bevilacqua to Vicenza to incite the inhabitants to give themselves to the Visconti rather than to the Carraresi. | ||
| 1388 | Milan | Padua | Veneto | Faces the Carraresi under the orders of Jacopo dal Verme. | |
| 1389 | Milan | Florence | 200 horses | Tuscany | Takes part in the defense of Siena. |
| 1390 | |||||
| Tuscany | Is reported still in the Sienese territory. | ||||
| Sept. | Tuscany | Assists the action of Jacopo dal Verme in the Florentine territory. | |||
| 1392 | |||||
| Sept. | Guelfs | Milan | Lombardy | Rebels against Count of Virtù Gian Galeazzo Visconti. Joins with the Guelfs at Gazzuolo; on return is captured by the podestà of Cremona Giovanni Castiglione who has him imprisoned in Soncino; brother Pagano is decapitated. Gabrino Fondulo manages to escape from the fortress with the help of Maffeo Moro, goes to Castelletto and kills Anselmo Barbuò of the opposing faction there. Surprises the adversary at night with his wife in their nuptial chamber. Takes refuge in Viadana with the Cavalcabò; strikes up friendship with Carlo Cavalcabò. | |
| 1395 | Milan | Florence | 400 horses | Tuscany | Is sent to Pisa with 400 horses to bring the city into the Milanese orbit; fights in Tuscany under the orders of Alberico da Barbiano. |
| 1396 | |||||
| Nov. | Tuscany | Camps near Pisa with 500 horses. Has the occasion to become friends with Jacopo d’Appiano. | |||
| 1397 | |||||
| Tuscany | Arrives under Florence under the orders of Alberico da Barbiano. | ||||
| Milan | Mantua | Lombardy | Always flanks Barbiano in the Mantuan territory to the detriment of Francesco Gonzaga. | ||
| Oct. | Lombardy | After the battle of Borgoforte enters the siege of Mantua. | |||
| Lombardy | Returns to Soncino where his mother is about to die: during his stay there is a revolt in the city. Gabrino Fondulo persuades the inhabitants to submit to the Duke of Milan: for his work he is sent back to Pisa to the court of Gherardo d’Appiano. | ||||
| 1398 | Guelfs | Milan | Lombardy | The news spreads of the death of the Duke of Milan; the condottiero links up with other Guelfs at Offanengo to devastate the lands of the Ghibellines. | |
| 1399 | |||||
| June | Lombardy | Takes possession of Castelletto near Soncino; kills Luigi Barbuò there and sets his house on fire; continues his action by devastating the territory of Crema where more than twenty supporters of the Ghibelline cause are killed. | |||
| 1400 | |||||
| May | Lombardy | Captured by the Viscontei, escapes from the castle of Soncino where he has been imprisoned. | |||
| Guinigi | Lucca | Tuscany | Collaborates with Ottobono Terzi in an expedition against Lucca. The objective is to allow Paolo Guinigi to become lord of the city. | ||
| 1401 | |||||
| Milan | Florence Empire | Lombardy | At Brescia, to face the troops of Emperor Robert of Bavaria. | ||
| Oct. | Milan | Bologna | Lombardy ed Emilia | Takes part in the battle of Nave/Brescia in which the opponents are defeated. Follows Alberico da Barbiano against the Bolognese. Is among the first to enter Dozza. | |
| 1402 | |||||
| Bologna | Milan | Emilia | Kills with his own hands Antonio da Camerino, who had switched from the pay of the lord of Bologna Giovanni Bentivoglio to that of the Duke of Milan. | ||
| June | Emilia | Takes part in the battle of Casalecchio di Reno. | |||
| Autumn | Guelfs | Ghibellines | Lombardy | With the death of Gian Galeazzo Visconti allies with the other Lombard Guelfs to persecute adherents of the Ghibelline faction. | |
| 1403 | |||||
| Mar. | Emilia | With Giovanni da Vignate and Ottobono Terzi helps Manfredo Scotti to enter Piacenza: the city is sacked with the exceptions of the citadel and the fortresses of Sant’Antonio and Sant’Antonino. Besieges Pietro da Bagno in the citadel. | |||
| Apr. | Lombardy | Ugolino Cavalcabò sends him to aid the Guelfs of Crema; arrives near the city with several infantry and four springalds, of which one is placed by Antonio Marchi in the church of the Santa Trinità opposite the castle bridge; the others, in front of the castle of the square. Gentilino Suardi exits the fortress and is killed by an artillery shot. Days later the Ghibellines abandon the field. | |||
| May | Cavalcabò | Cremona | Lombardy | Assists Ugolino Cavalcabò, of whom he has long been a friend, and Giovanni Ponzoni, head of the maltraversi faction, in taking possession of Cremona. | |
| June | Florence | Milan | Lombardy | With Ugolino Cavalcabò invests the castles of San Luca and San Michele; camps around that of Santa Croce. The first two fortresses, poorly garrisoned and poorly supplied with provisions, surrender to him in less than three days: the San Luca fortress will later be enlarged, while that of San Michele will be destroyed. Ugolino Cavalcabò soon finds himself commanding 2000 horses furnished by the Florentines, 800 infantry entrusted to him by the Carraresi, 300 infantry from Viadana and another 1200 infantry procured by the local Guelfs; to these are added another 2500 soldiers from the companies of Ottobono Terzi, 600 from Bartolomeo Benzoni, 700 infantry and 700 horses led by Giovanni da Vignate, 1800 Brescians led by Pandolfo Malatesta, another 2000 Bergamaschi commanded by Francesco Suardi. Overall it amounts to 12000 infantry and 4000 horses without counting the rural militias. Ugolino Cavalcabò leaves his nephew Carlo at the siege of the castle of Santa Croce to charge him in a second moment to assault with 3000 infantry and 600 horses the fortress of Pizzighettone where many Ghibellines have found refuge. Gabrino Fondulo storms the castle of Santa Croce: in the fighting more than 400 adversaries are killed. The prisoners are led to Cremona. | |
| July | Guelfs | Ghibellines Milan | Lombardy | At the beginning of the month Giovanni Ponzoni changes party, links up with Rolando Pallavicini and occupies Soncino by surprise: in the action numerous Guelfs are killed including many friends and some relatives of Gabrino Fondulo. The condottiero is instead reported at Pizzighettone. Leaves the command of the garrison of that place to Maffeo Moro; at the head of 1000 infantry and 500 horses runs to Romanengo, enters Castelleone killing anyone found with weapons in hand; has Uguccione Pallavicini, brother of Rolando, who had vainly tried to hide, decapitated. Has his body quartered and his head will be carried, fixed on a lance, to Crema. Points toward Soresina and in the meadows of Trigolo surprises the Ghibellines of Fontanella and Soncino who have gathered here. 500 of them are killed. In the continuation of operations he finds that Soncino is too well fortified compared to the forces he has available; therefore returns to Cremona where he is requested by Ugolino Cavalcabò. Pietro Gambara, in fact, has joined with the Ghibelline exiles of Cremona commanded by Corrado di Dovara. The adversaries camp at Isola Dovarese after having destroyed and set fire to the land of Carzago Riviera, belonging to the Cavalcabò. Gabrino Fondulo and Ugolino Cavalcabò take the road to Cicognola and Monticelli Ripa d’Oglio; assault the adversaries in their camp. In three hours the Ghibellines are defeated. The lands of Rolando Pallavicini are now attacked. | |
| Aug. | Lombardy | Returns to Cremona and forces the Visconti captain Giorgio Crivelli to surrender on terms. Advises Ugolino Cavalcabò to summon Giovanni Ponzoni to Cremona: the latter will soon after be poisoned. | |||
| Nov. | Lombardy | In mid-November Ugolino Cavalcabò is named lord of Cremona in the city cathedral. Celebrations follow for several days and a tournament in which Gabrino Fondulo has occasion to distinguish himself. At the end of the month he is sent to aid the Guelfs of Crema with 400 lances and four small pieces of artillery, of which, later, one will be placed on the door of the church of SS. Trinità opposite the castle bridge and the other three at the portcullis of the square. Gentilino Suardi is wounded by an artillery shot in the thigh during a sortie. His partisans then leave the defense to accompany him to Bergamo. At the same moment of their exit from the fortress the militias of Gabrino Fondulo take advantage of the occasion to scale the walls and close the doors behind them. The condottiero presses to attack them; Giorgio Benzoni convinces him to let the adversaries return unharmed to Bergamo. | |||
| 1404 | |||||
| Jan. | Lombardy | Provides aid in Brescia to the Guelfs attacked by the Ghibellines of Pietro Gambara. | |||
| Mar. | Emilia | In mid-month Manfredo Scotti and Giovanni da Vignate enter Piacenza with his troops. The city revolts against the Ghibellines and followers of the pro-Visconti Anguissola (the so-called modoghesi). The houses of the latter are subjected to sacking. | |||
| Nov. | Lombardy | Is sent to the Brescian territory with 500 horses and 1000 infantry with the purpose of assisting Pandolfo Malatesta. | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | Crosses the Oglio at Robecco d’Oglio; is defeated at Manerbio by Astorre Visconti. After five hours of fighting Ugolino Cavalcabò decides to go personally to reach the reserve forces, placed previously in the vicinity, with only the escort of his nephews Cesare and Marsilio and five men-at-arms. Cavalcabò is captured by a large group of Brescian soldiers hidden in a nearby wood. Gabrino Fondulo calls the army to assembly; Carlo Cavalcabò orders the retreat after proposing a truce to Astorre Visconti: the Oglio will serve as boundary to the lands controlled by Guelfs and Ghibellines. Carlo Cavalcabò proclaims himself lord of Cremona and the condottiero accompanies him in the return to the city. Soon he will clash with the new lord because the latter has no intention of intervening with the Duke of Milan in favor of Ugolino Cavalcabò in order to maintain his dominion in Cremona. | |||
| 1405 | |||||
| Jan. | Milan | Lombardy | For his support of Carlo Cavalcabò obtains from the latter in fief Maccastorna. Is sent by the Duke of Milan to aid the castle Cidneo of Brescia: arrived at Palazzolo sull’Oglio decides to stop. Returns to Milan. | ||
| Lombardy | Moves in the Cremasco territory to help Giorgio Benzoni; clashes with the adversaries at Ombriano; moves to Bergamo. Ambition now drives Gabrino Fondulo to seek the lordship of Cremona for himself. Contacts the Rossi and obtains the hand of Giustina dei Rossi, niece of Pietro. Leads the woman to marry her in the castle of Maccastorna where he goes with a large squadron of horses. Meanwhile he widens the circle of his friendships both among the Guelfs (the Rossi) and among the Ghibellines through Maffeo Moro and his cousin Giovanni. | ||||
| May | Cremona | Pallavicini | Lombardy | Captures the fortress of San Giovanni in Croce belonging to Rolando Pallavicini. Also in the month he goes to Lodi for the marriage of Carlo Cavalcabò with a daughter of Giovanni da Vignate. | |
| June | Emilia | In agreement with the Scotti, Pandolfo Malatesta and Carlo Cavalcabò take possession of Piacenza; Fondulo also penetrates the city with 200 Cremonese lances; captures 160 Ghibellines and sacks many houses of the factional rivals, particularly those owned by the Anguissola. After only four days he is forced to abandon the city for the entry into it of 1000 horses led by Francesco Visconti, Ottobono Terzi and Facino Cane who take advantage of the occasion to massacre, in turn, the Guelfs. | |||
| July-Aug. | Lombardy | At Maccastorna his wife dies due to a violent fever. At the end of August he hosts in his castle Pietro dei Rossi, driven from Parma by Ottobono Terzi. He is proposed a second marriage with the Milanese Pomina dei Gavazzi della Somaglia, whose father is related to the Rossi. In February of the following year the wedding will take place after a trip to Milan by Pietro dei Rossi: the wife’s dowry is 1000 florins. | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | Stipulates a truce of one month and four days with the Duke of Milan Giovanni Maria Visconti. | |||
| 1406 | |||||
| Jan.-July | Cremona | Parma | Lombardy | At the beginning of the month Ugolino Cavalcabò manages to escape from Milan taking advantage of the general disorder; returns to the Cremonese territory; arrives at Cava Tigozzi and is arrested there by his relative Carlo: Gabrino Fondulo acts as peacemaker and has his follower Maffeo Moro appointed as castellan of the castle of Santa Croce. He in turn plots to become lord of Cremona; contacts the son of Giovanni da Vignate to know his thoughts on the matter; has other relations with Ottobono Terzi to whom he sends Niccolò da Tolentino to propose an alliance pact; also sends to the Milanese court the jurist Marco Zucco to spy on the intentions of Andreasio Cavalcabò favorable to the cause of his relative Carlo. At the news that the latter has had Ugolino Cavalcabò killed by Maffeo Moro and that he has indeed agreed with the Duke of Milan to have Fondulo himself killed, Gabrino calls secretly to Maccastorna Moro, his cousin Giovanni Fondulo and the jurists Raffaino Zaccaria and Bartolomeo Pesce; induces Sparapano, who has been sent to him by Ottobono Terzi, to go to Cremona to enter the city castle controlled by the same Moro. On his part he reaches Maccastorna with Niccolò da Tolentino and Biancarello. When Carlo Cavalcabò leaves Milan (July), he moves in turn with Biancarello and 50 lances and meets him at Codogno: with the lord of Cremona are also Andreasio Cavalcabò, nephews Ludovico and Giacomo Cavalcabò who serve under Visconti pay, and Bolognino Boccatorta. Gabrino Fondulo accompanies all to the castle of Maccastorna, where the guests are welcomed by his wife and Niccolò da Tolentino. A banquet is organized to celebrate the birth of his son that occurred in those same days. Two versions now: in the first Ugolino is still alive and takes part with the other Cavalcabò in the banquet. At the end of the feast Gabrino Fondulo orders his henchmen to kill all the guests: Ugolino and Carlo Cavalcabò are killed on this occasion with seventy of the principal citizens of Cremona. Second version: when the guests (Ugolino does not appear because already killed by his nephew) retire to their rooms Gabrino Fondulo orders Niccolò da Tolentino to accompany his wife to Cremona and Biancarello (with the help of three assassins) to kill Carlo and Andreasio Cavalcabò present at the banquet: the first is strangled and the second has his throat cut. Giacomo and Lorenzo Cavalcabò and a companion named Bombeccari are also slaughtered. Finally, two servants and four soldiers sleeping in separate rooms are butchered (the first strangled, the others stabbed in their sleep). The bodies of those killed are all thrown into a latrine; the same fate befalls in particular Bolognino Boccatorta, captain of the men-at-arms of Carlo Cavalcabò, who years before had participated in the killing of Giovanni Bentivoglio at Bologna. He is thrown alive into a dunghill. Not satisfied, Gabrino Fondulo orders Maffeo Moro to also kill Marsilio and Cesare Cavalcabò who are not at Maccastorna. The condottiero immediately goes to Cava Tigozzi where Niccolò da Tolentino, Maffeo Moro, Giovanni Fondulo and Sparapano come to meet him: he enters with the first captain into Cremona through the Porta di San Luca; orders Sparapano to divide his troops into five squads to watch over the various city gates. At this point there are still two versions. In the first, Fondulo proclaims Ottobono Terzi, represented by Sparapano, lord of the city; the following day he organizes a review of the Parmesan militias outside the walls of Cremona. Suddenly Gabrino Fondulo returns at a gallop to the city, has the drawbridge raised and the doors closed to Terzi’s men. He has himself recognized as lord of Cremona. In the second version he enters Cremona with his men-at-arms headed by Niccolò da Tolentino. He is acclaimed and celebrated by the people. He convenes the general council and is elected, by majority, lord of the city. Having obtained the support of the inhabitants, he provides to have the Parmesan garrisons of Sparapano driven from the gates to prevent Ottobono Terzi from also becoming lord of Cremona. Leonardo di Sommo is created president of the war council (he will be succeeded by Moro); Maffeo Moro has the task of commanding the garrison of Cremona; Giovanni Fondulo has the task of guarding the castle of Santa Croce; Niccolò da Tolentino is sent to conquer Viadana. He has the houses of the Cavalcabò razed and demolishes the castle of Robecco d’Oglio. The war council also includes Giovanni Fondulo, Ariberti, Malombra and Niccolò da Tolentino. | |
| Aug. | Lombardy | Stipulates a four-month truce with Carlo Malatesta, who governs the duchy of Milan on behalf of Giovanni Maria Visconti. Nominally obtains Soncino in fief. | |||
| Sept. | Cremona | Lodi Parma | Lombardy | Besieges the widow of Ugolino Cavalcabò in Viadana. Giovanni da Vignate, father-in-law of Carlo Cavalcabò, and Ottobono Terzi, disappointed in his hopes of taking possession of Cremona, link up against him. | |
| Oct. | Cremona | Pallavicini Lodi Parma | Lombardy and Emilia | Giovanni da Vignate corrupts one of his men, Bellino native of Bergamo, who introduces 30 soldiers disguised as peasants into Maccastorna. They capture Biancarello and take possession of the castle. Gabrino Fondulo allies with the Scotti and other exiles from Piacenza; at the head of 200 lances carries out a raid in the territories of the Anguissola and Landi; enters Piacenza; the Ghibellines take refuge in the cathedral with their most precious goods. Gabrino Fondulo, heedless of the sacred place, has them robbed of their possessions. Returns to Cremona loaded with booty and prisoners also because Ottobono Terzi is turning against the city with numerous forces. Orders Giovanni da Vignate to return the castle of Maccastorna, Castelnuovo di Bocca d’Adda and Maleo without any effect. Leaves Maffeo Moro to guard Cremona; Giovanni Fondulo to guard the castle of Santa Croce; Malombra and Niccolò da Tolentino to guard the minor fortresses of San Michele and San Luca; appoints as governors at Casalmaggiore Luchino Ponzoni and Lorenzino Ala at Castelleone. He then moves with six companies of horses, commanded by Bernardo Zaccaria, Gian Antonio Mainardi, Giacomino Sfondrati, Muzio Botta, Tebaldo Picenardi and marquis Antonio Pallavicini (altogether 1200 horses) and twelve companies of infantry. There is an intervention by Niccolò d’Este in favor of the Cavalcabò whereby he signs an eight-year truce with the lady of Viadana. He devastates once more the lands of Rolando Pallavicini, carries his depredations in the counties of Cortemaggiore, Soarza, Besenzone and San Martino. Only in 1407 will he have Maffeo Moro erect the castle of San Giovanni in Croce. | |
| 1407 | |||||
| Feb. | Guelfs | Ghibellines | Lombardy | Allies with the Duke of Milan, the Venetians, Cardinal Baldassare Cossa, Pandolfo Malatesta against Facino Cane and other Ghibelline leaders, such as Francesco and Antonio Visconti who control the castle of Cassano d’Adda, and Gabriele Maria Visconti, natural brother of the duke. Sends to the Bergamasco territory 200 infantry (under the orders of Giacomo Offredo) to assist the action of Jacopo dal Verme and Ottobono Terzi against the adversaries. Jacopo dal Verme reconciles him on the occasion with Terzi. | |
| Mar. | Is aggregated by the Serenissima to the Venetian nobility. | ||||
| May | Cremona | Soncino Pallavicini | Lombardy | Obtains a six-month truce with the Duke of Milan Giovanni Maria Visconti: as counterpart declares to be interested only in the lordship of Soncino; of Cremona he has only the deposit on behalf of the Duke of Milan. Strong in his investiture, he gathers 600 horses and 2000 infantry who, under the orders of Bernardo Zaccaria and Niccolò da Tolentino, position themselves under Soncino. The Barbuò, who control the city on behalf of the Pallavicini, are informed of his upcoming attack by one of Fondulo’s own captains, Tebaldo Picenardi. The condottiero sends Tommaso Cropello to Soncino to ask for capitulation from the Barbuò. The request has no positive outcome; however his counselor manages to discover the names of those guilty of treason. Picenardi is discovered and is immediately decapitated in Cremona in the public square with his brother Comino and father Pandolfo. Other political rivals will be killed, some strangled (Giacomo Cadegnari), some burned alive with slow fire (Giovanni da Sesto, accused of minting false money). Later Fondulo will also suppress a rebellion raised in Gazzo by some exiles that will end with the capture and decapitation of 2 Ghibelline nobles Lorenzo and Robertino Guazzoni. He persecutes 20 people caught singing a satire written on the occasion of the birth of his son Pandolfo. The author of the little work (Giovanni Lautieri) will be discovered after seven months of investigation and will be condemned to be buried alive. | |
| Sept. | Lombardy | Stipulates an eight-year truce with the Cavalcabò of Viadana at the urging of marquis Niccolò d’Este. |
| Year, Month | State, Comp. ventura | Opponent | Command | Area of Activity | Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1408 | |||||
| Apr. | Cremona | Parma Lodi | Lombardy Emilia | Arrives at Torricella to confront Ottobono Terzi. Sets fire to numerous houses, captures many men and raids much livestock. | |
| May | Allies with Gian Francesco Gonzaga, the marquis of Ferrara, the duke of Milan and Pandolfo Malatesta to bring down Ottobono Terzi. Fondulo sends three companies of infantry (commanded by Giacomo Ala, Delfino Manara and Cristoforo Piasio) and two squadrons of cavalry led by Bernardo Zaccaria and Muzio Botta to aid the allies. Command of these troops is entrusted to the podestà of Cremona Pietro Fusi. | ||||
| June | Lombardy and Emilia | Arrives with 6 galleons on the Po as far as Dosolo and sets fire to the mills of Vianino. Defeats Ottobono Terzi and Guido Torelli at Castelponzone in a clash in which 200 men are killed among the adversaries and another 300 are captured between cavalry and infantry. His troops advance to the bank of the Po where many Parmesans drown in the attempt to re-embark. With the support of 4 Estense galleons he tries to land at Brescello and at Guastalla: similar action succeeds instead at Portiolo, a locality later set on fire. Reaches Casalmaggiore. With the victory, the lord of Lodi begins peace negotiations with Gabrino Fondulo. Giovanni da Vignate promises to detach himself from the alliance with Terzi and to restore Maccastorna, Castelnuovo di Bocca d’Adda and Meleti, localities previously lost by the lord of Cremona. | |||
| July | Sends 300 infantry to aid Pietro dei Rossi. In the same month he is abandoned by Bonifacio and Boldrino da Gazzo who defect to Terzi’s camp. | ||||
| Aug. | Emilia | Obtains from the Pallavicini the bastion of Castione near Borgo San Donnino (Fidenza). | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | Bordolano follows the example of the da Gazzo and submits to the lord of Brescia Pandolfo Malatesta. | |||
| Oct. | Is invested with Castelvisconti by the duke of Milan. | ||||
| 1409 | |||||
| Mar. | Lombardy | Makes peace with Ottobono Terzi. | |||
| Apr. | Cremona | Milan | Lombardy | Fights Facino Cane. Is again invested with Soncino by the duke of Milan; is elected count with the consent of the governor of Milan Carlo Malatesta. In reality the latter will never allow him to occupy Soncino, so he must content himself only with the honorary title of count of that city. | |
| May-June | Cremona | Venice | Lombardy | Clashes with the Venetians who aim at possessing Viadana. Allies with Boucicaut against the duke of Milan. Recovers Casalmaggiore and approaches Viadana: the marchioness sends him Angelo Balestrazzo; Gabrino Fondulo frees the Venetians he had taken prisoner. At the beginning of June he takes possession of Gazzo; destroys the town and decimates the inhabitants who had rebelled against him. | |
| July | Cremona | Milan | Lombardy | Unites at Fombio with the troops of the lord of Lodi Giovanni da Vignate and with those of the lord of Crema Giorgio Benzoni. Is ready to assault Milan. | |
| Aug. | Emilia and Lombardy | Enters Piacenza after a three-hour assault; then heads to Lodi and immediately after enters Milan alongside Boucicaut and the lords of Lodi and Crema: at Porta Romana the duke of Milan comes to meet him. | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | Is knighted by Boucicaut in the church of Santa Tecla in the presence of the duke of Milan. Renews the alliance with the da Vignate and the Benzoni and pressures the French garrison of Piacenza so that the city comes under the power of the lord of Lodi. | |||
| Nov. | Cremona | Pallavicini | Emilia | Is called to aid by Antonio, Ambrogio, Niccolò and Giberto Terzi, besieged in Fidenza by Rolando Pallavicini; crosses the Po with a good number of cavalry and infantry and enters the city without opposition. Defeats the Pallavicini militias, takes the Terzi prisoner and has them locked in the prisons of Cremona. Also takes possession of Colorno, Brescello and Guastalla. Sells the fortress of Fidenza to Rolando Pallavicini, who already possesses the city. | |
| 1410 | |||||
| Mar. | Lombardy | With the mediation of the Serenissima signs a one-year truce with the lord of Soncino Giovanni da Terzo. | |||
| Aug. | Informs the Venetians that Brunoro della Scala and Marsilio da Carrara have taken refuge with the duke of Austria and are conducting some negotiations with citizens of Verona and Padua. | ||||
| 1411 | |||||
| … | Cremona | Brescia | Lombardy | Allies with Facino Cane after contacting him through his infantry captain Giacomo Ala. Taking the road to Castelleone he touches Mozzanica and arrives at Calcio on the banks of the Oglio. Orders Muzio Botta to move to the Bergamo area, to Urago d’Oglio, to unite with Facino Cane’s militias: the conflict will continue throughout the spring. | |
| Summer | Lombardy | Has the small castle of Villarocca on the Oglio destroyed to prevent it from falling into the hands of adversaries. Sends Muzio Botta to aid Uguccione Contrari who, on behalf of the Estensi, is devastating the lands of Rolando Pallavicini. | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | Leaves 200 infantry and 80 cavalry in Cremona; reaches Muzio Botta under Soncino. Plans to proceed to the siege of that locality. Recalls part of the garrisons of Salvirola and Mozzanica; places a strong garrison at Fontanella and at Calcio, takes possession of the castles of Pumenengo (through il Grasso) and Gallignano where he captures Cristoforo Barbuò with his son Lancillotto and Gabrino Barbuò: they are bound on the backs of three mounts, led to Cremona and thrown alive from the top of the Torrazzo. Having purchased 6 iron cannons from the Venetians, he uses these artillery pieces to batter the walls of Soncino. Before beginning the bombardment he tries to convince his cousin Giacomo di Covo, who has replaced Giovanni da Terzo in defending the fortress, to surrender. | |||
| 1412 | |||||
| Jan. | Lombardy | Operations begin. Pandolfo Malatesta sends Giovanni da Terzo against him. The latter, at the head of 300 cavalry, crosses the Oglio from the Orzinuovi side, catches Gabrino Fondulo’s men unprepared at night as they should be watching the camp, and enters Soncino. In the clash 200 Cremonese are killed including Muzio Botta, who rushed to the first sounds. The lord of Cremona abandons the siege, returns to his city and reorganizes his troops waiting for spring. | |||
| Mar. | Lombardy | The antipope John XXIII (cardinal Baldassarre Cossa) appoints his relative Costantino Fondulo bishop of Cremona. | |||
| … | Lombardy | Allies with Taddeo da Martinengo and Antonio Nassino; occupies all the castles on the left bank of the Oglio. Pandolfo Malatesta imprisons the two conspirators. | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | Stipulates a truce with the new duke of Milan Filippo Maria Visconti. | |||
| 1413 | |||||
| … | Lombardy | Sends to Cividale del Friuli, where Emperor Sigismund is at war with the Venetians, il Granello, expelled from Cremona by Ugolino Cavalcabò. He presents the emperor with Gabrino Fondulo’s homage and expresses the lord of Cremona’s desire for his presence in Lombardy to be crowned king. Fondulo is rewarded with the position of imperial vicar of Cremona; the titles of count of San Giacomo and marquis of Castelleone already conferred by the duke of Milan are confirmed. Other honors are distributed among his family members. Meanwhile, through the city bishop he contacts antipope John XXIII in Bologna: he hopes that antipope and emperor can meet in Cremona to discuss the upcoming council. | |||
| Nov. | Lombardy | Escorts the antipope to Robecco d’Oglio together with the bishop of Cremona. | |||
| 1414 | |||||
| Jan. | Lombardy | In mid-month the emperor and antipope arrive in Cremona. Gabrino Fondulo receives them splendidly: in anticipation of such a visit he had imposed a special tax on his subjects since November to cover the festivities. The antipope is housed in the episcopal palace; the emperor in the city palace on via Baldesio. John XXIII arrives from Castelnuovo and enters the city through Porta Po; Sigismund of Hungary enters through the Porta di Santa Lucia. After two days the guests leave Cremona to reach Mantua: Gabrino Fondulo accompanies the guests toward Sabbioneta. It is said that on the occasion of their visit he led antipope and emperor to the Torrazzo and was tempted to have both thrown from the top. In the same days he allies with Gian Francesco Gonzaga against the marquises of Viadana. | |||
| July | Cremona | Brescia Milan Mantua | Lombardy | At news of an agreement stipulated in Milan between Filippo Maria Visconti and Pandolfo Malatesta, he renews all the garrisons of the fortresses under his control; has the borders of his state patrolled. Harasses Malatesta moving from Acquanegra sul Chiese, Canneto sull’Oglio and Ostiano; is repeatedly beaten until his rival takes 18 castles from him, reaching near the walls of Cremona. Besieged in the city, Fondulo exits with Luchino Ponzoni for the castle of Santa Croce while other sorties are carried out from Porta di San Luca by Marsilio Fondulo and from Porta Ognissanti by Antonio Pallavicini. In four hours Malatesta is defeated; he is also obliged to retreat to Robecco d’Oglio with the loss of 300 men between dead and wounded, 4 iron cannons and the capture of 1000 soldiers. | |
| … | Lombardy | A truce is stipulated between the parties. Gabrino Fondulo is forced to recognize a large sum to his rival as compensation for war expenses and to leave in his hands the lands lost in the recent conflict. | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | Again hosts John XXIII in Cremona, heading to the council of Constance. Escorts him to Lodi. | |||
| 1415 | |||||
| Jan. | Lombardy | With the mediation of Venetian ambassadors he makes peace with Filippo Maria Visconti; goes to Milan; in the castle of Porta Giovia he is invested by the duke with Castelleone and Cremona. The territory of the city is erected as a county and includes, beyond the localities he actually controls, also other centers that were taken from him in the last conflict by the lord of Brescia. Takes the oath of fidelity and commits to putting 300 cavalry at the duke’s disposal for six months, as well as arming some galleons on the Po. Witnesses to the act are Filippo Arcelli, Guido Torelli and Andreino degli Ubertini. | |||
| May | Lombardy | Emperor Sigismund reestablishes in Cremona the university dissolved in 1400. | |||
| June | Lombardy | Renews the truce with Pandolfo Malatesta. | |||
| July | Cremona | Viadana Brescia | Lombardy | Allies with the Gonzaga against the Cavalcabò of Viadana and occupies some territories; a new conflict follows with Pandolfo Malatesta at whose end he agrees to recognize him once again a certain sum of money. | |
| Autumn | Cremona | Milan | Lombardy | Allies with the lord of Piacenza Filippo Arcelli, Pandolfo Malatesta, Niccolò d’Este and Giovanni da Vignate against the duke of Milan Filippo Maria Visconti. | |
| 1416 | |||||
| Mar. | Lombardy | The Venetians renew the privileges previously granted to him. | |||
| May | Lombardy | Visits Soncino with Maffeo Moro. Renounces the honorary lodging to accept the hospitality offered by relatives. | |||
| June | Lombardy | Receives aid from the Estensi of 6 large ships under the command of Niccolò da Baisio. | |||
| July | Lombardy | A two-year truce is signed between the allies and the duke of Milan in which Gabrino Fondulo is declared adherent of the marquis of Ferrara. The pacts will be broken after only fifteen days when Filippo Maria Visconti has the son of Giovanni da Vignate arrested, who came to visit him, by Oldrado Lampugnani while leaving the duke’s apartments. The accusation is of having tried to take possession of the castle of Melegnano. The young man is put in chains. The father goes to Milan to obtain his release; he is in turn imprisoned. Soon the ducals will take possession of Lodi by force and the two da Vignate will be strangled in prison. Their corpses will be hung on the gallows of Porta Vigentina. | |||
| 1417 | |||||
| Jan. | Cremona | Milan | Lombardy | The duke of Milan officially breaks the truce. | |
| June | Lombardy | Carmagnola occupies Soncino. When this condottiero returns to the Piacenza area, Gabrino Fondulo exits from Cremona from the side of the castle of Santa Croce. | |||
| July-Aug. | Lombardy | Aims at Castelvisconti and captures its garrison. Asks Pandolfo Malatesta for aid, pointing out the dangers that Cremona and Brescia are facing. Il Biancarello moves from Quinzano d’Oglio; Niccolò da Tolentino from Pontevico. The two condottieri in less than six days connect at Castelvisconti with Gabrino Fondulo’s troops. The lord of Cremona, for his part, does not prove inactive in the face of his adversaries’ offensive. He sends troops to Castelleone; holds a war council with il Biancarello and Niccolò da Tolentino; decides to divide the army into two formations leaving a strong reserve in the camp of Annicco. He takes command of one formation while the other is led by Niccolò da Tolentino. Il Biancarello remains at Fondulo’s side. Aims at Pieve Delmona where 500 cavalry are defending: in the clash 300 cavalry, 50 infantry and 100 exiles are taken prisoner and led in chains to the castle of Cremona. Having seized a considerable quantity of provisions, he moves to Castelponzone where il Biancarello penetrates, while he takes possession (after three days of siege) of Casteldidone. Immediately after recovers Pescarolo, Soresina, Casalbuttano, Casalmorano, Grumello Cremonese. Gives il Biancarello the task of capturing San Giovanni in Croce: the population proclaims Pandolfo Malatesta as their lord. Il Biancarello restores order by replacing the garrison composed of Brescian soldiers with one of Cremonese armed men. Niccolò da Tolentino achieves similar successes in his action. | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy and Emilia | Occupies Pumenengo. Subsequently goes to Parma for a war council with Bartolomeo Arcelli and the Estense Uguccione Contrari: in the city he is lodged with 60 cavalry by Jacopo Fulchini. Aims at Castelguelfo. | |||
| Oct. | Emilia | Camps near Zibello with Bartolomeo Arcelli and Uguccione Contrari. | |||
| Nov. | Lombardy | Takes possession of Bordolano. Captures Maccastorna. | |||
| Dec. | Emilia | Is still reported in the vicinity of Zibello. | |||
| 1418 | |||||
| Winter | Lombardy | Has various meetings with Pandolfo Malatesta at Robecco d’Oglio and at Quinzano d’Oglio. | |||
| Spring | Lombardy | Reorganizes his troops. Reconquers Bordolano and occupies Fiesco whose garrisons surrender unconditionally. The marquis of Ferrara delivers Zibello to him. | |||
| May | Lombardy | Raids toward Pumenengo (captures 60 peasants and kills 6 others); camps under Soncino and reconquers the locality after a siege lasting four months. | |||
| Oct. | Lombardy | The new pope Martin V, returning from the council of Constance, meets Pandolfo Malatesta in Brescia; works for a separate peace between the lord of Brescia and the duke of Milan. Gabrino Fondulo finds himself excluded and asks for Venetian mediation. | |||
| 1419 | |||||
| Feb.-Mar. | Lombardy | Tries in vain to be included in the peace concluded between the duke of Milan and the lord of Brescia; the intercession of the Venetians on his behalf is of no use (April, Maffeo Moro on mission to Venice). In March he draws closer to Pandolfo Malatesta: the 2 lords understand that to survive they must fight the duke of Milan together. | |||
| May-June | Lombardy | Carmagnola again invades Cremona territory; Gabrino Fondulo camps between Pianengo and San Pedrengo; loses Pizzighettone and Soncino; is no longer able to defend Cremona. Uselessly offers the city to the Venetians; also proposes to sell it to Pandolfo Malatesta. Troops are sent to his aid under the orders of Niccolò da Tolentino and il Biancarello. | |||
| … | Lombardy | Fondulo crosses the Oglio and infests the Brescian shore where he occupies the fortresses of Ostiano, Pontevico and Quinzano d’Oglio; strengthens himself on the meadows of Vidiceto. Through Gian Francesco Gonzaga he agrees with Pandolfo Malatesta accepting the exchange of lordships (the Riviera di Salò in exchange for Cremona). The duke of Milan Filippo Maria Visconti has him contacted by his friend, Oldrado Lampugnani, among other things godfather to one of his sons, who proposes an indefinite armed truce and conservation of the Brescian possessions. | |||
| Oct. | Lombardy | The ducals break the truce and occupy Pontevico and Robecco d’Oglio; force him to retreat to Cremona territory where he arranges a defensive line at San Giovanni in Croce. | |||
| Nov. | Lombardy | Carmagnola besieges him in Cremona: to better defend himself Gabrino Fondulo has the Dominican convent of San Guglielmo demolished, located outside Porta Pelusella (Porta Tentoria). He spreads word of wanting to resist his adversaries at any cost while, in reality, he is increasingly inclined to surrender. He sends 500 lances against 800 Visconti men-at-arms with orders not to seek open battle; various skirmishes follow with losses on both sides. | |||
| 1420 | |||||
| Feb. | Lombardy | After four months Carmagnola persuades him to cede Cremona and its county to Filippo Maria Visconti in exchange for 35,000-40,000 florins at the time of cession; Fondulo is assured the lordship of Castelleone (with the relative dependencies of Gambito, San Bassano and Monte Collero) with the title of marquis and without payment of any tribute. He also retains ownership of all the real estate he possesses not only in Soncino, but throughout Cremona territory. Oldrado Lampugnani brings the terms of the treaty to Pavia which is signed by the duke of Milan. In mid-month Lampugnani returns to Cremona with ratification of the act; delivers the agreed sum to Fondulo; the Visconti take possession of the fortress of San Luca and, after a few days, of the castle of Santa Croce and the entire city. Gabrino Fondulo goes to Farfengo where he is hosted by Maffeo Moro; from here he reaches his new lordship of Castelleone. Il Grasso escorts him with 300 lances, who has the task of surveillance of his territories. | |||
| Apr.-May | Bologna | Church | Captain General | Emilia | Leaves Maffeo Moro in Castelleone beside his wife to manage current state affairs and enters the service of Antongaleazzo Bentivoglio against the pontificals. He is appointed captain general. Often exits the city for sudden sorties against the pontificals. |
| June | Emilia | Defeats Angelo della Pergola. Is forced to shut himself in Bologna by the action of Braccio da Montone. The Perugian captain cuts off water to the city and defeats him near Medicina. Gabrino Fondulo advises Antongaleazzo Bentivoglio to have all persons unsuitable for defense leave the city: a tumult arises at whose end he is obliged to abandon command of the troops and take refuge in Florence. The republic grants him citizenship and gives him a condotta: Fondulo, through Carmagnola’s intervention, must renounce the Florentine stipends. | |||
| … | Lombardy | Cedes to the pontificals the fortress of Soriano which he had possessed for forty years. | |||
| 1424 | |||||
| … | Lombardy | Oldrado Lampugnani and Giannino Riccio, who have already successfully plotted against Carmagnola, decide to ruin Gabrino Fondulo as well. Together with the personal physician of Filippo Maria Visconti, Giovanni Barbuò, they allegedly manage to corrupt Venturino Fondulo, Gabrino’s dearest nephew, and his most intimate counselor Maffeo Moro. They accuse Fondulo of being secretly in contact with the duke’s enemies (Florentines and Venetians). In reality it is the desire to free themselves of such a neighbor and, above all, to appropriate his riches, necessary to meet the continuous wars, the motives that lead to Fondulo’s end. Lampugnani goes to Cremona territory with the apparent intention of visiting the duke’s lands; arrives at the castle of Annicco where the condottiero is at that moment, sends a man into the fortress to ask for the help of a blacksmith to shoe his mount and to offer his greetings. Fondulo comes out unarmed to greet his friend and is captured. He is imprisoned in harsh prison in Pavia; his trial lasts eight months; the accusation is that of having conspired with Florentines and Venetians in order to regain the old lordship of Cremona; he is also accused of the assassination of the Cavalcabò, of having failed in faith to the pacts sworn in the castle of Milan in 1415 and even of having been tempted to throw antipope and emperor from the Torrazzo. This assertion, in truth, is not reported by contemporary chroniclers; it appears for the first time in the list of accusations made by Filippo Maria Visconti to justify his condemnation. Wife and children are also arrested; his goods are confiscated. | |||
| 1425 | |||||
| Feb. | Lombardy | Brought to Milan, in mid-month he is beheaded in the Broletto, now Piazza dei Mercanti. He is buried in Cremona by his family members near the door of the cathedral facing San Gallo (sacristy of the church of Sant’Agostino). When news of his death spreads to Soncino the population revolts at the instigation of the Barbuò; runs to the square where the Fondulo houses are located to demolish them. Due to their demolition the square will change name to assume that of Piazza dei Guasti. He marries Giustina dei Rossi, niece of Pietro, and Pomina dei Gavazzi della Somaglia. |
Sources
-“Cabrino fu uomo sempre valoroso, ingegnosissimo, prudentissimo, destrissimo, piisimo, giustissimo, religioso, riverente delle chiese, amico de’ luoghi pii. Ristaurò l’ospital grande di Cremona, tenne cura speciale dei bastardi e poveri, i quali furono il maggior nervo di sua possanza. Non fece morire mai alcuno senza il consiglio di Cremona e di sei dottori, se non i convinti di lesa maestà contro persona sua. Nemico de’ sviati e tagliacantoni; odioso ai nobili per avere dichiarato nulle le donazioni di tutti i beni (artifizio a que’ tempi trovato per sottrarsi delle contribuzioni sui fondi, e delle confische de’ partiti vincenti); e facea legar nudi alla berlina gli adulteri con due sassi grossi al collo; dare la corda spesso ai prestinari (usurai)…; pagare i luoghi pii, e provvedere a i poveri; portare un bollettino nel cappello ai falliti; tagliar la lingua ai bestemmiatori, i testicoli ai sodomiti, il naso ai testimoni falsi, le braccia ai tagliacantoni; allattare i bastardi da donne male che avevano partorito; sposare le giovani stuprate ai stuprandi, sferzar le ruffiane, tagliare il naso ai traditori, le mani ai sfrusabandieri (contrabbandieri), marcare e segnare in faccia i ladri con la sua arma (stemma), che era una gatta con la spada in mano, e poi un leone con spada.” FLAMMENO
-“Uomo prode del ferro e nelle militari discipline spertissimo..Antico militare e sicario di Giovanni Bentivogli; imperocché per le istanze di costui aveva ucciso Bolognino Boccatorta e Antonio da Camerino.” FABRETTI
-“Va ricordato l’episodio che, avendo ospitati l’antipapa Giovanni XXIII e l’imperatore Sigismondo d’Ungheria (nel 1414) ed avendo portati i due ospiti in cima al campanile del duomo ad ammirare dall’alto il panorama, pensò per un istante a precipitarli entrambi per acquistare con quel gesto clamoroso una gloria immortale.” VERCI
-“Ne’ suoi atti congiungeva una previsione miracolosa a un ateismo incomparabile.” ROBOLOTTI
-“Valoroso uomo e molto sperto nell’armigera disciplina.” CAVALCANTI
-“Cremona Cabrino Fondulo dominava/ da Soncino lu’ foe, cum gran sapia la reziò.” ALIPRANDI
-“Uno de’ più rinomati capitani del suo secolo, a gran valore ed a gran senno accoppiava un animo fiero e cupido oltre modo di signoria e d’impero.” MANINI
-“Per mantenersi in stato, non restò di usare tutte le crudeltà possibili, facendo morire, confinando tutti coloro che a qualche modo gli fossero potenti ostare.” TARCAGNOTA
-“Fu uomo valoroso in armi e astuto nei consigli, audace o prudente a seconda gli eventi.” BOSI
-“La storia da me sin qui descritta..offre due lati sì contrarii fra loro, che possono lasciare indeciso chi legge se in Cabrino e le scelleraggini o le virtù prevalessero. Gravi ed enormi furono le prime, splendide ed eminenti le seconde. Ma alle prime l’indole dei tempi, l’implacabil furore delle fazioni, l’esempio quotidiano di tutti gli altri regnanti d’Italia porgono efficacissima scusa; le seconde sono tutte particolari di lui.” LANCETTI
-“Vir fortissimus, arque invicta animi magnitudine preditus.” S. FIESCHI
-“Capitano d’armi e signore di Cremona, visse nella prima metà del secolo XV, quando le sopite fazioni civili risorgevano più accanite che mai e dappertutto erano uccisioni e rovine.” ARGEGNI
-“Lasciatosi condurre a Milano, dove lo adescavano le finte parole d’un suo congiunto, vi trovò in fine la morte, decapitato il 12 febbraio 1424, sotto l’accusa d’aver negoziato coi nemici dei Visconti. Non so se quest’accusa fosse giusta, ma è certo che il tiranno di Cremona s’era meritata per molte maniere la sorte che gli toccò.” CIPOLLA
-“Uomo dal carattere forte, coraggioso, ma anche spietato, vendicativo e feroce per imporsi a conquistarsi il potere.” CARBONI-PANDINI
-Epitaffio per la sua morte “Cabrinus Fondulus a Soncino/ Tyrannus Cremonae, armis nulli secundus/ His sibi imperium adscripsit./ Peior pessimis Cremonae, melior optimis Castroleone/ non tam prudens, quam improbus/ Non tam improbus, quam prudens/ Prudentissimus, improbissimus./ Legionum Holofernes, urbium Enceladus, operum Briareus/ Quaesivit sceptrum, et feretrum invenit./ Vacum evanuit in auras fastus/ Mortalium omnium miserrimus-/ Decapitatus periit/ Requorum Tantalus, et fortunae lusus/ Discite audaces/ Nullum imperium violentum diuturnum esse.” FLAMMENO
SPECIFIC BIOGRAPHIES
-V. Lancetti. Gabrino Fondulo, frammento di storia della Lombardia.
-L. A. Minto. Cabrino Fondulo.
Fonte immagine: wikipedia
