A feudal lord between courtly display and military commands
Galeazzo da San Severino. Of Naples. Known as the Son of Fortune. Marquis of Castelnuovo. A Ghibelline. Count of Caiazzo, Count of Martigues. Lord of Voghera, Bobbio, Colorno, Mehun-sur-Yèvre, Silvano d’Orba, Castelnuovo Scrivia, Zavattarello, Pianello Val Tidone, Romagnese, Castel San Giovanni, Gravellona Lomellina, Mirabello, and Cusago. Knight of the Order of Saint Michael. Grand squire of France. Son of Roberto da San Severino; brother of Giovan Francesco da San Severino, Gaspare da San Severino, and Antonio Maria; half-brother of Ottaviano da San Severino, Giulio da San Severino, and il Faccendino; uncle of Roberto da San Severino; son-in-law of Ludovico Sforza.
Born: 1458, June
Death: 1525, February
| Year, Month | State, Comp. ventura | Opponent | Command | Area of Activity | Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1475 | |||||
| Feb. | Florence | 50 lances | Obtains from the Florentines with his brothers Giovan Francesco and Gaspare a contract for 50 lances, which costs the republic 5500 ducats | ||
| 1478 | |||||
| Nov. | Florence | He is hired by the Florentines. Since his father fights on the opposing side, at the end of the month, with his brother Giovan Francesco, he is exempted from this service | |||
| 1481 | |||||
| Nov. | Emilia | Takes part in a joust in Ferrara, won by his brother Gaspare | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | Suddenly leaves Milan with his brothers Gaspare and Antonio Maria on news of the dispute between their father and Ludovico Sforza | |||
| 1482 | |||||
| Jan. | Switzerland | In Lugano seeking reinforcements. Flees upon learning his father has been attacked by Sforza forces in Piedmont | |||
| Apr. | Venice | Ferrara, Milan | Veneto | Boards a ship at Chioggia with his father to head to Venice | |
| July. | Veneto | Takes part in the siege of Rovigo. Contacts Captain Rames Spagnolo, persuading him to defect in return for a lifetime monthly pension of 20/25 ducats; his squad leaders are promised ten ducats each | |||
| Sept. | Veneto | Negotiates terms for Badia Polesine, defended by Cristoforo da Montecchio | |||
| 1483 | |||||
| June. | Milan | Venice, Rossi | Lombardy and Emilia | His father Roberto is replaced in command by Duke Renato of Lorraine and is moved with his sons to the Brescia area. Galeazzo da San Severino, together with his brother Giovan Francesco, decides to desert and join Ludovico Sforza. Seeing their father remain loyal to the Venetians, he departs with 100 cavalry and reaches Sforza forces at Fontanella. He is granted a contract, and his once‑confiscated castles are returned. With his brother, he then moves against the lands of Guido dei Rossi, who is forced to leave the Parma area | |
| Oct. | Lombardy | Surprised by stradiots near Soncino. Wounded, he narrowly avoids capture | |||
| 1484 | |||||
| ………….. | Lombardy | Called to be part of the secret council of the Duchy of Milan | |||
| June. | Lombardy | At the camp of Quinzano d’Oglio | |||
| 1485 | |||||
| Jan. | Veneto | In Venice with a following of 300. Lodges at San Samuele in the palace of Andrea Corner. The Doge Giovanni Mocenigo meets him aboard the Bucentaur | |||
| Feb. | Veneto | Participates in a grand joust in Venice organized by his father in Piazza San Marco; he wins second prize behind his brother Gaspare (some arms of a silver fabric, each arm worth 10 ducats). Returns to Milan after 18 days | |||
| Oct. | Lombardy | Ludovico Sforza grants him most of Pietro dal Verme’s estates (Zavattarello, Rocca d’Olsizio, Romagnese) except Bobbio and Castel San Giovanni. That year, the Sforza court arranges that he occupy the house previously belonging to Tommaso Tebaldi. Two years later, Gian Galeazzo Sforza sees to it that the palace is purchased by the ducal treasury for San Severino and his wife Chiara Sforza | |||
| 1487 | |||||
| Mar. | Milan | Attendolo | Lombardy | Moves against Giovanni Attendolo, son of Matteo da Bologna, who has rebelled. Forces the surrender of the castle of Sant’Angelo Lodigiano; reaches the Mirabello Park with 2000 infantry, 300 crossbowmen, 200 arquebusiers, and 2 large bombards to assault Pavia’s castle. Giovanni Attendolo yields the castle | |
| ………….. | Lombardy | Reconciles with Cardinal Ascanio Sforza and the Ghibelline faction when Ludovico Sforza appears near death | |||
| 1488 | |||||
| Apr. | Milan | Church | Captain General | Romagna, Lombardy | After Girolamo Riario is murdered in Forlì, he is sent there to aid Caterina Sforza (Caterina Sforza). Joins Giovanni Bentivoglio (eight squads of men‑at‑arms, 2000 infantry, 200 light cavalry), besieges the city, forces the conspirators to flee within a few days. Returns to Milan and is named Captain General of the ducal army |
| Aug. | Liguria | Marches on Genoa, where Doge Paolo Fregoso is besieged in the Castelletto by insurgents. Gains Porta d’Arco by negotiation | |||
| Nov. | Genoa is recaptured by Sforza forces. The citizens swear loyalty to the Duke of Milan before him | ||||
| 1489 | |||||
| Sept. | Lombardy | Plays an active part in arresting Filippo degli Eustachi and Aloisio Terzaghi, accused of treason and until that moment involved with Sforza in governing the state. At month’s end he is in Pavia, taking part in jousts: breaks 19 lances, unhorses Guido Torelli, and earns first prize (a length of silver brocade) | |||
| 1490 | |||||
| July. | Piedmont | Present at Castello di Annone with Ludovico Sforza to inspect the borders, concerned about possible conflict between Savoy and the Marquisate of Saluzzo | |||
| ………. | France | He went to Lyon at the head of a large escort of knights, in order to take part in the numerous rides organized during the period. Great celebrations were hosted for him by king Charles VIII | |||
| 1491 | |||||
| Jan. | Lombardy | With Giberto Borromeo, wins a joust in Milan in honor of the wedding of Giovanni Galeazzo Sforza and Isabella of Aragon (Isabella d’Aragona) | |||
| 1492 | |||||
| Feb. | France | In France on a diplomatic mission seeking a treaty of alliance between Milan and King Charles VIII | |||
| Apr. | Lombardy | In Mantua for a tournament organized by Marquis Francesco Gonzaga, receiving two horses | |||
| June. | Lombardy | Victorious in a Milan joust for Alessandro Bentivoglio’s wedding to Ippolita Sforza | |||
| 1493 | |||||
| Feb. | Emilia | Goes to Ferrara with Ludovico Sforza, again competing in a tournament | |||
| May. | Emilia | Still in Ferrara, jousts against a man‑at‑arms dressed in Turkish style | |||
| 1494 | |||||
| Apr. Jun. | France | Travels to France with 300 cavalry to persuade King Charles VIII (Carlo VIII) to invade Italy and declare war on Alfonso d’Aragon (Alfonso d’Aragona) of Naples. Meets the king in Lyon. Noted for his French attire, imitated by all Milanese courtiers who accompany him. Receives the Order of Saint Michael. Goes with the king to Burgundy alongside Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere (future Pope Julius II). Returns to Italy in June. Some citizens of Siena offer him lordship of the city in return for 300 infantry, but the conspiracy is discovered | |||
| July. | Lombardy | At Vigevano | |||
| Aug. | France | Dispatched on another diplomatic mission to France | |||
| Sept. | Milan | Naples | Liguria | Leading much infantry with Giovanni Adorno and his brothers Gaspare and Antonio Maria, he attacks Obietto Fieschi, who has landed in Rapallo with 3000 infantry. Faces him on the bridge leading to the monastery of Vallecristi. Simultaneously, Louis d’Orleans (Luigi d’Orleans) attacks the Aragonese from the sea. Though initially repulsed, they turn the tide thanks to Giovanni Adorno’s supporters and French naval artillery (18 galleys, 6 galleons, 9 large ships). Among the Aragonese, 100–200 are killed, and Giulio Orsini, Fregosino, and Orlando Fregoso are captured | |
| Oct. | Emilia and Romagna | Arrives at the Enza River with 42 squads of men‑at‑arms and many light cavalry, including many mounted crossbowmen. Continues into Romagna | |||
| Nov. | Tuscany | Joins King Charles VIII (Carlo VIII) at Pontremoli. Intervenes with Ligny to calm repeated clashes between the inhabitants and Swiss infantry. Then advances into Tuscany, heads for Siena with 300 light cavalry, and supports the Pisans seeking independence from Florence (in truth aiming to secure Siena for Ludovico Sforza). Accompanies the king in entering Florence | |||
| Dec. | Lazio and Emilia | In Viterbo, pressures Pope Alexander VI (Alessandro VI) to free Cardinal Ascanio Sforza. On returning to Lombardy, he passes via Bologna, where he is met at the city gates by Giovanni Bentivoglio. During the same days, unsuccessfully urges the French to restore Sarzana to Genoa | |||
| 1495 | |||||
| Apr. | Milan | France | Captain General | Piedmont | With the formation of the Italian League, remains in Piedmont as commander of Sforza troops. Moves against Asti, defended by Louis d’Orleans (Luigi d’Orleans) with 700 men‑at‑arms and 8000 infantry (or 3000 cavalry and 4000 infantry by another source). Predicts an easy victory |
| May. | Piedmont, Lombardy | Camps near Asti and sets up artillery. Some skirmishes have mixed outcomes; the city’s plight worsens for lack of supplies. The enemy asks for a truce. Returns to the front after going to Milan for the official investiture of Sforza as duke. Losing Valfenera, he withdraws to Castello di Annone. His forces shrink due to lack of payment and desertions, while enemy ranks grow to 300 lances, 3000 Swiss, 3000 Gascons | |||
| June. | Piedmont, Lombardy | Sits idle when the Duke of Orleans and Marquis Ludovico of Saluzzo seize Novara by surprise, aided by Manfredo Tornielli, Obizzino Caccia di Mandello, and Obizzino Caccia di Caltignaga. Moves between Vigevano and Abbiategrasso, bolstered by troops from the Duke of Milan and the Venetians, yet refuses to lift the siege on Filippino Fieschi inside Novara’s fortress. Challenges the Orleans to a pitched battle; the latter quits the city with 3000 cavalry and 5000 infantry (French and Swiss). He pursues them as they retreat. Ludovico Sforza scolds him for behaving as a French man‑at‑arms | |||
| July. | Piedmont | Sends 60 stradiots and 40 mounted crossbowmen to burn a bridge built by Louis d’Orleans (Luigi d’Orleans) near Asti. Takes part in the Battle of Fornovo. When fighting halts, the French request supplies; he dispatches them, hoping to secure Novara through negotiation. Charles VIII (Carlo VIII) flatters him with a gift horse, but no diplomatic resolution is achieved. A sortie leaves Novara with 100 lances, 600 mounted archers, and 200 German infantry. San Severino sends his men plus Venetian stradiots led by Bernardo Contarini; they clash at Trecate. Ten Sforza men‑at‑arms die, four suffer severe wounds. San Severino encamps at Lumellogno to halt supplies from Vercelli. He takes the castle of Chiesa using artillery; dividing the loot causes a brawl between Italian and German soldiers, resulting in some fatalities. Francesco Gonzaga arrives and ends the mutiny. Against the advice of his brother Giovan Francesco and Virginio and Niccolò Orsini, he persuades Francesco Gonzaga to blockade Novara from every side except the mountain road | |||
| Aug. | Piedmont | Makes a nighttime assault on Novara’s Porta di Santa Marta. Along with Francesco Gonzaga, greets Ludovico Sforza at Vespolate; with other captains, attends the ceremony in which the Marquis of Mantua receives the baton and banner as League Captain General. With Niccolò Orsini, again attacks the city’s outskirts at night, leading 5000 Germans and 300 cavalry. Shortly afterward, German troops under Cozanderle mutiny over back pay; San Severino must settle their wages | |||
| Oct. | Piedmont | Novara surrenders, and he becomes governor. He orders immediate repair of the defenses at the townspeople’s cost and exiles without mercy anyone who supported the French. With Francesco Gonzaga, escorts Louis d’Orleans (Luigi d’Orleans)’ starving soldiers out of Novara; many of them die upon reaching Vercelli | |||
| 1496 | |||||
| Feb. | Lombardy | In Milan | |||
| July. | Lombardy, Alto Adige | Pays homage on behalf of Ludovico Sforza to Maximilian of Austria (Massimiliano d’Austria) first at Como, then Malles Venosta. Marries Bianca Sforza, natural daughter of the Duke of Milan, obtaining Voghera as her dowry | |||
| Aug. | Lombardy | In Tirano | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | Falls ill with quartan fever in Vigevano; unable to welcome the emperor’s visit to Milan | |||
| 1497 | |||||
| Jan. Feb. | Piedmont | Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio recovers Novi Ligure and Bosco Marengo; Galeazzo da San Severino seeks to block him by stationing himself at Alessandria and Castellazzo with his brother Giovan Francesco. Asks for 2000 more infantry, since he has only 300 reliable men while the rest are in various garrisons. Niccolò Orsini arrives with Venetian forces, compelling the French to agree to a truce | |||
| Spring | Emilia | In Carpi with his wife. In May, appointed Podestà of Piacenza, though he exercises that role by proxy | |||
| July. | Captain General 1000 cavalry | Lombardy | Reconfirmed as Captain General of the ducal forces. Granted a contract for 1000 cavalry and a personal allowance of 7000 ducats (3000 for the “bastone” and 7000 for the “piatto”). Separately awarded another 13000 ducats. He is at Bernate | ||
| Sept. | Lombardy, Emilia | In Brescia honoring the former Queen of Cyprus, Caterina Corner. Wears German clothing and arrives with about 200 people. He and his brother Gaspare stay in the palace of Giovan Francesco Gambara. Confers with Niccolò Orsini. Both brothers enter a joust held for Corner. In the same month, he is at Pizzighettone, Parma, and Pavia to inspect local men‑at‑arms, then returns to Milan | |||
| Oct. | Piedmont, Lombardy | Checks positions along the Swiss border and around Novara with his brother Gaspare, then is again in Milan | |||
| Nov. | Lombardy | Attends with his brother Giovan Francesco, Francesco Bernardino Visconti, Marchesino Stanga, and others a meeting called by Sforza to discuss a possible contract for Francesco Gonzaga, just dismissed by Venice | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy, Piedmont | In Milan for a Mass commemorating the son of the King of Spain. Hostilities resume with the French after Trivulzio occupies Novi Ligure; a brief siege follows, and San Severino obtains the city via agreement | |||
| 1498 | |||||
| Feb. | Lombardy | In mid‑month, he and his brother Giovan Francesco greet Battistino Fregoso in Milan, who is on his way to Ferrara | |||
| Mar. | Lombardy | In Milan with his brother, Galeotto della Mirandola, and the Bolognese Carlo degli Ingrati, accompanies Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, brother to Isabella d’Este (wife of Francesco Gonzaga), in a procession from Sant’Eustorgio to the Duomo | |||
| May. | Lombardy | Arranges jousts at his stables for the young nobles of the Sforza court. The duke often watches. At month’s end, in Vigevano inspecting his companies | |||
| June. | Lombardy | Remains to govern Milan while Duke Ludovico Sforza visits Mantua. Holds a joust in the city, won by Corsetto. Later in the month, is bedridden with stomach trouble for several days. Two hundred light cavalry from his company and that of his brother Giovan Francesco are sent to Tuscany to aid the Florentines against Venice | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | Seen playing ball in Milan with Borso da Correggio and Cardinal Ippolito d’Este. Rumors arise of a potential marriage to Caterina Sforza, Lady of Forlì | |||
| Oct. | Emilia | In Parma, often stating he is ready to relinquish the Captain General role in favor of Francesco Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | At Sforza’s urging, invites all accredited ambassadors (except Venice’s) to see the ducal stables with their prize horses. Court valets and servants ride them; notable riders include Galeazzo da San Severino, Ludovico della Mirandola, Ludovico Bergamino, Giovanni da Casale | |||
| 1499 | |||||
| Jan. | Sforza | Negotiates with the Venetians over Pisa. Ludovico Sforza puts him on alert | |||
| Apr. | Piedmont, Lombardy | Inspects the western borders of the state, noted in Milan and Novara. Starts reinforcing certain fortifications. Attempts to enter Pavia with 300 lances and 500 wagons; residents refuse him, forcing him to camp in Mirabello Park | |||
| May. | Piedmont | At Novara reviewing his troops. Has a hamlet demolished, a few useless forts flattened, and bastions built. Sforza steps in and suspends the works, pinning hopes on diplomacy | |||
| July. | Milan | France, Venice | Captain General | Piedmont | Stationed in Alessandria watching French forces at the frontier. Within a week, he inspects all the fortifications and feels confident. Once more named Captain General, which Gonzaga and his brother Giovan Francesco contest. Goes against the French with 1200–1600 lances, 1200–1500 light cavalry, 5000–10000 infantry (500 Germans), while the opponents have 1600 lances, 5000 Swiss, 4000 Gascons, another 4000 French plus 130 cannon, and the Venetians with 1200 lances, 2000 light cavalry, 8000 infantry |
| Aug. | Piedmont, Lombardy | After losing Rocca d’Arazzo and Castello di Annone (400–600 infantry in each), he retreats to Alessandria with 1200 lances, 1200 light cavalry, 3000 foot. Under growing criticism, and fueling rumors by his conduct, he abandons the city shamefully after just two days, fleeing with Lucio Malvezzi, 100 men‑at‑arms, and some light cavalry. Crossing the Po at Bassignana, he moves his defensive line to Pavia. Later, to refute charges of cowardice, he produces letters from Ludovico Sforza (labeled forgeries by Giovan Francesco) summoning him back to Milan. Camps idly in Mirabello Park, not attacking even when heavy rain isolates some enemy units between the Bormida and Tanaro. The French quickly seize Pavia, killing the few defenders and capturing 1000 light cavalry plus 2000 infantry | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | With Lucio Malvezzi and Cardinal Ippolito d’Este, he escorts Sforza fleeing toward Carimate and Como, crossing the Valtellina with 400 light cavalry, 500 Germans, 200 Italians until many desert at Tirano. Meanwhile, his Milan palace is sacked by rioters. A rumor spreads that Sforza injured him in the leg for causing the defeat; both deny it | |||
| Oct. Dec. | Lombardy, Austria | Accompanies Sforza in Bormio and Innsbruck | |||
| 1500 | |||||
| Jan. | Sforza | France | Lombardy | Aids Sforza in a bid to retake the duchy, with 6000 Swiss and German infantry, 4000 Italian foot, 2000 Italian cavalry. Seizes Musso, putting its castle to the torch | |
| Feb. | Lombardy | Enters Milan with Cardinal Ascanio Sforza (the duke’s brother). Then proceeds to Vigevano, where he tries forcibly to prevent Sforza troops from plundering the town | |||
| Mar. | Piedmont | At the siege of Novara. Hit by a stone on his left eyebrow | |||
| Apr. | Piedmont | Besieged in Novara with Sforza (4000 cavalry, 5000 Swiss, 5000 Germans, and many Italians) by 9000 French cavalry, 7000 Swiss, 3500 Gascons and Italians. The French exceed them in cavalry but have fewer foot soldiers. San Severino convinces 2000 deserters to return after pay delays and wins an initial skirmish, yet soon his Swiss come to terms with their compatriots in the enemy camp and refuse to fight; the Germans kill the Italian soldiers and force him to escape. Seized along with Sforza by the Swiss as he tries to leave disguised as a German foot soldier, he is taken to a stable and beaten for his money. A ransom of 100000 ducats is rumored | |||
| May. | Handed by the Swiss to the Bailiff of Dijon, Antonio di Baissay, for 2000 ducats. The bailiff demands 5000 from San Severino for his release; they agree to 3000 | ||||
| July. | Lombardy, Trentino | Reaches Mantua under Gonzaga but must leave under French pressure. Flees to Bozzolo with Ludovico Gonzaga da Bozzolo, asks the Venetians to transit their lands, then decides otherwise; in disguise, with his brother Gaspare, travels via Torbole and Arco into Maximilian of Austria’s domains. In Venice, the Collegio dei Pregadi confiscates his properties in Montorio Veronese and Cittadella. The French similarly seize his ducal estates, granting them to Ligny, Sampré, and Gianniccolò da Trivulzio, who receives Castelnuovo Scrivia | |||
| Aug. | Alto Adige, Austria | Continues his flight via Bolzano and Innsbruck. His wife is in Ferrara, living with limited means | |||
| 1501 | |||||
| Jan. Feb. | Austria, Lombardy, Germany | Leaves Austria for Castelleone. Seen in Nuremberg in February | |||
| Sept. Oct. | Germany, Trentino | At Augsburg with Giovanni Gonzaga. In October, stays in Trento with the emperor for peace talks with the Cardinal of Rouen representing France | |||
| 1502 | |||||
| Oct. | Austria | In Innsbruck with his brothers Antonio Maria and Federico (cardinal), who tries to restore them to imperial favor. He dresses entirely in black at court | |||
| 1503 | |||||
| Feb. | Austria, Germany | Accompanies the imperial court around Austria and Germany | |||
| …………… | France | Inherits the County of Caiazzo when his brother Giovan Francesco dies. Moves to the French court of King Louis XII (Luigi XII). He is granted the collar of the Order of Saint Michael | |||
| 1505 | |||||
| Sept. | Grand Squire | France | Obtains the post of Grand Squire, succeeding Pierre d’Urfé. Ludovico Sforza remains a captive in Loches Tower | ||
| 1507 | |||||
| Apr. | France | Genoa | Lombardy, Liguria | Joins the French in seizing Genoa. Accompanies the king’s ceremonial entry into Milan | |
| June. | Lombardy | Participates in a grand tournament, the “gioco del bastione,” in Milan’s Castello Sforzesco. Fights Chandée with a two‑handed sword; about to be unhorsed when the king intervenes | |||
| 1509 | |||||
| Apr. | France | Venice | 50 lances | Emilia | In Piacenza commanding 50 lances previously under his brother Antonio Maria |
| May. | Lombardy | In Milan, tries a horse gifted to the king by Gonzaga. Takes part in the Battle of Agnadello. Late in the month, with Francesco Gonzaga and Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio, escorts Louis XII (Luigi XII) entering Brescia via Porta di San Giovanni | |||
| 1510 | |||||
| Jan. | Emilia | Arrives with his company in San Donato near Parma. His men are quartered in Marore, Porporano, Mariano, at local expense | |||
| Mar. | 100 lances | Emilia, Veneto | Passes San Secondo Parmense, Colorno, crosses the Po, proceeds to Peschiera del Garda, then helps defend Verona with 100 men‑at‑arms and 200 mounted archers | ||
| May. | Veneto | His men‑at‑arms are defeated near Legnago by Turkish forces under Vanissa da Poliza and stradiots under Andrea Mauras | |||
| Aug. | Veneto | Engaged in defending Vicenza | |||
| Oct. | Veneto | At Verona; his company soon disbands, leaving him few troops. That year, the French grant him an annual pension of 2100 livres tournois | |||
| 1511 | |||||
| Jan. Feb. | France | Venice, Church | Emilia | Stationed among Colorno, Casalpo, Poviglio. In February reported in the Parma area | |
| …………… | Sent by the king to the emperor, seeking alignment of the German Church with France for an extraordinary council | ||||
| June. | 100 lances | Lombardy | Moves with his company around Brescia | ||
| Sept. | Veneto | At the siege of Treviso, defended by Renzo di Ceri | |||
| 1512 | |||||
| Jan. | Lombardy, Piedmont | Forced to abandon the Milan area with Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio and retreat to Piedmont before the combined Swiss and Venetians | |||
| Feb. | Lombardy | In Mantua, attempting to persuade Francesco Gonzaga to ally openly with the King of France | |||
| Apr. | Romagna | Excommunicated by Pope Julius II (Giulio II) along with his brother, Cardinal Federico. Fights at the Battle of Ravenna with 400 lances and 6000 infantry | |||
| May. | Romagna | Under pressure from Spaniards and Papal forces, forced once again to withdraw | |||
| June. | Lombardy, Piedmont, France | His company is plundered by peasants on the Po. Gains permission from the Duke of Savoy and takes refuge in France | |||
| Aug. | France | England | France | Battles the English who landed in France. Defeated at Thérouanne; his standard‑bearer is captured | |
| 1513 | |||||
| Mar. | France | Declared a rebel by Emperor Maximilian of Austria (Massimiliano d’Austria) | |||
| 1514 | |||||
| Nov. | France | In Paris for a joust in honor of the new King of France, Francis I (Francesco I) | |||
| 1515 | |||||
| Mar. | France | Empire | 100 lances | France | Confronts Imperial troops in Burgundy with his company |
| Sept. | France | Milan, Empire | Lombardy | Takes part in the Battle of Marignano (Melegnano). Besieges the Castello Sforzesco in Milan; with La Palisse, urges the defenders to surrender | |
| Oct. Dec. | Lombardy, Emilia | Accompanies the king’s ceremonial entry into Milan. Gifts Francis I (Francesco I) 20 horses with gold harnesses and in return is granted the fief of Meun‑sur‑Yèvre. By mid‑December, he is with the king entering Bologna. In these days, the French pressure the Venetians to restore Cittadella (formerly his father Roberto’s) to him, but they refuse | |||
| 1516 | |||||
| Jan. | Piedmont | From Acqui Terme, Francis I (Francesco I) gives back his fiefs Zavattarello, Rocca d’Olsizio, Pianello Val Tidone, Romagnese, taken from Federico and Marcantonio dal Verme | |||
| Mar. | Lombardy | Helps defend Milan, placed in charge of guarding a city gate | |||
| Apr. May. | France | dal Verme | Emilia | Leaves Milan with Swiss infantry, occupying a dal Verme castle granted to him by the French king. In May, besieges Rocca d’Olsizio with 2000 infantry, 200 lances, and artillery but returns to Piacenza because of heavy rains. Abandons the effort when the Connétable de Bourbon calls him to assist at Brescia’s siege | |
| July. | France, Venice | Empire | Lombardy | At Castiglione delle Stiviere. Supports Lautrec in besieging Verona | |
| Sept. | Veneto | At Verona. Together with Lautrec and Teodoro da Trivulzio, attends a war council deciding to move camp to Villafranca di Verona upon the arrival of imperial reinforcements | |||
| Oct. | France | Leaves Villafranca di Verona and returns to France | |||
| Dec. | France | dal Verme | Emilia | Besieges Arcello in the Piacenza area to wrest it from the dal Verme, but fails for lack of artillery | |
| 1517 | |||||
| July. | Ghibellines | Guelphs | Emilia | His supporters move from Boretto, Colorno, and Parma to Mirandola in favor of Giovan Francesco della Mirandola. They are defeated by the Guelph troops of Trivulzio, who upholds the claims of his daughter Francesca | |
| Oct. | France | In Moulins for the baptism of the Connétable de Bourbon’s son. During his absence in France, his estates are administered by his brother Giulio | |||
| Dec. | France, Lombardy | The French grant him citizenship. At the end of the month, arrives in Milan | |||
| 1518 | |||||
| Jan. Mar. | 90 lances | Piedmont, Lombardy, France | Remains in Italy for three months, during which he marries Costanza del Carretto, daughter of Marquis Ludovico of Finale. Francis I grants him the Pavia park (yielding 3500 scudi annually) and Mirabello (claimed by Trivulzio as belonging to the grand huntsman), as well as Castelnuovo Scrivia (formerly also held by Trivulzio, bringing about 7700 livres tournois yearly). Trivulzio objects, but the royal council backs San Severino, making Trivulzio pay the costs. His men-at-arms are in the Asti area; many of them are French. By mid‑March he departs for France | ||
| June. | France | Together with other dignitaries, attends the Corpus Domini meeting in the Val Doré near Guînes and Ardres between the King of France and King Henry VIII of England | |||
| 1519 | |||||
| Apr. | Lombardy | Receives Lautrec at his Voghera castle for several days, then goes to Milan | |||
| June. | Lombardy, France | Joins Lautrec and French captains at a war council to plan operations against the Swiss. In France, enjoys an annual income of 20000 scudi plus a royal pension. Returns to the royal court | |||
| Nov. | France | Criticizes Lautrec’s mismanagement of Milan before the king, supported by his brother Giulio, Brion, and Anne de Montmorency. During the year, the king grants him Cusago as a fief | |||
| 1520 | |||||
| June. | France | Accompanies Francis I (Francesco I) to Calais for the Field of the Cloth of Gold meeting with Henry VIII of England, aimed at peace. Joins a tournament, where—despite his age—he battles the Count of Bedford, breaks lances thrice, and unhorses him | |||
| Oct. | Lombardy | Noted in Milan | |||
| 1521 | |||||
| July. | 60 lances | Lombardy | Still in Milan. In view of war with Imperial forces, his 60-lance contract is renewed. His brother Giulio is his lieutenant | ||
| Dec. | Switzerland | Accompanies Francis I to Switzerland, where the king seeks new Swiss recruits after losing Milan | |||
| 1522 | |||||
| Jan. Mar. | France | Empire, Milan | 50 lances, 100 mounted archers | Piedmont, Lombardy | Crosses the Great St. Bernard and St. Gotthard with René of Savoy and La Palisse to reconquer the Duchy of Milan. Duke Francesco Sforza labels him a rebel. Skirting Lake Maggiore, Imperial troops fail to stop him at Carbonara al Ticino, and he arrives at Monza, besieging Milan |
| Apr. May. | France | Defeated at Bicocca, he retreats with surviving Swiss troops, René of Savoy, and La Palisse into France | |||
| 1523 | Lombardy | Assists Bonnivet in besieging Milan | |||
| 1524 | |||||
| Oct. | 100 lances | Lombardy | Joins the king in another effort to reclaim the Duchy of Milan. Passing through Vigevano, he enters Pavia; together with the Duke of Alençon, occupies Mirabello Park | ||
| 1525 | |||||
| Jan. | Lombardy | One of the French captains urging Francis I to leave Pavia for Binasco or the Certosa di Pavia | |||
| Feb. | 100 lances | Lombardy | Present at the Battle of Pavia. Killed while defending the king from capture. Struck by a backward sword blow from one of his men, the top of his helmet flies off; though dead, he remains upright in the saddle until riddled by arquebus fire. With eyes open (surprised by death) and his head propped by the gorget, he startles Spanish shooters who cry miracle until he collapses. Over 8000 French die there by combat or drowning in the Ticino, compared to 700 among the enemy. Galeazzo da San Severino is buried at the Certosa of Pavia; his grave is lost. He owned property in Milan (a palace at Borgo delle Grazie, once Tommaso Tebaldi’s, outside Porta Vercellina near the Porta Giovia castle) and a hunting retreat by the Bereguardo castle. Built Vigevano’s Rocca Nuova, converted to a castle in 1495. Portrayed by Leonardo da Vinci (the painting is in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Milan) and Albrecht Dürer; hosted the mathematician Luca Pacioli; mentioned by Matteo Bandello in several novellas. Married Bianca Sforza (illegitimate daughter of Ludovico Sforza) and Costanza del Carretto, daughter of Marquis Ludovico of Finale. |
Sources
-“El quale era bellissimo giostratore, ma per viltà e poca esperienza nella arte militare non punto atto a guidare uno campo.” GUICCIARDINI
-“Capitano di somma aspettazione.” PORZIO
-“Havia pocha reputation da’ soldati, né era amado perché non valeva un governo, tamen era valente di la sua lancia.” SANUDO
-“Di fortuna figliuolo.” ALBERTI
-“Il quale di tutti i fratelli Sanseverini era il meno esperto nell’armi e nell’arte militare il meno dotto.” ROSMINI
-“Celebre guerriero, che fiorì sul principio del secolo XVI; ebbe il soprannome di “Figlio della Fortuna”, ma piuttosto doveva chiamarsi “Figlio del valore e del coraggio”, avendo sempre dato luminosissime prove dell’uno e dell’altro.” MENSI
-“Beau parleur, adroit à la chasse et aux exercises du corps, fin courtisan..n’hésitant pas à se déshabiller pour jouer à la balle avec le roi (Carlo VIII). PERRENS
-“Grande huomo e bellicoso..Notabile nell’armeggiare.” SANSOVINO
-“Il était persuasif, élégant dans son langage comme dans ses habitudes, expert dans les choses de la guerre, et passait pour le plus habile jouter qu’on put voir.” DELABORDE
-“Signore illustre, in cui mostra natura/ Oggi sua gloria solo in farti onore/ Animo generoso, inclito core/ Chiaro intelletto, mente alta e sicura.” Da un’ode del Bellincioni riportata da MALAGUZZI-VALERI
-“Dall’altra parte el duca di milano/ Chiamò e dette el general bastone/ A maria galeazo e capitano/ El fe de le sue genti en su l’arcione/ Qual cavalcando poi di mano in mano/ Co lo stendardo al vento del biscione/ Honore e gloria de la lombardia/ Con molti gran signori in compagnia.” G. Senese “La venuta del re Carlo con la rotta del Taro” riportato da WIKIPEDIA
-“..il duca di milano/…/ fece miser galeazo capitan/ che homo al fin parea assai prudente/…/ (Alla battaglia di Novara) Galeazo maria era valente/ ruppe la lanza e amatio (ammazzò) un francese/ e a mò un bon guerrier alto e possente/ la spada suo in man subito prese/ a chi tagliava braze a chi li dente,/ ne più persone morte a terra stese.” Da “Historia nova de la rota e presa del Moro” di E.C. Rinucci in GUERRE IN OTTAVA RIMA
-“Ne l’arme dextro valoroso acorto/ per mantenire al so signor (il duca di Milano) el stato./…/Galeazo era in alexandria armato/ ne l’arme dextro valorosi acorti (accorto)/ per mantenire el so signor al stato/ ma poco l’arte val se (se è) chiuso el porto/ al bon nochier da schoge circundato/ e poco giova al rimedio e (è) el conforto/ quando el mal fonda nel cor la soa forza/ e sol riman le lor bella la scorza.” Da “La guerra del Turco e la presa di Modone” in GUERRE IN OTTAVA RIMA
-“Alla battaglia di Agnadello “Il gran scudiero da san severino/ che dir potrebbe quanto fu gagliardo/ col stocco in man coperto d’acial fino/ contra nemici lieve più che pardo/ …/ (Al seguito dl re Francesco I) Poi galeazzo da sanseverino/ honor de la sua degnia prole in terra/ sopra un destrier coperto d’acial fino/ con cento lancie de mastri da guerra/ seguiva armato come un paladino/ e ne le imprese sue giamai non erra.”/…/ (Alla battaglia di Ravenna) “Il gran scudiero di san severino/ seguitava costui ch’io vi ragiono/ sopra un destrier bardato d’acial fino/ che non altro non fu mai sì fiero & bono./ Era costui sì ardito, & peregrino/ che poneva la sua vita in abandono/ per acquistar ad ogni impresa honore/ riputando felice chi ben more.” DEGLI AGOSTINI
-“E degli uomini che noi oggidì conoscemo, considerate, come bene e aggraziatamente fa il signor Galeazzo Sanseverino, gran Scudiero di Francia, tutti gli esercizi del corpo; e questo, perché, oltre alla natural disposizione ch’egli tiene della persona, ha posto ogni studio d’imparare da buon maestri, ed aver sempre di sé uomini eccellenti.” B. Castiglione (da “Il Cortigiano”) Brano ripreso da A.D. ROSSI
-All’assedio di Rocca d’Olsizio. “E’ venuto il Gran Scudiero/ con suo gran bavaria,/ e cavalli e fantarie per la Rocca voler pigliare,/ ma in quella non potè intrare.” Da una canzone popolare riportata da ARCANGELI
-“Grand courtisan.” DUC
-Dal gennaio 1504 Sanseverino si trasferì in Francia, dove, in un primo tempo, fu accolto con diffidenza; le sue doti di perfetto cortigiano, che gli sarebbero valse le lodi di Baldassarre Castiglione (“Il libro del cortegiano”), ma soprattutto la necessità per il re di avere condottieri italiani alle proprie dipendenze, gli consentirono poi l’accesso alle cariche più esclusive della corte regia… Generoso mecenate, amava circondarsi di artisti, come attestano i suoi rapporti con Leonardo da Vinci, che nel 1491 organizzò una festa in costume nella sua dimora milanese, (e poi forse frequentato in Francia), oltre che con il matematico Luca Pacioli, alle cui lezioni di geometria sull’opera di Vitruvio era solito partecipare nella Milano degli Sforza; durante l’esilio in Germania si legò ad Albrecht Durer, che lo ritrasse a Norimberga nel 1503.” ALONGE (Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani)
Featured image: wikipedia
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