Giano Fregoso: The Condottiero Who Became Doge

The Military Campaigns and Venetian Alliances of Giano Fregoso

Giano Fregoso (Giovanni Maria Fregoso). Of Genoa. Doge of Genoa. Father of Cesare Fregoso, Annibale Fregoso, and Alessandro Fregoso; father-in-law of Antonio Maria Avogadro.

Born: 1455 ca.
Death: 1529, August

Year, Month	State, Comp. ventura	Opponent	Command	Area of Activity	Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts
……………				France	He receives, like his brothers, an excellent education and an outstanding military training under the guidance of his father Tommasino and his well-known masters-at-arms, in particular Carlo della Rocca. Still a child, between 1460 and 1464 he lives in Corsica with his father. Expelled by the Sforza, the relative returns to the island in July 1477 with his entire family and a large personal army in which the young Giano Fregoso also serves. The Fregoso gain broad support among local notables and strong opposition from the Sforza troops of Ambrogio da Longhignana. Giano Fregoso is captured alongside his father and taken prisoner to Milan. Soon, thanks to new agreements concluded between the Doge of Genoa, his cousin Battista Fregoso, and the Duchess of Milan Bona of Savoy (Bona di Savoia), father and son can return to the island, where Tommasino (1478) has governmental responsibilities on behalf of the Sforza.
1482/1488				France Liguria Lazio	He marries Ardebella de Leca, daughter of the Corsican nobleman Giampaolo di Leca. In the same year, his father appoints him Count of Corsica; he returns to Genoa because of the latent rebellious situation and leaves him governing the island. With the help of Antonio da Montalto, he initially faces no serious difficulties. Problems arise when he tries to remove Montalto to adopt harsher methods, showing himself uncompromising in suppressing some insubordination. This triggers a revolt among the local magnates; by the end of the year, he is forced to return to Genoa. He leaves as his lieutenant on the island Marcellino di Farinole. The Corsican nobles hasten to offer the lordship of Corsica to Jacopo d’Appiano, Lord of Piombino. However, thanks also to the support of Doge Paolo Fregoso (Paolo Fregoso), the Fregoso manage in 1483 to sell the lordship to the Banco di San Giorgio for 2,000 ducats. Cesare Fregoso remains in Genoa for a few years until the downfall of Paolo Fregoso (August 1488) at the hands of the Sforza and the Adorno. He is forced to leave the city and go into exile in Rome, where exiles gather under the leadership of Ottaviano Fregoso (Ottaviano Fregoso) and the Ligurian cardinal Giuliano della Rovere (the future Pope Julius II (Giulio II)).
1494
Autumn				Tuscany	He is in Pisa with his father, gathering the infantry needed for a victorious return to Corsica.
……………	France				In the pay of King Charles VIII (Carlo VIII) of France with an appointment as captain of the galleys.
1499
Feb.	Venice			Lombardy	In the Brescia area. He remains stationed in that region with Mariano Orsini and Strozza Breda when Niccolò Orsini moves to the Casentino to fight there against the Florentines.
June				Veneto and Piedmont	He stays in Verona. He leaves the city and goes to Turin at the invitation of Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio to resolve certain disputes between the Duke of Savoy and the Marquis of Monferrato.
1500
Apr.				Veneto	He heads to Venice seeking support to fight Ludovico Sforza (Ludovico Sforza) in Liguria, who still controls Genoa.
1501				Veneto	He is mentioned in his lands of Garda.
1506
June				Lazio	He stays in Rome with his son Alessandro; when he learns of the uprising of Genoa against the French, Pope Julius II (Giulio II) forbids him to leave the city.
Autumn				Lazio	He departs Rome with his son Alessandro and Ottaviano Fregoso; they board a brigantine. The pope blocks their passage on the Tiber. He must abandon any attempt in which his father-in-law is also involved, waiting for him off the coast of Corsica.
1507
Jan.	Fregoso	Genoa		Emilia Liguria	At the beginning of the month, conditions worsen in Genoa, prompting Giano and Ottaviano Fregoso to make another attempt. To evade papal surveillance, they leave Bologna; they reach Borghetto di Vara and join Giovanni di Biassa with 400 men; all depart by sea from Sestri Levante, and in mid-month only Ottaviano lands at Sampierdarena to plan operations with their supporters. The countermeasures taken by the popular government (a bounty of 500 ducats on each of the two Fregoso and 200 on Biassa) as well as severe checks on their sympathizers in the city and in the two rivieras cause the conspirators to abandon all ambitions and retreat precipitously. They return to Bologna and from there to Rome until May, when, after the failure of the popular dogate of Paolo da Novi and the conquest of Genoa by the French, all are pardoned by the pope.
1509
Feb. July	Venice	France Empire		Lombardy	In Cremona with the Captain General Niccolò Orsini. In May he is noted defending Legnago, and in July guarding Treviso.
Aug.				Veneto	He follows the Orsini; proceeds to defend Padua. He commands 150 men-at-arms in the Count of Pitigliano’s company. In retaliation, the Imperial forces name him a rebel and confiscate his assets in the Verona area. He exits Padua with Giovanni Greco to intercept some artillery pieces meant to be transported from Vicenza to the enemy camp. Accompanied by Giovanni Greco and Dimitri Megaduca (150 men-at-arms, 120 mounted crossbowmen, and 120 stradioti), he surprises Filippo dei Rossi near San Martino di Lupari, by Longare, who is escorting a column of provisions to the Imperial camp. Filippo dei Rossi is captured with 300 cavalry; Federico Gonzaga da Bozzolo is forced to flee.
Oct.				Veneto	He goes before the Venetian Senate. He requests the release of his brother Fregosino, accused of spying for the Imperial side.
1510
Jan.			50 light cavalry	Veneto	At the muster of Niccolò Orsini’s men-at-arms in Lonigo. Near Soave, he has a victorious skirmish against 1,500/2,000 Gascon and Spanish infantry who marched out from Verona. The Council of the Savi grants him his own independent command of 50 light cavalry.
Feb.			128 lances and 93 light cavalry	Veneto	He is stationed in the Verona area. Upon the death of the Orsini, he takes over command of his company; a monthly wage of 100 ducats is acknowledged to him.
Mar.				Veneto	At the subsequent muster in Lonigo, the Council of the Savi grants him permission to recruit 21 men-at-arms so he can bring the company—together with the mounted crossbowmen—to a total of 200 men-at-arms.
Apr.			150 lances	Veneto	Still in the Verona area. In the camp, there is debate over making him captain general as an alternative to Lucio Malvezzi and Antonio Pio, but the proveditori generali prefer Francesco Gonzaga. The Council of the Savi likewise discusses whether to appoint him overall governor.
May	Venice	France Empire Ferrara		Veneto	In San Bonifacio: the proveditori seek his opinion regarding a possible French attack in Polesine. He then moves to that territory but soon has to retreat in the face of the French offensive. Giano Fregoso goes on to Longare and lodges in the houses of the Trissino. He reaches Le Brentelle, near Padua, where he is given funds for his company’s pay.
June July			148 lances and 100 light cavalry	Veneto Romagna Emilia Tuscany	He urges the Venetians to reconquer Vicenza from the Imperial forces, whereas Lucio Malvezzi leans toward caution, fearing the presence in that city of Ivo d’Allègre and the recent loss of Legnago. Giano Fregoso falls ill in the camp, yet remains engaged in affairs, for example, recommending Giovanni Battista da Fano, suspected by the Venetians of wanting to defect to the opponents. Once recovered, he goes out on patrol; he clashes with adversaries at Arlesega (10 men killed, 2 captured). He again displays his temperament by confronting and wounding some mounted crossbowmen of his company who rebel over back pay. He approves either Lucio Malvezzi or Renzo di Ceri as potential governors general of the Venetian forces. He leaves Padua for Venice to meet the Doge Leonardo Loredan; he sets sail at Chioggia, passes Ravenna, Bologna, and Viareggio, and meets up with the papal army as asked by Pope Julius II (Giulio II). The Venetians give him 200 ducats for travel expenses. Together with Ottaviano Fregoso and Marcantonio Colonna, he marches against Genoa, confident that the population will rise up and facilitate the city’s conquest.
Aug.				Tuscany Liguria	He advances into the Lunigiana; occupies La Spezia and proceeds to Chiavari with 400 cavalry. Along the Riviera di Levante, many inhabitants side with Ottaviano and Giano Fregoso; the latter approaches Recco. The Genoese, however, fail to rebel against the French. The offensive proves futile; the arrival of four French galleys under Aimone di Prie and six Genoese galleys forces him to withdraw by traversing the mountains of La Spezia and from there moving on to Civitavecchia and Rome.
Sept.			142 lances and 100 light cavalry	Lazio Tuscany Liguria	He dines with Pope Julius II (Giulio II), who is more determined than ever to drive out the French from Genoa. Giano Fregoso is not permitted to return to Venetian service. Instead, a fresh offensive against Genoa is planned: after disembarking 200 infantry at Sarzana, the captain sails to Piombino with 13 galleons, 6 galleys, and numerous boats. They decide to attack the city with 700 infantry and to bring some ships into the harbor: escorted by 4 galleys, Giano Fregoso enters with a brigantine and disembarks a few infantry on the pier. Left alone, he re-embarks under fire from the French artillery. The arrival of Filippino Fieschi with 700 infantry in defense of the city quashes all offensive intentions. Fregoso proceeds to Savona and then to Provence; during the voyage, the Venetian fleet engages a French fleet (6 galleys, 6 ships, 14 galleons) and decides to withdraw to Portovenere. While the allies bombard four vessels in the harbor, the French fleet again intervenes; the papal forces take shelter in Livorno, also due to a shortage of supplies.
Oct.	Venice	France	140 lances	Emilia	He is in Bologna, where his company joins him.
Dec.				Emilia	The Council of Ten grants the Fregoso a palace in Padua, previously owned by the Trapolino. Giano Fregoso is first noted in Modena. In mid-month, with Troilo Savelli and Giovan Francesco della Mirandola, he prepares to besiege Concordia. The Venetians and papal troops have 10 artillery pieces, including 2 large guns and 8 falconets. Their infantry and light cavalry occupy the suburbs, while the men-at-arms camp half a mile from the walls. They dig trenches to approach the fortification, using the excavated earth to build parapets to protect the artillery. The bombardment of the main tower, defended by 80 infantry and around 100 local militiamen, starts soon. After a few days, the town is taken; some defenders die, and 70 men are captured. Concordia is sacked.
1511
Jan.				Emilia	He takes part in the siege of Mirandola; with Troilo Savelli, he assaults the castle: when the defenders surrender, he is tasked with distributing among the infantry the 6,000-ducat ransom paid by the residents to avoid a sack. He asks the pope for a monthly 500-ducat allowance, which is refused, and a canonry in Padua for a son (which he obtains).
Mar.				Emilia	Along the Secchia River with the provveditore generale Paolo Capello.
May				Emilia Romagna	He attends a war council with Pope Julius II (Giulio II) at Cento; then accompanies the pope to Ravenna. He requests permission to have Venetian troops enlisted in Rimini embark.
June				Veneto and Emilia	He is in Venice in the Collegio. He then goes to Montalbano, where his men face difficulties due to delayed pay.
Aug.				Veneto	He confronts the Este family at Anguillara Veneta with the provveditore of the stradioti Federico Contarini (300 light cavalry).
Sept.				Veneto	He leaves Padua at night with Federico Contarini and Guido Rangoni (300 stradioti, 500 light cavalry). A peasant informs the Venetians of enemy movements, prompting Giano Fregoso to march on Marostica to disrupt enemy supply lines. He attacks, between Villalonga and Sandrigo, 20/30 men-at-arms, 200 light cavalry, and 700 Gascon infantry equipped with many arquebuses; he captures 200 wagons valued at 18,000-20,000 ducats, taking numerous prisoners (270 infantry; about 80 enemies killed). Lucio Malvezzi dies during the month; Giano Fregoso joins Bernardino di Montone once the latter is chosen as deputy governor general. In the same days, he has a violent clash with the collaterale generale Pietro Antonio Battaglia. Federico Contarini and Bernardino di Montone fault him; at last, with mediation by the provveditore generale Paolo Capello, he reconciles with the collaterale. He again leaves Padua with the Rangoni and Contarini at the head of 500 mounted crossbowmen; they go to Camposampiero and Castelfranco Veneto. In the latter location, they set fire to one of the gates, capture the Imperial lieutenant with 12 cavalry and 20 infantry, and seize a large amount of wheat plus 10 carts loaded with flour.
Oct.–Nov.				Veneto	In October he is noted in Padua. In November he leaves the city for Rome. There, he aims to plan a new operation to capture Genoa. The Venetians grant him a monthly allowance of 200 ducats until he fully recovers his property in the Verona area.
Dec.				Friuli	He supports Renzo di Ceri and the provveditore generale Giovanni Paolo Gradenigo in Friuli against the Imperial forces.
1512
Jan.				Lazio	He heads back to Rome to help negotiate a league between the papal forces and Venice.
Mar.				Lazio and Lombardy	He can now return to the Brescia area; he rejoins his company, reduced by losses following the fall of Brescia to Gaston de Foix.
Apr.–May			14 lances and 25 light cavalry	Veneto	He is in Vicenza with Giampaolo Baglioni. In May his company is mustered at the Campo di Marte in Vicenza. He then relocates to Cologna Veneta.
June				Lombardy and Liguria	Together with Giampaolo Baglioni and Renzo di Ceri, he leaves the camps at San Martino del Lago and della Cavaliera to attack Pizzighettone. Next, he advances as far as Pavia; with the retreat of the French from Lombardy, he joins Francesco Rangoni. Together they march on Genoa with 500 infantry and 50 men-at-arms provided by the Venetians. He reaches Chiavari and the environs of the capital; the French governor threatens to hang his trumpeter. Four thousand supporters of the Fregoso in the city prevent this and allow him in. Giano Fregoso is chosen Doge by the will of Pope Julius II (Giulio II) and is given an annual allowance of 7,000 ducats. On his inauguration, he orders three days of processions and reduces by six months the prison sentences for all detained in Malapaga. He also sends 12,000 scudi to Cardinal of Sion, Matteo Scheiner, seeking the favor of the Swiss.
July				Liguria	He besieges in Genoa two strongholds still held by the French. The Castelletto remains under a French garrison; a vessel is positioned a short distance from Capo di Faro, under the Briglia, with artillery aimed at the buildings facing the port. Giano Fregoso appoints Andrea Doria (Andrea Doria) as prefect of the port and captain of the city fleet, consisting of two galleys.
Aug.–Oct.				Liguria	He continues to bombard the Castelletto with artillery supplied by the papal side (6 bombards). The French castellan, a nephew of Prégeant de Bidoux, abandons hope of outside help; with the mediation of a Franciscan, he relinquishes the fortress for 13,000 ducats. Giano Fregoso now attacks Capo di Faro (the Lanterna) by land and sea, hoping to starve it into submission: a French ship, flying a Genoese flag, manages to reach the port and deliver supplies for the defenders. Emanuele Cavalli embarks on a galleon with 300 soldiers, reverses the situation, tows the French vessel away, and drags it onto the beach at Sampierdarena. Nevertheless, the defenders at the Briglia refuse to surrender. In late October, a French fleet arrives and enters the port of Genoa, while the Adorno, with 3,000 infantry, advance down the Val Polcevera, assaulting the troops of Fregoso.
Nov.–Dec.	France		100 lances	Liguria	He reaches an agreement with the French. They accept him as Doge of Genoa. He is also granted a condotta of men-at-arms. In December, he has his wife and children brought from Padua to Genoa.
1513
Feb.				Liguria	Pope Julius II (Giulio II) removes him from office and selects his cousin Ottaviano Fregoso as the new Doge.
Apr.	Genoa	France		Liguria	His brother Fregosino kills one of the sons of Gianluigi Fieschi; the people of Genoa revolt. Giano Fregoso now seeks support from the Spaniards. The French fleet (9 light galleys and other vessels) attacks him, aided by 6,000 infantry recruited by Antoniotto and Girolamo Adorno and by the Fieschi. He confronts them with 1,000 men; withdraws to the city, then flees by brigantine with his fleet. He leaves his brother Ludovico defending the Castelletto; another brother, Zaccaria, is captured in battle by the Fieschi and killed, his body dragged through the streets of Genoa behind a horse’s tail. Giano Fregoso retires to La Spezia with Andrea Doria.
May				Tuscany	In Piombino.
June				Emilia Lazio Liguria	He escapes to Bologna and Rome; seeks Venetian help. He goes to the Spanish camp; after the French defeat at Novara, he re-enters Genoa. His cousin Ottaviano Fregoso is named Doge by order of the Viceroy of Naples, Raimondo de Cardona, and the Marquis of Pescara, Ferdinando d’Avalos. Giano Fregoso becomes governor of Savona.
July	Savona	Genoa		Liguria	He plots a conspiracy against Ottaviano Fregoso, who sends 300 soldiers against him, forcing him to leave Savona.
Nov.				Romagna	In mid-month, Bernardo Gambarana hides armed men by night in Giano Fregoso’s Savona palace; they kill the guards at the Porta di San Giovanni and open the gate to the Adorno. The 1,500 infantry recruited by them arrive late, foiling the surprise. Around the same time, Fregoso is recorded in Cesenatico and Ravenna.
1515
Dec.	Venice	Spain Empire	100 lances	Lombardy	The Venetians recall him to counter the Spaniards, together with Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio. The Council of the Savi decides not to make him commander of the infantry, instead granting him a condotta of 100 men-at-arms with an annual pay of 1,000 ducats. Thousands of infantry, mainly Tyroleans under Guglielmo di Rogendorf and Count Ludovico di Lodrone, along with herds of oxen, horses loaded with powder, carts of food, and chests of money, cross Bagolino and reach the Anfo pass to reinforce Brescia. Giano Fregoso dispatches Babone Naldi, Antonio da Castello, and Giovan Corrado Orsini against them, but the three Venetian captains halt midway, uncertain how to proceed.
1516
Jan.				Lombardy Trentino	He attends a council of war in Milan with Andrea Gritti, Gian Giacomo and Teodoro da Trivulzio, and Pietro Navarro. They decide to keep the troops in their winter quarters and block the roads leading to Brescia until conditions are better, while also conducting raids. Giano Fregoso reaches the camp at Lonato; sends his family back to Padua. He is present at the ceremony in which Teodoro da Trivulzio is chosen governor general. Along with Giovan Corrado Orsini, he advances into the Val Sabbia after hearing that Gerardo d’Arco and Ludovico di Lodrone have arrived at la Loggia with money for the Spanish garrison in Brescia. At Anfo, he joins Babone Naldi and, with 2,000 infantry, launches a nocturnal attack on 1,500 Landsknechts. They are defeated and flee, even abandoning a bridge controlling the valley to hide in the mountains. About 500 of them are killed, 800 captured, plus 50 Burgundian men-at-arms. Their leader, Giorgio di Liechtenstein, however, manages to save the money. Giano Fregoso then sacks Lodrone and Storo, because previously Ludovico di Lodrone had levied a 400-ducat tribute on Bagolino. When finished, he returns to the siege of Brescia, establishing himself at Nave.
Mar.			Governor General	Veneto and Lombardy	In Peschiera del Garda; on receiving word that 20,000–30,000 German and Swiss soldiers are approaching Verona from the Emperor Maximilian (Massimiliano d’Austria), he is ordered to abandon the fortress. With Marco Contarini, he departs Peschiera, sets fire to the remaining munitions in the keep, and removes all artillery except one falconet that drops into the lake. He moves on to defend Crema as governor general, receiving an annual salary of 25,000 ducats, lodging, and other benefits worth 4,000 more. He is given a condotta of 200 men-at-arms unarmed and 100 mounted crossbowmen, replaced temporarily by 300 light cavalry in the Burgundian style (including the 125 already under his command). He draws 15,000 ducats annually and an additional 4,000 for expenses. He is prohibited from enlisting any bandit from Venetian lands.
Apr.				Lombardy	He requests, in vain, to be appointed captain general of infantry. He takes Caravaggio, then moves on to Cassano d’Adda, ultimately arriving in Lodi. He leaves Crema with the French paymaster to deliver money to 2,000 Landsknechts defecting from Brescia to join the allies and thereby besiege the same city.
May–June				Lombardy	In Rezzato. After Brescia surrenders by negotiation, Giano Fregoso remains to guard the city with 60 men-at-arms and 400 infantry.
Aug.				Lombardy and Veneto	He focuses on reinforcing Brescia; at the end of the month, he moves to the siege of Verona. He, Teodoro da Trivulzio, and Giampaolo Manfrone attend a war council with the Lautrec, but the French commander refuses to attack Verona unless he gets another 4,000 infantry. Giano Fregoso disputes this, provoking harsh words between them. He moves to the Santa Caterina camp with the Trivulzio; he proposes attacking Verona near Porta Calzari, even though wages are overdue. The Venetians advise caution.
Sept.				Veneto	He takes part in a war council with the provveditore generale Andrea Gritti, deciding to cross the Adige and camp near the walls. With Rizino d’Asola, he leads an assault commanding Romagnol infantry, repelling a sortie by 100 cavalry. Ultimately, they withdraw to Albaredo d’Adige upon learning that large Imperial reinforcements from the Emperor are heading to relieve Verona.
Oct.				Veneto	He collaborates in an action with the provveditore generale Giovanni Paolo Gradenigo.
Dec.				Veneto	He again accompanies Gradenigo with Manfrone (200 men-at-arms) to check the advance of 2,000 infantry and 200 cavalry from Verona carrying 4–5 falconets aimed at taking Illasi. The Imperial troops retreat after a brief skirmish between the light cavalry. Giano Fregoso becomes ill, travels to Padua for treatment, then to Venice with Domenico Contarini, and meets the doge. During his absence in Albaredo d’Adige, his company has numerous issues; Gradenigo struggles to keep them in service.
1517
Jan.					He is granted an annual allowance of 1,000 ducats.
Feb.			89 lances and 50 light cavalry	Veneto	At war’s end, he returns to Venice. Present in San Marco at a grand ceremony for the conflict’s conclusion, and at the signing of the ceasefire with the Imperial side. Andrea Gritti praises him and pushes for an increase in his condotta. His men move to winter quarters in the Treviso area.
Mar.				Veneto	In Venice for celebrations the Serenissima organizes in honor of Teodoro da Trivulzio. His condotta of 100 men-at-arms unarmed is confirmed.
June				Veneto	The total annual cost of his company is estimated at 10,240 ducats. He now commands 90 lances and 50 mounted crossbowmen.
July				Veneto	In Venice, he complains in the Collegio that while other captains receive 10 pay installments each year, he receives only 8. He returns to Padua.
Aug.				Veneto	In Padua, together with Teodoro da Trivulzio, he inspects construction of the fortress at Portello.
Sept.				Veneto	In Venice, he appears before the Collegio seeking back pay for his men-at-arms.
1518
May				Veneto	He is summoned to Venice.
July				Greece	Dispatched to Corfu and Candia along with other military engineers and the provveditore of the fleet, Sebastiano Moro, to oversee improvements to the defensive works of both islands. His annual pay installments increase from 8 to 10; 300 ducats (no receipts required) are awarded for personal expenses.
Sept.				Greece	At Napoli di Romania (Nauplia) for the same mission.
Nov.				Greece Croatia Veneto	After completing the mission, he sets sail on a galley, reaches Istria, and proceeds to Venice, where he reports to the Collegio on the outcome. The doge thanks him and sends him to the Council of the Savi, receiving widespread approval, especially from Sebastiano Moro.
1519
Jan.				Veneto and Lombardy	He is assigned to escort the Imperial captain Cristoforo Frangipane from Padua to Crema, delivering him to the allied French.
1520
Feb.				Veneto	He departs Garda with permission to meet his friend, the Imperial ambassador Andrea dal Borgo, in Verona. The Council of the Savi decides to grant him some lands in fief.
Apr.			458 cavalry	Veneto	He proceeds to Longare with Troilo Pignatelli to support the waterworks magistrate Antonio Condulmer in resolving some hydraulic problems.
June				Veneto	He is at Le Gamberare with 150 light cavalry; assigned a police action to capture those responsible for murdering two French captains (Moriaches and Berton), killed by peasants from Oriago in a trivial quarrel sparked by accidental gestures and an extreme overreaction by the French.
July				Veneto	From Padua, he goes to Venice and briefs the Collegio on the progress of Candia’s fortification work.
1522
Feb.				Veneto	He returns to Venice, requesting Serenissima support against Duke Alfonso d’Este of Ferrara, since two of his sons have married Strozzi women but cannot enjoy the dowries because they lack Ferrara citizenship. The Venetians also refuse him.
May				Veneto	With Bernardino di Montone, Malatesta Baglioni, Giulio Manfrone, and Trivulzio, he delivers to the Council of the Savi a report on Padua’s fortifications and related waterworks.
Aug.	Venice	Empire Spain	92 lances and 50 light cavalry	Veneto and Lombardy	He meets the new doge, Marino Grimani, in Venice and asks for a condotta for two of his sons. He then moves his company to Verona and joins Malatesta Baglioni at Caprino Veronese to bar 8,000 Swiss and German infantry heading from Trento to Mantua. Failing this, he goes to Brescia, joining the camp with Trivulzio. Robecco d’Oglio.
Sept.				Emilia	At Zibello with 100 lances and 50 light cavalry. He establishes a new camp at Fontanelle, near the Po River.
Nov.				Lombardy	In Orzinuovi with his company, all light cavalry, and 300 infantry; he proceeds to Soncino, crosses the Oglio at Pontevico with Giampaolo Manfrone, crosses the Adda, and arrives at Lodi, where he defends the city with 2,000 infantry and 200 lances. After Milan falls to the Imperial forces, he returns to Crema.
Dec.				Lombardy	He dispatches Alessandro Donato with 200 cavalry and Rizino d’Asola with 300 infantry plus some men-at-arms to Truccazzano, ambushing 60 men-at-arms from Antonio di Leyva’s company. The booty is brought back to Crema in retaliation for the constant raids by Bartolomeo da Villachiara into Bergamo territory. Venice disapproves, fearing the Imperials might use the incident to break the existing truce.
1522
May			100 lances	Lombardy	Engaged in defending Crema.
July			125 lances	Lombardy	By the end of the conflict, he commands 125 men-at-arms, including 50 mounted crossbowmen.
1523
Sept.	Venice	France		Lombardy	In Brescia, commanding 100 lances and 50 light cavalry. He patrols along the banks of the Oglio.
Oct.				Lombardy	At the Verolanuova camp. He joins a war council in Bergamo to evaluate a raid beyond the Oglio.
Nov.				Lombardy	He inspects Martinengo and Treviglio seeking suitable quarters for the troops.
1525
Jan.				Lombardy and Veneto	From Martinengo, he heads to Crema, where he suspects a pro-French conspiracy. He escorts Francesco Maria della Rovere to Milan when the Venetian captain meets the Viceroy of Naples, Carlo di Lannoy. In an inter-allied war council, he proposes taking Lodi first, then linking the armies at Binasco. He goes on to guard Verona with 200 lances and 1,000 infantry.
Feb.				Lombardy	He remains in defense of the Venetian territory with 300 lances, 200 light cavalry, and 3,000 infantry while della Rovere crosses the Adda. He stands guard at Pontoglio and Palazzolo sull’Oglio with the provveditore Giovanni Moro. On learning that 2,000 Grisons approach Bergamo heading toward Abbiategrasso, he dispatches 2000 men there.
Mar.				Lombardy	In Palazzolo sull’Oglio. He sends 150 light cavalry to Martinengo and Romano di Lombardia.
Apr.				Lombardy	He stands against the Grisons led by Renzo di Ceri, who aim to join the French at Pavia. With Babone Naldi, he meets the Duke of Milan Francesco Sforza and Giovanni dei Medici in Treviglio. Once the enemy withdraws, he and Malatesta Baglioni besiege the fortress of Caravaggio; the defenders capitulate after the arrival of three cannons from Crema.
May				Lombardy	After capturing Caravaggio, he moves on Castelleone and negotiates terms of surrender with Andrea da Birago. In Trezzo sull’Adda, together with Duke Francesco Sforza, Giovanni dei Medici, and Girolamo Morone, he plans an attack on Lodi. After Federico Gonzaga da Bozzolo surrenders to della Rovere, he returns to Brescia.
June				Veneto	In Venice, staying in the parish of San Cassiano. He appears alongside Doge Andrea Gritti in some public ceremonies. He asks to resign his condotta in favor of his sons Alessandro and Cesare. He attends the ceremony where della Rovere is given the banner and baton of governor general. The Council of the Savi agrees to his request: the condotta goes to his sons, but he keeps command of 25 mounted crossbowmen and retains his allowance.
Oct.				Lombardy	In a war council with the Captain General Francesco Maria della Rovere, Malatesta Baglioni, and Luigi Gonzaga.
Dec.				Lombardy	In Brescia for the baptism of a son of the local podestà, Antonio Suriano. He informs the Venetians of a possible arrangement in Genoa.
1526
Feb.				Veneto	He accompanies della Rovere, Mercurio Bua, and Federico Gonzaga da Bozzolo to Legnago to check progress on the city’s defenses.
Mar.				Veneto	In Venice, conferring with Doge Andrea Gritti about problems related to Verona. Then in Padua.
June	Venice	Empire		Veneto	Though ill, he leaves Verona with the city’s captain Tommaso Moro to inspect the Val Lagarina passes, which the Landsknechts plan to use traveling from the Trentino to Milan.
Aug.				Veneto	In Caprino Veronese, assessing the mountain passes leading into the Veneto.
Nov.				Liguria	At the siege of Genoa.
1527
Jan.				Veneto	On Lake Garda with Valerio Orsini.
Apr.			25 light cavalry	Veneto and Lombardy	He leaves Verona for the Bergamo area with his light cavalry; he commands the militia there, replacing Mercurio Bua, ill with gout.
May				Lombardy	He asks provveditore generale Domenico Contarini for official recognition of his role. With the fall of San Colombano al Lambro, he marches out with 400 lances, numerous light cavalry, and 3,000 infantry supported by multiple artillery pieces. He reaches Crema, follows the Adda, planning to assault Pizzighettone. Facing 7,000–8,000 adversaries, the forces divert to Lodi. Meanwhile, serious turmoil arises in the city from clashes between Venetian and Sforza soldiers that kill 100 men. Giano Fregoso intervenes, allegedly too mildly, prompting podestà Andrea Loredan of Crema to criticize his lukewarm efforts. The Council of the Savi in Venice declines to assign him any official role, merely reaffirming the existing condotta plus a 100-ducat monthly allowance and a personal guard of 25 arquebusiers.
June				Lombardy	He meets Contarini and Duke Francesco Sforza in Crema.
July				Lombardy	The Ducal lieutenant Ambrogio da Landriano refuses his orders, fueling unrest at the camps of Riozzo and Melegnano.
Sept.			Governor General 100 light cavalry	Lombardy	With the situation deteriorating, the Council of the Savi makes him governor general and grants him a condotta of 100 light cavalry, along with his salary and personal guard. Giano Fregoso shifts the camp from Melegnano to San Donato Milanese, where he fights many skirmishes against the Imperial forces of Antonio di Leyva. Due to high casualties, he forbids his men from constantly seeking battle.
Oct.				Lombardy	He takes part in the capture of Pavia. Attends a war council with Duke Francesco Sforza, the Lautrec, Contarini, and Procurator Piero Pesaro. He sets camp at Landriano, while the French occupy Castel San Giovanni. From Milan, 2,000 infantry and 50 men-at-arms with four artillery pieces move to Abbiategrasso. Giano Fregoso sends 250 men-at-arms, 1,000 infantry, and many light cavalry, requesting that two infantry flags come from Pavia and that the Lautrec dispatch Pietro Navarro with his men. Abbiategrasso is taken by the enemy. Giano Fregoso, linking with the Navarro, departs Landriano to reclaim the location. Stopping at Casorate Primo, he sets up artillery. After about 20 shots, the defenders surrender at discretion. The town is sacked by the Venetians, with even churches looted.
Nov.				Lombardy	In Lardirago and Landriano, preparing to attack Monza. Near Lacchiarella, 1,600/1,800 mutinous Gascon infantry in Navarro’s force protest unpaid wages and head for Vigevano, leaving Giano Fregoso with only 3,000 foot. He requests more troops from the Lautrec and fortifies himself in Cassano d’Adda, sending Antonio da Castello ahead to handle accommodations.
1528
Jan.				Lombardy	Sick in camp, he moves to Brescia for treatment, lodging with Aimo Maggi.
Feb.				Lombardy	He returns to Cassano d’Adda and later goes to Melzo.
Mar.				Lombardy	He persuades Venice to hire Morgante Dentini, Giovanni Albanese, and Cesare Farina. In the camp, he settles a dispute between Ercole and Claudio Rangoni on one side and Pietro da Longhena and Guido Naldi on the other.
Apr.				Lombardy	In Bergamo. He falls ill again in Cassano d’Adda, moves to Brescia, then is noted in Martinengo and Orgnano.
May				Lombardy	Feeling recovered, he seeks to return to the field. At Caravaggio, with Francesco Sforza, Francesco Maria della Rovere, the provveditore generale Tommaso Moro, and other captains, he defines a strategy to face the 15,000 Landsknechts under the Duke of Brunswick (with 1,200 cavalry). He travels to Bergamo to check the city’s defenses, then returns to Cassano d’Adda. He has only 2,707 infantry available because della Rovere left the camp thinly manned, ill-prepared to repel Antonio di Leyva.
June				Lombardy	He orders construction of a bridge over the Oglio at Soncino and shifts camp to Seriate, where 500 Grisons reinforce him. He moves on Crema, then Verolavecchia, as Imperial forces gather between Brignano Gera d’Adda and Pandino. He meets again at Brescia with della Rovere and Moro.
July				Lombardy	He supports della Rovere in requesting an additional 10,000 Swiss and Landsknechts to join 6,000 Italians so they may go on the offensive. Stationed in Bergamo, the city is extorted by the Venetian troops for their late wages. He saves Captain Vincenzo da Novara from hanging after one of his soldiers is caught stealing.
Oct.				Lombardy	He obtains from the Venetians Gabriele da Martinengo so he can exchange him for his son Annibale, prisoner of the enemy in Milan.
Nov.					His conduct is praised before the Senate by Marco Foscari, ending his term as provveditore.
1529
Jan.–Feb.				Veneto	He appears before the Collegio in Venice, then in secret session of the Council of Ten. He returns to Verona.
Mar.			Governor General	Lombardy	The Council of the Savi reconfirms him as governor general, awarding him an annual salary of 25,000 ducats. He must bring 300 cavalry armed in Burgundian style plus a number of halberdiers; 19,000 ducats are advanced to him for their pay. He is tasked with heading to Treviglio.
Apr.				Lombardy	He is formally handed the baton and banner symbolizing his command; joined in Lombardy by his son Cesare. Learning that Antonio di Leyva has left Milan for Abbiategrasso, Giano Fregoso decides to cross the Adda. Many men-at-arms and light cavalry leaders refuse to follow him for lack of wages, forcing him to postpone. He sends his son Cesare to discuss with the Saint-Pol a plan to attack Cassano d’Adda; the proposal is again rejected, particularly by Roberto da San Severino.
May				Lombardy	He faces a mutiny of the men-at-arms at the Pozzuolo Martesana camp. He stands beside della Rovere and the provveditore generale Paolo Nani at Belgioioso in talks with the Saint-Pol regarding an offensive against Milan. He then moves to Melegnano.
June				Lombardy	Further discussions ensue in Binasco with the French. No effective joint action emerges, as the camp at Melegnano is plagued by disorder. Following the Saint-Pol’s defeat at Landriano, he retreats to Cassano d’Adda.
July				Lombardy	Sick again, he retires to Brescia.
Aug.				Lombardy	In mid-month, he dies in Brescia at the home of Aymo Maggi (or at Quinzano d’Oglio, by another account) after a brief improvement; his sons Annibale and Cesare attend him. He is buried in Verona’s Church of Sant’Anastasia. In 1565, his son Ercole, an official in that church, commissions from sculptor D. Cattaneo a grand monument in his honor. Through his daughters, he has ties to the noble Brescian families Avogadro and Maggi. A friend of Pietro Aretino, he composes a poem honoring Queen Marguerite of Navarre.

Sources

-“E’ valente homo et aficionatissimo servitor di questo stato..Qual ha un optimo governo.” SANUDO

-” Guerrier saggio e soprano/…/ (Sotto Verona) El signior Iannes valoroso, e forte/ ne la baruffa tanto ben s’adopra/ ch’ diede a più d’un par quel dì la morte./ E più di sette mandò sottosopra./…/ (Allo scontro di Longare) “Del signor Iannes non potrei dir quello/ ch’ con il stocco in man fece quel giorno,/ menando tra nemici tal flagello/ ch’ognun da lui fuggiva con piano, e scorno.”/…/ (All’assedio di Verona) “Con la sua squadra d’homeni divini/ venne da franco cavallier famoso/ ver la città suonando tamburini/ et ogni altro stromento belicoso/ tal ch’ogniun detto haria ch’el ciel ruini/ giù nel precipitoso inferno a piombo/ tanto era de la giente il gran rimbombo.” DEGLI AGOSTINI

-“Huomo illustre, e chiaro nell’arte militare.” P. GIUSTINIAN

-“Il quale valoroso nella militia fu duce nella patria.” SANSOVINO

-“Nimico molto del nome Francese.” ROSEO

-“Duce provetto ed autorevole.” A. MOROSINI

-“Col valor proprio, et con gli honori, ch’egli hebbe, senza alcun dubbio accresce molto la dignità della sua famiglia…Cumulat haud dubie clarae gentis suae stemmata virtute et dignitate sua Janus Fulgosius; cui grave inflictun vulnus in bonum et decus vertit. Neque enim principatu patriae dejectus in hominum contemptu et in solitudine ignobili exilio consenuit, sed a Venetis illustri honore exceptus in summo bellicarum rerum imperio ob consilium, fortitudinem, virtutem multis locis conspectam potitus est; qui honos vel non nisi magnarum rerum gestarum.” FOGLIETTA

-“Virida vis animi minaci in pectorum quantum/ Polleat, e claris percipe Principibus./ Exsilio, seniore, laboreve clara Camilli/ Non tribuit virtus, sed magis enituit./ Sed fileant reliqui. Janus Fulgosius unus/ Dux patria ejectus vi sibi struxit opem./ Intrepidus Venetum clarissima signa revolvens/ Innumeras laudes vique fideque tulit./ Nec potuit Fortuna suis fallacibus umquam/ Insidiis tantum frangere iniqua virum.” da un carme di P. Aviola raccolto dal FOGLIETTA

-“Si consacrò al servigio de’ Veneziani e riuscì bravo generale.” MAFFEI

-Con Saccardo da Soncino e Giovanni Greco “Tutti valorosissimi Capitani.” CARRARI

-“Vecchio e capace condottiero genovese.” ZORZI

-“El signor Ianes de campo Fulgoso:/ che è vero hospitio d’ogni ligiadria/ Ne l’arme franco, ardito, & animoso/…/ Con quanta forza si adoprasse alhora/ El signor Ianes non voglio narrare:/ El martel di vulcan sì non lavora/ Come el suo stocho senti sibilare/ Cerbaro i corpi human sì non divora!/ Come qui el vede nemici smembrare/ Sempre exhortando la sua compagnia/ Che si adoprasse con gran vigore.” CORDO

Featured image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Santa_Anastasia_(Verona)_-_Altare_Fregoso