Power and brutality in Renaissance Imola the rule of Giovanni da Sassatello
Known as Il Cagnaccio. A native of Imola and a staunch Guelph, he was the lord of Coriano, Bellaria, and Raggiano. He was the son of Francesco da Sassatello, the brother of Gentile da Sassatello, and the father-in-law of Panfilo Bentivoglio.
Born: 1480
Death: 1530, June
| Year, Month | State, Comp. ventura | Opponent | Command | Area of Activity | Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ……….. | Takes part in a famous challenge involving seven French knights and seven Italians (or nine according to some sources) who compete to prove the superiority of their nation’s arms. All of Giovanni da Sassatello’s companions are killed; left alone, he kills the remaining opponents. In the end, he pulls the heart from the chest of the last opponent and bites it. From that moment on, Giovanni da Sassatello is known as “Cagnaccio” (little dog). He serves in the companies of Paolo Vitelli. | ||||
| 1499 | |||||
| ………… | Forlì | Church | Romagna | Takes part in the defense of Imola on behalf of the Lady of Forlì, Caterina Sforza. | |
| Nov. | Church | Forlì | Romagna | Rebels against the governor of Imola, Giovanni Corradini. Some artillery shots are fired at him, but he hands over the Porta Spuvilia gate to Achille Tiberti, and he arms squads of peasants to join the papal forces. | |
| 1500 | |||||
| Aug. | Romagna | From Imola he goes to Cesena; first lodges at the Campana inn, then at the Leone inn. Remains in garrison in the city with 100 infantry. | |||
| 1502 | |||||
| Jun. | Church | Urbino | Romagna | In Cesena for the review of his company. | |
| Aug. | Romagna | In Imola. | |||
| Oct. | Church | Rebel condottieri | 40 lances | Romagna | Wounded during the Battle of Calmazzo. Returns to Imola and dismantles part of the city’s fortress. |
| 1503 | |||||
| ………… | Church | Orsini | Romagna | Supports Cesare Borgia in Romagna against the Orsini and their allies. | |
| Oct. | Church, Riario | Malatesta, Orsini, Church | Romagna and Lazio | After the death of Pope Alexander VI, defends Rimini from the Malatesta: leaves the citadel, but is forced back by the actions of Carlo Malatesta and Melchiorre Ramazzotto. Moves to Rome to escort Borgia from Rome to Forlì. As he is about to leave the Palazzo di San Clemente, 2,000 infantry gathered in Piazza San Pietro begin to demand back pay. The Duke Valentino tries to convince them to leave with broad promises, but news spreads that Orsini’s supporters are moving against them. Giovanni da Sassatello organizes a squad of 300 German infantry, while another 800 men guard the square. Marches against Fabio Orsini and Bartolomeo d’Alviano, who have occupied Porta Torrione. Fights until certain that Borgia has taken refuge first in the Apostolic Palace and then in Castel Sant’Angelo. Only then does he find safety in the palaces of Cardinals Ascanio Sforza and Raffaele Riario (Cardinal of San Giorgio). Returns to Romagna, allies with Guido Vaina, and attempts to enter Imola in the name of Ottaviano Riario, but is repelled by the inhabitants. | |
| Nov. | Church | Riario | Romagna | Opposes the claims on Imola of Cardinal Raffaele Riario on behalf of Cesare Borgia. | |
| Dec. | Romagna | Contacted by Pope Julius II and the Venetians regarding the possible cession of the Imola fortress; through the Florentines, he also contacts Caterina Sforza, who is staying in Florence. The former Lady of Forlì accuses Cardinal Raffaele Riario of being responsible for the killing of her father, Francesco da Sassatello. Giovanni da Sassatello (like Guido Vaina and Melchiorre Ramazzotto) opts for a clerical solution: using cunning, he gets the castle’s castellan, loyal to Cesare Borgia, to leave. He is hailed as the liberator of the homeland by the people of Imola. Travels to Rome under the protection of a Florentine safe-conduct. | |||
| 1504 | |||||
| Jan. | Lazio | In Rome; well received in the city, as he seems inclined to accept Galeazzo Riario as lord of Imola. Rumors also circulate of a poisoning attempt at Acquapendente by Cardinal Raffaele Riario (who, conversely, promises him a niece in marriage). Secures a stipend and a light cavalry command from the Pope. | |||
| Feb. | Church | Cesena | Romagna | Returns to Romagna to gather, with Guido Vaina, 50 men-at-arms and 150 mounted crossbowmen to besiege the Cesena fortress still controlled by Borgia’s men. | |
| Mar. | Church | Forlì | Romagna | At Cesena with 40 lances, 100 light cavalry, and some infantry; leaves the area with 100 cavalry and travels to Forlì to convince the fortress castellan to surrender to the Pope. Later reported again at Imola with Melchiorre Ramazzotto, where he gathers infantry for the siege of Forlì. On the way, meets condottieri Niccolò Orsini and Giacomazzo da Venezia of the Serenissima: alerts them to his presence. Reaches Brisighella with 40 cavalry to recruit more infantry. With Ramazzotto, leads 300 cavalry and 300 infantry, besieging Ludovico Ordelaffi at the fortress of Forlì; enters Forlimpopoli, but fails to seize the castle. | |
| Apr. | Romagna | With 200 cavalry and some infantry, raids the Venetian territories in Massa, where he pillages livestock and kills four men. Niccolò Orsini sends a trumpeter to learn his intentions. Arrives at Forlì and enters the city with Melchiorre Ramazzotto, despite opposition from Nanne Morattini, a supporter of the Ordelaffi. The two captains are tasked with watching over the Public Palace. Repels an attack by the troops of Consalvo di Mirafonte coming out of the Ravaldino fortress. Suspects that Ramazzotto is not loyal to the Papal State; violent skirmishes break out between the troops of their respective companies at Porta San Pietro and Porta Cotogni. Melchiorre Ramazzotto is expelled from the city and takes refuge in Bertinoro. Another clash occurs in the square between Giovanni da Sassatello and the supporters of the Riario faction; he retreats to the Angelo inn while his opponents shelter in the fortress. He too leaves Forlì and stops at Bagnolo. After ten days, both Ramazzotto and Giovanni da Sassatello are recalled to the city by the papal legate. The condottiero then returns to Imola, where he has conflicts with Imola da Imola, who has gathered many of his partisans at the Vaina residences, at that time in Rome serving Cardinal San Giorgio. Sassatello moves toward Forlimpopoli, captures Imola da Imola; initially, at Taddeo della Volpe’s request, he seems inclined to spare his life. In fact, he leaves him free. Imola da Imola departs the city but is killed by Sassatello’s assassins, receiving blows to the head with halberds. |
| May, Jun. | Sassatello | Vaina | Romagna | Guido Vaina reconciles with Giovanni da Sassatello and signs a two-month truce. The agreement stipulates a penalty of 3,000 ducats (half to the treasury and half to the injured party) for any violator. In June, Guido Vaina breaks the truce by entering Imola with 150 cavalry and numerous infantry. Sassatello rushes from the Forlì area with 150 cavalry. With Melchiorre Ramazzotto, he captures Giovanni Antonio da Milano, a captain under Vaina, at Porta d’Asone. The two leaders loot a merchant’s home and post armed men on the bell towers of the churches of San Francesco and San Cassiano. The city governor, acting on behalf of Galeazzo Riario, and Taddeo della Volpe attempt to persuade the rival factions to cease their feud. Vaina attacks Sassatello’s houses, which are defended with three small artillery pieces. Sassatello retaliates, attacking from behind and forcing the enemy to retreat. A three-hour truce is established, but as soon as it ends, Sassatello returns to Porta d’Asone with 51 cavalry and 5 infantry. Overcoming the guards’ resistance, he launches an assault on Vaina’s houses. During the resulting civil disorder, at least 15 homes are set on fire, and 100 supporters of the opposing faction are killed. Among his reprisals, Sassatello reportedly forces the daughter of a political rival to marry a loyal peasant, but the marriage ends tragically in her suicide. He then moves to Forlì, where he becomes involved in clashes between the Morattini and Numai factions, during which his mount is killed. The townsfolk rebel and expel him from the city. | |
| Jul. | Church | Romagna | Recaptures Bagnacavallo, Solarolo, and Conselice for the Papal States. | ||
| Aug. | Church | Riario | Romagna | Takes Oriolo (Oriolo dei Fichi) from Galeazzo Riario and cleverly captures the castellan, Guglielmo Tempione. During the same period, he escorts Consalvo di Mirafonte, who has handed over the fortress of Forlì to the Papal States, to the Venetian border. Returns to Forlì, enters the Ravaldino fortress, and ensures that the new castellan chosen by Julius II expels the official sent by Cardinal San Giorgio, who sought to secure the fortress for Galeazzo Riario. Giovanni da Sassatello achieves his goal and returns to Imola. | |
| Sep. | Sassatello | Vaina | Romagna | Raids villages near Imola, killing some local faction leaders and forcing other adversaries to return 6,000 ducats obtained for ceding the fortress to Cardinal Raffaele Riario. Summoned by the Pope to Rome to reconcile with Vaina, appointed captain of the Palatine Guard’s light cavalry. Despite pressure, he attempts to have Vaina killed at Ostia by three assassins. | |
| Nov. | Lazio | Summoned to Rome by the Pope to account for his actions. | |||
| Dec. | Lazio | Pope Julius II tasks him with instigating rebellion in Faenza and the Val di Lamone against the Venetians. He is knighted with the golden spurs; the Pope also gives him a gold necklace worth 200 ducats and grants him the right to adopt the surname della Rovere. A tournament is held in his honor in Imola, and he is given an estate confiscated from the Tartagni family and lands near Dozza. | |||
| 1505 | |||||
| Jan. | 50 lances and 70 light cavalry | Lazio, Romagna | Leaves Rome with his company. Connects with the Papal governor of the region, Costantino Arianiti, in Romagna. | ||
| Mar. | Romagna | On guard duty at Forlì with 50 men-at-arms and 50 light cavalry. | |||
| Apr. | Romagna | In Forlì; his presence causes concern for Governor Costantino Arianiti. The Pope transfers Giovanni da Sassatello to Imola, where he incites further unrest. | |||
| May | Church | Pesaro | Romagna | Hangs and kills many enemies of his faction in Imola. Gathers 300 light cavalry in the Forlì area to oust Giovanni Sforza, the lord of Pesaro. After a conspiracy that was supposed to favor him is uncovered, he stops at Montefiore Conca. | |
| Jun. | Romagna, Marche | With exiles from Pesaro, defeats the Sforza supporters at Castellabate. Occupies the castles of Novilara, Mombaroccio, and Montelabbate, where he stations 50 men. A counterattack by the enemies leaves him wounded in the mouth by a bolt, causing the loss of two teeth. After sustaining heavy losses, he retreats to Fano to recuperate. Pope Julius II disavows his actions with a papal brief. | |||
| Jul. | Romagna | Passes by Cesena with 200 cavalry. Lodges at Ponte della Pietra and Savignano sul Rubicone. Creates disturbances in Cesena, sacks the castle of Bagnara di Romagna, and has a son of Guglielmo Tempione, a supporter of the Bentivoglio family, hanged. Various retaliatory acts by the Bolognese ensue, typically ending in executions. In Forlì, he supports the Numai against the Morattini. | |||
| Aug. | Romagna | In Imola. | |||
| Oct. | Romagna | Attacks his adversaries at the Bastia castle. The prisoners are brought to Imola. | |||
| Dec. | Lazio | Forced to seek refuge in Rome, hosted by his cousin, Cardinal Francesco Alidosi of Pavia. | |||
| 1506 | |||||
| Apr. | Romagna | With the signing of a general peace between factions in Cesena, Giovanni da Sassatello is allowed to return to Imola. | |||
| Jun., Jul. | Morattini | Forlì | Romagna | Gathers 800 infantry and 200 light cavalry; enters Forlì by night with Brunoro da Forlì to support the Morattini faction against the Numai. Fifty-eight houses are sacked. The city governor, Niccolò Bonafede, takes refuge in the fortress and requests aid from Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino. In July, Sassatello acts as a mediator between the factions; at the month’s end, he leaves the city by order of the Pope with Brunoro da Forlì, Berto da Oriolo, and Nanne Morattini. |
| Aug., Sep. | Church | Bologna | 100 lances | Romagna, Umbria | Travels from Imola to Corciano, where Pope Julius II is located, and transports sixteen wagons of wine to Cesena in preparation for the Pope’s arrival. Joins papal forces in Romagna to fight the Bentivoglio, lords of Bologna. |
| Oct. | Emilia | In Cesena for a military review. Alongside the Malvezzi family, attacks Castel Guelfo di Bologna, capturing Carlo Bianchi. While transporting prisoners to Forlì, is ambushed and loses 60 cavalry. Departs from Imola with Giovanni Gonzaga and camps at dawn outside Castel San Pietro Terme, which surrenders after the garrison flees. During the operation, has a heated argument with the papal commissioner, Bishop Bonafede of Chiusi. | |||
| Nov. | Emilia | Following the victory over the Bentivoglio, attends a solemn mass in San Petronio, Bologna, with Francesco Gonzaga and Giampaolo Baglioni. The Pope removes him from his post as governor of Imola, but maintains his condotta. | |||
| 1507 | |||||
| Jan., Feb. | Romagna, Lazio | Reconciles once again with Guido Vaina in Imola after firm intervention by the Pope and Cardinal Francesco Alidosi. In February, is required to follow Pope Julius II to Rome. | |||
| May | Church | Bentivoglio | Emilia, Romagna | Defends Bologna with Melchiorre Ramazzotto when the city is threatened by Annibale Bentivoglio and his brothers, who have gathered 10,000 troops. Also travels to Cervia with 400 cavalry to ambush and kill Mainardo Tiberti, believed responsible for an attempted uprising in Cesena. | |
| ………… | Exiles | Pesaro | Marche | Once again supports the Pesaro exiles against Giovanni Sforza, though Guidobaldo da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, calms the situation. | |
| 1508 | |||||
| Jan. | Church | Bentivoglio | Tuscany, Emilia | In Toscanella with 200 cavalry, he learns of a pro-Bentivoglio uprising in Bologna instigated by Gaspare Scappi. | |
| Aug. | Romagna, Emilia | Departs from Imola and reaches Bologna, intending to counter possible Bentivoglio attacks. | |||
| Sep. | Emilia | Alongside Ludovico Pio and Giampaolo Baglioni, is tasked with razing Bagnolo in the Bolognese region, due to its inhabitants supplying provisions to the Bentivoglio troops and minting counterfeit coins. | |||
| Oct. | Emilia | Attends a review of his company in Bologna, along with Francesco Maria della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, Giampaolo Baglioni, and Ludovico della Mirandola. | |||
| Nov., Dec. | Romagna, Emilia | Hosts Cardinal Francesco Alidosi of Pavia in Imola, and in December escorts him to Bologna with 100 cavalry. | |||
| 1509 | |||||
| Apr. | Church | Venice | Emilia, Romagna | In Castel Bolognese with Ramazzotto, leading 300 light cavalry and 6,000 infantry made up of Bolognese, Spaniards, and others. Secures a negotiated surrender at Solarolo. | |
| May | Romagna | Moves to Val di Lamone, where he attacks the fortress of Brisighella. After three fierce assaults, the garrison surrenders. Giampaolo Manfrone yields to him, causing a violent clash between his forces and Spanish infantry. Seizes properties in Ravenna held by Venetian nobles. In late September, the Pope grants him the fief of Bellaria. | |||
| Nov. | Emilia | Supports the Este family in the Ferrarese region. | |||
| 1510 | |||||
| May | Romagna | Prevents Cardinal Francesco Alidosi of Pavia from entering Imola. The Pope praises his decision. | |||
| Jul. | Church | Ferrara, France | 100 lances | Romagna | Under the command of Francesco Maria della Rovere and Cardinal Francesco Alidosi, fights the Estensi. Invades Massa Lombarda, Sant’Agata sul Santerno, Bagnacavallo, Fusignano, and Lugo. |
| Sep., Oct. | Emilia | Assigned to attack Genoa with Rinieri della Sassetta. Initially planned from Porretta Terme, but denied passage by the Florentines. Instead, carries out a raid in the Modenese region, moving into the Frignano mountains with 5,000 infantry and 500 Bolognese cavalry. Defeats the Estensi in Val di Samoggia, captures Fanano and other territories, and incites rebellion among communities beyond the Panaro River. | |||
| Nov. | Emilia | In Bologna for a war council with Fabrizio Colonna, Francesco Maria della Rovere, Giampaolo Baglioni, Raffaello dei Pazzi, and Venetian captains Antonio Pio and Fra Leonardo Prato. | |||
| 1511 | |||||
| Feb. | 35 lances and 69 light cavalry | ||||
| May | Emilia | Sent to conquer Castel San Pietro Terme, defended by Ermes Bentivoglio. After the Papal forces lose Bologna, expels Ghibellines from Imola. Offers to deliver the city to Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, but his proposal is rejected. Instead, the French demand passage and supplies. | |||
| Jul. | Falls out of favor with the Papal forces. Defends a nephew accused of embezzlement, who is sentenced to confiscation of property. Allies with Ramazzotto and threatens Bologna. | ||||
| Aug. | Romagna | Recalled to Rome from Rimini due to the Pope’s severe illness. | |||
| Sep. | Sassatello | Rimini | Romagna | At Bellaria-Igea. Departs from the area to carry out reprisals in Rimini’s countryside. | |
| Oct., Nov. | Romagna, Emilia | Gathers troops for the Papal forces. Leaves Imola, raids Castel San Pietro Terme. Accused of collaborating with enemies, particularly for allegedly allowing the Bentivoglio, entrenched in Bologna, to receive external supplies. Personal enemies like Guido Vaina and Melchiorre Ramazzotto accuse him of treason. | |||
| Dec. | Marche | In Loreto for a review of his company. Moves to Fossombrone with 70 lances and 1,000 infantry. |
| 1512 | |||||
| Jan. | Emilia | Assigned to recover the bastion of Zaniolo/Genivolo, which had fallen into the hands of the Estensi. His intervention, however, is too late. | |||
| Apr. | 70 lances | Romagna | As the confederates of the Holy League retreat from Imola in the face of the advancing French army under Gaston de Foix, he is left in charge of defending the countryside with 60 lances. In the campaign, he attempts to aid the defenders of Ravenna under siege by the French, engaging in numerous skirmishes along the Po to disrupt enemy supply lines. Participates with his lances in the Battle of Ravenna, where he is wounded. | ||
| Jun. | 40 lances and 30 light cavalry | Romagna | |||
| Sep. | Emilia, Romagna | Recaptures Castel Bolognese. Falls gravely ill in Ravenna, to the extent that his death is feared imminent. | |||
| 1513 | |||||
| Feb. | Romagna | Following the death of Pope Julius II, takes control of the fortress in Imola. | |||
| Apr. | Romagna | Proposes to serve alongside Pietro Margano under Venetian pay but is politely refused. | |||
| 1514 | |||||
| Mar. | Guelfi | Ghibellini | Romagna | On learning of the factional struggles in Forlì between Guelfi and Ghibellini, he sends his brother Gentile to the city to defend the Morattini, who belong to his faction. | |
| 1515 | |||||
| May | Church | France | 150 cavalry | Emilia | Appointed to guard Piacenza, which is torn by Guelf and Ghibelline conflicts. Moves to Modena with his brother Gentile. In Modena, he lodges in the houses of Gherardo Rangoni. |
| Aug. | Emilia | Stationed in Piacenza. | |||
| 1516 | |||||
| Mar. | Florence | Receives a condotta from the Venetians but, as the plan falls through, enters the service of Florence. | |||
| Jun. | Tuscany, Emilia | Camps with his men near Florence, then transfers to the Modenese area. Earns favor from the Medici, and the new Pope, Leo X, grants him the castle of Raggiano. | |||
| 1517 | |||||
| Jan. | Church | Comp. ventura | Emilia, Romagna | Leaves Modena to head to Imola after Francesco Maria della Rovere’s attempt to recover the Duchy of Urbino. | |
| Feb. | Romagna | Expelled from Imola by the Tartagni and Broccaroli. In March, the Venetian Council of Savi discusses whether to offer him a condotta. | |||
| May | Venice | 60 lances | A decision is made to grant him a condotta of 100 lances (initially 50) with a stipend of 1,000 ducats. The annual cost of his company (for ten payments), including his stipend, is assessed at 7,000 ducats. | ||
| Jun. | Veneto, Emilia, Romagna | In Padua and Venice; in Venice, he and his entourage of sixty people lodge in the former residence of the Duke of Ferrara. Appears before the Collegio dei Pregadi, meets the Doge Leonardo Loredan and the members of the Council of Ten. Receives 1,500 ducats, then travels to Ferrara and Imola to gather his forces. | |||
| Sep. | Veneto | Moves to Rovigo. Informs the Venetians of Francesco Maria della Rovere’s departure from Romagna and his return to exile in Mantua. | |||
| Dec. | Sassatello | Rasponi | Romagna | With the Guelfs of Imola, he attempts to assist their counterparts in Ravenna, who have taken refuge in a tower after being attacked by the Ghibellines. The Rasponi set fire to a large amount of straw, forcing the Guelf defenders to surrender due to the smoke. On seeing how the situation unfolds, Giovanni da Sassatello retreats from Ravenna. | |
| 1518 | |||||
| Jan. | The Council of Savi grants him tax concessions, as he has more cavalry under his command than stipulated in his condotta. | ||||
| May | Veneto | In Venice. Summoned to the Collegio, along with Mercurio Bua and other condottieri, and hosted at the Ca’ Contarini in San Barnaba. Appointed, along with Bernardino di Montone and Giampaolo di Manfrone, to a commission tasked with adjudicating a land dispute in Padua between the Venetian government and the Benedictines of Santa Giustina. | |||
| 1519 | |||||
| Mar. | Veneto | In Venice for an audience with the Council of Ten. | |||
| May | With the death of Lorenzo de’ Medici, Duke of Urbino, and the anti-Medici uprisings in Florence, he requests permission from the Venetians to return to Romagna. | ||||
| Nov. | Veneto | Still in Rovigo, he receives praise from the Collegio for punishing some of his soldiers guilty of banditry. | |||
| 1520 | |||||
| Jan. | Veneto | Leaves the Polesine and returns to Venice, reminding the Venetians of their promise to grant him eight annual payments instead of the current ten. | |||
| Mar., Jun. | Veneto | Moves to Verona, where he commands 268 cavalry. In June, Pope Leo X grants him the feudal lands of Raggiano. |
| 1521 | |||||
| Jun., Jul. | Lombardy | Sent by Teodoro Trivulzio with 50 lances to Brescia after a conspiracy organized by Girolamo Morone against the French. Recruits 600 infantry in Romagna through three captains for the impending war with the imperial forces. In July, requests a dismissal from Venetian service on papal orders. The Council of Ten immediately renews his condotta for a year, but he decides to leave Venetian service anyway. | |||
| Aug. | Milan | Venice, France | 100 lances, 100 light cavalry | Veneto, Emilia | Leaves Isola della Scala to join Duke Francesco Sforza of Milan, taking only part of his company; his son-in-law Panfilo Bentivoglio stays with the Venetians with 25 men-at-arms. Moves to besiege Parma and is reported at the camp on the Enza River with 100 lances and 100 light cavalry. |
| ………… | Lombardy | Operates in the Mantuan region. | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | Stationed in Lodi with 50 men-at-arms. | |||
| 1522 | |||||
| Jan. | Piedmont | Lays siege to Alessandria, defended by 30 lances and 500 French infantry. | |||
| Feb. | Piedmont | Guelf supporters of Alessandria emerge from the city walls for a skirmish. Giovanni da Sassatello overcomes them, breaks into the city, and sacks it. Acts with extreme cruelty, beating and torturing residents who refuse to reveal hidden valuables. French forces in Asti, pressured by Guelf supporters, are also quickly driven out. | |||
| Mar. | Piedmont | Still in Alessandria. | |||
| May | Sassatello | Vaina | Romagna | Sides with Prospero Colonna. Returns to Romagna due to disturbances caused in Imola by Vaina and Ramazzotto. Occupies Tossignano and Riolo Terme. | |
| 1523 | |||||
| Jun. | Romagna | Dismissed and expelled from Romagna by Pope Adrian VI and local Ghibellines. | |||
| Sep. | Guelfs | Ghibellines | Romagna | After the pope’s death, reenters Romagna with French support. Moves towards Ravenna and forces the Rasponi to abandon the city. | |
| Oct. | Romagna | Attacks Forlì with Girolamo Morattini but is repelled by the Numai. Expelled from Ravenna, retreats to Tossignano. There, he gains entry through a deal with a woman who leaves a window open, sacks the town, and kills some residents. Fends off an attack from Vaina and conducts a raid on Cotignola with the Guelfs, resulting in additional deaths. | |||
| 1524 | |||||
| Apr. | Romagna | ||||
| Nov. | France | Empire | 50 lances | Lombardy | Participates in the siege of Pavia. |
| Dec. | Lombardy | Stationed near Pavia at Ponte della Stella. | |||
| 1525 | |||||
| Jan. | Romagna | Gathers numerous infantry in Romagna to send to Naples for the Duke of Albany’s expedition. | |||
| 1526 | |||||
| Jun. | Church, Florence | Siena | Lazio, Tuscany | Leaves Rome to attack the Sienese and bring the commune back under Florentine control. Crosses the Arbia River and reaches Siena. Begins bombarding Porta Camollia but is overwhelmed along with other condottieri by a sortie from the defenders. | |
| Dec. | Florence | Empire | Romagna | Gathers infantry in Val di Lamone for the Florentines. | |
| 1527 | |||||
| Feb. | Tuscany | Defends Florence. | |||
| Jun. | Romagna | Upon learning of Pope Clement VII’s surrender to the imperial forces at Castel Sant’Angelo, enters Imola with his followers and seizes the fortress. Contacted by the Venetians. | |||
| Jul., Sep. | Veneto | Travels to Venice and meets with the Council of Savi. His request for a condotta of 200 light cavalry and 1,500 infantry with an annual stipend of 1,500 ducats is denied. In September, returns four artillery pieces previously left in Imola by Marquis Michelantonio of Saluzzo to Venice. | |||
| 1528 | |||||
| Jan. | Romagna | After the pope’s liberation from the imperial forces, hands over the Imola fortress to the papal authorities. | |||
| Jun., Jul. | Church | Rimini | Romagna | Joins Niccolò Guerra da Bagno and, with 2,000 men, conducts a series of unsuccessful attacks on Rimini. Distracted by looting the area, gives Sigismondo Malatesta time to regroup. Ultimately, the enemy’s reaction is countered successfully through the actions of Pirro Colonna. The pope grants him the territory of Coriano near Rimini. | |
| Aug. | Florence | General of infantry | Following the death of Ugo Pepoli, takes command of the Bande Nere infantry (2,000 men) and is granted an annual stipend of 800 ducats. | ||
| 1529 | |||||
| Mar. | Romagna | Proposes to the papal authorities to seize Ravenna from the Venetians. | |||
| Jun., Jul. | Empire | Florence | 100 lances, 100 light cavalry | Romagna | Accepts Florentine pay to fight against the imperial forces. He is contracted for two years with 80 men-at-arms (actually 25 light cavalry) and an annual stipend of 800 florins. Signs the contract and receives 1,450 florins in advance. In July, instead accepts a condotta from the imperial forces of 100 men-at-arms and 100 light cavalry and receives 3,000 ducats from the pope to recruit 2,000 infantry in Romagna. |
| Sep. | Romagna | Threatens the Venetians occupying Cervia. Moves towards the Savio River and Villafranca with 600 infantry and 60 cavalry to attack the Florentines. Does not return the money advanced by the Florentines. | |||
| Oct. | Tuscany | Takes part in the siege of Florence at the head of 3,000 Bolognese troops. Camps at Francesco Guicciardini’s villa on the Ema. Plunders the surrounding countryside. | |||
| Dec. | Tuscany | Confronts Stefano Colonna at Santa Margherita a Montici. Later that month, repels another sortie attempted by Ivo Biliotti and Marzio Orsini. | |||
| 1530 | |||||
| Feb. | Emilia, Tuscany | In Bologna for the coronation of Emperor Charles V at San Petronio. Returns to the siege of Florence. | |||
| May | Tuscany | Captures Leonardo Frescobaldi and demands a ransom of 1,000 florins for his release. Throws the prisoner from a tower and delivers his body to Morticino (Francesco) Antinori, who came with the agreed ransom. | |||
| Jun. | Tuscany | During the skirmish at San Donato a Polverosa, Francesco Antinori, Dante da Castiglione, and other Florentines infiltrate Giovanni da Sassatello’s encampment and capture him along with his son. His son is slaughtered by Antinori in front of his eyes, his head and feet severed and placed where the other should be. Giovanni da Sassatello, released, returns to his tent and an hour later is found dead, clutching his son’s head. He is buried in Imola wearing a Franciscan habit. Giovanni da Sassatello had also commissioned the casting of church bells and donated the ashes of Saint Pier Grisologo to Imola Cathedral. Married Bianca Agnese Barbiano da Belgioioso and Laura d’Este. |
Sources
-“Bon zefo di homo.” SANUDO
-“Pubblico omicida non di un omo solo, ma de dieci, ma de più numero che de cento, tutti innocenti, o crudelmente morti quasi colle mani soe, le qual ancora colano del sangue umano.” GIUSTINIAN
-“Quel can che de la quercia a l’ombra possa.” A. CAPERANO
-Con Melchiorre Ramazzotto “Fierissimi capitani, fedelissimi al papa.” GOZZADINI
-“Illustrò in modo Giovanni la gloria del nome Italiano col suo incomparabil valore, che tra i più celebri Baroni e Condottieri di eserciti viene dagli storici annoverato.” ALBERGHETTI
-“Invincibile ed invitto guerriero.. Uno de’ più strenui capitani di que’ tempi.” PAPOTTI
-“Uomo di grande autorità in Imola, e molto pratico altresì dell’arte della guerra.” BURRUEL
-“Illustrò in modo la gloria del nome Italiano col suo incomparabile valore, che tra i più celebri Baroni e Condottieri di eserciti viene dagli Storici annoverato.” L. ANGELI
-“Il Cagnazzo, uomo pavido, un vile senza pietà e onore.” DAL MONTE
