A tactical leader focused on Perugian independence in the face of Papal opposition
Malatesta IV Baglioni (Malatesta IV Baglioni) of Bastia Umbra Lord of Perugia, Bettona, Bevagna, Limignano, and Castelbuono. Count of Bettona. Son of Giampaolo Baglioni, brother of Orazio Baglioni, father of Rodolfo Baglioni, nephew of Gentile Baglioni, brother-in-law of Camillo Orsini, and uncle of Ottaviano Signorelli.
Born: 1491
Death: 1531
| Year, Month | State, Comp. ventura | Adversary | Troops | Area of Activity | Actions Taken and Other Key Events |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1498 | |||||
| Jul. | Tuscany | He is reported in Tuscany alongside his father, who is fighting the Pisans on behalf of the Florentines. | |||
| 1500 | |||||
| Jul. | Umbria | His father Giampaolo has to abandon Perugia after a conspiracy involving family members, leaving his sons Malatesta and Orazio alone. Atalanta Baglioni, despite being the mother of Grifone, one of the conspirators, ensures their safety by taking them to their family homes. | |||
| Sept. | Church | Viterbo | Lazio | He supports his father in the victorious campaign against Viterbo. | |
| ………… | Malatesta Baglioni is awarded his first (virtual) contract of 30 cavalrymen by the Florentines. His father Giampaolo refuses to accept it due to his young age but promises not to fight against the Republic, offering his son as a hostage as a pledge of faith. | ||||
| 1501 | Umbria | He is associated by his father with one of the colleges of the arts in Perugia. | |||
| 1503 | |||||
| Jan. | Tuscany | He follows his father into exile in Siena after Giampaolo is expelled from Perugia by the papal forces. | |||
| 1505 | |||||
| Apr. | 15 lances | He is granted a contract by the Florentines for 15 men-at-arms. | |||
| May | Tuscany | He serves under Ercole Bentivoglio. | |||
| Jun. | Umbria and Tuscany | He is left as a hostage by his father with the Florentines when Giampaolo Baglioni is convinced by Niccolò Machiavelli not to support Bartolomeo d’Alviano in his campaign against the Republic in favor of the Medici and Pisa. | |||
| Aug. | Florence | Pisa | Tuscany | He is awarded a provision of 1700 florins. He is stationed at Cascina with his company, consisting of 200 infantrymen and 15 broken lances. | |
| 1506 | |||||
| Sept. | Church | Bologna | Umbria and Emilia | His father travels to Orvieto to pay homage to Pope Julius II, handing over his state and offering his sons as hostages. They are entrusted to the Duke of Urbino. Malatesta joins his father in the campaign for Bologna; during this time, he is integrated into the company of Bino Signorelli. | |
| Dec. | Umbria | In Perugia, he is elected among the captains of the contado. He is appointed Castellan of the fortress at Castel della Pieve (Città della Pieve). | |||
| 1509 | Venice | France | Lombardy | He serves in the company of Bartolomeo d’Alviano. | |
| 1510 | Umbria | He marries Costanza Monaldeschi, heir to some castles in the Orvieto area (Rivalbella and Collelungo), previously owned by his brother-in-law Pier Giacomo. | |||
| 1511 | Church | France | 9 lances and 22 light cavalry | ||
| 1512 | |||||
| Jan. | Romagna and Emilia | He joins forces in Imola with the troops of the Holy League. He besieges Bologna, repels a cavalry unit that had exited the city for provisions, and captures 4 partisans of the Bentivoglio family. | |||
| Feb. | Emilia and Romagna | He retreats at the approach of the French forces led by Gaston de Foix, re-enters Imola, and easily repels some French cavalry. | |||
| Apr. | 25 lances | Romagna and Umbria | He is severely wounded in the head (22 wounds in total) and captured at the Battle of Ravenna after losing 47 horses in combat. He is saved by a Frenchman who had served under his father and is taken to safety in Perugia. | ||
| ………… | Umbria | He is reappointed captain of the contado of Perugia. | |||
| 1513 | |||||
| Feb. | Venice | France | Veneto | He accompanies his father Giampaolo in the Verona area. He does not intervene when his men loot Cazzano di Tramigna. | |
| Mar. | Veneto | He stays in San Bonifacio while his father returns to Perugia following the death of Pope Julius II. | |||
| Apr. | Veneto | In Venice. | |||
| Jul. | Veneto | Defending Treviso. | |||
| Sept. | Umbria | He travels to Città di Castello for the wedding of his uncle Gentile to Giulia Vitelli. Pope Leo X urges him to pursue the killers of Gentile da Marsciano, who was murdered in Rome by Graziani, a trusted man of his uncle Gentile. | |||
| Dec. | Perugia | Church | Umbria | He enters into conflict with the community of Orvieto. Leading 1000 infantrymen and 200 cavalrymen, he occupies, in the name of his mother-in-law Imperia, the castles of Rivalbella and Collelungo, which Pope Julius II had assigned, upon the death of his brother-in-law, to the inhabitants of the city. He attempts to surprise Orvieto, but the city is reinforced by the papal forces, and the attempt fails. | |
| 1514 | |||||
| Jan. | Venice | Spain Empire | 80 lances and 40 light cavalry | Umbria and Veneto | He is once again hired by the Venetians for a one-year term and two years of respect. He leaves Perugia and returns to Venice. Accompanied by Niccolò Vendramin, he meets with Doge Leonardo Loredan. In Treviso, he meets Baldassarre Signorelli. |
| Feb. | Veneto | He monitors Serravalle (Vittorio Veneto) with his company; he sends his mounted crossbowmen to Belluno and 30 men-at-arms to guard the mountain passes. He protects the retreat of 110 stradiotti returning from Sacile. | |||
| Mar. | Veneto and Friuli | He travels to Padua with 100 lances. He arrives at Muzzana del Turgnano to oppose the imperial forces. He supports Alviano, Giampaolo Manfrone, Baldassarre di Scipione, and the provveditore Niccolò Vendramin at Sacile, where they gather infantry and cavalry from the region. Initially stationed near Rorai, he is sent on a scouting mission with Pietro da Longhena towards Pordenone; they reach the village of San Giovanni outside the walls. Rizano leaves the city to confront his troops; Baglioni retreats tactically towards Sacile, leading the imperial forces into an ambush. The enemies are defeated, and Rizano is forced to surrender after being overpowered and wounded by Baglioni’s sword. 100 enemies are killed or captured in the encounter. | |||
| Jul. | Veneto | At the camp of Brusegana, near Padua. He is sent by Alviano with Giulio Manfrone, Giampaolo da Sant’Angelo, and Mercurio Bua (300 men-at-arms, light cavalry, and infantry) to Camposampiero to counter a raid by the enemy (100 lances, 300 light cavalry, and 300 infantry). He crosses the Brenta river, moves towards Cittadella and Castelfranco Veneto, surprises the enemies at Camisano Vicentino, and recovers all the loot. 100 horses are captured, and all the Spanish infantry are either killed or taken prisoner. |
| Aug. | Veneto | Moves to the Veronese area. Sets an ambush in a wood at San Michele Extra: sends 10 stradiots to Porta Vescovo to provoke an alarm in Verona. The light cavalry is chased by 30 lances that fall into an ambush: the action ends with the capture of Zuchero, Ascanio Romano (lieutenant of Muzio Colonna), and Signifreddo Caliari. The latter is hanged for his previous desertion from the Venetian ranks. | |||
| Sept. | Veneto | Follows with 150 light horses the Spaniards who have abandoned Monselice. He is then sent by Alviano towards Bevilacqua with 100 men-at-arms, 200 light horses and 300 infantry under the orders of Orsino Orsini. With this captain, he takes possession of the bastion defending the Frassine bridge, captures Moriglione; approaches Rovigo with Cardillo, enters the city, reaches the square and catches the adversaries in disorder. In the clash, he is wounded in the hand. He goes to Venice to the College: he (and his men) are awarded a prize of 500 ducats. | |||
| Oct. | Veneto | Heads towards Verona with Giacomo da Vicovaro and Bua. At Porcile (Belfiore) he finds the road blocked by a palisade; he breaks it, crosses the Adige and each condottiere takes a different direction to converge, in the end, all together on the Spaniards who are surprised at night in their camp. He returns to his lodgings with Vicovaro, Bua and 300 horses loaded with booty. | |||
| Nov. | Veneto | At the camp of Legnago. | |||
| Dec. | Veneto and Lombardy | Goes to Venice; he is present at the public reconciliation organized by Niccolò Vendramin and Andrea Gritti between Alviano and Renzo di Ceri. Baglioni asks for a conduct of 150 men-at-arms and an annual provision of 3000 ducats: he is offered a conduct of 100 men-at-arms and a provision of 1000 ducats for the year of respect. He does not accept. He is sent to guard Bergamo; with Mercurio Bua he captures 300 imperial horses stationed near that locality. | |||
| 1515 | |||||
| Feb. – Apr. | Veneto | Bartolomeo d’Alviano organizes a joust in Padua in which 60 competitors participate. The prize is 100 ducats. The joust, after three days, is won by a broken lance of Baglioni (Bindo da Perugia). Still on the same occasion, he takes part in a second joust (with his retinue of 6 men-at-arms) against the squad of Sertorio da Collalto. He obtains the victory. In April, he follows the fortification works of Padua; in the city he is joined by his wife who is welcomed by Alviano and the general provider Domenico Contarini. Laura Signorelli and his son Ottaviano are also with him. | |||
| May | Friuli and Veneto | In Udine with his men: they do not want to leave the city and move to Vicenza if three wages are not paid to them first. | |||
| June | Veneto | In Vicenza; with Bua he surprises towards Lonigo 60 Spanish infantry of which half are killed and 20 are taken to Vicenza. To the defense of Padua. | |||
| July | Veneto | Opposes the adversaries in Polesine. | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | He is present at the battle of Melegnano. | |||
| Oct. – Nov. | Lombardy | Takes part in the siege of Brescia. In mid-month, at dawn, with Baldassarre di Scipione and Giovan Corrado Orsini he leads an assault on the Porta di San Nazzaro. The resistance of the defenders, 2000 men between Spaniards and Germans, is not surprised. Alternating companies at work, the collapsed bulwarks are repaired following a terrible cannonade at the walls. The fire of the artillery from within is lively to repel the assailants. The Venetians suffer the loss of 300 soldiers. This is followed by a sudden sortie of 1500 musketeers of Moriglione who put the troops of the Serenissima to flight and allow the Spaniards to set fire to the gunpowder deposits and to nail some cannons. Only the arrival of the cavalry of Giampaolo Manfrone forces the Spaniards to promptly re-enter the city. In November, Baglioni is slightly wounded in one hand by the debris caused by an artillery shot. | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | The Council of the Wise reconfirms his conduct for a year; Baglioni, not content, asks permission to go to Venice. He passes through Toscolano Maderno with 80 lances. | |||
| 1516 | |||||
| Jan. | Veneto | Leaves Brescia, passes through Ostiglia and heads towards Verona. | |||
| Feb. | Lombardy | Returns to the Brescia area; with Mariano da Lecce and Baldassarre Signorelli prepares an ambush at the bridge of Bagnolo Mella: the outcome is negative and ends with the capture, by the adversaries, of the Venetian captain Camillo da Martinengo. | |||
| Mar. | Veneto and Lombardy | He is found on various occasions in Peschiera del Garda, defending Crema and, finally, with Bua under Milan. He places his camp in the boroughs of Porta Romana; he proves himself with bravery in repelling a Spanish attack on the city. He is praised by the general provider Andrea Gritti for the valor shown in the defense of Milan. | |||
| Apr. | 100 lances and 50 light horses | Lombardy | Enters the castle of Lodi at night with the company of Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio (30 Guelphs are killed and Niccolò Varolo and Ludovico Vistarini are put to flight). He crosses the Adda and points to Crema with 130 lances and 20 arquebusiers; he connects with Martinengo and returns to the Lodi area to control the movements of the adversaries: he has a new skirmish and 20 lances put 200 infantry to flight. The Council of the Wise increases his conduct from 80 to 100 men-at-arms and from 40 to 50 that of the crossbowmen on horseback. He connects with the provider of the stradiots Giovanni Vitturi and with some captains of light horses (Camillo da Martinengo, Giampaolo da Sant’ Angelo, Mariano da Lecce, Baldassarre Signorelli and Annibale da Lenzo, 200 horses): he prepares an ambush in Monticelli Brusati against the Marquis of Brandenburg, who from Salò is heading towards Brescia with the money of a tax placed on the community. In the ambush fall 200 infantry, who are all killed, with the exception of 3 soldiers spared to have information on the movements of the adversaries. He supports Martinengo and Vitturi towards Melzo and Lodi in cutting the supply lines to the enemies; he flanks Antonio da Martinengo and Pietro da Longhena on Pontoglio. | ||
| May | Lombardy | Reaches Teodoro da Trivulzio and the Constable of Bourbon in Spirano with 100 lances. He is named Count of Bettona with his father by Pope Leo X. | |||
| June | Veneto | He goes to Legnago with Vitturi and Contino (300 stradiots and many Romagnol infantry) to oppose the Imperials. He then joins with the general provider Giovanni Paolo Gradenigo, moves the camp to Albaredo d’Adige, throws a bridge in the river and damages the crops around Verona. He goes to Venice; at the end of the month he is sent to defend Padua threatened by an incursion of the Imperials (8000 infantry, 800 horses and 18 pieces of artillery). In the city he settles in the camp of Brentelle near Padua with Giovanni Naldi. | |||
| July | Veneto | Returns to Venice with the provider Gradenigo. He is given money. | |||
| Aug. | Veneto | Takes part in the siege of Verona. At the end of the month he camps at Tombetta with 200 men-at-arms, 1500 infantry and 300 light horses. He puts the sentinels on guard on the Adige. Georg von Frundsberg and Marco Sittich (2000 German infantry) and Francisco Maldonado (1000 Spanish infantry) exit at night from Porta Calzari, march along the bank of the Adige and assault Tombetta. The lansquenets do not take prisoners: they kill anyone they meet; the men-at-arms have their throats cut. Different is the behavior of the Spanish infantry who take prisoners. Baglioni lodges at the hospital with many men-at-arms and infantry. The adversaries assault him in his lodgings, so that, after being wounded, he also runs the risk of being captured. In the action 500 Venetians are killed between infantry and horses. The booty obtained by the attackers includes 90 good mounts, 8 oxen and 2 mules loaded with soaps, silk capes and other precious goods. | |||
| Sept. | Veneto | He complains about the disorder reigning in the Venetian camp; with Gabriele da Martinengo he assaults the bastion of Porta Vescovo to ruin it with the wasters. He is hit by a musket ball that does not pierce the armor. He conducts with Antonio da Castello other offensive operations at the same bastion that prove equally unsuccessful. He moves with Babone Naldi to Campo di Marte with 300 horses and 400 infantry. His men repel a sortie brought by 30 horses backed by 200 infantry. He retreats to the fortified camp of Albaredo d’Adige because numerous troops are arriving to reinforce the defenders of Verona. He takes part in a war council. | |||
| Oct. | Veneto | Abandons the camp without license and goes to Venice to claim the payment of five wages and to ask for his brother Orazio the conduct already of Giampaolo da Sant’ Angelo. He is received by the Doge who sends him to the Council of the Wise. He returns to Albaredo d’Adige; he heads again to Venice to protest for the delay of the wages. | |||
| Nov. | Veneto | He joins at Caldiero with Camillo da Martinengo and Gradenigo (200 men-at-arms). In mid-month he repels an attack brought by 1000 Spanish infantry at Colognola ai Colli. 35 horses are captured from him. | |||
| 1517 | |||||
| Jan. | Veneto | At the end of the conflict, in mid-month, he enters Verona through Porta Calzari following Teodoro da Trivulzio. He winters with his men in the Paduan area; he has the opportunity to complain, once again, about the payment methods of his conduct. He offers himself, at the same time, to the pontificals. In Venice his work is praised by Andrea Gritti. | |||
| Mar. | Veneto | In Venice, summoned by the College of the Pregadi. | |||
| May | Church | Mercenary Company | Umbria | Leaves Cittadella with the permission of the College and heads to Perugia with 8/10 lances. Defends the city from the attacks of Francesco Maria della Rovere. | |
| … | Veneto and Umbria | In Veneto. At the end of hostilities returns to Umbria. In the year the cost of his company is valued by the Venetians at 13500 ducats. He reaches his father at Castiglione del Lago to repel a sudden attack conducted by Gentile Baglioni. He sets off to Montegualandro with numerous infantry and horses to prevent the passage of Filippo Ranieri who came in support of his uncle Gentile. A truce between the parties follows by the work of the pontifical vice-legate in Perugia, the bishop of Famagusta Matteo Ugone. Still at the end of the year he is called to be part of the college that appoints in Perugia the captains of the gates. The duration of the office is expected to be six months and the salary is 200 florins. | |||
| 1518 | |||||
| Jan. | Veneto | From Città di Castello he points to Venice. He protests in the College of the Pregadi for the delay of the wages. | |||
| Oct. | Veneto and Lombardy | He goes incognito to the fair of Crema; he arrives at the gates of Peschiera del Garda and refuses to give his personal details. A scuffle ensues with the guard soldiers during which he is hit by a stone. | |||
| 1519 | |||||
| May | Lombardy | He stations in the Bergamo area with his company. | |||
| June | Tuscany | In Florence for the baptism of Cosimo, firstborn of Giovanni dei Medici. He is one of the godfathers of the newborn (future Duke and Grand Duke of Tuscany) with Cardinal dei Rossi. | |||
| 1520 | |||||
| Jan. | Veneto | Returns to Venice and asks for license to leave; to stay he asks that his provision be retouched from 1000 to 2000 ducats. He is re-conducted by the Council of the Wise for one year of firm and one of respect. | |||
| Mar. | 478 horses | Veneto, Lazio and Umbria | He obtains permission to go to Rome to Pope Leo X on behalf of his father. At the end of the mission he returns to Perugia. He is summoned again to Rome when his father is imprisoned in Castel Sant’Angelo. With his brother-in-law Camillo Orsini he goes to Paciano to his uncle Gentile to induce him to reconcile with his father. All useless. He leaves Perugia at night with many men; he flees to Spello with his brother Orazio. From here he moves to the kingdom of Naples. | ||
| Apr. | Baglioni | Church | Abruzzi, Umbria and Veneto | He takes refuge in Abruzzi via Gavelli; he is hosted in L’Aquila by Ludovico Franchi. He gathers troops and returns to the Spoleto area at Monte Pianciano. In the end he considers his initiative useless, so he decides to reach Venice and resume his position. He lives in Padua. |
| Apr. | Baglioni | Church | Abruzzi, Umbria and Veneto | He takes refuge in Abruzzi via Gavelli; he is hosted in L’Aquila by Ludovico Franchi. He gathers troops and returns to the Spoleto area at Monte Pianciano. In the end he considers his initiative useless, so he decides to reach Venice and resume his position. He lives in Padua. | |
| May – June | Venice | Ottoman Empire | Friuli | He moves in Friuli with his crossbowmen on horseback to respond to possible Turkish raids in the region. In June, his relative Gentile enters Perugia. | |
| Sept. | Lombardy | His crossbowmen are used in the Bergamo area for a police action aimed at searching for the assassins of the bishop of Recanati and Macerata, Ludovico Tasso. | |||
| 1521 | |||||
| Jan. | Veneto | He meets Camillo Orsini in Cittadella. | |||
| Mar. | Veneto | He asks for a house in Padua because he wants to transfer his family members to the Venetian area. | |||
| May | Veneto | He is cited with Bernardino di Montone, Teodoro da Trivulzio and Giulio Manfrone among the rapporteurs of a study on the fortifications of Padua delivered to the Council of the Wise. He follows artillery training in Padua; he now lives in Cittadella. | |||
| June | Veneto | Leaves Cittadella and goes to Verona with 100 men-at-arms: an anti-French conspiracy favored by the partisans of the Sforza has indeed been discovered in Milan. He oversees the defensive preparations and the artillery of the city. He is reported with flattering notes to Venice by the podestà of Verona Leonardo Emo. | |||
| July | Veneto | He has 600 infantry under his orders in Verona. | |||
| Aug. | Venice | Empire | Veneto | Takes part in a war council with Guido Naldi and the rectors of Verona in order to evaluate the request of 6000 German infantry who, from Trento, have asked for passage to join with the imperial army on the Po. He is sent on inspection to the passes; permission is not granted to him. He supports the captain of Garda Niccolò Barbaro, patrols the shores of the lake with Giovanni Naldi and Marco da Napoli, returns to Verona at the end of the mission. He goes to Caprino Veronese with Giano Fregoso to prevent 8000 Swiss and German infantry directed to Mantua from passing through that locality. The German soldiers pass in any case through the Venetian territory due to the inaction of Giampaolo Manfrone. | |
| Sept. | Veneto | He is still guarding Verona with 945 infantry, 100 lances and 50 crossbowmen on horseback. | |||
| Dec. | Mercenary Company | Church, Perugia | Veneto, Emilia Romagna and Marche | At the death of Pope Leo X he goes to Venice; he asks permission to return to Perugia. He receives a dilatory response, returns to Verona and from here he joins with della Rovere and his brother Orazio to drive Gentile Baglioni out of Perugia. He touches Ferrara and Rimini; helps della Rovere to recover the duchy of Urbino. He heads towards Perugia, takes possession of Collelungo at the expense of the Orvieto people. | |
| 1522 | |||||
| Jan. | Umbria and Tuscany | He arrives at Civitella Benazzone and Ponte Valleceppi; conquers many castles of the Perugia area. Perugia rises in uproar at the news that Baglioni has arrived with a raid at the borough of Fontenuova. The attackers camp at Monterone after leaving Lindarno. Since in Rome the pontifical seat is still vacant, the college of cardinals orders the Florentines to leave the defense of the city and Malatesta, Orazio and Gentile Baglioni to go to Rome. Malatesta does not accept and gets closer and closer to Perugia; he touches Ponte San Giovanni and Bastia Umbra with della Rovere and Camillo Orsini at the head of 200 men-at-arms, 300 light horses and 5000 infantry. He initially concludes an agreement with Gentile Baglioni to enter Perugia without problems; the pact is immediately broken when papal reinforcements led by Vitello Vitelli and Guido Vaina (120 men-at-arms, 200 light horses and 2500 infantry) penetrate the city. The number of defenders rises to 150 lances, 4000 infantry and many light horses. Baglioni takes lodging in the convent of San Domenico: Perugia is attacked from the borough of San Pietro (where Malatesta acts personally), from Porta Sole and from Porta Borgna. 7 pieces of artillery, provided by Alfonso d’Este, beat the walls and reduce the enemy cannons to silence; other pieces are placed on the bell tower of the convent of San Pietro. A first long assault conducted by della Rovere at the Porta di Santa Giuliana is repelled. Vitello Vitelli abandons the city at night following the wound received to his right foot by a musket shot; the fact disorganizes the defenders and Baglioni (although wounded in a thigh) can enter Perugia at the first light of dawn, on invitation of the vice-legate Francesco Pitta, through the Porta di San Pietro. In the fight among the attackers 200 men are killed, including Rodolfo da Marsciano and Paolo Corso; among the defenders 8/10 people remain on the ground. He is welcomed with many attestations of celebration by the population, the sound of trumpets and bells. His men, on the contrary, are blocked in the borough of San Pietro, outside the Two Gates, for fear of the citizens of undergoing the sack. With the victory he continues towards Siena with della Rovere and his brother Orazio to restore Lattanzio Petrucci to the lordship of the city. The attempt fails. | |||
| Feb. | Perugia | Florence, Church | Umbria | He is assaulted by the Florentines led by Giovanni dei Medici; he returns to Perugia and coordinates the defensive works there. Orsini with infantry and cavalry watches the entrance to the city from Porta San Pietro; Marzio Orsini with the Signorelli is placed at Porta Borgna; Onofrio di Santacroce with the della Cornia is placed at the Porta di Santa Susanna; Orazio Baglioni at that of Sant’Angelo; Francesco Maria della Rovere at that of Santa Giuliana (the Rastello); Filippo Ranieri and Febo di Teo, finally, at that of Sale. Baglioni takes place in the square. The adversaries stop at Olmo; they attempt an assault on the Porta di Santa Susanna which is repelled. The college of cardinals imposes on Medici to desist from his action. | |
| Mar. | Umbria and Lazio | The reconciliation of the parties follows by the will of the pope. The stipulation should take place in Perugia in the monastery of the Olivetans outside the walls. Gentile Baglioni does not show up for the appointment. Malatesta goes to Rome. | |||
| Apr. | Lazio and Umbria | In the month the agreements between the various branches of the Baglioni are finally ratified. Malatesta returns to Umbria and is informed that his brother Orazio has committed himself on his behalf with Cardinal Medici so that both fight for Florence against Cardinal of Volterra Francesco Soderini and Renzo di Ceri. He does not ratify the commitment because previously he has received money to enlist 100 light horses and 2000 infantry precisely from Renzo di Ceri. At the same time he pretends to be ill in order not to join with the latter at Castel della Pieve. He sends him, instead, 2000 infantry, 100 horses and 4 falconets. | |||
| May | Umbria | He is blocked (he says) in Perugia by the French disease. | |||
| June – July | Venice | 100 lances and 50 light horses | Umbria | Recovered in July, he passes through Ferrara and is honorably received in the College of the Pregadi in Venice. | |
| Aug. | Venice | France | Veneto | He proposes himself in vain as general governor in place of Teodoro da Trivulzio. | |
| Sept. | Lombardy | He watches the banks of the Oglio. | |||
| 1523 | |||||
| June – Sept. | In mid-month he complains to Pope Adrian VI because the Holy See wants to deprive him of some apostolic concessions he has enjoyed for several years in Chiugi towards Lake Trasimeno. In September the pontiff dies. Cardinal Giulio dei Medici (Clement VII) is elected. |
| 1524 | |||||
| Feb. | Veneto | In Padua, to take care of his ailments. | |||
| Apr. | Lombardy | Recovered, he takes part in the siege of Caravaggio. The defenders surrender under terms. | |||
| May | Lombardy | He leaves Caravaggio with Giano Fregoso; joins Duke of Milan, Girolamo Morone, and Giovanni dei Medici at Trezzo sull’Adda for a war council. | |||
| July | Veneto | In Venice, at the Collegio dei Pregadi: still affected by the French disease. Requests to be transferred to Zara and Dalmatia to oversee defensive works in the city and the region. Returns to the Collegio before leaving for the new destination. | |||
| Sept. | Croatia | From Zara, he sends his fortification plans for the city and the castle of Novigrad, which are discussed in the Collegio. | |||
| Nov. | Veneto | Returns to Venice. Meets with Doge Andrea Gritti. Discusses the work completed in Dalmatia with the Collegio dei Pregadi. | |||
| 1525 | |||||
| June | Veneto | Upon his request, he is granted the citizenship of Verona. | |||
| Although physically absent from Umbria, he manages to support his wife’s claim regarding her inheritance from her mother Imperia, contested by Achille Monaldeschi and his wife Tradita. A trial follows in Perugia. | |||||
| Veneto and Lombardy | Takes part in a war council in Verona with Duke of Urbino Francesco Maria della Rovere, new captain-general of the Serenissima, and Piero Pesaro, general provider. Also in Brescia. | ||||
| Nov. | Lombardy | Moves to guard Crema; stays at Sant’Angelo’s house near Porta Umbriano. Has a minor conflict with Babone Naldi; strengthens the city’s defenses and introduces provisions into Crema. | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | Patrols the Orzinuovi area; informs the Council of Ten about negotiations with the inhabitants of Cremona, Romanengo, and Soncino, who offered to collaborate with the Venetians. Gains approval. While stationed in Lombardy, the Orvietans seize castles he had taken years earlier on behalf of his mother-in-law and wife. Baglioni has the guard captain killed and takes every opportunity to seek revenge against the Orvietans. | |||
| 1526 | |||||
| Feb. | Lombardy | On the last Sunday of Carnival, organizes a 14-course dinner at his palace in Crema, with 80 guests, including noblewomen and their husbands from Crema. Among the guests are many Venetian captains and three Spanish captains stationed at Soncino. | |||
| Mar. | Lombardy | His efforts in Crema are praised by general provider Piero Pesaro. | |||
| Apr. | Veneto | In Venice, at the Collegio dei Pregadi, to report on the defensive works carried out in Crema. | |||
| June | Venice | Empire | Captain-General of Infantry | Lombardy | Tasked with negotiating with Ludovico Vistarini to seize Lodi. Moves to Chiari with Orsini and della Rovere. At the end of the month, leaves Crema with 1,200 infantrymen and storms Lodi, where Vistarini opens the bastion gate at Porta Milanese for him. Overcomes the resistance of the Spanish guard and, with reinforcements breaking through the defenses at Porta Reale, forces Fabrizio Maramaldo to retreat to the fortress. 800 Neapolitan infantry from the garrison are looted and taken prisoner. Baglioni begins bombarding the castle with eight artillery pieces. Refuses an offer of 1,000 scudi from the imperial forces to evacuate a wounded captain. Repels an attack by Alfonso d’Avalos, Marquis of Vasto, and Giovanni d’Urbina with 400 light cavalry and 400 Spanish infantry. Receives praise from Piero Boldù, podestà and captain of Crema, and general provider Piero Pesaro. The Council of Sages appoints him Captain-General of Infantry, granting him command of 1,000 infantry and 100 mounted crossbowmen in wartime and 50 mounted crossbowmen in peacetime, with an annual salary of 1,500 ducats. The people of Crema gift him six artillery pieces. |
| July | Lombardy | Follows Francesco Maria della Rovere to the camp at San Donato Milanese. Witnesses the duel between Vistarini and Sigismondo Malatesta in Lambrate. Attacks the bastions at Porta Romana in Milan; forced to retreat, he sides with della Rovere in Melegnano, supporting his cautious approach. Reconciles with Vitello Vitelli. | |||
| Aug. | Lombardy | Sent to capture Cremona with 6,200 infantry (including 1,000 Landsknechts), 300 lances, and 350 light cavalry. The city’s defense includes 1,400 Landsknechts, 350-400 Spanish infantry, 120 light cavalry, and 90 lances. Malatesta Baglioni sends reinforcements to assist Annibale Picenardi, besieged by the imperial forces in the city’s castle. Begins artillery bombardment of Porta Moso and is struck in the helmet by a musket ball. 70 braccia of the city wall are demolished, but Baglioni finds this insufficient and relocates to Santa Monica near Porta San Luca, where additional trenches are dug. The reinforcements of 1,200 German infantry under Michele Gaissmayr and 3,000 soldiers under Piero Pesaro arrive. Another 50-60 braccia of the wall collapse, but Baglioni delays, allowing the defenders to repair the breach. Leads a general assault, resulting in the Venetians losing 100 men, including Giulio Manfrone and Macone da Correggio, while the imperial forces lose 500. Blamed for acting prematurely, Baglioni shifts the responsibility onto other captains. Two more assaults, one on the castle and one at the Santa Monica breach, also fail. Pesaro sends 3,000 more infantry, 1,000 Swiss soldiers, and new artillery pieces. By the end of the month, Baglioni plans to attack the city with 9,150 infantry divided into five batteries. Camillo Orsini attacks Porta Mosa while Baglioni leads the assault on Porta Po. His battery, consisting of 2,993 infantry (mostly Corsicans and Perugians), 150 men-at-arms, and 140 light cavalry, is positioned on marshy ground, rendering their artillery fire ineffective due to soil collapse. The Venetians lose 189 men, 541 wounded, and 224 soldiers desert. During the subsequent review, his company reports 89 lances (out of 100) and 41 mounted crossbowmen (out of 50). Baglioni falls ill and is replaced by della Rovere. | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | In mid-month, 20 of his light cavalrymen clash with 50 imperial cavalry returning to Cremona, capturing some prisoners. | |||
| Nov. | Lombardy | Complains bitterly to the Venetians about 25 men-at-arms from his company being transferred to Pietro da Longhena‘s company. | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | Supports Francesco Maria della Rovere at Borgoforte in opposing the advance of Georg von Frundsberg and the Landsknechts. Falls ill again. |
| 1527 | |||||
| Jan. | Lombardy and Emilia | Stations his men at Bagnolo Mella; travels to Venice; still suffers from the plague; criticized by the new general provider Alvise Pisani for failing to maintain discipline among the infantry. In Parma, participates in a war council with Francesco Maria della Rovere, Marchese Michelantonio di Saluzzo, and papal commissioner Francesco Guicciardini. | |||
| Feb. | Lombardy | In Casalmaggiore; tasked with monitoring the imperial forces stationed in Pizzighettone. Still unwell, he returns to Cremona after learning that the Landsknechts are on the verge of leaving the Piacenza area. | |||
| Mar. | Emilia | Moves to defend Parma with 16 infantry banners and 3 companies of light cavalry. Crosses the Enza River and reaches Castelnuovo di Sotto; spotted in Budrio, San Faustino, and Giovita in the Reggio Emilia area; camps near Rubiera. In Valverde. | |||
| May | Tuscany | Moves into Tuscany with Alvise Pisani: under his command are 80 broken lances, 26 men-at-arms, and 54 light cavalry; another 60 lances remain in Lombardy under general provider Domenico Contarini. | |||
| June-July | Veneto | Supporters of Malatesta Baglioni are expelled from Perugia. Malatesta is forced to return to Padua for treatment. | |||
| Aug. | Veneto | In Venice, at the Collegio dei Pregadi. Obtains permission to return to Umbria. | |||
| Sept. | Umbria | In Perugia, where he is received with all honors. During these same days, he quarrels with his brother Orazio because the latter refuses to assist in besieging Braccio Baglioni, who has barricaded himself in the Abbey of San Pietro in Valle. | |||
| Florence | Siena | 150 cavalry and 1000 infantry | Tuscany | Discharged following the agreement between Pope Clement VII and the Colonna family. Recruited by the Florentines with 150 cavalry and 1,000 infantry to support the Sienese exiles in the Chianti region against the capital. | |
| Umbria | Meets with Marchese Michelantonio di Saluzzo in Orvieto. | ||||
| 1528 | |||||
| Apr. | Church | The Venetians request his return to Lombardy with 1,000 infantry, but instead, he enters papal service after failed negotiations for a new condotta with the Florentines. The negotiations are conducted in Florence by his representative Cencio Guercio (Vincenzo Colombi) and the republic’s commissioners Raffaello Girolami, Cristoforo da Pacciano, and Vincenzo Alessi. | |||
| May | Umbria | In Orvieto, alongside the pope: the Venetians continue trying to bring him back into their service. The pope shows favor to Baglioni, granting him the benefit of “hunting in Chiugi” and other privileges, benefiting the inhabitants of his state. Grateful, the people of Perugia place Baglioni’s portrait in the Public Palace as an example and stimulus of virtue. | |||
| June | Church | Rimini | Romagna | Faces Sigismondo Malatesta, lord of Rimini. Supports the papal forces in reclaiming the city. | |
| July | Church | Assisi | Umbria | Tasked with reclaiming the fortresses of Assisi, which had fallen to the de Nepis family. He captures the first fortress, and the second surrenders under terms after a payment of 600 or 1,000 scudi. Some defenders are hanged (1 or 10 according to sources), and others are killed under various pretexts. Their possessions are confiscated in his favor. Guidone de Nepis escapes. | |
| Aug. | Lazio and Umbria | Joins Pope Clement VII in Viterbo with 600 arquebusiers and 400 light cavalry; returns to Perugia and strengthens the city’s defenses. | |||
| Nov. | Perugia | Exiles | Umbria | Harassed by Braccio Baglioni and Pirro Colonna, who enjoy secret papal support. Engages the rivals at Spello, forcing them to retreat to Bevagna. The guerrilla warfare will continue into the early months of 1529. | |
| Dec. | Umbria | The pope confirms previous grants in his favor. | |||
| 1529 | |||||
| Apr. | France | Governor-General | Umbria | Upon the death of Cardinal Giulio Passerini, the pope issues a brief placing the legation of Perugia in the hands of his nephew, Cardinal Ippolito de’ Medici. Around the same time, Baglioni nominally enters French service, with the promise of receiving the Order of Saint Michael, though the condotta is actually negotiated on behalf of the Florentines. He is granted a stipend of 2,000 scudi and command of 1,000 infantry in wartime. He holds the title of Governor-General because Ercole d’Este is appointed Captain-General. | |
| June | Umbria | Executes several of his men in Perugia, suspected of treason. Braccio Baglioni, Giovambattista Savelli, and Pirro Colonna prepare to attack him. Braccio camps in Norcia with the exiled Ghibellines, while Savelli and Pirro Colonna reach Pale, near Foligno, with 700 infantry and 350 cavalry. | |||
| July | Florence | Church and Empire | Umbria | Sends Benedetto Montesperelli and Vecchia Alessi to France. Upon their return, they are captured by papal forces with 3,000 scudi sent to Baglioni by the French as confirmation of his condotta. In retaliation, Baglioni captures the Bishop of Veroli, Vice-Legate Ennio Filonardi, and the apostolic treasurer Alfano Alfani in Perugia; he also attempts to capture the Cardinal of Trani, who had stopped in Piegaro. He seeks Venetian support, while the Florentines send 1,500 infantry to his aid. Pope Clement VII issues a brief against him, prohibiting any citizen of the Papal States from fighting against the papal forces, under threat of being declared a rebel, having their property confiscated, and facing interdict and other penalties. The pope also incites the imperial forces against him. The Prince of Orange leaves Abruzzo and quickly captures Bevagna, Montefalco, and Assisi, expelling the garrisons placed there by Baglioni. The Florentines send Francesco Ferrucci and Benedetto da Verrazzano to Perugia to command the troops against the advancing enemy forces. | |
| Aug. | Umbria | The inhabitants of Perugia lend him 30,000 scudi; defends the city with 3,000 infantry; Florentine commissioner Zanobi Bartolini sends 250 cavalry and another 3,000 infantry as reinforcements. Loses Spello, where his troops are concentrated, under the defense of his brother Leone, illegitimate son of Giampaolo and archpriest of the Perugia cathedral. | |||
| Sept. | Umbria and Tuscany | Besieged in Perugia, negotiates terms with the Prince of Orange and Cardinal-Legate Angelo del Monte, who offer favorable conditions for surrender. Absolved of all ecclesiastical censures; allowed for his wife and children to live in the city in their palace. Perugia passes under Papal control. He is guaranteed retention of some territories in Umbria. An additional protocol to the surrender agreement, carried to Rome by Galeazzo Baglioni, clarifies the benefits, including a promise that the exiled Braccio and Sforza Baglioni will be kept away from Perugia. Baglioni is granted safe passage with his men through Tuscany. The Florentines send Giovanni Battista Tosinghi with 1,500 cavalry and 3,000 infantry to Perugia to authorize him to negotiate surrender, instructing him to bring the troops to Arezzo to join Zanobi Bartolini‘s forces. The messenger does not arrive in time, as the Prince of Orange has already crossed the Tiber after a small skirmish, finding Baglioni ready to capitulate. He heads to Preggio and Val di Pierla, arriving in Cortona and Arezzo; leaves Arezzo with another 1,000 infantry, passing through Montevarchi, Figline Valdarno, and Florence. He gathers his forces in Florence; his command consists of 7,000 experienced infantry, 3,000 militia, and 500 cavalry. The imperial army is composed of 300 men-at-arms, 500 light cavalry, 2,500 German infantry, 2,000 Spanish infantry, and 6,000 Italians. | |||
| Oct. | Tuscany | Fortifies himself in Florence on the Renai, in the Serristori houses on the left bank of the Arno, near the hill of San Miniato. The siege of the city by the opposing forces begins. | |||
| Dec. | Florence | Church and Empire | Captain-General | Tuscany | Reviews the troops at Monte di San Miniato and is elected Captain-General, replacing Ercole d’Este. The total military expenditure is estimated at 70,000 florins per month. Malatesta Baglioni is granted command of 1,000 infantry, 100 lances, 25 broken lances, and 200 light cavalry. His stipend is set at 6,400 ducats; his term is 4 months, with an option for an additional year. In mid-month, he supports Stefano Colonna‘s nighttime attack on Santa Margherita a Montici; orders the retreat after seeing fierce resistance from the imperial forces. Subsequently, he organizes a sortie against the enemies: Ivo Biliotti and several captains, including Jacopo Tabussi, Marzio Orsini, Francesco Corso, and Pacchiarino, ambush the enemy. Giovanni da Sassatello intervenes against them, and Paoluccio da Perugia orders the retreat in Baglioni‘s name. |
| 1530 | |||||
| Jan. | …….. | …….. | …….. | Tuscany | Receives the banner of the republic and the staff of command as Captain-General from Gonfaloniere Raffaello Girolami in a solemn ceremony held in Piazza dei Signori. During the event, Alessio Lapaccini, secretary of the republic, delivers a Latin eulogy for Malatesta and his family. A few days before his appointment, the King of France publicly orders him and Stefano Colonna to leave Florentine service, but secretly instructs them not to obey the command. |
| Feb. | Tuscany | Threatens to hang Giovanni da Vinci for leaving Porta di Santa Croce unattended to help Anguillotto da Pisa. Oversees the construction of new defensive works, particularly at Porta di San Gregorio; in the church of San Niccolò, the troops swear to fight for the freedom of Florence. | |||
| Mar. | Tuscany | At the end of the month, sends out 5 companies, each with 500-600 infantry, through 5 different gates to attack an imperial cavalry or outpost near Porta Romana. One company is tasked with completing the assault, while the others are to distract the enemy. A soldier deserts half an hour before the attack and warns the imperials, leading to the loss of about 50 Florentine soldiers. A second attempt two days later results in even heavier losses. Additional skirmishes follow around Easter and in the following days. | |||
| May | Tuscany | Moves from the Serristori Gardens to San Felice Street, in Palazzo dei Bini, in the Santo Spirito district. Also builds a bastion in the Pitti garden, connecting it to the walls. Pressured by the authorities, who accuse him of prolonging the war, he exits through Porta di San Frediano, San Pier a Gattolini, and Monte di San Miniato with 30 companies. He captures a convent built on Poggio di Colombaia. Andrea Castaldo and Ferrante Gonzaga charge against him with cavalry. Despite being ill, he joins the battle, awaiting reinforcements from Amico da Venafro, who, due to being murdered by Stefano Colonna the previous day, is unable to help. After four hours of fighting, Baglioni is attacked by German infantry and orders a retreat, losing 200 men, including captains Ottaviano Signorelli and Vico Machiavelli. During these days, he also meets with Bishop of Faenza Rodolfo Pio, an emissary of Pope Clement VII. | |||
| June | Tuscany | Leaves with Stefano Colonna to attack the German infantry barricaded in the monastery of San Donato a Polverosa. Stations 1,500 infantry on the left bank of the Arno to prevent enemy forces on the opposite side from crossing the river and assisting the Germans at San Donato. At dawn, orders a retreat for fear that his troops might be cut off by enemy cavalry. He still hopes to reach an agreement with the enemy to gain their favor. | |||
| July | Tuscany | Sends Cencio Guercio to Pirro Colonna to negotiate an agreement between the sides. Later, through Bino Mancino Signorelli, meets with Prince of Orange near the walls outside Porta Romana. | |||
| Aug. | Tuscany | Cencio Guercio goes again to the imperial camp to convince Ferrante Gonzaga to sack Florence if no surrender is made. Malatesta Baglioni halts negotiations when Prince of Orange demands the return of the Medici to Florence. Nevertheless, Baglioni promises not to attack the imperials if they leave the camp to face Francesco Ferrucci‘s forces in Pistoia. He criticizes the civilian authorities both publicly and privately, refuses to join Stefano Colonna in a sortie he calls “madness,” and prevents the deployment of 2,000 infantry to aid Francesco Ferrucci. After Ferrucci’s defeat and death at Gavinana, he urges the Florentines to make peace and informs them of the dire military situation. Zanobi Bartolini, a friend of Baglioni, is dismissed as general commissioner by the Council of Eight, angering the condottiero to the point that he sends Cencio Guercio again to Ferrante Gonzaga, who had become captain-general after Prince of Orange‘s death. The Signoria rejects the terms of surrender and orders Baglioni to leave Florence to fight the enemy. He refuses to comply. Requests permission to leave the city, and when granted, reveals his true intentions. Two ambassadors are sent to deliver his dismissal in honorable terms. Malatesta reacts violently, stabbing Andreolo Niccolini (two blows to the throat and one to the head) without reading the letter. The other envoy, Zati, escapes. Gonfaloniere Niccolò Capponi orders the 16 companies of the civic militia to attack the Perugian condottiero at his residence, but only 8 obey. A Gascon infantry captain, Vaviges, offers to attack Baglioni‘s troops with his company, but 400 young Florentines instead arm themselves in Piazza Santo Spirito in support of Baglioni. Baglioni then sends Morgante da Perugia to break through Porta di San Pier a Gattolini and orders Caccia Altoviti, who is guarding it, to leave. He brings Pirro Colonna into the bastions, disarms the garrison at Porta Romana, and barricades himself in the bastion of San Niccolò, pointing the artillery at the city. He is joined by Medici supporters, regains command, and Bartolini is reinstated, allowing him to negotiate the republic’s capitulation officially with the papal commissioner Baccio Valori. Valori enters Florence and is hosted by Baglioni in the Puis house, where the condottiero takes his last residence. The terms are signed mid-month at Santa Margherita a Montici in Guicciardini’s villa, with Ferrante Gonzaga, captain of the imperial army, and Baccio Valori. Valori thanks him with a brief from the pope. Present at the capitulation are Alessandro Vitelli, Pirro Colonna, Piermaria dei Rossi, Giovambattista Savelli, Marzio Colonna, and Andrea Certaldo. Malatesta Baglioni requests to return to Perugia as lord of the city. He also has Benedetto da Foiano, a Dominican friar, imprisoned and sent to the pope for preaching in favor of Florentine liberty during the siege. During these days, his Corsican and Perugian infantry revolt, terrifying the population with their violence and ransacking Piazza di Santa Croce. Baglioni is taken prisoner by his men and convinces the Florentines to pay 10,000 ducats to prevent the sacking of their homes. News of the surrender sparks outrage in Venice against him. His effigies are torn, and he is considered the greatest traitor in the world. | |||
| Sept. | Tuscany and Umbria | Pope Clement VII, a few days later, orders him to leave Florence with his troops. Baglioni offers his services to the Venetians through Ambassador Capello. He leaves the city after the apostolic commissioner repeats the order, taking with him two young lions, much money, jewels (drapes, gold chains, and other items) gifted by the Florentines, and 10-12 pieces of artillery donated by the regents of the new state. During the march, his troops sack the territories of San Casciano, Poggibonsi, and Staggia. Baglioni receives two papal briefs granting him the income from Chiugi, and lordships over Bettona, Bevagna, Limignana, and Castelbono. He triumphantly returns to Perugia, immediately killing a political rival. Two months later, he buys land near Porta Borgna to create a garden. He uses the spoils to start constructing a palace in Perugia, later incorporated into the Rocca Paolina. | |||
| Umbria | Must guard himself against the intrigues of Cardinal Ippolito de’ Medici, who supports the faction of Braccio Baglioni in Perugia. He sends letters through Cencio Guercio to various political figures, justifying his betrayal. | ||||
| 1531 | |||||
| May-June | Umbria | Pope Clement VII forces him to retire to Bettona, “afflicted in body and soul, disgusted by the persecutions of the papal ministers” (according to Fabretti). He lives in fear, protected by Swiss soldiers. Seeks money in Perugia. | |||
| Umbria | Attempts to defend his actions by sending messages to Camillo Orsini, Doge of Venice Andrea Gritti, Duke of Ferrara Alfonso d’Este, and Duke of Mantua Federico Gonzaga. | ||||
| Dec. | Umbria | Dies of a plague attack in his palace in Bettona on Christmas Eve. A first funeral mass is held in Bettona; the next day, his body is transported to Perugia along with the remains of his brother Orazio, previously buried in Spello. The two condottieri are given a solemn funeral at the church of the Clarisse di Monteluce, with a eulogy by Mario Podiani. At the sound of all the bells tolling in mourning, the funeral procession forms. The notaries’ guild, doctors, camerlenghi, lay and clerical orders, and white and black monks all participate. Then come the infantry of the two brothers with their captains and 50 gentlemen in mourning, representing the city quarters. At the end, the people follow. Malatesta’s coffin, draped in golden brocade, and Orazio’s, in black velvet, are placed in sarcophagi on the wall of the San Domenico church, on either side of the main altar. Their tombs will be demolished in 1540 by order of Pope Paul V, and their bodies will be interred with other Baglioni in the crypt below. Images of Malatesta Baglioni appear on a medal offered to the Madonna by the people of Collazzone in 1512, in the city statutes published in 1528; other portraits appear in the works of Pomarancio, Vasari, Parmigianino (in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna), Cristofano dell’Altissimo (at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence), and in the poem in Ottava Rima by Mambrino Roseo on the siege of Florence. His portrait is also placed in the Public Palace by the people of Perugia as an example of virtue for posterity. This image, too, will be removed a few years later, in 1544, by papal legate Cardinal Crispo. A portrait of him by De Angelis is preserved at the Academy of Fine Arts in Perugia. A street is named after him in Bettona. |
Sources
-“Sebbene indebolito e quasi attratto da lunghe malattie, egli non era men riputato per coraggio che per militare perizia..Sapeva farsi amare e rispettare dai soldati, sebben contenesseli nella più severa disciplina.” INGHIRAMI
-“E’ zovene, fa ogni fazion..fa l’oficio di bombardier e fino dil guastador, adeo l’hò ripreso; lui vol faticharsi e merita laude” Giudizio del provveditore generale Andrea Gritti riportato dal SANUDO
-“Val più che Zuan Paulo suo padre.” SANUDO
-“Se i molti ritratti che di costui furon fatti, anche di celebri artisti, sono veri, il suo carattere volpino fa singolare contrasto con la marziale, aperta, e bella fisionomia, forse perché i casi più che l’indole lo ridussero a mal fine: e se egli fosse morto pochi anni prima, avrebbe lasciato bella fama di sé, quant’altro mai ne lasciasse condottiero italiano.” BONAZZI
-“Giovane valoroso..Astuto e valoroso capitano..Fu quel che diede gran riputattione alla famiglia.” GIOVIO
-“Divenne celebre Capitano.” SANSOVINO
-“Costui sapeva sì bene ordinare le fazioni, che sempre faceva li nostri (i fiorentini) con disavvantaggio combattere.” GIANNOTTI
-“Impigro duci” CAPELLA
-“Puissant capitaine.” PERRENS
-“Astuto e valoroso cavaliere.” PANVINIO
-“Era di cuore grande, ed ardore buono per la guerra, molto amato dalli suoi soldati li quali da lui erano trattati bene. Ma fu cattivo assai per noi (fiorentini) perché fece achordo con papa Clemente, e ci tradì.” Da una cronaca coeva riportata dal VERMIGLIOLI
-“Fe grandissime defese potrem dire contro un papa, uno imperatore e un exercito Spagnolo che era suto sempre vittorioso, e fatte grandissime prove et battaglie in Italia, et for d’Italia, e potrem dire che se el papa avea fatto partire Malatesta da Peroscia, luje avea tenuto el papa fuore de casa.” Dai ricordi di G. Di Costantino riportati dal VERMIGLIOLI
-“Se Malatesta fino dalla sua prima età era infermo e quasi storpio, era noto per coraggio ed illustre per militari talenti. Gli eserciti veneziani da lui comandati con brillante fortuna lo avevano renduto celebre fra le italiane milizie, e diceasi che a somiglianza dei grandi capitani dell’antichità sapesse far rispettare la più severa disciplina senza far venir meno in esso l’amor verso il suo capitano.” VERMIGLIOLI
-“Qui dentro il quarto Malatesta stassi/ Che l’Italia sol da mille affanni e lai/ Tolse con l’arme, e tu Perogia il sai/ Qual dal barbar furor più volte extrassi./Fidel fu sempre a ciascun suo Signore/ E se Fiorenza ne’ bisogni il volse,/ Servè salvando Lei d’ambo l’honore.” Da un epitaffio di L. Bina Mantovano riportato dal VERMIGLIOLI
-“E’ forse risultato dalle pagine precedenti come il suo tradimento non fosse così inesplicabile, o preparato così deliberatamente come si pensò fin qui. E’, peraltro, difficile di temperare molto il verdetto del doge veneto: “Egli ha venduto quel popolo e quella città e il sangue di que’ poveri cittadini a oncia a oncia e messoci un cappello del maggior traditore del mondo.” ROTH
-“Egli era stato un traditore. Mandò per tutte le corti cartelli di sfida a chiunque osasse chiamarlo traditore; i suoi sicarj, i suoi bravi giravano in tutte le città per smentire questa fama. Erano derisi e rimandati con la risposta: che non faceva mestieri di duelli; chi dubitava essere stato traditore malatesta?.” ADEMOLLO
-Alla battaglia di Ravenna “El baglion malatesta che non suole/ saper al mondo quel che sia paura/ divenne come sotto il caldo sole/ el ghiaccio, che suoi raggi poco dura/ perché mai più non fu né per parole/ udito ragionar, né per scrittura/ la maggior uccision, né maggior stratio/ da far esser Neron di piera satio./…/El baglion malatesta fu trovato/ come il ciel volse, & sua buona ventura/ ferito a morte sopra il verde prato/ fra gli altri uccisi in quella guerra dura/ da li franciesi che l’hebber portato/ in ravenna, ove con solenne cura,/ perché conobber quel guerrier soprano,/ lo fecero medicar fin che fu sano.”/…/ (Alla battaglia di Creazzo) Così il baglion ardito malatesta sopra d’un sasinato suo destiero/ fra li nemici con molta tempesta/ gir si vedeva come un leon fiero/ e di menar il stocco mai non resta/ giettando hor questo, hor quello sopra il sentiero/ con infiniti affanni, e molta voglia/ e più combatte ha di combatter voglia.” DEGLI AGOSTINI
-“…fu primo: almo, e pregiato/ ornamento, e splendor, dell’età nostra.” ROSEO
-“E da Perosa guerier Malatesta/ fiol di Ioanpaul sì famoso/ che fe gran prova con la lanza in resta/ a quanti li scontrò fe a l’arato.” DE’ SORCI
-“Che Malatesta tradì è indiscutibile, ma sotto certi aspetti la sua azione fu un calcolo politico necessario..l’unico modo per mantenere la signoria di Perugia, trovandosi in mezzo tra un papa Medici e Carlo V.” RENDINA
-“Buon soldato della signoria di Venezia,.. fatto aiutante di Bartolomeo di Alviano ch’eragli maestro e duce nel governo delle armate e ne’ particolari dell’arte di guerra.” FABRETTI
-Due sono gli scrittori che si sono interessati della vita e delle imprese militari di Malatesta IV Baglioni, il Fabretti ed il Vermiglioli, dei quali l’uno lo ha presentato come il tipico traditore quale lo descrive la letteratura romantica, l’altro come quasi il vendicatore delle libertà di Perugia contro l’oppressione Pontificia. Malatesta non è né l’uno né l’altro, né eroe né traditore nel senso che noi oggi diamo alla parola, è un avventuriero abile ed ambiziosissimo che lotta tutta la vita per farsi principe di una Signoria nell’Italia Centrale.” GNOMI
-“Un condottiero esperto che vantava un curriculum militare di tutto rispetto.. Personalmente era noto per avere un atteggiamento riflessivo, prudente, per essere versato come stratega e saper giocare d’astuzia; in combattimento poi amava condurre personalmente le azioni, esponendosi direttamente al pericolo…La sua esistenza trascorre in uno stato di guerra permanente, e come soldato si ricoprì di gloria. Contro i nemici esterni, ma anche contro quelli interni. Senza pietà, senza cedimenti. “Unguibus et rostris”, come recitava il motto di suo padre: contro il nemico con le unghie e i denti” A. MONTI
-“Gli esempi dei delitti familiari e dei fratricidi volsero l’animo di Malatesta ad ogni tipo di prepotenza.” ARGEGNI
-“Per il nostro sentimento dei doveri di un soldato egli è traditore tanto più odioso perché coopera a soffocare l’aspirazione alla libertà di una città tra le più care ad un cuore italiano, la quale scrisse alla sua difesa una fra le pagine più belle della nostra storia. Questi però sono sentimenti moderni, il Baglioni è un generale di mestiere del ‘500; per lui le battaglie e le guerre sono solo alcuni dei mezzi per arrivare ad un accordo. Il mercenario si batteva ed anche bene. ma non fino al sacrificio supremo per un’idea e per il dovere.” SIMEONI
SPECIFIC BIOGRAPHIES
-G. B. Vermiglioli. Le imprese militari di Malatesta IV Baglioni. Narrazione storica.
-A. Fabretti. Vita e fatti d’arme di Malatesta Baglioni condottiero dei fiorentini.
.M.T. Gnomi. Malatesta IV Baglioni. Condottiero di ventura
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