The Role of Noble Houses in Italian Warfare: Matteo da Capua’s Experience
MATTEO DA CAPUA (Matteo d’Altavilla, Matteo Campano). Count of Palena, Prince of Conca, Duke of Atri. Lord of Gissi, Giulianova, Atri, Palena, Lama dei Peligni, Lettopalena, Pizzoferrato, Conca della Campania, and Campolattaro. Son of Fabrizio da Capua, and father-in-law of Bosio Sforza. Knight of the Order of the Ermine.
Born: 1425
Death: 1481, August
| Year, Month | State, Comp. ventura | Opponent | Command | Area of Activity | Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| … | Lombardy | Spent early years in Lombardy with his father Fabrizio. | |||
| … | Abruzzi | Served in the companies of Jacopo Caldora. | |||
| 1439 | |||||
| Nov. | Abruzzi | Present in Sulmona at the solemn funeral of Jacopo Caldora held at the church of Santo Spirito. | |||
| 1440 | Naples (Angiò) | King of Aragon | Abruzzi | Supported Antonio Caldora, son of Jacopo Caldora, in Abruzzi. | |
| 1445 | |||||
| Dec. | Church | Sforza | Marche | Fought in Marche against the troops of Francesco Sforza. Raided the countryside of Ancona under the orders of Giacomo da Caivana. | |
| 1446 | |||||
| Nov. | Venice | Milan | 100 lances and 100 infantry | Marche and Veneto | After Giacomo da Caivana was executed by the cardinal legate Ludovico Scarampo at Rocca Contrada (Arcevia), returned some castles to the people of Ancona. Stayed in Ancona for several days, received with honors. Went to Venice, entered the pay of the Republic; received a command of 100 lances and 100 infantry formerly under Caivana. |
| 1448 | |||||
| July | Venice | Milan | Lombardy | Opposed the troops of the Ambrosian Republic. With Ludovico Malvezzi and Diotisalvi Lupi defended Caravaggio (700 cavalry, 800 infantry); prevented entry of Sforza’s commander Giovanni da Varano. Was immediately besieged. | |
| Aug. | Lombardy | Engaged Francesco Sforza‘s troops in bloody skirmishes. | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | At Caravaggio, forced to surrender after artillery destroyed part of the walls. Refused to comply with terms upon learning of Micheletto Attendolo‘s attack on the Milanese camp; ordered Cicco Simonetta to leave. Attacked the enemy after initial Venetian success, then was defeated and captured. Released by Sforza. | |||
| Dec. | Venice, Sforza | Milan | Lombardy | Released by Sforza after alliance changes; sent by Venetians to aid Sforza, passed through Piacenza and Pavia, defended Lomellina, joined Sforza in Novara area. | |
| 1449 | |||||
| Jan., Feb. | Emilia | In Parma area leading 300 cavalry. Supported actions of Alessandro Sforza. Entered Parma in February. | |||
| Mar. | Lombardy | Participated in the siege of Monza and Milan; blocked routes from Milan to Monza. Supported operations with Francesco Piccinino, Luigi dal Verme, Giovanni Ventimiglia, Dolce dell’Anguillara, and Cristoforo Torelli. Positioned west of Monza castle, attacked and forced to retreat to Cesate by Carlo Gonzaga and Michele di Piemonte. | |||
| Apr. | Lombardy | Reported at Zibido al Lambro; command confirmed for six months plus six months reserve, contract signed in presence of Giovanni Conti and Andrea Aureliano. | |||
| Sept. | Milan | Lombardy | At the siege of Milan. | ||
| … | Venice | Sforza | Lombardy | Guarded Rosate during agreement between Venetians and Milanese to curb Sforza‘s ambitions; robbed with his men by the enemy. | |
| 1450 | |||||
| Feb. | Lombardy | Stationed at Crema with brother Gurone and Bettino da Calcinate. | |||
| Apr. | 450 cavalry | Lombardy | Stationed in Brescia area with 450 cavalry (8 lances belonged to his brother) and 100 infantry. | ||
| May | Lombardy | Command reconfirmed for six months plus six months reserve. | |||
| Aug. | Lombardy | Entered Castiglione d’Adda to quell disorders caused by conflict between Guelphs and Ghibellines. | |||
| 1452 | |||||
| Apr. | Campania | Participated in Naples at a tournament for the birth of Federico d’Aragona, son of King Ferrante. Baptismal sponsor was Emperor Frederick of Austria. | |||
| July | Venice | Milan | Lombardy | Opposed troops of Francesco Sforza, now Duke of Milan. Noted in Cremona area with 400 cavalry; joined Carlo di Montone, crossed Adda via pontoon bridge, supervised construction of two bastions. Raided Lodi and Milan; opposed by Pietro Maria dei Rossi, Antonio da Landriano (1000 cavalry), and Alessandro Sforza (2000 cavalry), who attempted to destroy the bridge and bastions. Repelled attacks by the first two captains and surprised the third during supply gathering. Captured 400/800 cavalry among the enemy; Alessandro Sforza forced to retreat to Lodi. | |
| Aug. | Lombardy | Seized Pandino with Il Pollone; raided Milan area. Attacked by Borso d’Este during return journey, enemy captain defeated, 400 cavalry taken prisoner. | |||
| Sept. | Lombardy | Surprised Alessandro Sforza again between Rivolta d’Adda and Pandino. | |||
| Oct. | Lombardy | Surprised at night at Abbadia Cerreto by Alessandro Sforza, with Anastasio da Sant’Angelo and Il Pollone. Then moved to Crema. Raided Milan area with Montone; captured 60 cavalry, returned to Crema with significant loot. | |||
| Dec. | Lombardy | Tasked by Crema’s superintendent, along with Carlo di Montone, to defend Abbadia Cerreto and neighboring castles. | |||
| 1453 | |||||
| May | Lombardy | Followed Jacopo Piccinino towards Seniga. Forced to return to Pontevico due to opposition. | |||
| July | Lombardy | Moved to Alfianello with Antonello da Corneto to block enemy cavalry supplies; some skirmishes ended with seizure of about 70 cattle. Supported Jacopo Piccinino and Montone beyond the Oglio in a new raid towards Seniga, captured Bartolomeo Quartero. Attempted to aid besieged Ghedi with Piccinino; horse killed in a skirmish, saved from capture by Corneto. | |||
| Aug. | Lombardy | Attacked Montirone tower at dawn with Corneto, near Venetian camp. Met and repelled by Tiberto Brandolini; Sforza arrived, Venetians withdrew. With Anastasio da Sant’Angelo, forced Roberto da San Severino to abandon an offensive; further action with Corneto. Moved to Porzano with Piccinino; sent to Castelleone with 2000 cavalry and 1000 infantry to raid south of Soncino and create a second front. Besieged Giovanni della Noce in Castelleone; surprised by night attack from Brandolini with 800 cavalry and 400 infantry, caught his men drunk and asleep. 250 cavalry and 300 infantry captured among the Venetians. Escaped to Crema with Orso Orsini. | |||
| … | Lombardy | Moved to guard Soncino. Left upon approach of enemy troops. Venetians began to doubt his loyalty; defended by Piccinino. | |||
| Nov. | Lombardy | Forced to leave Soncino for Crema after fall of Orzinuovi. During move, raided surrounding territory with Petacchia da Viterbo, seized 330 horses at pasture. | |||
| 1454 | |||||
| … | Lombardy | Discharged after the Peace of Lodi. Joined Jacopo Piccinino’s company, followed him in subsequent ventures. | |||
| … | Comp. ventura | Siena | Romagna, Tuscany | Moved from Romagna to Tuscany, Siena area. | |
| 1455 | |||||
| Aug. | Comp. ventura | Siena, Church | Tuscany, Lazio | In the territory of Piombino and Castiglione della Pescaia. Captured with 30 lances by Giberto da Correggio while attempting to seize a supply convoy. Imprisoned in Castel Sant’Angelo, Rome. | |
| 1456 | |||||
| … | Tuscany | Released through intervention of King Alfonso d’Aragona of Naples, rejoined Jacopo Piccinino. Retreated to Castiglione della Pescaia, besieged by enemy; his men, starving, subsisted for days on unripe plums and hazelnuts. Seized Orbetello, supplied by sea by the Aragonese. | |||
| Oct. | Campania | In Naples with Piccinino. | |||
| 1458 | |||||
| Oct. | Naples | Angiò | Lazio | Ferrante d’Aragona sent him to Amatrice with 3 cavalry squads and 400 infantry to monitor rebel Giosia Acquaviva. | |
| 1459 | |||||
| … | Accepted, for economic reasons, an initial offer from Prince of Taranto Giovanni Antonio Orsini del Balzo to defect; ultimately refused. King of Naples secretly paid him 3000 ducats, originally meant for Piccinino. | ||||
| Dec. | Abruzzi | Sent by the people of Chieti to aid King Ferrante d’Aragona at the head of 500 infantry. Faced Cola di Monforte. | |||
| 1460 | |||||
| Jan.–Mar. | Abruzzi | Departed Sulmona, joined Grand Seneschal Ignazio di Guevara and Marino Caracciolo (900 cavalry) to devastate lands of Antonio Caldora, Monforte, Carlo di Sangro, and other rebellious barons. Camped at Moscufo. With the arrival of Deifobo dell’Anguillara and Pietro Lalle dei Camponeschi, abandoned siege operations. L’Aquila revolted for Giovanni d’Angiò. Later, raided territory of Ortona against Francesco d’Ortona (Francesco Riccardi), supporter of the Angevin faction. Sacked two castles in the county. | |||
| Apr.–May | Abruzzi | Appointed viceroy and governor of Abruzzi with civil and military jurisdiction: defended Chieti, engaged repeatedly with Jacopo Piccinino and Giulio Cesare da Varano. Forced to abandon Chieti and retreat to Vasto with Alfonso and Ignazio d’Avalos and Ignazio di Guevara. | |||
| Sept. | Abruzzi | Received 4000 ducats to continue defending Chieti from attacks by Piccinino. | |||
| Nov.–Dec. | Abruzzi | Entered Lanciano. In December, with Roberto Orsini, in difficulty against offensive by Giovanni d’Angiò. | |||
| 1461 | |||||
| Jan.–Feb. | Abruzzi | Defeated Antonio Caldora with Alessandro Sforza. Approached by Angevins in February to leave Aragonese side. King of Naples provided funds for Chieti garrison and sent 500 infantry. | |||
| Apr.–May | Abruzzi | Captured numerous towns from Duke of Ortona Francesco Riccardi and Acquaviva. Supported by company of Federico da Montefeltro (2 cavalry squads) and Pontic infantry. Moved with Torelli against Piccinino at Loreto Aprutino. In May attacked Città Sant’Angelo and Penne, confronted Count of Popoli Giovanni Cantelmi. | |||
| June | Abruzzi | Ferrante d’Aragona provided a banner with two hands holding diamonds and the motto “in eternum.” Unsuccessfully challenged enemies to pitched battle; attacked Piccinino at Loreto Aprutino, repelled defenders’ sortie. Joined Alessandro Sforza, defeated Antonio Caldora again; prevented his union with Piccinino. | |||
| Aug. | Campania | Entered Guardia Lombardi with Marcantonio Torelli. | |||
| Oct. | Lazio | In Rome seeking papal aid from Pope Pius II. | |||
| … | Abruzzi | Forced to take refuge in Chieti, under pressure first from Jacopo Piccinino, then from Antonio Caldora. Liberated by Marcantonio Torelli and Pietro Paolo dell’Aquila (8 cavalry squads), who forced Caldora to withdraw. | |||
| Nov. | Abruzzi | Pursued Piccinino in the L’Aquila area. Joined by exiles from Teramo, left Chieti. Raided Giosia Acquaviva’s territory to feed his troops. Entered Pescara, reached San Flaviano at night, sacked the locality; seized 800 loads of grain and much wine. Moved to Teramo, seized the castle of Tortoreto, crossed the Cartecchia ditch, entered Sant’Antonio Gate after promising to demolish the citadel and grant pardon. Seized 10,000 small and 200 large livestock, took many prisoners. Supporters of Acquaviva at Cellino Attanasio fled, hid in relatives’ homes and convents; some hid in tombs. Troops were quartered in these homes. | |||
| Dec. | Abruzzi | Obtained Teramo citadel upon promise of 400 ducats for garrison pay. With watch slackened, Aragonese entered and disarmed defenders. Marched to Atri; agreed a truce with Riccardi, lord of Ortona. | |||
| 1462 | |||||
| Feb.–Mar. | Abruzzi | Reinforcements from Ludovico Manfredi and Giovanni Francesco da Bagno (60 cavalry, 100 infantry). Continued fighting in Abruzzi. Received the fortresses of Atri and Silvi from Acquaviva; concluded a truce. | |||
| May | Abruzzi | Ordered by King of Naples to hand over Spoltore, Moscufo, and Montesilvano castles to Chieti residents. As reward, granted lands of Giulio Antonio Acquaviva with the Duchy of Atri. Dissuaded from trusting the king’s word, requested guarantees from Duke of Milan and Pope Pius II. At month’s end, left Pescara with Ludovico Malvezzi and captains Antonio Forlano, Agostino Matto, Battista di Pianello, and Rossetto da Capua. | |||
| June | Abruzzi | Attacked Giosia Acquaviva in Cellino Attanasio. | |||
| July | Abruzzi | With Malvezzi, blocked Giovan Francesco della Mirandola and Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta on the Tronto (800 cavalry), who sought to join Angevin forces in Apulia. | |||
| Aug.–Sept. | Abruzzi | Remained in Abruzzi with Malvezzi, commanding 6 cavalry squadrons; opposed troops of the Caldora, Duke of Ortona, and Count of Montorio. Besieged Acquaviva again at Cellino Attanasio; ravaged the area. Present with Rossetto da Capua, Giacomo da Padula, Santo Squillace, Giovanni da Muro. Acquired Duchy of Atri. | |||
| Oct. | Abruzzi, Molise | With 3,000 men and Alfonso d’Aragona, captured Agnone (from the Caldora), Castel di Sangro, and lands of the Abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno. | |||
| Nov. | Abruzzi | Displeased by order to return San Flaviano (Giulianova) and Duchy of Atri to Giulio Antonio Acquaviva. Maintained lordship of Atri for several years; local municipality supported him. Approached by Sforza’s envoy Bartolomeo Pusterla. In mid-month, went to Teramo to gather infantry; aimed to oppose Piccinino moving toward Celano. Soon joined Malvezzi and Alfonso d’Aragona at Popoli. | |||
| Dec. | Abruzzi | Secured surrender of Teramo. Approached by Venetians with an offer to lead their army against the Turks in Morea. Giovanni Zucchi, former chancellor, intervened to keep him with the Aragonese. | |||
| 1463 | |||||
| Jan. | Abruzzi | Active in Abruzzi with Grand Seneschal Alfonso d’Avalos and Roberto Orsini. | |||
| Feb. | Abruzzi | Went to aid Sulmona, besieged by Piccinino: with Orsini, sent supplies by mountain routes. Road discovered by enemy, Sulmona forced to surrender. | |||
| Apr. | Abruzzi | Suspected of intending to join Angevin side. Contacted again by former chancellor Giovanni Zucchi. Remained in Abruzzi, seized livestock from Countess of Celano Giovanna Cossa, sold for 15,000 ducats to restore his companies. | |||
| June | Lazio | With Roberto Orsini, defeated Jacopo Piccinino in Sora area, captured 3 cavalry squads. | |||
| July | Abruzzi, Molise | At Lanciano; moved towards Colonnella. Joined Alessandro Sforza at Ponte di Sant’Antonio on the Sangro, went to Agnone, then to the castle of Archi (held by the Caldora). | |||
| Aug. | Abruzzi | Jacopo Piccinino compelled to yield; signed surrender terms. Joined Alfonso d’Avalos and Bosio Sforza, marched on L’Aquila, seized nearly all castles at first assault. Inhabitants submitted to royal authority. Agreement signed at San Demetrio ne’ Vestini. | |||
| 1464 | |||||
| Spring | Abruzzi | Advanced on L’Aquila with Alessandro Sforza and Roberto da San Severino, compelled inhabitants to surrender. Offered services to Venetians for campaign in Morea against Turks; no agreement due to his demands. | |||
| June | Abruzzi | At Ortona. Deceived by a Florentine impostor pretending to be a Medici envoy; believed Florence would attack Lucca and Giovanni d’Angiò would invade Naples. Provided for the impostor and gave him a letter for Cosimo de’ Medici. News spread, Aragonese banners replaced with Angevin at night in L’Aquila. Impostor recognized and executed at Pesaro. | |||
| Oct. | 100 men-at-arms | Awarded the Order of the Ermine; required to return Duchy of Atri and Giulianova to Giulio Antonio Acquaviva. As with other nobles, lost all autonomous commands; opposed the measure. | |||
| 1467 | |||||
| Jan. | Campania | In Naples. Appointed Count of Palena, lands taken from Antonio Caldora, and granted fiefs in the Val di Sangro (Lama dei Peligni, Lettopalena, Pizzoferrato). | |||
| May | Campania | Invested with Conca della Campania, previously held by Prince of Rossano and Duke of Sessa Marino di Marzano. Giulio Cesare da Varano with 40 lances served in his companies; most troops were from former domains or recruited by the crown. | |||
| 1468 | Abruzzi | Granted the fief of Gissi, still in Abruzzi. | |||
| 1472 | |||||
| Sept. | Present at marriage contract signing of Isabella d’Aragona and Giovanni Galeazzo Sforza. That year, admitted to the royal council. | ||||
| 1473 | Donated Campolattaro to nephew Fabrizio. | ||||
| 1478 | |||||
| Oct. | Naples | Florence | Tuscany | In Tuscany against Florentines. Commanded 8 cavalry squads. | |
| Dec. | Tuscany | In mid-month, raided Chianti and Valdarno. Seized 200 livestock, captured 20 men-at-arms, imprisoned in Siena. | |||
| 1479 | |||||
| Feb. | Tuscany | Commanded 4 cavalry squads and 700 infantry (mostly Spanish and Swiss hired by Sienese), raided Chianti for livestock. Met by 230 Florentine infantry led by Cecco da Cortona and others. 45 killed on both sides; Florentines retreated, left 50 prisoners. Continued depredations, from Meleto to Gaiole in Chianti, posted 100 infantry at Vertine, reached Montegrossi for more raids. Passed through Castelnuovo della Berardenga; drove loot to Cacchiano and Siena. On route, again attacked by Florentine infantry at Lavernino stream near San Felice; captured Cecco da Cortona, Derata, Baccio da Levano. | |||
| June | Umbria | Sent with Giulio Cesare Varano, Giovanni della Rovere, Giovan Francesco da Bagno to counter Roberto Malatesta in Umbria. Stayed between Assisi and Perugia, moved towards Lake Trasimeno. With Varano ambushed Florentines at Torricella, captured 60–110 cavalry seeking supplies. Next day, attacked by Malatesta and Niccolò Orsini near Magione and Passignano on Lake Trasimeno. Failed to cut a bridge, wanted to spare forces. His 30 squads, like the enemy, were overpowered and routed; camp plundered, many men taken prisoner but soon released after being stripped of arms and horses. Escaped to Bettona. | |||
| July–Dec. | Umbria, Tuscany, Campania | Fortified at Magione. With Giordano Orsini attacked on Mount Ferraiolo, 100 cavalry and 200 Florentine infantry returning from a raid; captured 50 cavalry and many infantry. In mid-December, welcomed Lorenzo de’ Medici in Naples to begin peace talks. | |||
| 1480 | |||||
| Jan.–Feb. | Tuscany, Campania | With truce signed, moved to Val d’Ambra with 300 cavalry and 800 infantry; returned lands to Sienese previously taken by Florentines. In February, reported at Capua. | |||
| 1481 | |||||
| Jan. | Naples | Ottoman Empire | Puglia | Fought the Turks in the Otranto war. Occupied Corigliano d’Otranto. | |
| Feb.–Apr. | Puglia | Heavily defeated at Bagnolo del Salento. In early April, Duke of Calabria Alfonso d’Aragona organized counteroffensive in Salento. Summoned to Lecce with Cesare d’Aragona, Nicola Gaetani, Giorgio del Carretto, Giulio da Pisa, Giovanni Caracciolo. | |||
| Mar.–May | Puglia | Around Roca with his men; besieged Otranto with 15 cavalry squads; initially guarded the camp. | |||
| June | Puglia | At month’s end, Otranto bombarded from nearby hills. With Giovanni Giacomo Piccinino and German captain Alberigo dell’Ugo joined Duke of Calabria Alfonso d’Aragona in a night skirmish near city walls. Clash lasted 90 minutes, ended with death of Andrea Capodiferro. | |||
| July–Aug. | Puglia | Near San Pietro in Galatina; with Giovanni Tommaso Carafa and Taliano da Carpi attacked the bastion of San Francesco. Repelled Turkish sortie from fortress. In mid-August, went out to scout with Giovanni Giacomo Piccinino; sighted 300 Turkish cavalry near Otranto; alerted Duke of Calabria. Enemy pushed back into city. Died in combat in same month. Remembered by Lorenzo Spirito in “Lamento di Perugia soggiogata.” Masuccio Salernitano dedicated a novella to him in “Novellino.” Married first to a woman from Crema, then to Raimondella del Balzo. |
Sources
-“Non meno esperto, e valoroso comandante, che abile politico.” RAVIZZA
-“Uomo do bella corporatura e animo gagliardo.” PICCOLOMINI
-“Condottiero della milizia Braccesca.” CONTI
-“Senza verun dubio egli non fu punto inferiore a niuno de suoi maggiori; così per honorata laude della sua costante e perpetua fedeltà; di che meritò premij illustri, come per lo valore del corpo e dell’animo, e per la cognitione dell’arte della guerra; che il rese a’ que’ tempi di chiara e famosa memoria fra tutti i Capitani della sua età; non rozzo del governo della pace, e in sommo dotato e ornato di tutti quegli splendori e ornamenti che fanno gli uomini gloriosi.” AMMIRATO
-“Capitano vecchio, e per tutta Italia riputato insigne.” DI COSTANZO
-“Le prodezze di questo gran Capitano furono grandi e infinite.” MAZZELLA
-“Dux quidem magnanimus.” PORCELLIO
-“Uno dei più validi strumenti di Ferdinando (d’Aragona) nella guerra contro il Caldora (Antonio).” RAFFAELI CAMMAROTA
-“Eccellente e strenuo signore.” MASUCCIO SALERNITANO
-“Eo animo vir, ut neque constantiae ac fidei anteferret quidquam, neque inanem ejus gloriae titulum, suo aliorumque exitio quaesitum vellet.” RIPAMONTI
-“Condottieri molto excellente.” SANTI
-“Valente capitano.” BROGLIO
-“Non volgare guerriero.” PALMA
-“Condottiero di professione, era stato.. instancabilmente attivo sul fronte abruzzese, uno dei più caldi di tutto il conflitto, ricoprendo cariche ufficiali e maturando, da una certa data in poi, il desiderio di insignorirsi di uno stato feudale tra quelli che andava strappando ai ribelli (aspirazione legittima, considerati i suoi meriti, e appoggiata dalla corona, ma che si era rivelata travagliata nella realizzazione). Prototipo del soldato fedele, dunque, e non ancora integrato nel tessuto signorile del regno, la sottrazione della condotta non poteva mostrarsi ai suoi occhi se non come un inspiegabile torto.” STORTI
-“In Puglia,.. ebbe nuovamente una posizione di comando. Anche ad Otranto, tuttavia, (come in precedenza in Toscana) il suo operato non fu esente di critiche. Il 5 luglio 1481 scrisse infatti al re per riferire sull’andamento di uno scontro e per giustificare la condotta da lui tenuta in questa occasione. Va peraltro considerato che il Di Capua, e con lui gli altri comandanti napoletani, erano profondamente disorientati nell’affrontare un nemico (i turchi) che si avvaleva nel combattimento di una strategia ad essi completamente sconosciuta.” DE NEGRI
-“Uomo d’italiana fama che prodemente nelle guerre de’ veneziani contro i milanesi aveva pugnato.” TOMACELLI CAPECE
-“Capitano vecchio ed insigne.” GIANNONE
