Italian Condottieri

Renato da Trivulzio: The Man Who Stopped the Swiss at Crevola

Italian CondottieriRenato da Trivulzio: The Man Who Stopped the Swiss at Crevola

The younger brother of Gian Giacomo, his reputation as a condottiero is somewhat overshadowed by the significant role played by his kinsman in the Italian Wars of the period—who was, not coincidentally, known as "The Great." Sources describe him as an experienced and energetic captain, qualities he demonstrated while in the employ of the Venetians at the Battle of Campomorto against Aragonese forces and, most notably, against the Swiss while serving Ludovico Sforza, the regent of the Duchy of Milan. During the 15th century, the Ducal forces achieved only two victories against the Swiss: the first at Arbedo, led by Carmagnola and Angelo della Pergola; the second at the bridge of Crevola on the Toce River, under the command of Renato da Trivulzio. The latter was a combat of immense casualties: 2,000 among the Swiss and 4,000 on the Milanese side. It is said that the river ran red with the blood settled in its bed and that it overflowed due to a sort of dam created within the channel itself by the vast number of bodies piled there. Following the defeat of the Swiss invaders, the population of Val d'Ossola took revenge for years of looting, massacres, and oppression by launching a fierce hunt for the survivors, which ended in infinite acts of cruelty.

Battle of Crevola

Indice delle Signorie dei Condottieri: A – B – C – D – E – F – G – I – J – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – Z

Renato da Trivulzio and the Defense of the Northern Valleys

(Raniero da Trivulzio, known as Renato) From Milan. Lord of Formigara. Father of Francesco da Trivulzio, younger brother of Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio, cousin of Teodoro da Trivulzio, son-in-law of Giacomo Torelli, father-in-law of Galeazzo da Birago.

Born: 1430
Death: 1498, December

Year, MonthState, Comp. venturaOpponentCommandArea of ActivityActions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts
…………RiminiInitially serves under the orders of Roberto Malatesta.
1470LombardyHe is among the gentlemen who swear an oath of loyalty to the Duke of Milan, Galeazzo Maria Sforza.
1477ImolaIn the service of the Lord of Imola, Girolamo Riario, nephew of Pope Sixtus IV (Sisto IV).
1478Milan VeniceChurch NaplesTuscany
1480
Apr.VeniceVenetoDelivers the banner of Captain General of the Serenissima to Roberto Malatesta in Venice.
1482
…………MilanGrisonsLombardyThe Grisons invade the county of Chiavenna, advance into the Valle Pregalia, and attack Bormio, laying waste to the entire Valtellina. He moves against them with a strong army; he induces them to retreat in exchange for 14,000 lire and certain commercial advantages.
…………VeniceFerrara NaplesRomagna and MarcheReturns to military service with Roberto Malatesta; faces the Este forces of Giovanni Vitelli near Bagnacavallo. Passes through Fano and follows Malatesta into Lazio.
Aug.LazioTakes part in the Battle of Campomorto, where he distinguishes himself for his bravery on the battlefield.
1483
…………MilanGrisonsThe Venetians incite Count Pietro di Sacco to invade the Valle Mesolcina, which he had sold three years prior to Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio, under the pretext that 6,000 Rhenish florins have not yet been paid. The Grisons besiege the castle of Mesocco. Renato da Trivulzio is sent to the valley to reach an agreement with the league. Negotiations are successful because Ludovico Sforza commits to paying the sum owed by Pietro di Sacco to Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio.
JuneMilanRossi VeniceEmiliaFights Guido dei Rossi in the Parma area. Captures Felino.
JulyLombardyMoves from the lower Cremonese to Soncino.
Aug.LombardyHe is reported in Manerbio with 5 squads of men-at-arms and 500 infantry: within a few days, he obtains the surrender of the town along with Verolavecchia, Breda Libera, and Farfengo.
Dec.Emilia and LombardyStill opposes the Rossi. Occupies Torricella and its surrounding territory. Returns to Lombardy and is stationed near Soncino.
1484
Feb. MayLombardyDefeats a contingent of stradiots that had ventured into the territory of Soncino. In May, he is still reported guarding that location.
Aug.LombardyIn Bagnolo Mella when the peace between the contenders is signed. He is present as a witness to the signing of the relevant acts.
…………PiedmontRepresents the Duke of Milan at the Congress of Vercelli for the renewal of the alliance with the Duke of Savoy.
1485LombardyAppointed lieutenant and ducal commissioner of Cremona.
1486
…………LombardyGranted citizenship of Cremona. Purchases the fief of Formigara in the Cremona area from Bartolomeo Guarna.
Oct.Lombardy PiedmontElected governor of Valtellina, he heads to Vogogna in Val d’Ossola to repel the threats of the Bishop of Sion, Jodoco di Silenen.
1487
Apr.MilanSwiss C.Captain Gen.Lombardy PiedmontLeaves Milan and reaches Vogogna again. Gathers 112 lances, 100 mounted crossbowmen with 25 stradiots, and 3,000 infantry to block a raid into Val Vigezzo by 6,000 Swiss. The Swiss leave the camp of Matarello thinking Renato da Trivulzio has positioned himself for the defense of Domodossola. The commander is informed by his captains Zenone da Lavello and Traversa of the enemy movements; he moves quickly with the crossbowmen and light-armed soldiers, while the men-at-arms under Giampietro Bergamino follow more slowly. He marches with Giacomo da Corte toward Beura on the left bank of the Toce; he crosses the river and puts 500 Swiss to flight (50 enemy dead). The opponents try to prevent his reunion in Val Vigezzo with Zanone da Lavello and Traversa: specifically, 800 men break away from the others to attack the ducal forces. An initial clash occurs; reinforcements arrive led by Giovanni Borromeo, his son Giberto Borromeo, and Giampietro Bergamino. Trivulzio traps a contingent of 5,000 men at the bridge of Crevola who offer tenacious resistance to the Sforza forces; he himself is wounded in the foot by an arquebus shot which will leave him with a limp for the rest of his life; he is supported by heavy cavalry while light horses close the retreat routes. The Swiss are surrounded; terrified, they suffer a colossal defeat. They begin to retreat. Some force their way toward the Simplon (Sempione), others flee up the Toce: it is said that the river, stained with blood, overflowed due to the large number of dead piled in its bed, obstructing the flow as if a small dam had been formed. 2,000 bodies remain on the field (among the Sforza forces, a loss of 4,000 men is claimed). The valley dwellers take revenge for the looting and massacres suffered over many years by hunting down the stragglers. After the victory, Renato da Trivulzio reaches Domodossola with the wounded and, from there, makes a triumphal return to Milan displaying the flags taken from the opponents. In memory of the victory, which occurred on the feast day of Saint Vitalis (San Vitale), the city of Domodossola and other centers of the valley make a vow to erect an oratory in Crevola dedicated to the saint, father of Sts. Gervasius and Protasius (SS. Gervasio e Protasio), patrons of the local collegiate church, and to honor him every year with a solemn procession.
1489PiedmontEnrolled in the citizenship of Novara. Holds command of a squad of lance spezzate.
1491LombardyCalled to join the ducal council.
1495
…………LombardyEntrusted by Ludovico Sforza with the government of Pavia. He holds this position until 1498.
JulyMilan VeniceFranceEmiliaTakes part in the Battle of Fornovo.
1497
MayLombardyWith Francesco Bernardino Visconti, he tries to reconcile his brother Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio, who is in Asti with the French, with the Duke of Milan Ludovico Sforza.
1498
Dec.LombardyDies in Milan at the end of the month. He is buried in the church of San Pietro in Gessate, where he had the chapel of San Mauro built. Portrait by Antonello da Messina. Marries Taddea Torelli, daughter of Giacomo.

Sources

-“Perito nella disciplina militare.” CORIO

-“Capitano di buona fama.” BOSI

-“Fu segnalato con diversi gradi militari.” MORIGI

-Con Gian Fermo da Trivulzio “Condivisero il mestiere di condottiero (Gian Giacomo da Trivulzio), il secondo pure le inclinazioni letterarie facendosi apprezzare quale rimatore.” VIGANO’

  • Alla battaglia di Campomorto. “Fratello del Magno Trivulzio,..d’indole certo energica e assai lesto di mano, degno appunto di così gran fratello cui il solo Gian Giacomo sottrasse la facoltà del primato nell’egregio casato Trivulzio. Costui possedeva infatti tanta destrezza nell’agire con premura, tanta moderazione, che pur ti fosse del tutto ignoto persino di viso, lo crederesti fratello del Magno Trivulzio. Renato dunque, capo dei veterani..su ordine di Roberto detto il Magnifico (Roberto Malatesta) per le gloriose gesta, rinviò l’entrata in battaglia sinché, indebolite le forze dei nemici, non si dovesse dubitare della vittoria…(Crudeltà della popolazione sugli svizzeri in fuga dopo la battaglia di Crevola) Una voce persistente afferma che le donne, sventrati gli svizzeri (i cadaveri dei morti) abbiano dato viscere umane in pasto ai fratelli prigionieri, perché ricordassero ch’esse stesse eran state tante volte condotte da loro in pericolo di vita. In molti perirono pure tra gli anfratti dei monti, consumati da deperimento e fame; altri furono trovati a mangiare erbe, altri ancora a rosicchiar radici: spiravano con le erbe verdeggianti ancora in bocca..Risulta in quella battaglia sian caduti circa 2000 svizzeri, ma di nostri ne periron il doppio.” MADRIGNANO

Featured image: Wikipedia

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