How a German Count Became a Paragon of Loyalty in Italy
Ugo di Monforte (Ugo d’Alemagna, Ugo di Montfort)
From the Rhineland. Count of Montfort.
Death: Circa 1410.
| Year, Month | State, Comp. Ventura | Opponent | Command | Area of Activity | Actions Undertaken and Other Salient Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1363 | |||||
| Summer | Veneto | He marries in Padua Giovanna da Carrara, sister of Francesco, lord of the city; on the same day, Giovanni Savelli marries Lieta da Carrara, another sister of Francesco. | |||
| Not specified | Austria | Initially serves his nephew, Duke Leopold of Austria. | |||
| 1383 | |||||
| Oct. | Austria | Padua | Veneto | He is sent with 500 lances to the aid of Treviso, threatened by the Carraresi led by Simone Lupo. In defense of the city are 1,900 lances lodged in monasteries, inns, and some empty houses. He forces Arcuano Buzzaccarini to lift the siege but is also obliged to leave due to lack of provisions. | |
| Nov. | Veneto | With Falck Zimberg, he moves with 250 carts and 800 lances to plunder the territories of Cittadella and Bassano del Grappa. After sacking their countrysides, he heads towards Romano d’Ezzelino, seizes Mussolente and San Zenone degli Ezzelini. The booty is immense—grains, animals, wine, and household goods. The 250 carts are insufficient to carry all the loot, so an additional 200 carts are commandeered from the peasants. Hugh of Montfort moves towards Treviso with the spoils but is attacked by Carraresi troops from Castelfranco Veneto. Despite initial losses, reinforcements arrive, and they defeat the Carraresi, freeing previously captured companions and reclaiming the wagons. | |||
| Dec. | Veneto | Leaves Treviso again to attack a tower on the Sile River near the church of Sant’Ambrogio with bombards. After three days, he must desist following a truce with the adversaries. Remains in Treviso. | |||
| 1384 | |||||
| Feb. | Germany | Returns to Germany when Treviso is sold by the Duke of Austria to the Carraresi. | |||
| 1391 | |||||
| Not specified | Florence | Milan | Lombardy | Joins John Hawkwood in his expedition in Lombardy against the Visconti forces. | |
| July | Lombardy | Participates in the Battle of Castagnaro; follows John Hawkwood in his famous retreat to the Mincio River. He is knighted along with Conrad Prosper, Fuzzolino Tedesco, and Hugh Guazzalotti. | |||
| Dec. | Tuscany | Joins with 100 horsemen John Beltoft (200 lances and 500 infantry) to escort a convoy of 500 mules laden with provisions. At Cascina, they are attacked by Jacopo dal Verme and Jacopo d’Appiano. Beltoft flees while he is captured along with most of his men and cargo (200 mules with 300 loads of grain). He is immediately ransomed by the Florentines for his bravery during the clash and is gifted two fine mounts and other items. | |||
| 1392 | |||||
| Feb. | Tuscany | At the end of the conflict, returns to Florence following Luigi da Capua. He is tasked with raising the banner of the commune. | |||
| Mar.–Apr. | Florence | Mercenary Comp. | Emilia | Sent with John Hawkwood to aid the Bolognese, threatened by the passage of the companies of Ceccolo Broglia, Brandolino Brandolini, and Biordo dei Michelotti. The mercenaries, apparently dismissed by Gian Galeazzo Visconti, intend to raid the Bolognese territory. Upon hearing of Hugh of Montfort‘s arrival, they head towards Sarzana. At the end of the month, with Conrad of Altinberg, he participates in a grand joust in Florence alongside many young men from prominent families. The event is repeated in April, with another tournament won by a German knight named Rappa or Raspa. | |
| 1395 | |||||
| Apr. | Florence | Este | Romagna | Fights under Astorre Manfredi, lord of Faenza, in favor of Niccolò d’Este, Marquis of Ferrara, against Azzo d’Este and Giovanni da Barbiano. Moves from Faenza towards Argenta with 600 horsemen, defeats Conselice da Barbiano at Consandalo, and forces him to retreat to Portomaggiore. | |
| 1396 | |||||
| June | Florence | Mercenary Comp. | Tuscany | Leaves Montepulciano with 800 horsemen, many infantry, and sappers to raid the territory of Cetona, belonging to Francesco da Montemarte, accused of harboring the companies of Ceccolo Broglia and Brandolino Brandolini in a previous incursion into Florentine territory. Meets with Montemarte and is convinced of his innocence. The Podestà of Montepulciano, Biliotto Biliotti, who previously urged him to undertake this expedition, pushes him again to act against Montemarte. Hugh of Montfort refuses. Finally, a decision from Florence arrives to halt the operation. | |
| July | Florence | Mercenary Comp. | Tuscany | Sent to the Lucca area with 400 lances to confront Giovanni da Barbiano‘s company, which is devastating the territory on behalf of the Pisans. Attacks the adversary at Castiglioncello del Trinoro with Bartolomeo Boccanera, Antonio degli Obizzi, Ludovico Gabriotto Cantelli, and Giannichino Bottigler. The victory goes to Giovanni da Barbiano due to the poor resistance offered by Boccanera. | |
| Aug. | Florence | Milan | Tuscany | Moves to Garfagnana to face the Lucchese exiles aided by Visconti forces. Reaches San Donnino and Gragnano, where he routs Giovanni da Castiglione. Among the baggage, a banner is found and brought to Lucca. | |
| 1397 | |||||
| Apr. | Lombardy | Transfers with 600 horsemen to defend Mantua, assaulted by Visconti forces led by Jacopo dal Verme. | |||
| July | Lombardy | Defeated at Borgoforte; wounded in combat. Subsequently sent at night to aid Marcaria, which is about to fall to the Visconti. Informed en route that the castle’s defenders have surrendered, he changes course and, leading 500 horsemen and as many infantry, directly attacks the enemy camp. The enemies, alerted by Conrad of Altinberg, prepare to resist. Hugh of Montfort requests a meeting with Altinberg in the name of their old friendship, laments being offended by him, and unsuccessfully challenges him to a duel. He attacks Altinberg, who seeks refuge among his men. Hugh of Montfort returns to Mantua covered in praise and gifts. | |||
| Aug. | Lombardy | Participates in the Battle of Governolo, commanding the fifth division with Conrad Prosper, consisting of 2,000 horsemen. After the victory, tasked with supplying provisions to Cavriana, defended by Antonio degli Obizzi. Sends 300 infantry who seize a hill near the city’s gate, which is to be opened for them. At dawn, attacks the enemies to distract them. The soldiers enter Cavriana; he returns to Mantua capturing 300 horsemen. | |||
| 1398 | |||||
| Not specified | Lombardy | Captured by ducal forces led by Ugolotto Biancardo in a clash near Marcaria. According to Cremonese chronicles, Hugh of Montfort is taken to Milan. Gian Galeazzo Visconti interrogates him, asking if Mantua is well-provisioned and what Francesco Gonzaga thinks of him. Montfort replies that Mantua lacks no provisions and that the city’s lord speaks only well of him. The Duke of Milan doesn’t believe him and sends a trusted man to Mantua to propose to Gonzaga the assassination of the Duke of Milan in exchange for a pension. Marco di Cambio is expelled by Gonzaga, who expresses himself in the best terms towards the Duke. This sets the stage for a peace treaty, beginning with Montfort‘s release and his initiation of the first negotiations. | |||
| May | Milan | Tuscany, Lombardy | Released, he returns to Florence following a truce between the parties. There, he is attacked by his creditors (14,000 florins) who summon him before the Podestà. Feeling offended by a state for which he has always fought loyally and which doesn’t defend him in his time of need, he leaves Florence with many horsemen and retreats to Lucca. He is given money there, leaves the city, and goes to Pavia to serve the Duke of Milan. He is granted a contract, given 6,000 florins, and loaned another 10,000 to settle his debts. | ||
| 1400 | |||||
| July | Count of Savoy | Milan | Piedmont | Rushes to Caravino, where Facino Cane is stationed, with 800 horsemen alongside Rodolphe de Gruyères, Jean de Verney, Amédée de Challant, and Galeazzo da Mantova. Defeats the Visconti commander and returns to his camp. Failing to take necessary precautions for the following night, the Savoyard captains are surprised by the adversary. All are captured with 600 horsemen and taken to Caravino and Settimo Rottaro. | |
| 1404 | |||||
| Sept. | Padua | Venice | Veneto | Follows Niccolò d’Este; from Mirano, moves into the Treviso area to plunder the territory. After making many captures and taking many men, he prepares to return to Padua when he encounters Taddeo dal Verme. This commander, with 300 lances and many infantry, is escorting a convoy of provisions from Mestre to the camp at Vigodarzere. Hugh of Montfort attacks the adversaries; dal Verme confronts him but is unhorsed by a lance strike. Montfort dismounts to fight him while dal Verme defends himself with a lance. With an axe, Hugh of Montfort breaks his weapon and forces him into a difficult position. The Venetian commander surrenders to the Marquis of Ferrara; thus, Montfort is deprived of the ransom. Alberico da Barbiano is called to decide the subsequent dispute: the prisoner remains in Niccolò d’Este‘s custody, and Hugh of Montfort receives weapons and baggage. He moves to besiege Rovigo; leaving Arquà Polesine, he clashes with Enrico della Treccia near a bastion on the Gorzone River. The fortress is conquered. | |
| Dec. | Veneto | Confronts Paolo Savelli with 200 horsemen after he has just crossed the Arino barricade. Boldly charges into the midst of the Venetian infantry to push them back. Francesco Novello da Carrara is wounded in the arm by a crossbow bolt and is about to be captured by the adversaries. Hugh of Montfort intervenes, defends him, but cannot prevent himself from being captured along with 400 men, mostly peasants. Immediately released, he joins Manfredo da Barbiano in his attack on Camponogara. With Filippo da Pisa and Francesco Buzzaccarini, he unsuccessfully urges Manfredo da Barbiano not to abandon the planned action when the latter refuses to fight the enemies for fear of defeat. | |||
| 1410 | Dies. |
Sources:
-“Huomo vigoroso e ardito.” SERCAMBI
-Con Giovanni Beltoft “Uomini di provata onestà ed esperienza d’armi.” PROFESSIONE
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