Giampaolo, Malatesta, and Astorre: The Great Condottieri of the Baglioni

The House Baglioni emerges from history as one of the most turbulent families of the Italian Renaissance. For about two centuries, its influence radiated from Perugia into the surrounding territory. Unlike other lords of the city, as had previously happened with Braccio di Montone, the exercise of power by the Baglioni was moderate: its members acted as de facto lords, but at the same time, they formally kept the institutions and magistracies of the commune alive. The house, finally, reveals itself as a hotbed of condottieri, captains of venture capable of leading mercenary armies in the service of popes, republics, and other lordships. The history of this house presents itself as an intricate tapestry of signorile power, strategic alliances with other houses, and, above all, violent internal feuds. To understand the complex genealogy of this family, it is essential to recognize the watershed event that indelibly marks its history: the infamous conspiracy of July 1500, known as the bloody wedding.

On this date, one branch of the family, led by Grifone I and Carlo “Barciglia”, attacked their own relatives to seize power. The ambush led to the assassination of key figures such as Astorre I and Simonetto; the ultimate failure of the conspiracy and the survival of Gentile and Giampaolo determined, in turn, the rise of two opposing branches that, albeit with some pauses, dominated the Perugian scene for about forty years. The end of the Baglioni lordship stemmed from the conflict that set these two figures against each other, both striving for supremacy in the city. After the death of Giampaolo’s son, Malatesta II, it was the Papal States that put an end to the Baglioni’s rule in the city. The attempts by the last claimant, Malatesta II’s son, Rodolfo II, to regain control of the city were in vain.

GENEALOGICAL SUMMARY OF THE BAGLIONI FAMILY

MALATESTA BAGLIONI I (1390-1437)

Brother-in-law of Braccio di Montone. Good condottiero. Astute. Upon the death of his relative, he manages to save his assets and feuds. He is also able to reconcile Perugia with the Papal States.

BRACCIO BAGLIONI I (1419-1479)

Cousin of Oddo and Carlo di Montone, son-in-law of Bosio Sforza. Lord and condottiero of broad views. A friend of writers, poets, and various artists, so much so that he was considered the Lorenzo dei Medici of Perugia.

CARLO BAGLIONI II (1473 – 1518)

Called Barciglia, because his coat of arms features a black rooster with two voluminous wattles. Uncle of Grifone, nephew of Giulio Cesare da Varano, brother-in-law of Girolamo dalla Penna. The poorest of the family due to his prodigality. According to some authors, he is a diabolical figure who constantly conspired against his relatives. Possessed of much courage and great experience in the military arts.

GUIDO BAGLIONI

Assists his brother Braccio I in the gradual conquest of hegemony in Perugia. He is killed, between July 14 and 15, by Bernardo d’Antignolla on the night his son Astorre I married Lavinia Colonna.

RODOLFO BAGLIONI I (+1501)

Takes an active part in the life of the city in Perugia. He is aligned with his family’s interests in the disputes that divide his brother Braccio I with the Oddi family. Unlike his son Simonetto, he manages to escape the massacre organized by Carlo II and Grifone Baglioni.

ASTORRE BAGLIONI I (+1500)

Cousin of Giampaolo and Simonetto, son-in-law of Giovanni Colonna. A good soldier, he adopts the lifestyle of the lords of his age, which is so in tune with the classical ideals of the humanists. He is killed, during his wedding night with Lavinia Colonna, by Grifone and Carlo II Baglioni.

MORGANTE BAGLIONI (+1502)

Named Adriano, called Morgante due to his stature and handsome appearance. He represents the best part of the Baglioni family for his spirit of justice, which allows him to be loved by a large part of Perugia’s citizens. Falling ill with malaria during a campaign, he dies not without suspicion of having been poisoned by his cousin Giampaolo.

GENTILE BAGLIONI (1491-1531)

Father-in-law of Sforza Monaldeschi. He is initially forced by his relatives to follow an ecclesiastical career. Appointed after a few years as ad interim bishop of Orvieto, he prefers to follow his instincts and dedicate himself to military life in the service of the papacy. A bold, unscrupulous captain, dominated by the desire for power. Suspected of treason, he is killed in his palace in Perugia, along with his nephews Alessandro and Fileno, by his nephew Orazio.

GIAMPAOLO BAGLIONI (1471 – 1520)

Cousin of Gentile, Astorre I, and Morgante; brother-in-law of Bartolomeo d’Alviano and Camillo Vitelli, uncle of Baldassarre Signorelli and other noted condottieri like Ludovico Euffreducci and Ottaviano Signorelli. Father-in-law of Camillo Orsini and son-in-law of Jacopo Conti. He gains fame as an expert captain, esteemed by the soldiers who serve under him. Few figures and lords of the Italian Renaissance have left such a questionable reputation as his, marked by negative reports ranging from incest to discord with his relatives. Some authors have also highlighted his betrayals; few his merits, none his virtues.

SIMONETTO BAGLIONI (1476 – 1500)

Skilled in arms, especially in the combat use of the mace and sword. He demonstrates his ferocity on multiple occasions. He is killed during the bloody wedding ambush with sword and dagger blows by Carlo II. His body is transferred naked, without any public participation, to the burial place.

ORAZIO BAGLIONI I (+1486)

Called Boldrino. A courageous and daring young man. Dies in combat.

CARLO BAGLIONI I (+1485)

Condottiero in the service of numerous states such as Venice, Florence, and the Kingdom of Naples. He follows Giovanni d’Angiò in his attempt to seize the Kingdom of Naples at the expense of King Ferrante d’Aragona.

MALATESTA BAGLIONI IV (1491-1531)

Nephew of Gentile, brother-in-law of Camillo Orsini, uncle of Ottaviano Signorelli. Another controversial figure of the house. An ingenious and valorous captain. Considered a traitor to the Florentine republic by many contemporary historians, he is, in reality, an ambitious adventurer who fights his whole life to obtain his own lordship in central Italy.

ORAZIO BAGLIONI II (1493 – 1528)

Natural son of Giampaolo and half-brother of Malatesta II, he becomes one of the most celebrated and feared infantry captains of his time. Known for his courage and ferocity. The judgments of his contemporaries are unanimous, all agreeing on his bloodthirsty nature and his being cruel and vengeful beyond measure. He dies in battle during the siege of Naples.

RODOLFO BAGLIONI II (1512 – 1554)

A spirited condottiero. He tries in vain to reclaim the lordship of Perugia for the Baglioni. He fights for the Florentines in the war of Siena. He is killed in an ambush set by the troops of Piero Strozzi and Aurelio Fregoso.

ADRIANO BAGLIONI (1527 – 1574)

Nephew of Alessandro Vitelli. He distinguishes himself in the many battles he is involved in Tuscany, Hungary, Austria, and, especially, France. He dies in Rome while assisting as a judge at a joust.

ASTORRE BAGLIONI II (1526 – 1571)

Uncle of Federico, nephew of Alessandro Vitelli. A daring and prudent condottiero, loved by his soldiers. His name is linked to the defense of Famagusta, the capital of Cyprus, against the Turks. Forced to surrender, he is beheaded by his adversaries despite his protests over the failure to respect the terms of capitulation.

FEDERICO BAGLI0NI (+ 1571)

Nephew of Astorre II. In the service of the Venetians against the Turks, he dies in the defense of Cyprus.

Other Baglioni related to the condottieri of the Perugia branch

BRACCIO BAGLIONI II (+1559)

In the pay of the Florentines, he soon defects to their adversaries, the Imperials. He opposes the predominant position of Malatesta II in Perugia. Later, with his brother Sforza, he initiates a lawsuit against their cousin Rodolfo II to contest his paternal age. Only in the last years of his life can he re-enter Perugia with the permission of the popes.

SFORZA BAGLIONI (+ 1532)

Brother of Braccio II and Galeotto, good condottiero. He is also a protagonist, with his brother, in the actions taken against their cousin Rodolfo II. He dies in the defense of Vienna, besieged by the Turks, from an accidental artillery shot.

Collateral branch of the Baglioni of Castel di Piero

SIMONETTO DA CASTEL DI PIERO (+ 1397)

One of the most eminent figures of the Baglioni family of the Viterbo Teverina. An expert condottiero loyal to the papal arms. He is involved in the struggles in Orvieto between the mercorini and beffati factions.

PIRRO COLONNA (Pirro Baglioni da Castel di Piero) (1500 – 1552)

Born as Pirro Baglioni, son of Fierabraccio Baglioni, upon his father’s death, he is entrusted by his mother to the Colonna family, whose surname he adopts in recognition of his protector Ascanio Colonna. An expert condottiero, he proves to have a strong character that leads him to be irascible and violent. In other circumstances, this character appears instead as a sensitive, religious, family-oriented, and cultured man.