The Military Pursuits of Luigi dal Verme

Italian CondottieriThe Military Pursuits of Luigi dal Verme

Son of Jacopo. Holder of vast landed estates, he appears more as one of the most tireless condottieri of his time than as a lord and feudal lord. A fundamental trait: his enmity towards the Venetians. In his career, unlike many other captains, the chronicles do not report any particular episodes of violence or cruelty

Indice delle Signorie dei Condottieri: ABCDEFGIJLMNOPQRSTUVZ

Luigi dal Verme Chooses Warrior Life Over Nobility

Luigi dal Verme (Alvise dal Verme) of Verona. Count of Sanguinetto. Lord of Sanguinetto, Castelnuovo del Garda, Correggioverde, Bobbio, Voghera, Castel San Giovanni, Busseto, Nogarole Rocca, Gazzo Veronese, Castelbaldo, Pianello Val Tidone, Rocca d’Olgisio, Pecorara, Caprile, Ruino, Albareto, Romagnese, Sala, Vicomarino, Fortunago, Poviglio, Zavattarello, Pietragavina, Borgonovo Val Tidone, Villabona, Sustinenza, Oramala, Corte Brugnatella, Roncarolo, Torre degli Alberi, Monguzzo, Coenzo, Anzano del Parco, Varzi, Gremiasco, Menconico. Son of Jacopo dal Verme, brother of Peterlino dal Verme, father of Pietro dal Verme and Taddeo dal Verme, nephew of Taddeo dal Verme, cousin of Ugolino dal Verme, and son-in-law of Carmagnola (with a dowry of 5000 ducats and a palace in Milan on Via Broletto).

Born: 1390 ca. 
Death: 1449, September

Year, monthState, Comp. venturaOpponentConductActivity AreaActions taken and other salient facts
1412
SummerVenetoHe lives in Verona with his brother Pietro Antonio. The two dal Verme brothers move from the Santa Eufemia district, where they have lived until then, to the San Pietro Incarnario district, in a Gothic palace on Via Scipione Maffei, now Palazzo Maffei. Over time, this palace will first become the property of Gattamelata and later the Malaspina.
1414VenetoHe assists his uncle Taddeo dal Verme in severe financial difficulties by paying on his behalf the sum of 800 ducats for which his relative is indebted.
1415VenetoHe participates in a tournament in Venice organized on the occasion of the election of Doge Tommaso Mocenigo.
Apr.
1417Venice
1418SforzaNaplesHe serves in the companies of Muzio Attendolo Sforza against the troops of Queen Joanna I of Naples (Giovanna d’Angiò).
1419
Apr. – JuneMilanCremonaLombardyHe fights under Carmagnola against the lord of Cremona, Gabrino Fondulo. He commands the left wing of the Visconti formation. He heads towards Castelleone while Arrigo Zambra is tasked with seizing Pizzighettone. He unsuccessfully besieges the location. Niccolò da Tolentino and Biancarello oppose him, putting him in difficulty. The Duke of Milan sends him reinforcements of 1000 infantry and 300 cavalry, partly provided by the Marquis of Monferrato and partly by Giorgio Benzoni. The latter troops are under the command of Venturino Benzoni. Luigi dal Verme reconnects with Carmagnola and besieges Castelleone. The town is forced to surrender, and he is appointed its governor.
1420
Feb.The Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, appoints him as his adherent on the occasion of the peace agreement concluded with the Florentines.
Apr.BolognaChurchEmiliaHe serves Antongaleazzo Bentivoglio, lord of Bologna, against the papal forces. He attacks Braccio di Montone with 300 cavalry while the latter is inspecting the fortifications of Bologna. Wounded by a lance, he is unhorsed but, once remounted, manages to escape. Eighty of his company’s horses are captured and another thirty are injured.
1421
Mar.LombardyIn the middle of the month, in Milan at the Porta Giovia castle, he is reinvested with some feudal estates previously granted by the Visconti to his father Jacopo (Pianello Val Tidone, Pecorara, and Borgonovo Val Tidone). Guido Torelli is a witness to the act.
…………100 lancesHe serves Pope Martin V.
1422
Mar.The Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, renews all the concessions made by Gian Galeazzo Visconti to their father Jacopo in favor of Luigi dal Verme and his brother Peterlino.
…………Siena
1423
SummerFlorenceMilan50 lancesRomagnaIn Romagna, he supports the Florentines against the Visconti forces.
1425
Aug.PerugiaHe is engaged by the Perugians through the Cardinal of Bologna, Antonio Correr, the legate. The inhabitants refuse to comply with the payment of his dues, provoking the wrath of the prelate, who then leaves Perugia.
1426
Feb.VeniceMilan200 lancesTuscanyHe is engaged for six months of active service and six months of reserve. He is sent to Tuscany to support the Florentines against the Visconti forces. Castelnuovo Veronese (Castelnuovo del Garda) is granted to him as a fief.
…………EmiliaHe supports the Marquis of Ferrara against Guido Torelli and Niccolò Piccinino, who are attempting tvo break into Tuscany from Emilia.
Sept. – Nov.LombardyHe assists Niccolò da Tolentino and Arrigo della Tacca in the siege of the citadel of Brescia. During the year, he must again provide financial support to his uncle Taddeo dal Verme‘s family: his cousin Paola transfers all her property (Correggioverde) to him to settle a debt of 6500 ducats. The Bishop of Verona, Guidone Memmo, officially acknowledges this transaction.
1427
Apr.600 cavalryLombardyAt the camp of Castenedolo.
MayLombardyWith Carmagnola at the Battle of Gottolengo.
…………260 lances, 100 infantryRomagnaHe is noted in Ravenna.
Oct.LombardyHe inherits the assets of his cousin Ugolino dal Verme. This is further acknowledged by the Bishop of Verona.
1428
Apr.LombardyWith the signing of the agreement between Venice and Milan, he can recover all the properties he owned in the Duchy of Milan. He is reported to be on the Mella overseeing the movements of the Visconti forces.
Aug.Emilia, TuscanyHe passes through Bologna with 500 cavalry to escort Carmagnola to the baths of Siena. In Siena.
1429
Feb.VenetoIn Venice, at Piazza San Marco, he attends the ceremony in which Carmagnola is named Count of Chiari.
Apr.200 lancesHis contract for 600 cavalry is renewed for six months of active service and six months of reserve, with a monthly provision of 200 ducats. He agrees not to fight against the Venetians for six months after the end of his service. Loot and prisoners are his responsibility; the cities conquered belong to the Venetians. Despite being in the service of the Serenissima, the Duke of Milan does not confiscate his properties in Lombardy. These are confirmed to him on the occasion of the peace agreements signed in late December 1426 and the subsequent one in April 1428.
…………He marries Luchina Bussone in a second marriage, daughter of Carmagnola, who brings a dowry of 5000 ducats and a palace in Milan located on Via Broletto.
1430
Oct.VenetoThe Senate confirms for him and his brother Pietro Antonio the privileges they already enjoyed in the fief of Sanguinetto.
1431
Feb.VeniceMilan, EmpireLombardyHe crosses the Oglio River with Pietro Giampaolo Orsini to occupy Treviglio and Caravaggio; he links up with Lorenzo Attendolo and advances as far as San Zenone al Lambro, devastating the surrounding territory.
JuneMarshal of the fieldLombardyCarmagnola appoints him as his marshal of the field alongside Guidantonio Manfredi, Lorenzo Attendolo, and Luigi da San Severino. The four condottieri have full freedom of action and each receives an additional 100 ducats per month as provision.
Nov.FriuliHe confronts the troops of Emperor Sigismund of Hungary. He advances on Rosazzo, where the imperial forces are defeated.
1432
Mar.LombardyHe is informed in advance by the Senate of the upcoming arrest of his father-in-law and is simultaneously invited to remain loyal to the Republic.
Oct. – Nov.LombardyHe joins forces with Luigi da San Severino and Pietro Giampaolo Orsini; they construct a pontoon bridge over the Adda River near Brivio and enter the Milanese territory with 5000 cavalry and 4000 infantry. Confronted by Niccolò Piccinino in November, he is repelled and forced to retreat into Venetian territory, destroying the bridge behind him.
1433
JulyVenetoWith the signing of the peace treaty between the belligerents, his contract is reduced by one-third; in exchange, he regains possession of his properties in the Duchy. In September, he is in Peschiera del Garda, where he is knighted by Emperor Sigismund of Hungary. He is also granted the title of Count of Sanguinetto, a territory encompassing the villages of Sustinenza, Casalannone, Campalana, Castagnana, Villabona, Caprile, Spilemberto, Cogosso, and Nitasio.
1434
Aug.VeniceMilanEmiliaHe is defeated by Niccolò Piccinino at Castel Bolognese.
1435
June1000 cavalry, 200 infantryHis contract is renewed for six months.
1436
………800 cavalry
Mar. – MayMilan1500 cavalry, 300 infantryLombardyContacted by the ducal advisor Guarnerio Castiglione, he decides to enter the service of Filippo Maria Visconti. He leases all his possessions in the Veronese for ten years and moves to Lombardy. The Duke of Milan grants him a contract for 1500 cavalry and 300 infantry with a monthly provision of 500 ducats. He is also granted new fiefs in Voghera, Bobbio, and Castel San Giovanni, in addition to those previously held by his father (Rocca d’Olgisio, Pecorara, Busseto, Poviglio, Fortunago, Cogoleto, Romagnese, Caprile). The official investiture takes place in May, conducted by Castiglione. Guido Torelli is present at the ceremony.
1437
Mar.LombardyThe Venetian reaction is firm after several attempts to bring him back to their cause. The Serenissima interprets his action as a case of treason because Luigi dal Verme is a Veronese and even holds a seat in the Maggior Consiglio. His fief of Sanguinetto is confiscated, and his properties, mostly purchased from the Pisani, are put up for auction. He also loses his palace in Venice, which once belonged to Francesco Novello da Carrara.
June – Aug.MilanFlorence, GenoaEmilia, TuscanyHe moves with 1500 cavalry and 800 infantry to aid the people of Lucca. Passing through the Parma region along the Po River, he links up with Niccolò Piccinino in Lunigiana. He stations under Pietrasanta with Cristoforo da Lavello and successfully opposes Battista Campofregoso in Versilia.
Sept.TuscanyTaliano Furlano, Cristoforo, and Giovanni da Tolentino move against Luigi dal Verme. He is forced to return to Lombardy to repel the offensive led by Gian Francesco Gonzaga and Gattamelata.
…………EmiliaHe obtains the castles of Pietratiglia and Pietra Corva near Romagnese as fiefs in the Piacenza area.
1438
JulyMilanVeniceLombardy, VenetoHe crosses the Oglio River at night between Marcaria and Canneto sull’Oglio, attempting to strike the Venetian camp at Acquanegra sul Chiese from behind. This maneuver forces Gattamelata to hurriedly move his troops to Brescia. Following the defeat of the opposing captain at Gardone Riviera, he moves into the Veronese territory with Gian Francesco Gonzaga (who now serves the ducal forces); he secures Valeggio sul Mincio through a treaty. He raids under the walls of Verona, where Cristoforo da Tolentino, newly arrived in the city, opposes him. Luigi dal Verme is forced to retreat to Rivoltella.
Sept.Veneto, TrentinoTogether with Gian Francesco Gonzaga, he blocks Gattamelata‘s first attempt to leave Brescia and link up with the rest of the Venetian forces in the Veronese at Peschiera del Garda on the Mincio River. He forces Gattamelata to seek a new route north of Lake Garda. He blocks him again at Salto Petrano on the Sarca River near Arco, but the Venetians occupy the pass through a stratagem. Luigi dal Verme is forced to retreat with Francesco d’Arco, who has joined him in the initiative.
Oct.Lombardy, VenetoHe attempts to seize Bergamo through a treaty with the Suardi, arranged via a chancellor of the constable Scaramuccia da Forlì. At the agreed time, he arrives with the Ghibellines from Val Brembilla before the Porta di San Lorenzo; however, the Venetians manage to thwart the plot. He returns to the Veneto and defeats Giovanni da Tolentino at Legnago, capturing 200 cavalry. He is enfeoffed by the Visconti with Castelbaldo in the Padua area, with a promise of 250 ducats per month for as long as he can maintain this position. Recalled to the Brescia area, he is reported at Morengo and Roccafranca.
Nov.LombardyHe besieges Brescia, positions himself in front of Ravarotto, and has his sappers dig underground tunnels to enter the city. These tunnels are blown up with mines by the defenders.
1439
Feb. – mar.1000 cavalryVenetoHe meets with Niccolò Piccinino and Gian Francesco Gonzaga at Villa Bartolomea. To slow the Visconti’s advance, the provveditore of Legnago has the Adige River’s embankments cut, causing the flooding of fields and the drowning of numerous sheep. In March, he crosses the river near Legnago and raids the surrounding countryside of San Martino Buon Albergo.
Aug.MilanSwiss CantonsSwitzerlandWith Luigi da San Severino, he opposes the Swiss in Bellinzona.
Sept.MilanVeniceLombardyHe returns to besiege Brescia. He defeats his opponents at Toscolano-Maderno.
Oct. – Nov.VenetoHe supports Niccolò Piccinino in the conquest of Verona. With the help of Giacomazzo da Castel Bolognese, a deserter who guards the gate of the San Zeno district, he eludes the defenders’ control and enters the city at night with 300 cavalry and many infantry. He begins the plundering, targeting the palace of Gattamelata (once his own), which he empties of its valuables. After three days, Francesco Sforza reenters Verona and expels the Visconti forces. He tries unsuccessfully to oppose the adversaries with Niccolò and Francesco Piccinino. He is forced to leave the city. During the same days, the Duke of Milan formally invests him with Morengo, Pagazzano, and Roccafranca.
1440
Mar. – MayVeneto, LombardyAfter the month-long truce between the parties, in March, he crosses the Adige River and arrives at Legnago. He conducts several raids in the countryside of San Martino Buon Albergo, seizing 60 carts of provisions and making numerous prisoners. The loot is valued at 4000 ducats. Another raid is carried out in the territory of Tomba di Sotto. He has four rafts built in Bussolengo, crosses the Adige, and invades Valpolicella. Subsequently, he is forced to return to Lombardy. Together with Taliano Furlano, he retreats to the Brescia area and positions himself on the Oglio River. He camps between Soncino and Orzinuovi, controlling the bridge between the two castles.
JuneLombardyDefeated at Soncino by Francesco Sforza, he retreats to Crema, moves to Ghiaradadda, and positions himself to defend this territory.
1441
Apr.LombardyHe heads to Lovere with Sarpellione and takes possession of the castle using bombards.
JuneLombardyHe participates in the Battle of Cignano. He requests the fief of Tortona from the duke; similarly, Niccolò Piccinino demands Piacenza, Luigi da San Severino asks for Novara, and Taliano Furlano seeks Bosco Marengo and Frugarolo. Facing this potential fragmentation of the duchy, Visconti prefers to make peace with the Florentines and Venetians and permits the marriage of his daughter, Bianca Maria, to Francesco Sforza.
Nov.At the signing of the peace, he must return the fiefs of Nogarole Rocca and Castelbaldo to the Venetians.
1442
Mar.EmiliaIn Piacenza.
Apr.EmiliaHe connects with Niccolò Piccinino in Bologna.
Oct.LombardyHe obtains the fortress of Oramala and the castle of Montefalcone from Visconti, previously held by the Malaspina marquises of Varzi and Godiasco.
1443
Apr.EmiliaHe passes through Piacenza with his cavalry and 800 infantry. He is headed to Bologna with the objective of going to the Marche of Ancona.
JuneMilanBolognaEmiliaBologna rises up against Francesco Piccinino. Upon hearing this news, he leaves Castel San Pietro Terme, raids around Medicina, capturing numerous peasants and livestock. He heads to Cento to capture Ludovico Bentivoglio: he enters the fortress and tries to penetrate the town. The inhabitants, with the help of 200 cavalry from Alberto Pio (who also serves under Piccinino), expel him from the town, resulting in the loss of over one hundred men (with 20 citizens killed). He besieges Cento, forcing the inhabitants to surrender and hand over Alberto Pio, who manages to escape to Carpi. After receiving 500 florins and securing provisions for his troops, he leaves the area; he negotiates the surrender of San Giovanni in Persiceto, Crevalcore, Sant’Agata Bolognese, Manzolino, and Piumazzo. Castelfranco Emilia does not surrender, so he burns the villages of Panzano and Gazzo, destroying eighty houses. He raids a large quantity of livestock at Ponte Poledrano (Bentivoglio). He halts at Corticella and again at San Giovanni in Persiceto, attempting to cut off the water supply to Bologna. His opponents capture 50 cavalry and 40 infantry that he sent to Casalecchio di Reno to divert the river’s water.
JulyEmiliaHe besieges Castelfranco Emilia; finding his efforts futile, he contents himself with raiding the countryside of Buonconvento, Cazzano, Cadevano, and San Giorgio di Piano. His men become so confident of victory that they relax their security measures.
Aug.EmiliaWith the arrival of reinforcements from the Venetians and Florentines (including Tiberto Brandolini, Guido Rangoni, and Simonetto da Castel San Pietro) to aid Annibale Bentivoglio, he leaves Riccardina and heads to Pieve di Cento and San Giovanni in Persiceto with 3000 cavalry. Bentivoglio and the city militias, led by Pietro Navarrino, move against him. The battle takes place near the castle of San Giorgio di Piano and lasts from the early hours of the morning until the evening.
Abandoned by Guidantonio and Astorre Manfredi, Luigi dal Verme is attacked by the first enemy line, which is 7000 strong, composed of both cavalry and infantry, commanded by Bentivoglio. He sends Paolo da Roma against them, but Paolo is forced to retreat in the face of the Bolognese onslaught. A second squadron is blocked by Pietro Navarrino. His men fall back, and even dal Verme enters the thick of the battle. He is confronted by Simonetto da Castel San Pietro, who puts him to flight; pursued by Bentivoglio, he finds refuge in the castle of Carpi. Among the Visconti forces, 2000 cavalry, 236 soldiers, and 11 squad leaders are captured, and all their baggage is lost.
Sept. – Oct.EmiliaIn the Carpi region, he gathers numerous troops with Cervato da Caravaggio and Alberto Pio, with whom he has reconciled, to return to the Bologna area. A plot is organized to seize the castle of San Giovanni in Persiceto, but the scheme is foiled in early October.
1444
SpringEmiliaIn Piacenza with 2000 cavalry.
June – JulyRomagnaHe crosses the Forlì region with 2000 cavalry and 500 infantry. His troops receive regular supplies from Forlì. At the end of the month, his companies reach Savignano sul Rubicone and Magliano; his cavalry, which had behaved properly until this point, begin to devastate the territory. The peasants oppose them. In July, he is at Selbagnone, Magliano, and Fenazzano with Niccolò Piccinino, who is also returning from the Marche of Ancona.
Aug.FerraraRomagna, LombardyDismissed, he moves to Ferrara under the employment of Leonello d’Este (a six-month contract with a payment of 14,000 ducats per month). He leaves the Forlì region (via Ferrara) with the ducal ambassador Francesco da Landriano and heads to Milan with Niccolò Piccinino, who has been summoned to Milan by Visconti. He is then at Castelleone.
1445
JulyMilanEmiliaIn the Bologna area with Taliano Furlano.
1446
MayMilanVeniceLombardyHe moves towards Cremona with Francesco Piccinino, targeting Francesco Sforza, at the head of 1000 infantry and 5000 cavalry. In the city, a treaty is organized in favor of the Duke of Milan by Rolando Pallavicini and the local Ghibellines.
…………TuscanyAfter the failure of the initiative, he is sent with Pietro Maria dei Rossi to conquer Pontremoli, another fief of Francesco Sforza.
Aug. – Sept.LombardyRecalled to the Cremona area, he crosses the Po River and again tries to seize the capital. At the end of August, he camps at Castiglione with Luigi da San Severino and Bartolomeo Colleoni. In September, he is defeated at Mezzano, an island on the Po a mile from Casalmaggiore, by Micheletto Attendolo.
Nov.LombardyThe Venetian army crosses the Adda at Spino. With Luigi da San Severino and Colleoni’s company, he tries to oppose the adversaries to drive them back across the river. A fierce night battle ensues, and after two hours, he is put to flight. The ducal forces lose 600 cavalry, including Campanella, and many recruits.
1447
JuneLombardyHe then heads towards Como, Pieve d’Inzino, and Monte di Brianza. Attacked by Attendolo, he suffers significant losses. He fortifies himself in Brivio and secretly negotiates with the Venetians.
Aug.MilanVeniceLombardyThe Venetians abandon the siege of Lecco and recross the Adda. With Francesco Piccinino and Antonio da Landriano, he moves towards Como, Pieve d’Inzino, and Monte di Brianza to reclaim the lost territories. Upon the death of Visconti in the same month, the insignias of Alfonso d’Aragona appear in the castle of Milan. Luigi dal Verme meets with Raimondo Boilo, the lieutenant of the King of Naples, and swears loyalty to him along with Guidantonio Manfredi, Carlo Gonzaga, Guido Torelli, and the sons of Luigi da San SeverinoAmerigo, Bernabò, and Francesco.
Upon leaving, he is compelled by popular movement to recognize the newly established Ambrosian Republic and to enter its service. He then robs the men-at-arms of the Aragonese captain and plunders their belongings stored in the Monastery of Sant’Ambrogio.
Sept.EmiliaHe leaves Castel San Giovanni and raids the Piacenza area. With the rebellion in Piacenza, he is sent to the region to control the situation. He occupies Sarmato from Alberto Scotti, who has taken up the defense of Piacenza on behalf of the Venetians. He seizes 4000 staia of grain, which he sends to Castel San Giovanni.
Oct. – Dec.EmiliaHe supports Francesco Sforza in the siege of Piacenza. He quarters his troops between the Monastery of Quartezzola, Casalnuovo, and the tower of Ripalta. Along with Paolo da Roma and Antonio di San Giovanni, he covers the area near the Monastery of Santa Maria di Galilea at Misericordia. He is tasked with assaulting the walls between Porta San Raimondo and Porta Stralevata with Guidantonio Manfredi to protect the work of the sappers and bombardiers.
1448
JulyLombardyHe forgives the Ambrosian Republic half of the debts owed to him for the pay of his men (18,000 ducats out of 36,000). He leaves the Lodi area with Sforza, crosses the Crema region, and in three days reaches Moso sul Po near Cremona. He takes part in the naval battle at the island of Mezzano, where the Venetian fleet under Andrea Querini and Niccolò Trevisan is defeated. He resumes contact with the Serenissima, requesting the return of the fief of Sanguinetto, readmission to the Grand Council, and the palace in Venice. Initially, the Senate seems to accept his requests; however, they are ultimately deemed too burdensome when he demands that the Venetians help him maintain the Lombard fiefs.
Aug.LombardyHe besieges the castle of Caravaggio, positioning himself with Guglielmo di Monferrato, Cristoforo Torelli, and Carlo Gonzaga to the left of the Porta Orientale; on the right are the condottieri of the Bracceschi school. Towards the end of the month, he begins requesting leave from Sforza due to delays in the payment of wages.
Sept.LombardyHe distinguishes himself in the Battle of Caravaggio, where he commands 14 squads of men-at-arms; he storms the Venetian camp defended by Colleoni. Along with Cristoforo Torelli and Dolce dell’Anguillara, he is tasked with pursuing the fleeing adversaries. Subsequently, he follows Sforza to Brescia.
Oct.SforzaMilan, Duke of Savoy600 lances, 500 infantryLombardyWith the Treaty of Rivoltella del Garda, he encounters some difficulty in supporting Sforza, who has allied with the Venetians. He finally enters Sforza’s service for a year of fixed-term employment following the marriage between his daughter Antonia and Sforza Secondo Sforza, the natural son of the future Duke of Milan, with a dowry of 10,000 ducats and the promise of recovering the fiefs of Pieve d’Inzino, Valsassina, and Monguzzo, which previously belonged to his father.
Nov.LombardyWith Guglielmo di Monferrato and the three San Severino brothers, he conducts several raids in the territory between Milan and Pavia.
Dec.PiedmontHe forcibly occupies and plunders the castles of Novara and Romagnano Sesia, both defended by the Savoyards. A ransom is imposed on the inhabitants and soldiers to pay his troops. The fortress is sacked and dismantled. Luigi dal Verme is seriously wounded during the siege operations.
1449
Feb.LombardyHe besieges Milan; with Guglielmo di Monferrato and Dolce dell’Anguillara, he conducts many raids on the roads leading from Pavia to the city’s canals. He besieges Monza with Francesco Piccinino (currently allied with Sforza), Giovanni Ventimiglia, Dolce dell’Anguillara, Cristoforo Torelli, and Matteo da Capua. He positions himself on the western side of the castle and uses bombards to bring down part of the walls.
Mar.LombardyHe is again seriously wounded in the knee by a musket shot during a surprise attack led by Carlo Gonzaga, which catches him off guard along with Dolce dell’Anguillara. He is hospitalized for several months in Pavia to be treated. During his convalescence, he purchases the marquisate of Pietragavina from the Malaspina family.
Sept.Lombardy

Sources

-“Famoso per il nome paterno.” DECEMBRIO

-“Di gran nome in quei tempi.” CAMPANO

-“Potente, ma fazioso, e fuoriuscito Cittadin nostro (di Verona).” DALLA CORTE

-“Huomo illustre nel tempo suo per le cose della militia..(Nello scudo di famiglia) sono due traverse bianche e due azzurre: alle quali Luigi..aggiunse l’arme Imp. delle traverse bianche e rosse donategli da Sigismondo Imp. con un pomo d’oro nella prima traversa.” SANSOVINO

-“Questi seguendo le forze di Filippo (Maria Visconti), per la grandezza del suo animo e per la nobiltà del sangue, si era fatto apertissimo nimico de’ Veneziani.” SABELLICO

-“Celebre capitano de’ suoi tempi.” MENSI

-“Era uno de’ più infaticabili condottieri del suo tempo.” LITTA

-“Capitano di buona fama del secolo XV.” BOSI

-“Magnificus ac potens armorum Capitaneus.” RIPALTA

-“Fu pure ottimo capitano. Uno dei più infaticabili condottieri del suo tempo.” BIGNAMI

-“Il Dal Verme fu titolare di vastissimi patrimoni fondiari. Oltre ai feudi paterni nel Piacentino, che gli furono confermati nel 1421 da Filippo Maria Visconti, ricevette nel 1436 i feudi vasti, vasti e di grande importanza strategica, di Bobbio, Voghera e Castel San Giovanni. Dopo questa data stabilì la sua residenza principale nel castello di Voghera: qui ebbe la sua corte e in questa città la famiglia Dal Verme restò molto influente fino al secolo XVIII. Quanto ai suoi beni siti nel dominio veneziano, i possedimenti veronesi vennero venduti dopo la loro confisca da parte del governo della Serenissima nel 1437, mentre il suo palazzo di campo S. Polo a Venezia fu dato nel 1439 al Gattamelata e il suo feudo di Sanguinetto venne alla fine concesso ad un parente del Gattamelata, Gentile da leonessa, e da questo passò al genero Bertoldo d’Este.” MALLETT

-“Plus que comme seigneur et feudataire, cet homme apparait alors dans les sources surtout comme condottière – un condottière “italien”, c’est-à-dire servant dans une bonne patie de la Péninsule; et, à partir de 1423, comme “comte”… Les lettres de Luigi montrent un certain niveau de culture, una bonne maitrise de la langue latine. Il n’est pas inculte, loin de là.. Sa culture se manifeste aussi dans le soin porté aux archives.” SAVY

Featured image: wikimedia

Roberto Damiani
Roberto Damiani
Roberto Damiani è l'autore del sito Condottieri di ventura.