History_of_War_43_2017

JOHN HAWKWOOD: MERCENARY MENACE
John
Hawkwood
mercenary menace
The greatest mercenary commander of the 14th century was an
inspiration for historians, poets, novelists and playwrights
WORDS MURRAY DAHM
Europe in the 14th century was a
place of incessant warfare. The
Hundred Years’ War began between
France and England in 1337 and
would last until the middle of the
next century. Other conflicts engulfed various
parts of the continent as well, especially in
Italy where Sir John Hawkwood would make
and maintain his name. It was a time when
mercenaries could make both a living and a
reputation for themselves by plying their craft
on foreign fields. Hawkwood entered this world
and became the most famous mercenary of his
time, remaining at the forefront of the bloody but
lucrative trade for 30 years.
Origins
Various origins for Hawkwood have been
proposed; from peasant to tanner to wealthy
landowners. This latter option seems to be
the most likely, but the least romantic version.
Hawkwood’s meteoric rise to fame, a place
where he would remain for decades, meant that
various accounts of his life have taken on a
romanticised, almost fantastic quality.
We have no exact date for his birth in Essex
but it is usually placed around 1320 since he
died in 1394. The earlier birth date allows for
arguments regarding his early entry into the
mercenary world. He is described as an ‘old
fox’ in 1363, which might be admissible for a
man in his forties (life expectancy was generally
mid- to late-thirties).
After his elder brother inherited the family
estate, John needed to find a livelihood. He had
left home by 1341, the year after his father’s
death and there is firm evidence that he was
in London as a tailor although some historians
reject this idea. In Italy he was known as
Giovanni Acuto (‘acuto’ meaning cunning or
clever) and this led to the translation ‘John
Sharp’, which some argue is related to the tailor
story. There certainly were other tailors who
became mercenaries. Soon after his arrival
in London, however, Hawkwood abandoned
his trade and joined the throngs of soldiers
departing for King Edward III’s wars in France.
The idea that he was such a prominent
and accomplished mercenary captain has led
to ideas that he took up his vocation at the
earliest possible moment. It is possible that
Hawkwood joined a later expedition and the
following years would offer ample opportunities
to become a mercenary.
From ranks to free companies
One tradition is that Hawkwood joined King
Edward’s army as a longbowman. This
association places him at the crux of the
most important military revolution of the
period. Edward’s use of divisions consisting
of longbowmen mixed with men-at-arms
was the cause of his success. There is no
direct evidence of Hawkwood’s serving as
a longbowman, however, and nothing in the
family history indicates that he would have
been trained in its use. He also showed no
favouritism for the longbow later in his career.
Placing Hawkwood in Edward’s army in the
1340s allows for him to serve at the most
important battles of the day – Crécy in 1346
and Poitiers in 1356 – and therefore ‘learn
his craft’. Some place him in the vanguard
at both battles, but we simply cannot know
if Hawkwood was in the army of Edward at
Crécy and/or Poitiers. It is possible and
may even be considered probable, but the
certainty with which some authors write of
his presence is unwarranted. Some authors
claim that Hawkwood was knighted by the
English commander Edward, Prince of Wales,
at Poitiers. We know Sir John Hawkwood was
knighted but when and by whom are unknown
and his name is not listed in the honours
bestowed after Poitiers.
One piece of concrete evidence for the career
of Hawkwood came in 1359 when groups of
unemployed soldiers became mercenaries.
In May 1360, the treaty of Bretigny was
signed, which brought an end to hostilities
between England and France. It also meant
that mercenary bands were forced to join
together into what became known as the free
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