History_of_War_43_2017

JOHN HAWKWOOD: MERCENARY MENACE
of command into the enemy ranks and then
led his men on a charge to retrieve it. Some
reconstructions of Castagnaro differ, stating
that it was a cavalry charge to the enemy’s
flank and that the battle also involved false
banners, even concealed forces. Castagnaro
in many ways elevated Hawkwood’s reputation
to new and greater heights throughout the
Italian peninsula, as the battle and its outcome
became legendary.
Portrait (based on funerary monument)
showing Hawkwood in partial armour and
holding the baton of command, which all
captains would be issued
Despite the fact that he was approaching
70, Hawkwood remained steadily employed.
When a pan-Italian war broke out between
Florence and Milan (which involved virtually all
of northern Italy), Florence could call upon him
to lead its forces once again. His arrival on a
battlefield could send enemies into retreat.
Florence wanted to mount an attack on Milan
itself and in May 1391 Hawkwood advanced on
Cremona, crossing the Oglio river and reaching
the banks of the Adda River in June, much to
the consternation of the Milanese; he was less
than 20 kilometres from the city itself.
Help from the Count of Armagnac, who
had invaded Milanese territory from the
north, did not come as quickly as hoped and
Hawkwood’s force was running low on supplies.
The Milanese had burned anything of use.
Hawkwood had no option but to retreat, and
he had to do so over three swollen rivers. The
Milanese also flooded several plains to make
Hawkwood’s withdrawal even more difficult.
Hawkwood’s withdrawal from the Adda
was a masterpiece. He kept the enemy
guessing at his intentions, offering battle
and making quick manoeuvres to keep
them off balance. Then, when the enemy
seemed sure that a battle would be
offered, Hawkwood withdrew his force at
night, leaving banners tied to trees and
bonfires lit. He also managed to keep
Above: Anonymous depiction of a free company
mercenary defeated in combat
his army silent: no mean feat. The Milanese
discovered Hawkwood’s empty camp in the
morning but were not prepared for pursuit. This
stratagem recalled famous Roman examples
by Fabius Maximus and other ancient generals.
Hawkwood caused more consternation by
leaving small ambushes in his wake to disrupt
the Milanese pursuit. He crossed the Oglio
without interference. Even though he still had
to cross two more rivers, he did so with his
force intact and his preservation of the army
was greeted as nothing short of miraculous.
Hawkwood’s wisdom and cunning were praised
anew. The war continued but both sides were
exhausted by the expense and a peace was
reached in January 1392.
Hawkwood was welcomed to Florence as a
hero. He was worn out, however, and moved
quickly to settle his affairs in Italy, liquidating
his assets, arranging marriages for his
daughters and planning to retire to England,
which he had not seen in 50 years. His health,
so robust for so long, seems to have finally
given out and there are signs he knew his
death was imminent. Before he could depart
for England, Hawkwood died in March 1394.
His funeral was grand and he was honoured at
huge expense. The city would not forget its debt
to the greatest English mercenary of the age.
Images: Alamy
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