Condottieri: The Powerhouse of the Renaissance Mercenary Market

[@milkbaologist5610]

Mercenary Captain: -10% recruitment cost, +10% income from raiding settlements

[@Swedishmafia101MemeCorporation]

+50% DRIP

[@cjthebeesknees]

+25% Mamon favor

[@sojalemmi1515]

I hated getting the mercenary captain. Took away a spot for me to get someone really cool later on in life when I was kicking ass

[@anon2034]

Medieval 2 Total War?

[@mitchellanderson3960]

​@@sojalemmi1515in SS you can swap certain retinue items between characters, mercenary capt was good for a general at unit recruitment center with other unit discount perks and a crusader on a sacking war path to the objective settlement.

[@TotalWarDocumentaries]

Find someone who will love you as much as SandRoman History loves mercenary companies

[@Dayvit78]

And sieges....

[@WhatsUp-fe8jc]

(Staggering)

[@eclipse_war5009]

I really like the armours that those captains are portrayed with

[@Stark10Winter]

look up for italian milanese armor bro

[@Swedishmafia101MemeCorporation]

Drip is paramount for warfare, milord

[@LuizAlexPhoenix]

It adds to the morale damage when you slay your enemies with immaculate armour.

[@eclipse_war5009]

@@LuizAlexPhoenix Yes

[@frankcaputo3188]

Italian Shoguns gotta be one of the coolest things for me to learn about from this channel

[@QuantumHistorian]

The difference between the "Sforza" and "Montone" schools looks eerily like the differences between Macedonian-style Phalanx, and Roman-style maniples. Not in equipment, but in the difference between a strong but rigid monolithic formation; and smaller but more flexible rotating ones. Coincidence because there are limited ways of organising heavy melee infantry, or a conscious Renaissance inspiration from antiquity?

[@MarceloHenriqueSoaresdaSilva]

Its just the natural evolution of warfare as even high middle ages europe (especially with the XII renaissance) have access to ancient graeco-roman military knowledge before the italian renaissance.

[@MarceloHenriqueSoaresdaSilva]

^ another thng is that time ERE existed so the europeans are pretty familiarized with Roman tactics and organization fairly early

[@QuantumHistorian]

@@MarceloHenriqueSoaresdaSilva The ERE had moved away from maniples and cohorts a thousand years before Condottiere appeared. It may have been useful in keeping manuscripts alive, but it was not a living example of that type of warfare.

[@paul_5848]

@@MarceloHenriqueSoaresdaSilva Maybe overstates avaliable knowledge of the time thats talking over 1000 years earlier even with a continous state no one in say England is able to know the specifcs of say Norman formation specifics and manouvers in wars against the North English and Welsh in the 11th century which were large national important expeditions today even with modern collections, archeology and avaliable comparisons to say Norman aspects in Italy and the Orient.

[@tommasobianchi5496]

Just a couple of notes about Giovanni delle Bande Nere, he was a Medici, member of a cadet branch of the ruling family of Florence, his real name was Ludovico di Giovanni De’ Medici and his mother was Caterina Sforza, lady of Forlì and parent to the Sforza of Milan, in fact his uncle was the Duke of Milan. Bande Nere means Black Stripes, the name came from the shields of his soldiers who started to use them after the Pope Leo X died, he was another member of the Medici family. The son of Giovanni, Cosimo, became the first great Duke of Tuscany and is still considered one of the most important figures of the history of Florence

[@philRminiatures]

The armors of this periods are awesome...Great video as usual, informative and so pleasant to watch!

[@stewlew8449]

Colleoni didn't go unnoticed by me. I sat at the restaurant in that square eating my gnocchi to notice his coat of arms had three testicles on it

[@anon2034]

He was a ballsy dude for sure!

[@gabrielboi3465]

By legend he was in fact owner of three testicles. But thats just a legend. Its unsure why his family name is Colleoni (litteraly balls, testicles) but it appears they were never ashamed of it and used their heraldic symbol proudly!

[@anon2034]

@@gabrielboi3465 Being a mercenary itself means he's a balls-to-the-wall type. :)

[@thenoblepoptart]

the motto of the house of colleoni is literally “ *Balls* , *Balls* , *Balls* !”

[@anon2034]

@@thenoblepoptart Great Balls of FIRE!

[@Unomaximus]

SandRhoman you will always be the most consistent and original historical youtuber out here 👍 thank you

[@Green0-3]

Descendant of Braccio here. If you need some muscle, Sand, lemme know. I'll go get the boys.

[@Mrkabrat]

"Mercenaries and their Masters" seems like an interesting book, maybe I should ge my hands on it

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

It is. It’s very good.

[@andersschmich8600]

It is interesting and informative. I know some parts have drawn criticism, such as his reconstruction of the battle of Campaldino.

[@davidotto7324]

@@TitusCastiglione1503 Is there a german version of it?

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

@@davidotto7324 I’m not sure

[@Mrkabrat]

@@TitusCastiglione1503 Onto the list it goes then

[@sirwolfnsuch]

Good video, as always

What a wonderful way to end your series on the phenomenon of mercenaries in the Italian peninsula, during the last 3 or 4 centuries of the Middle Ages. The Condottieri are very interesting and the history of many of their main figures is admirable, to the point that you begin to recognize why they have deserved statues in various Italian cities. As a Hispano, I loved that you mentioned Farnesio and Spinola at the end of the video (I would add Manuel Filiberto de Saboya and some of his descendants to the equation, as paradigms as well), although they are not condottieri per se, they are an example of how so many years of Renaissance war in Italy led to the study of military tactics and strategy among Italian nobles, reaching the point where it was the Italians themselves who ended up leaving to serve the kings of the time in foreign conflicts, their affiliation to the Austrian and Spanish Habsburgs being common, due to family affiliation or loyalty to the ideals that those Empires represented at the time. I look forward to you releasing a video about these important Italian figures of the Habsburg army in the near future.

[@bigsarge2085]

Fascinating, I truly appreciate these documentaries!

[@Boric78]

This series has been very good. I learnt a lot.

[@thcdreams654]

Another great video. Informative, entertaining, interesting and well produced. Thank you.

[@michaelrredford]

Thanks!

[@indridcold1689]

Always a good dag when sandroman uploads.

[@benm5913]

I always appreciate the Early Modern content. You guys are great.

[@AAkCN1]

Cool video! Thanks

[@jacobkonick8889]

Wonderful job!

[@samsonsoturian6013]

This problem still exists with arms procurement because of the extreme risks suppliers demand fat profit margins. In one case, Raytheon randomly received an order for rockets so on they no longer had anyone on staff that had made them before and they were obligated to provide them

[@sertorius3319]

Sometimes when that happens the company pulls people from retirement for help. I knew a guy who kept getting pulled out of retirement by IBM because there wasn’t many other people who knew OS2 (the operating system that Bill Gates made for them before founding Microsoft).

[@brokenbridge6316]

Nicely informative video

[@H3LLS3NT4SS4SS1N]

Another excellent vid!

[@vardekpetrovic9716]

Werner of Urslingen was so famous for his missdeeds that in Swedish a person that behaves in such bad manners are called a "Usling". Quote from L Petri "Hans barn fare hwswill och tigge, och sökte berning såsom vslingar." Note that before the spelling reforms of Gustav Vasa the "U" Sound was spelled with a V instead, like in classical latin.

[@VainerCactus0]

Awesome video, thanks.

[@sarahsidney1988]

Great video

[@19Burgandy]

I just watched your Burgundian Series from 4 years ago. SOO good lol. I left a comment about how there's 2 Sigismund's. 1 from 516 and the other from the Burgundian Swiss war in 1476

[@narkerns]

Great stuff, as always :)

[@Unomaximus]

Thanks!

[@GabrielBelmont4727]

The pictures are outstanding in this one!

[@d.m.collins1501]

Make more videos about the Fortebraccios, please! Heck, maybe make a video about Montone, which is still a beautiful little medieval town and deserves a video about its history, especially with the Fortebraccio family but heck, also about WWII.

[@_Lax_]

For those of you who wish to see how the mercenary company contract system would realistically work, I'd highly recommend the Hawkwood manga. It's around 10 years old now, and tell the tale of a fictional John Hawkwood (not the man himself, but a twist to how he and his company came to be) who fought in the Hundred Years War alongside the like of king Edward and the Black Prince while also maintaining his own mercenary company and competing against other companies, knights and nobles. The manga centers itself around Edward III's invasion of northern France, reaches its climax at Crecy and ends right after the capture of Calais. The whole campaign is portrayed in great detail with every single faction's motivation and philosophy being thoroughly fleshed out, and the art, the pacing, the fights, the characters are all great. Be sure to check it out!

[@uelibinde]

nice video. maybe cover the 17th century Austrian field marshals / condottiere next?

[@yuckmouth]

Good work!

[@clintmoor422]

so, this is the continuation of the mercenary company videos?

[@theguy442]

They are also a good unique unit against gunpowder units in the imperial age.

[@EzekielDeLaCroix]

oh hell yeah, I love studying medieval and renaissance racketeering.

[@cjthebeesknees]

Ain’t sh*t changed, if you’d direct your attention to: Plausible Deniability please.

[@EzekielDeLaCroix]

@@cjthebeesknees *beats up*

[@cjthebeesknees]

@@EzekielDeLaCroix good goy, here’s 30 silver shekels.

[@samsonsoturian6013]

Not necessarily a racket. Many of these companies were loyal to specific states

[@samsonsoturian6013]

​@cjthebeesknees what are you talking about?

[@rudman97]

Geovanni Giustiniani Longo The fugitive, notorious condottieri and his team that Constantinople could offer against the Janissary army of Mehmed the Conqueror.

[@giacomobianchi5412]

Great vid! Just a little correction: "Sforza" doesn't really mean "power", it comes from the italian verb "sforzare" which means "to strive", "to strain". For this reason the nickname "Sforza" is due to the family business rather than his political conquests. Really a nice topic, thanks!

[@Visavislespoir]

Cool vid

[@justinhess2747]

Interesting content on mercenaries

[@alessandrosassolini9161]

Piccinino, Gattamelata and Braccio they were all born in Umbria, a small region, a few kilometers away from each other. For who may be interested I suggest the beautiful movie "Il mestiere delle armi" di Bellocchio that deals the dead of Giovanni delle Bande Nere

[@Greatbattlehistory]

i like your content in this video

[@Arcadius-ss3zp]

Love your work. It always keeps me interested in history, especially in military history. Please continue with single battles videos or videos focusing on armies like the Spanish Army of Flanders from the 80 years war. Love your dedication to your work, keep it up.

[@Levacque]

The advertisement I got on this video was possibly the most ironic possible match KZbin could make for a mercenary video - it started with the quote, "This is a support group for men's mental health." Is it too much of a stretch to think that 14th century men would see career soldiery as a healthy mental exercise?

[@blake-81]

Watching this, my brain was constantly going "Hmm.... yes, is this the late-to-end game of Mount & Blade, or Battle Brothers." :P

[@natheriver8910]

Very interesting

[@ramiromen6595]

Carmagnola is my personal fav: he walked the walk from child soldier all the way to count and almost duke of Milan. Then he was killed for greed but such is life.

[@goober-112]

This might be slightly out of the period-scope of your channel, but I've always wanted to see a documentary-type video covering the Polish Lancers (or Uhlans), and no, I am NOT referring to the "Winged Hussars". I'm talking about the true rivals to the Cossacks, and the only unit to ever be a match for them- often being used by Russia, Austria, Prussia, even France (under Napoleon) to keep the Cossacks in check. And since you have done a video about the Cossacks, I think it'd be interesting. Polish Lancers are really an underrated unit in history, often forgotten.

[@katon44]

that's one from anty poland's history account (might be wrong,there're a few similar history's account like this one) - keep away from mentioning about poland's history as long as possible

[@christiann.1541]

I really like this time period about the Italian city states.

[@wiktorstrzeszewski7393]

could you do video about Siege of Jasna Góra in Poland it was only 40 days but it would be nice to see someone make video about it as i don't think there are any videos about siege of Jasna Góra

[@NoName-hg6cc]

Italians states had enough money to build a citizens army. But since there was not foreign threat (yet) they thought it was more convenient to pay for mercenaries. When a threat arrived, France, called by Milan Duke, they were still bickering. It was only when the King of France passed throught Italy with ease Signori understood the danger and united (well, kinda) to win a battle of Fornovo (the King was able to escape but it left everything and had to escape in the night). It didn't last. When foreigners returned, Italians didn't unite again and Italy fell under the foot of foreign powers until 1800

[@samsonsoturian6013]

The difference between a merc and a soldier is a middleman. Italian states were more like corporations than nations and the security contractors they hired sometimes really were loyal to the company

[@LAHFaust]

​@@samsonsoturian6013exactly. Just before the timeline of this video, Friedrich II would spend practically his entire reign fighting against Lombard states which used mostly civilian militias instead of mercenaries. I wouldn't be surprised if the demographic shock from the nearly 2 centuries of fighting off the HRE was a factor in the decision to switch to mercenary forces.

[@KaiHung-wv3ul]

@@LAHFaust Also not just fighting the HRE, while the north Italian city states were pretty unified when fighting Barbarossa, by the time of Freddy II they are as often as not fighting each other between the supporters of the Emperor and the Pope.

[@poil8351]

there were a couple of exceptions in particular Genoa and Venice who made use of their own citizens soldiers especially at sea becuase both had fairly large colonial interests and large fleets and need to defend them.

[@NoName-hg6cc]

@@samsonsoturian6013 I don't know if I can agree with your definition of Italian states as corporations, but you are right some troops were loyal

[@zwierzak2012]

There is a Monument to Bartolomeo Colleoni in Szczecin, Poland. A copy of this one from Venice.

[@lerneanlion]

Have there ever be incidents where the Condottieri decided to seize powers for themselves and establish hegemony over the city-states they seized as alternative for payments in fashion similar to Muhammad Ali of Egypt centuries later? If so, how long did they last?

[@joshuawiest5091]

There are a number of instances of Condottiere seizing power of various cities. Niccolò Piccinino seized power over Bologna in 1442, after making a deal with the Pope. He was ousted in 1443 by Annibale Bentivoglio, and the Bentivogleschi faction. Braccio del Montone was carving out an empire for himself before he was stopped by Jacapo Caldora at l'Aquila. Francesco Sforza conquered a large part of the Marche before the Pope and Francesco Maria Visconti took back most of his holdings. That's just a few.

[@v4enthusiast541]

It didn't happen in Italy, but there is the case of the notorious Catalan company that got hired in the 1270s by Byzantium. They ended up occupying the area around Athens for ~50 years.

[@LuizAlexPhoenix]

Not condittieri, but earlier the Normans took the south of Italy after working as mercenaries for a long time.

[@lord_hemp]

21:04 lol that's the strategy I use in total war medieval 2 when I play as the Byzantines. There's too much territory to defend, too many potential threats along that long Roman border, and having full legions all along it drains the treasury. Having nobody there instead is a weakness that causes neighbors to attack you. So, just have half a legion in strategic locations, and add more imperial troops or mercenaries if there's a legitimate possibility of invasion. Mercenaries are more expensive, though, so I normally prefer my own troops lol. Great game, 10/10, extremely based

[@petros311]

can you make a video about the Genoese Giovanni Giustiniani Longo? the Condottieri that defended Constantinople in 1453?

[@whatsgoingon71]

Honeyed Cat is one of the most pimp names of all times. 😂

[@MajesticOak]

Ah yes, that unit in AoE2 that's ready to fight right out of the box.

[@klausbrinck2137]

Again, I have to recommend the italian/Bulgarian-production/movie "The Medici-Warrior" (that´s Giovanni delle Bande Nere, "the last Condittiere"). The German dubbing of this film was EXCELLENT, and free to watch here in YT...!!! It´s about the story that ended with the "Sacco di Roma" in 1527. WARNING: While the movie contains some action, it´s NOT an action-movie, but a good movie instead...

[@ShyamRamkumar-s3r]

What is the name of the background music at 9:30?

[@jacopoabbruscato9271]

Interestingly, I think we're headed towards a new golden age for mercenaries, at least in Europe and North America. Warfare has changed in a way where a small number of highly trained professionals is way more valuable than an army of conscripts, with technology becoming more complex and training-intensive. Availability is also an issue, with an aging population and young men increasingly unwilling to enlist. Governments are reluctant to risk lives and take direct responsibility. Different reasons, similar outcomes. We're already seeing the rise of PMCs like Wagner and Blackwater.

[@CatholicDragoon]

My big question is how did the Condottieri relate to the wider mercenary market in Europe?

[@RaulFelixINC]

Being a Condottieri sounds sweet.

[@diebesgrab]

So in other words, Condottieri were part-time contractors.

[@samsonsoturian6013]

Some were, others were not.

[@incorrectbeans]

No one: My brain: The Golden Age of Conductors

[@jonathanwilliams1065]

His name sounds like he’s going to mark you an offer you can’t refuse

[@PalHBakka]

The Italian city states were so afraid of one of their own citizens becoming a dictator through military victories that they preferred to pay for mercenaries.

[@cassowary415]

"most sought-after" is a bit of an exaggeration. "Condottieri" is just the term that was used for italian mercenaries during that time. It would be like if we said "contractors" are the most sought after mercenaries today. Outside of italy, the Swiss mercenaries were definitely sought after.

[@ciuyr2510]

Honeyed cat. Now thats a nickname

[@MichelediMuratore]

I live in Emilia-Romagna. I guess that during the golden age of condottieri Bologna was always a part of the papal states?

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

Yes, I think so.

[@manog6236]

Hawkwood a handsome mercenary leader fought in the hundred years war...Hawkwood...Band of the Hawk...GRIFFITH!!!

[@dand7763]

10:20 a cat as cameo

[@NoPantsBaby]

Imagine being alive in those times. You're just sitting around having a drink in your local ale house in Bavaria. Suddenly a dude on a horse rides along telling you to sign up for his private army, he needs you to help him sack Florence.

[@GarfieldRex]

Was handsome John Hawkwood's White Company and the 100 years war an influence for Griffith in Berserk? :v

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

Probably yes

[@Datilografos]

Viva Sforza!

[@MBP1918]

The cowboys of Italy

[@ScarletRebel96]

Wish mercenary work was still common these days

[@Mon_Idle]

Was that Roman looking knight armour historical at that time?

[@samsonsoturian6013]

That is not remotely Roman

[@Mon_Idle]

@@samsonsoturian6013 yea but you know what I mean it got them leather flaps and stuff

[@CaptainGrief66]

If you're talking about that chest piece with embossed pectorals, yes to a degree It's reminiscent of Lorica Muscolata, it was just a decorative thing that cropped up occasionally

[@Mon_Idle]

@@CaptainGrief66 thanks 👍🏼

[@Thraim.]

Venice never saw a mercenary group they didn't want to hire 😂

[@beepboop204]

[@ronnychristenjoyer6778]

The urge to play as a mercenary leader in CK3 intensifies

[@samsonsoturian6013]

Screw that game

[@johnfrench59]

I'd rather you didn't use AI for art. I understand it takes alot of effort to continue with your older ways, but the effort pays off.

[@rjohnm666]

If I was some professional military badass I don't know if I would consider Honeyed Cat a respectful nickname or an insulting one. It sounds like one of those randomly generated names you get assigned when you buy a new games console

[@lokischildren8714]

Sir john hawkswood

[@michaelmcnally9737]

Contractors used to fight wars. Now all they do is build houses.

[@samsonsoturian6013]

The only difference between a merc and a soldier is a middleman.

[@francescomaccioni3460]

👍

[@Mojo-IRE]

I haven't gotten to watch this yet (love the channel) but I'd wager a certain Mr Hawkwood will get a mention.

[@leiladekwatro3147]

Ah, yes. Bart Balls.

[@TheSkullThatTalks]

So they basically became mafia offering "security" for money. Corleone was it? :D

[@naughtiusmaximus1811]

Soooo.... Privateers... on land? Arrr

[@david-468]

I’m saddened by the lack of Godfather jokes in the comments, famous mercenary named Corleone and no one thinks to make a joke???

[@fxs9891]

You should add more ads lost a viewer

[@elshebactm6769]

🗿👍

[@alepaz1099]

"...He was thrown out of a window" 🤔 sounds vaguely Russian 🤷‍♂

[@mariushunger8755]

Soo, they were italian landsknechts?

[@poil8351]

um no the landskenchts were far more brutal and ruthless.

[@warweezel]

😒 “warlords” 😏 “military entrepreneurs”

[@samsonsoturian6013]

One subtle factor is Italy was both wealthy and broken to the point where private corporations often overshadow geographically defined states

[@smoath]

.

[@alessandrofiorella6530]

The map at 5:51 isn’t correct

[@chan-seogim5825]

Which part?