Sir John Hawkwood (c. 1323 – 17 March 1394) was an English soldier who served as a mercenary leader or condottiero in Italy. As his name was difficult to pronounce for non-English-speaking contemporaries, there are many variations of it in the historical record.

Sir John Hawkwood was a mercenary captain who for 30 years played a role in the wars of 14th-century Italy. The son of a tanner, Hawkwood chose a soldier’s career, serving in the French wars of Edward III, who probably bestowed a knighthood on him.

In command of the forces of Pisa, English mercenary Sir John Hawkwood was outnumbered three to one and defeated by the Flourentines in the Battle of Cascina on July 28, 1364. The heat greatly hampered his armored knights, mostly Englishmen …

Aug 13, 2024 · Sir John Hawkwood, Knight of Essex (c.1325 Sible Hedingham, England - 17 Mar 1393/4 Florence, Italy), son of Gilbert Hawkwood, was an English mercenary or condottiero who was active in 14th-century Italy. The French chronicler Jean Froissart knew him as Haccoude and Italians as Giovanni Acuto.

John Hawkwood’s journey from an English archer to a respected mercenary captain in Italy is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of medieval Europe. His unconventional path to fame, strategic brilliance, and enduring influence make him a captivating figure in the annals of history.

Mar 26, 2025 · Sir John Hawkwood, now an experienced knight of around forty years old, faced a crossroads. He could return to England, where as a younger son he had scant lands waiting and only a modest war pension, or he could seek his fortune elsewhere as a freebooter.

Jun 20, 2020 · John Hawkwood was widely known in Europe eight hundred years ago. He was an English military in the Hundred Years' War (1337 to 1453) and a mercenary operating in Italy, where he was known as Giovanni Acuto.

Introduction: The Englishman John Hawkwood was fourteenth-century Italy’s most famous and successful mercenary soldier. He began his career in France in the battles of the Hundred Years War and arrived on the peninsula with the famed White Company in 1361.

Of the leaders of the mercenary bands that were left in France after the treaty of Bretigny, John Hawkwood stood out as by far the most able, and by the end of the year his mercenaries were threatening the Pope who at that time had withdrawn his court to Avignon.

Jan 2, 2017 · Sir John Hawkwood was born into a life on the English countryside that was business and rebellion. From an early age, he sought power and influence outside of England’s borders. He showed off his battle skills in the Hundred …

Oct 14, 2015 · Hawkwood utilized the English longbow and tactics developed in the French war during his Italian service. He was renowned for his infantry tactics, unit discipline, and utilization of lighter armor and equipment to improve the rapidity of troop movements. Hawkwood died on 16 March 1394 in Florence.

Sir John Hawkwood (c. 1323–1394) was an English mercenary leader and condottiere of the 14th century, renowned for his military exploits primarily in Italy. His military career began in England and France, and he initially fought in the Hundred Years' War.

most remarkable leader Sir John Hawkwood who, as commander of our army, fought most gloriously forus, and whom at the public expense we interred honourably in the principal church of our city'.3 The bones and ashes were

Over a career in Italy of around 30 years, John Hawkwood would go from an ordinary professional soldier, to being feted and recognised as the leading warrior of his age, and the subject of a grand fresco by Paolo Uccello in Florence cathedral. His life and story has been told in …

John Hawkwood was one of the most prominent and successful mercenary leaders of 14th century Europe. The century was marked by near-continuous warfare in different theaters of Europe and Hawkwood steadily rose from humble origins to be one of the foremost military leaders of the era.

Jun 13, 2020 · John Hawkwood, second son of his father, entered this world and became the most famous mercenary of his time, remaining at the forefront of the mercenary trade for thirty years. This episode was written by Murray Dahm.

Jun 28, 2011 · The army of Verona was led by Giovanni Ordelaffi and Ostasio II da Polenta, while the victorious Paduans were commanded by John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto) and Francesco Novello da Carrara, the son of Francesco I, lord of Padua. Castagnaro is hailed as Sir John Hawkwood’s greatest victory.

Jul 18, 2023 · 1379 – Hawkwood becomes a leading mercenary in the employ of Florence. 1387 – Perhaps Hawkwood’s greatest victory for Padua against Verona at Castagnaro. 1394 – Death of Sir John de Hawkwood in Florence (March 17) aged around 70.

Aug 14, 2011 · Chapter 1: On the left bank of the little river Colne in Essex, in the parish of Sible Hedingham not far from the ancient city of Colchester, there still exists an old house and estate named Hawkwood manor, – once a feudal dependance on the Castle of Hedingham belonging to the Earls of Oxford, and which was in the possession of the Hawkwoods ...

John Hawkwood (1320-1394) was an English mercenary known as a condottiere who made a significant impact in 14th-century Italy. Originally from rural England, Hawkwood began his military career under King Edward III during the Hundred Years' War, where he participated in notable battles such as Crécy and Poitiers.