Sir John Hawkwood | A Boy From Essex Who Became a Knight
TLDRThe video script narrates the extraordinary life of John Hawkwood, an Englishman from Essex who rose from a humble bowman to lead one of history's most formidable mercenary companies, the White Company. Hawkwood's military prowess and cunning tactics are highlighted, from his participation in pivotal battles such as Crecy and Poitiers, to his strategic victories in Italy, including the renowned Battle of Castagnaro. Despite his reputation as a ruthless leader, he was known to care for his men and was deeply loyal to his wife, Donnina Visconti. The script also touches on the darker aspects of his career, including the massacre of Cesena and his eventual excommunication by Pope Innocent VI. Hawkwood's legacy as one of England's greatest bowmen and his mysterious final resting place add to his legendary status.
Takeaways
- 🏹 John Hawkwood was an Englishman from Essex who rose from a common bowman to lead one of the most renowned mercenary companies in history.
- 🎖 He participated in significant battles such as Crecy and Poitiers, where he demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership, eventually being knighted.
- 📚 Hawkwood may have been the inspiration for Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Knight's Tale' in the Canterbury Tales, reflecting his rise from commoner to knight.
- 🤝 After the Treaty of Bretigny, Hawkwood joined a free company, the Great White Company, alongside a German named Sterz, becoming a powerful force in Europe.
- 🛡️ The White Company was known for its professional and seasoned soldiers, including Englishmen, Frenchmen, Bretons, Italians, and Germans, with a mix of crossbowmen and longbowmen.
- 💡 Hawkwood was known for his cunning tactics, such as using children as a decoy in the Battle of San Miniato to trap enemy forces in mud, showcasing his strategic brilliance.
- 💔 He was excommunicated by Pope Innocent VI due to his and his company's actions that blocked revenue to the Pope, but this did not seem to deter them.
- 💌 Hawkwood married Donnina Visconti, the daughter of Bernabo Visconti, and maintained a loyal and loving relationship with her throughout his life.
- 🏰 His military career in Italy spanned 40 years, during which he fought in various wars and maintained loyalty to Edward III of England, even possibly acting as his agent.
- 🏆 The Battle of Castagnaro in 1387 was one of Hawkwood's greatest victories, where he outmaneuvered a larger enemy force, demonstrating his tactical prowess.
- 🌍 Hawkwood intended to return to Essex with his amassed wealth and family, but he passed away in Florence, with his final resting place remaining a subject of legends and speculation.
Q & A
Who was John Hawkwood and what was his early life like?
-John Hawkwood was an Englishman from Essex who rose from a common bowman to lead one of the most famous free companies of mercenaries in history. Born in 1326 to a tanner who owned a tannery and surrounding land, Hawkwood moved to London where he became proficient in archery, a skill highly valued in the city.
What significant battles did John Hawkwood participate in during the early part of his career?
-John Hawkwood fought in the Battle of Crecy in 1346, where he may have protected the young Prince of Wales, and later in the Battle of Poitiers, where he was a captain of bowmen and was knighted after the battle.
How did John Hawkwood become a knight?
-John Hawkwood was knighted after the Battle of Poitiers. There are two versions of who knighted him: one says it was the Earl of Oxford, De Vere, and the other claims it was the Prince of Wales.
What was the White Company and how did it operate?
-The White Company was a large mercenary group led by John Hawkwood and a German named Sterz. It consisted of thousands of professional soldiers, including Englishmen, Frenchmen, Bretons, Italians, and Germans, with both crossbowmen and longbowmen. The basic unit of the company was a 'lance', consisting of three men: a commander with his lance, a mounted bowman, and his squire.
Why did John Hawkwood and the White Company choose to fight in Northern Italy?
-After the Treaty of Bretigny in 1360, which ended the war, John Hawkwood had to choose his path. He decided not to follow the Prince of Wales' division but to join the free company, opting to fight in Northern Italy due to the opportunities it presented.
What was Pope Innocent VI's stance on the White Company and how did he attempt to lessen their strength?
-Pope Innocent VI excommunicated the White Company because their activities were blocking revenue from reaching the papacy. To reduce their power, he proposed dividing the company, with half fighting in Spain and the other half in Italy.
How did John Hawkwood demonstrate his leadership and care for his men?
-John Hawkwood was known to respect and care for his men. He ensured that fallen soldiers were properly taken care of and that any dividends from successful battles were shared equally among his troops. His men loved him for his fairness and concern.
What was the significance of the Battle of San Minato in John Hawkwood's career?
-The Battle of San Minato in 1368 showcased Hawkwood's cunning and strategic mind. He used a deceptive tactic involving local children to halt and trap a much larger enemy army, demonstrating his ability to outsmart his opponents.
What event led to the massacre of 6,000 people in Cesena and how did John Hawkwood respond to the Pope's orders?
-A rebellion in Cesena against mercenary soldiers led Pope Gregory to order a brutal repression. Hawkwood was commanded to kill every man, woman, and child in the town. Although he questioned the order, he followed it, resulting in the massacre of 6,000 innocent people.
Describe the strategy John Hawkwood used in the Battle of Castagnaro in 1387.
-In the Battle of Castagnaro, Hawkwood chose the battlefield and lured the Veronese army across a canal filled with fascines. He then used his cavalry to attack from the rear, while his main force advanced from the front, trapping and crushing the enemy army and achieving a decisive victory.
What was the outcome of John Hawkwood's last campaigns and where did he die?
-John Hawkwood's last campaigns were in 1390-1392, where he performed a great feat of arms by extracting his entire army from the path of the Milanese. He died on March 17, 1394, while preparing to return to Essex, and it is unclear whether he was buried in Florence or Essex.
What is the significance of John Hawkwood's legacy in Florence, Italy?
-John Hawkwood's legacy in Florence is significant as he spent much of his career there and contributed to the city's military history. His story and influence can still be found in the city, making it a place of interest for those studying his life and the history of mercenaries.
Outlines
🏹 Rise of John Hawkwood: From Bowman to Legendary Mercenary
This paragraph introduces John Hawkwood, an Englishman from Essex who rose from a common bowman to lead one of history's most formidable mercenary companies. Born in 1326 to a tanner, Hawkwood apprenticed as a tailor in London, where his archery skills flourished. He fought at the Battle of Crecy and later at Poitiers, where he was knighted. Hawkwood's reputation grew, and he may have been the inspiration for Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Knight's Tale.' Post-Treaty of Bretigny, he joined a free company, eventually co-leading the White Company with a German named Sterz, comprising thousands of professional soldiers from various backgrounds.
🛡️ Hawkwood's Exploits and the Pisan/Florentine War
The second paragraph delves into Hawkwood's involvement in the Pisan/Florentine War, where he fought for various factions alongside his White Company. Hawkwood's strategic acumen and ruthlessness are highlighted, as he eventually serves under Bernabo Visconti, the Lord of Milan, and marries his daughter, Donnina Visconti. Despite his reputation as a cunning and crafty leader, Pope Innocent VI excommunicated Hawkwood and his company due to their disruptive actions in Italy, which hindered the Pope's revenue streams.
🗡️ The Battle of Castagnaro and Hawkwood's Tactical Brilliance
This paragraph focuses on the Battle of Castagnaro, one of Hawkwood's most significant victories. Despite being outnumbered, Hawkwood strategically chose the battlefield and employed a clever ruse to deceive the enemy. He used a canal as a trap and feigned a central leadership position before launching a surprise cavalry attack from the woods. The Veronese army was outmaneuvered and suffered heavy losses, while Hawkwood's forces incurred minimal casualties. The battle showcased Hawkwood's tactical genius and his ability to inspire loyalty among his troops.
🏙️ Hawkwood's Legacy and the Mystery of His Final Resting Place
The final paragraph reflects on John Hawkwood's legacy as one of England's greatest bowmen and his 50 years of service as a soldier, 40 of which were spent in Italy. It mentions his last campaigns and his desire to return to Essex before his death in 1394. The video ends with a call to action for viewers to explore more about Hawkwood's life and to visit Florence, where his story is well-documented. The creator also thanks their Patreon members for their support.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡John Hawkwood
💡White Company
💡Battle of Crecy
💡Battle of Poitiers
💡Treaty of Bretigny
💡Pisan/Florentine War
💡Bernabo Visconti
💡Battle of Castagnaro
💡Pope Innocent VI
💡Mercenaries
💡Cesena Massacre
Highlights
John Hawkwood was a renowned English mercenary who rose from a common bowman to captain of bowmen, knight, and leader of one of the most famous free companies of mercenaries.
Born in 1326 in Essex, Hawkwood's early life was influenced by his father's ownership of a tannery, providing him a step up in social status.
Hawkwood's skill in archery led him to participate in the Battle of Crecy in 1346, where he may have protected the young Prince of Wales.
By the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, Hawkwood had risen to the rank of captain of bowmen and was knighted after the battle, with legends suggesting he was knighted by either the Earl of Oxford or the Prince of Wales.
Hawkwood may have been the inspiration for Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Knight's Tale' in the Canterbury Tales, reflecting his rise from commoner to knight.
Following the Treaty of Bretigny in 1360, Hawkwood joined a free company, eventually co-controlling the White Company with a German named Sterz.
The White Company was a diverse group of professional soldiers, including Englishmen, Frenchmen, Bretons, Italians, and Germans, with specialized units like crossbowmen and longbowmen.
Hawkwood was known for his care of his men, ensuring fair distribution of spoils and honoring the fallen, which earned him their loyalty and love.
Pope Innocent VI excommunicated Hawkwood and his company due to their disruptive actions in Italy, which blocked revenue to the Church.
Hawkwood and the White Company were divided by the Pope to lessen their strength, with Hawkwood choosing to fight in Northern Italy.
In Northern Italy, Hawkwood fought for various factions, eventually marrying the daughter of Bernabo Visconti, Lord of Milan, and fathering four children.
Hawkwood's reputation for cunning and strategy was evident at the Battle of San Minato in 1368, where he used children as a decoy to lure and trap the enemy army.
The Pope ordered Hawkwood to brutally suppress a rebellion in Cesena, resulting in the massacre of up to 6,000 innocent people.
The Battle of Castagnaro in 1387 was Hawkwood's greatest victory, demonstrating his tactical genius by luring the enemy into a trap and achieving a decisive win against a larger force.
Hawkwood's long military career in Italy spanned 40 years, and he was highly paid, sometimes in land and property, showing his financial acumen and care for his men.
John Hawkwood died in 1394, with legends and rumors surrounding his final resting place, whether in Florence or his home county of Essex.
Hawkwood's legacy as one of the greatest English bowmen is celebrated in Florence, where visitors can learn more about his life and impact on the city.
Transcripts
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