Turn of 16th century (pre-Marignano)
Alviano
Bartolomeo Orsini Count of Alviano
Present in: EU1 (VEN), EU2(VEN), EEP(VEN), IU(PAP,NAP,VEN)
I don’t have much on his early career. Upon the death of Alexander VI in 1503 he helped GP Baglioni return to power in Perugia. Sounds like freelance work to me. From Perugia he went to help the Orsini (his family) in the chaos of Rome after Alexander’s death. Was present under Baglioni when he beat the C Borgia’s army under Coriglia near Perugia.
On 17 August 1505 he was leading troops to aid Pisa (presumably hired to them) when he was defeated by Florentine army under E. Bentivoglio and A Giacomomini.
By 1508 he is in Venetian hire. Austria declares war over issue of passage of imperial army to coronation in Rome. Alviano beats an Austrian column under the emperor Maximilian near Vicenza, then force marched to the Piave to defeat another prong of the imperial attack. He then invaded Hapsburg territory and took Goriza, Trieste and Fiume and a truce is agreed in June 1508.
In the Cambrai war, on 14 May 1509 after a dispute with Pitigliano, the other Venetian general, his army becomes entangled with the French vanguard under Chaumont at Agnadello. He readily repulsed several attacks, but Pitigliano didn’t support him and Louis XII arrived with the main French army and almost surrounded him. He is ultimately badly beaten and captured.
In March 1513 Venice and France make peace and ally and Alviano is released from captivity. When the French invade Lombardy from the west in May his Venetian army invades from the West taking Cremona and a couple of other important towns and begins siege of Brescia (still held by the Austrians). The French lose the great battle of Novara in June, and Alviano has to retreat.
He moves on Verona (also still imperial held) and tries to assault it but fails. He then falls back on Vicenza and then Padua. From 28 July to 16 August he is besieged in Padua by Cardona (Spanish). Cardona can’t sustain the siege and falls back on Vicenza, where Alviano employs a Fabian strategy to keep him from supplies. With many volunteers joining his army, on 7 October he risked a fight with Cardona clash at Schio, near Vicenza. Cardona manages to hold Alviano off in a hard fought battle, and Alviano suffers large losses.
In 1514 the war becomes more irregular. By harassing Cardona Alviano slowly forces him back, and beats an army under Rovigo Este in battle.
In 1515 the French invade Lombardy again. Cardona has a very difficult time getting out of Verona to try to oppose them. He heads for Piacenza to join up with Papal and Florentine armies with Alviano following to Cremona. Francis I, having taken Milan pushes hard to take the line of the Po to cut off the Swiss from Cardona. This leads to the great battle of Marignano between Francis and the Swiss – it is very hard fought but Alviano settles the issue by showing up on the second day. All of Lombardy now in Venetian/French hands and the Swiss make peace. As the Venetians besiege Brescia, Bergamo and Verona Alviano dies 7 Oct 1515.
One of the most important. However, I think I’d just leave him as a general for Venice – his earlier service doesn’t strike me as being important enough.
GP Baglioni
Gian Paolo Baglioni
Present in IU (TOS, PAP, TOS, PAP,VEN)
In 1499 as lieutenant to C Borgia assists in sieges of Pesaro, Faenza, and Rimini. In June 1501 Borgia who needed to be back in Rome left the siege of Piombino to Vitellozzo Vitelli with GP Baglioni second in command. City falls 3 September 1501.
By 1502 he is working for Florence, and along with F Orsini and P Petrucci is beaten by Vitellozzo Vitelli who then takes Arezzo.
In 9 October 1502 he is part of the conspiracy of the condotierri against Borgia. He is one of many condotierri in the army that beats Ugo Moncada and Michele Coriglia who are loyal to Borgia. Borgia reconciles with the rebels by the end of October, but in December he tricks the ringleaders and has them executed. Baglioni flees to Siena and then Lucca.
When Alexander VI dies in 1503 with assistance from Alviano he reinstalls himself as lord of Perugia. From here he went to Rome to support the Orsini against the Colonna. Beat M Coriglia working for C Borgia near Perugia preventing him from relieving the pressure against Borgia’s holdings in Romagna.
In 1504 he is hired by Florence to fight Pisa, is placed under Ercole Bentivoglio. Campaign is one of Machiavelli’s centerpieces on the evils of mercenaries – not much happens.
13 September 1506 Julius II takes Perugia from GP Baglioni. Early 1510 sent by Pope to command Venetian army after death of Pitigliano. In February 1512 he loses a battle to Foix at Isola della Scala in Lombardy. After Ravenna (1512) he is joined by Swiss troops in Papal pay (under Schiner) and takes Cremona.
Tough to know what to do with him. A reasonably important guy with a good record, but service all over the place and to lots of entities not represented in the game. I would skip his Venetian service, as he was basically “on loan” from the Papacy. Biut of course he opposed the pope in 1506. For now I too confused and feel inclined to leave him out. Suggestions for him welcome.
Bayard
Present in EU(FRA,SAV), EU2(FRA,SAV), EEP(FRA,SAV)
One of the most famous French knights. Fought in 1512 under Foix, played an important role at Ravenna. In 1515, with de Palisse he defeated Prospero Colonna. He was involved in subsequent campaigns, and took command of the French army after Bonnivet was hurt. He was killed charging Spanish arqubusier on 30 April 1524.
He’s a French general and that’s all he should be called.
AG Bentivoglio
Present in IU (PAP)
Unless he’s the Bentivoglio who served with C. Borgia I have no idea who he is.
He goes unless someone can convince me otherwise.
Ann Bentivoglio
Present in IU (TOS, PAP? same guy)
I think he served Naples when Charles VIII invaded (1494). If so he then defected to the French and I don’t know anything further.
Doesn’t seem that important.
Borgia
Cesar Borgia, Duke of Valentois
Present in EU1 (VEN,PAP) EU2(VEN,PAP) EEP (PAP) IU(PAP,TOS,PAP)
I can quote why he was ever a Venetian leader:
Cesare Borgia was the son of the game's first pope, Alexander IV, by the way. Anyway, he could be a Venetian leader in the first years, and he should have a great siege value. Later (from about 1496), he could switch allegiance to the Papacy.
Which is from an early IGC thread (before it was the IGC). Since then I count at least 6 separate people pointing out that he never served Venice, but it did no good at all.
Now Borgia is a very well known character. Other than the Medici and a couple of the popes I don’t think there is a better known renaissance politician. I’m no expert, and corrections/additions would be greatly appreciated by those who’ve read Machiavelli better than I have. But here is my version of his military career:
He gave up his cardinalate on 17 August 1498. In 1499 he accompanied Louis XII in his invasion of Lombardy. He then began to carve out a kingdom for himself in central Italy. He takes Imola (9 Dec) and Forli (12 Jan 1500) and attacks Cesena. He spends the summer in Rome (I think) and takes Pesaro on 27 October 1500, Rimini in mid November and then besieges Faenza on 20 November 1500. Assaults on the 25 November and 18 April, the second is successful. In the spring of 1501 he sends aid to Pisa (which I guess is why IU has him as a Tuscan leader). On 4th June he attacks Piombino but leaves the siege in the hands of Baglioni and Vitelli. It falls in September.
In the summer of 1501 he takes part in the French invasion of Naples, and takes Capua from F Colonna on July 24 1501, and puts the town to a terrible sack.
In 1501 he demanded the restoration of the Medici in Florence, and was bought off by being made Captain General of the Florentine armies.
On 13 June 1502 he leaves Rome, and requests artillery and troops from Guidobaldo Montefeltro Duke of Urbino to fight Florence. When these leave Urbino Borgia occupies the undefended town and makes himself duke of Urbino. It doesn’t matter because in 18 June Vitelli who is in Borgia’s employ defeats the Florentines and takes Arezzo. Louis XII forces Borgia to return Arezzo to Florence.
In October 1502 as he’s moving against Bologna, a number of condotierri (most in his pay) conspire to stop him. Orsini returns Montefeltro to Urbino, and Moncada and Coriglia, two of his loyal generals are defeated by the rebels. Louis XII sends aid, and soon a compromise is reached and the rebels return to the fold on 25 October 1502. On 31 December as he’s entering Fano Borgia has his lieutenants Vitellozzo Vitelli, P Orsini, the duke of Gravina, and Oliverotto arrested. He immediately executes Vitelli and Oliverotto, and on 18 Jan 1503 kills Gravina and Orsini. After this he faces no real opposition from his generals.
In the summer of 1503 he planned the conquest of Florence while negotiating with Venice and France. However, on 18 Aug 1503 Alexander VI (Borgia’s father) dies and everything falls apart. In Lazio the Colonna revolt. GP Baglioni returns to Perugia, Appiano returns to Piombiono, and lords of Urbino and Pesaro return. The Orsini return to Rome, Malatesta had yields Rimini to Venice, while Venice also takes Faenza and Montefiore. Borgia sends M Coriglia to defend Romagna. He is beaten by GP Baglioni near Perugia.
Turning to the Spanish (Gonsalvo de Cordova) for help he is seized and sent to Spain for trial. He is killed in some adventures in Navarre.
Obviously MUST NOT be a Venetian general . Papal general works just fine for me, and he has to stay in the game!
F Colonna
Fabrizio Colonna
Present in IU(NAP,PAP,NAP)
Hired by Ferrante I of Naples in the period 1486-1487. In 1494 as Charles VIII approached Naples he switched sides. Led the column of Charles’ army that took Abruzzi. In July 1495, as Charles VIII’s rule in Naples began to collapse switched side to join the Aragonese (Alfonso II) again.
He was present with the Duke of Gandia when the latter was beaten by the Orsini forces under Vitellozzo Vitelli at Soriano in 1497.
When the French and Spanish invaded Naples in 1500, he was left to defend Capua. After collapse of the Neapolitan cause served Spain. Present during the stand-off siege of Gonsalvo de Cordova in Barletta.
Present at Cerisole (another of Cordova’s great victories), and conquers Abruzzi in the aftermath. Commented that the ditch at Cerisole gave the Spanish the victory. Continues in Spanish service. Present at Ravenna in 1512, where he commanded Cardona’s left. At Ravenna he is surrounded after the failure of Prospero Colonna’s attack on Alfonso d’Este and forced to surrender. I’m not sure what happened to him after that.
His most obvious role would be as a Spanish general. He was quite sucessful for Spain. However, as Naples shouldn’t be getting anyone else, and he isn’t in the Spanihs file I’m OK with Naples getting him from 1486 onwards. Ferrante V of Spain was King of Naples at that time.
M Colonna
Marcantonio Colonna
Present in IU(NAP,TOS,PAP)
I have nothing on his service in Naples. In 1504 he was hired by Florence in their war against Pisa. He served under Ercole Bentivoglio in an uneventful campaign. In Autumn 1510 he was sent by Julius II, with Ottaviano Fregoso to make an attempt on Genoa. This failed. In 1512 he was in command of the Papal garrison of Ravenna. On April 8 he defeated an assault from Foix. The garrison played no part in the battle that followed. I don’t know what happened to him after this.
He is most famous for his impressive defense of Ravenna prior to the battle. I’m not sure it’s enough, but if an extra Papal general is needed he might work. I wouldn’t include him before that.
Este
Present in EU1(PAP), EU2(PAP), EEP(PAP)
He’s listed as a papal general between 1490 and 1505. I have to assume he’s Alfonso d’Este Duke of Ferrara. See below.
A d’Este
Alfonso d’Este , Duke of Ferrara, Duke of Modena
Present in IU(PAP)
No idea why he isn’t in the IU mod for PAR (Modena).
He succeeded to the Estensi Duchies in 1505. In 1509 he joined the League of Cambrai hoping to recover the losses taken from Ferrara in 1484. At this point he was made Commander in chief of Papal Armies. In the spring of 1509 he took various towns in the Po delta from Venice. In the winter of 1509-1510 Venice sent an army and fleet against Ferrara. When Chaumont brought a French army the Venetian army withdrew and Alfonso destroyed the fleet (under Angelo Tevisiani) with his artillery at Polesella. In the spring of 1510 he served under Chaumont at the (unsuccessful) siege of Vicenza. That summer the pope made peace with Venice, and opposed Ferrara, excommunicating Alfonso. FM della Rovere with papal troops took Modena and Reggio, I don’t know if Alfonso was present to defend it. Henceforth their recovery was one of his chief goals. In January-February of 1511 Julius II himself supervised the Papal armies as they took towns from Ferrara. Alfonso beat the army (not sure who was in command), and, in May 1511 Alfonso led the French vanguard to Bologna, where a popular coup kicked out the Papal government. The citizens took down a huge copper statue of Julius II and sold it to Alfonso for scrap. He cast a cannon from it, and called the cannon ‘Julius’. Throughout this period he was in French pay, although he was clearly looking out for Ferrara’s interests.
He opposed the Holy League, and I believe served under Foix when he lifted the League siege of Bologna. At the great battle of Ravenna he led the Left flank of Foix’ army, and played the critical role of outflanking and bombarding the Spanish right. This caused Navarro to attack him, at which point Navarro was hit in the flank by Alegre and crushed. F Colonna, commanding the Spanish right surrendered to Alfonso.
As the French withdrew from Italy he tried unsuccessfully to make peace with the Pope
I’m not sure what he was up to or the next 13 years, but he was always associated with the French cause, often to his peril. In 1523 he managed to retake (and keep) Reggio. After Pavia (1525) he switched to the imperialists, and as the army of Bourbon marched on Rome he managed to recover Modena as well. He was present in Orange’s army at the Sack of Rome.
He was known as an innovator in artillery and a great artillerist. The large artillery park he built up for Ferrara meant he was always sought out as a useful ally.
While making him a papal general is somewhat justified, he makes more sense as a French general. On the other hand he was always Duke of Ferrara so I’d juts give him to Modena (PAR) for the duration.
Ferrante II
King of Naples. Also known as Ferdinandino (in English)
Present in EU1(NAP), EEP(NAP)
Not quite sure why he was removed between EU1 and EU2 (Paradox).
In 1485 he led the Neapolitan army that opposed the rebelling barons while Alfonso fought in the Papal States.
In 1494 he led the army in Romagna that waited for Charles VIII with GG Trivulzio and Pitigliano under command. He advanced as far as Parma, but faced by a Milanese/Swiss army under Gaiazzo (MLO) and Aubigny (FRA) withdrew from Northern Italy. By December the army was defending Rome, but disappeared as Charles VIII approached. Shortly thereafter Ferrante fled Naples altogether for Sicily.
In May1495 with Gonsalvo de Cordoba he landed in Reggio (the town in the south not the region), and began the reduction of all French position in the Kingdom of Naples. In July 1496, when he took Atella the last French troops surrendered.
He seems to be in for legacy reasons. He didn’t accomplish much, and I’m unconvinced he’s needed. Interesting the Paradox didn’t keep him when EU2 was released. I agree with them, let’s ditch him.
E Fieramosca
Present in IU(NAP)
[edited] Seems like a hero of the Barletta incident. Which was in Spanish service, and had no military consequence whatsoever, except to distract the French from the peril of their situation.
So I still think he should go. I know nothing about the novel, and if he is really that well known then maybe I can accept it. Perhaps for Sicily rather than Naples?
F Fregoso
Frederigo Fregoso
Present in EEP(GEN)
After 1510, under Ottaviano Fregoso he fought the Fieschi and Adorno families and against pirates. He beat Cortogli an admiral from Tunis off Bizerte, and then took and looted Djerba. He led the (unsuccessful) defense of Genoa in 1522, with no great merit as far as I can tell.
A reasonable choice. I’m inclined to prefer Ottaviano Fregoso, but in the siege of Genoa he (and Pedro Navarro, FRA) led the defense Ottaviano was doge. Only one of the two should stay.
O Fregoso
Ottaviano Fregoso
Not currently in the game
In 1510 with the support of Julius II he and MA Colonna took an army to attempt (unsuccessfully) to overthrow the French rule of Genoa. He fought the Fieschi and Adorno families for the next few years. In then aftermath of the battle of Novara 1513 with the support of the Spanish army of Pescara he came to Genoa. On 17 June Fregoso made doge as Adorno and the French withdrew. In 1515 he led 4000 Genoese troops to join Francis I, and I believe he fought at Marignano with the French. He was doge in 1522 when the city was sacked.
I think he did slightly more than Frederigo Fregoso but I’m ready to be contradicted.
Caiazzo
Giovanni Francesco Sanseverino, Count of Caiazzo, I’ve also seen him as Count of Gaiazzo
Present in EEP(MLO)
In 1494 when Ferrante Duke of Calabria was advancing into Romagna to oppose Charles VIII, He led the Milanese army, that, with the Swiss under Aubigny opposed him. After a long stalemate in which Caiazzo was entrenched in boggy terrain, Ferrante withdrew without any fighting.
In 1495, at Fornova he led the Milanese contingent in the league army, and was basically co-commander with Francesco Gonzaga who led the larger Venetian component. He led the right wing of the army. The league attacked the rear. After initial success the Italians took the French baggage train, but when Charles VIII returned with the French center the Italians were outflanked, and had to pull back. This meant that the French were allowed to withdraw without their baggage. At least half the league army was unengaged. I’m not sure of Caiazzo’s role in all of this.
In 1499 he led the Milanese army that opposed the Venetian forces. All the action was on the other front (against France), so I don’t think he saw much action before il Moro’s cause collapsed.
Borderline. Fornova is obviously a very famous battle, and to me that is enough to justify keeping him. But I’m basically on the fence.
Gandia
Duke of Gandia, Giovanni Borgia
Present in EEP(PAP)
Son of Pope Alexander VI, he was granted the fiefs (Benevento, Terracina and Pontecorvo) of Virginio Orsini after the latter was imprisoned after Fornova for collaborating with Charles VIII. In 1495 Alexander decided that the time was ripe to destroy the power of the Orsini, and raised an army to take their possessions. Gandia was made commander of all papal armies, and was assisted by Guidobaldo de Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, who was on loan from Venice. Although most of the Orsini castles fell to Gandia, their main stronghold, Bracciano, held out for months, and the Orsini were able to make sorties that reached to Rome to raise their supporters.
In the meantime Vitellozzo Vitelli raised an army from other Papal fiefs who felt threatened by the attack on the Orsini. He then marched to raise the siege of Bracciano, and was met on the way by the papal army. On January 25 1497 at the battle of Soriano (an ominous name if I’ve ever heard one), Gandia was injured, and Urbino captured along with all his baggage, as Vitelli outflanked their army on both sides and destroyed it.
On the 14th June 1497 he was murdered, most likely on the orders of his brother Cesare.
Not terribly successful. Well known as he’s a Borgia, but I’d drop him. I mean the fact that the real life pope appointing a marginally competent son as general shouldn’t help the nation in the game
Fran. Gonzaga
Francesco Gonzaga Marquis of Mantua
Present in EEP(VEN), IU(MLO,VEN,MAN)
In the Ferrara War he served Milan, with his father Frederico. Independently he took Asola (in Venetian Lombardy) in 1483 (I think) although it was retaken thereafter. Francesco held off the Venetian armies that invaded Mantua. From July 14 1484 he was Marquis of Mantua. In 1490 when his contract with Milan expired he switched to Venetian service.
As general of Venetian armies he led the League army that fought at Fornova, with Caiazzo as second in command. The Italians fell on the French rear, but when the French center reached the battle the Italians were nearly surrounded in a hard fight. The French withdrew their (intact) army, leaving their baggage behind. It was a victory of sorts, but not much of one.
He served in Apulia in the (Venetian) campaigns that drove the French out of Naples in 1495-96. By this time he had caught syphilis (which arrived into Italy in 1494) and was frequently incapacitated. In 1497 Venice terminated his contract, and in 1498 he went into Imperial service, although his salary was provided by Milan. He walked away from this work, and took no part in the campaign of 1499 when the French took Milan.
He served in the army of Julius II in 1506 when that pope took Perugia and Bologna.
In 1509 he was in French service, and assigned to defend Milan. He fought a desultory campaign against Venice, and was not present at Agnadello. On 3 August 1509 Francesco, he was captured at della Scala by ??, and remained a captive until 1510. He became a general for Julius II and Venice, but refused to offend France by taking any action against her. He died in March 1519, having taken no part in the campaigns after 1510.
Another tricky one. He commanded at Fornova, and that’s worth something, but he didn’t really accomplish much else. I’d give him to Milan, and [/i]possibly[/i] to Mantua after that.
Giulio II
Pope Julius II, Giuliano Della Rovere, Giulio in Italian
Present in EU1(PAP), EU2(PAP), EEP(PAP) (note that he was removed from the IGC)
Much of his reign was spent trying to establish papal power in the Papal States. He was present at the head of the papal armies in 1506 when Perugia was taken from the Baglioni (September 13), and Bologna from the Bentivoglio (1 November). Direct command of Papal forces was entrusted to Alfonso d’Este in the war of the League of Cambrai, but after the Pope reconciled with Venice and Este refused to, Julius led the army that he sent against Ferrara. It took Sassuolo in two days in January 1511, and ‘concord’ and ‘aiming it’ in the same month, and ultimately Mirandola. However, he was not present at the (unsuccessful) papal siege of Bologna, nor at the battle of Ravenna in April 1512. He died on 21 February 1513.
While not absolutely required I’d say he stays.
A Loredan
Andrea Loredan
Present in EU1(VEN), EU2(VEN), EEP(VEN)
He was commanding at Corfu in 1499, and upon his own initiative brought his squadron out to join the main Venetian fleet under Antonio Grimani at Sapienza. Grimani was not a seaman, and he did not get along with Loredan. When Loredan attacked the Turkish fleet Grimani held back. Borrack, the commander of one of the largest Turkish ships became separated from the Turkish ships and was attacked by Loredan and d’Armer. Borrack set his ship on fire, and all three ships were burned.
I believe that he is the Andrea Loredan who was the proveditor captured and killed at the battle of Schio on October 7 1513. This was a battle between the Venetians under Alviano and the Spanish under Cardona.
I’d keep him as he seems to have been decent. Another borderline case though.
Machiavelli
Niccolo Machiavelli
Present in EU1(TOS),EU2(TOS), EEP(TOS)
Obviously very famous. Never led an army. I found out how he got into the game. (This is a very old quote, 2000 I think)
-My thoughts were that he was never ever in the field at all. He was just a political advisor, an ambassador, a farmer, an author, and a playwright.
-Oh. Machiavelli was in the field all right. He didn't have quite the success of Francesco Sforza and Cesare Borgia, but he did OK.
I don’t have the name of the second author, but he’s just plain wrong. Machiavelli was a civilian. He was a government representative with a couple of armies, and followed Cesare Borgia around. He worked to establish the Florentine militia. He never, ever led an army.
Absolutely should not be in the game as a leader.
Malvezzo
Lucio Malvezzo
Present in EU1(VEN), EU2(VEN), EEP(VEN)
He was a condotierri in Venetian pay when he took Legnano in July 1509, threatening the communications of the French army besieging Padua. In August 1510 he was confirmed as commander in chief of the Venetian armies, and led the Venetian forces that liberated Bassano, Marostica and Vicenza. He pursued Anhalt (the Austrian general) from Vicenza to the gates of Verona, but here he hesitated, and the Austrians were able to put Verona in a state of defense.
I’m not sure what happened to him after that.
Commander in chief for a short period of time, I’d suggest we get rid of him. Alviano would realistically be available during his tenure so he won’t be missed.
GB da Montefeltro
Guidobaldo de Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino
Present in IU(VEN,PAP,VEN,PAP)
Son of the great Frederigo, he did rather less well. In the aftermath of the French invasion of 1494-95 he served under the Duke of Gandia in his campaigns against the Orsini. He was captured at the battle of Soriano where Gandia was defeated. I don’t know what his involvement in the French invasion of 1499 was, but in 1502 Cesare Borgia requested that he provide artillery for Borgia’s upcoming campaign. Once the artillery was out of Urbino Borgia brought his army into the city and made himself Duke of Urbino. Guidobaldo fled to Venice, and although he was able to return when the people revolted against Borgia he was expelled again. He regained his Duchy in 1503 upon the death of Alexander VI and the fall of Cesare Borgia. From 1506 he was nominally in command of the Papal armies including the campaign to take Bologna. However, Julius II commanded in person. Montefeltro died in 1508.
Commander in chief for a short period of time, I’d suggest we get rid of him. Alviano would realistically be available during his tenure so he won’t be missed.
A II Ordelaffi
Anton Maria Ordelaffi
Present in IU (VEN)
[from Berhaven]Lord of Forlì and Forlimpopoli. Nothing really special with him. Enemy of Caterina Sforza Riario for the control of Forlì. Fought mainly for himself and for Venice.
I suspect he's in there because of Caterina Sforza. I don't see a need to keep him.
Pesaro
Beneto Pesaro
I’m suggesting him as a possible alternative to Andrea Loredan (and Grimani). In 1500 he replaced Grimani in command of the Venetian fleet. He was outnumbered and the fleet was in poor position after the losses of the previous year. He was unable to prevent the fall of Modone (the most important Venetian port in the Morea) to the Ottomans, although it fell by an assault. The demoralized Venetian garrisons in Corone and Navarino also surrendered to the Ottomans. Late in the season he occupied Aegina and plundered Mytilene. In October, with Gonzalo de Cordova and a Spanish fleet, he took Cephalonia and recovered Zonchio from the Ottomans, before Spanish went back to Sicily. In 1501 he destroyed some Turkish ships at Prevasa, and occupies Alessio (not a major conquest) in desultory fighting. Conquered Santa Mauro with aid from the Pope and Knights. Peace was signed early inn1503, very unfavourable for Venice.
Not a stellar record, but he was in command, and certainly did better than Grimani. On the basis of that I prefer to replace Grimani and A Loredan with him. (I've listed Grimani by his in game dates, next section)
Polani
Vicenco Polani
Present in EU1(VEN), EU2(VEN), EEP(VEN)
Commanded a squadron at the debacle of Sapienza (Zonchio) in 1499 against the Ottomans. Distinguished himself in this battle.
I prefer to keep Andrea Loredan rather than him.
G Sanseverino
Present in EEP(MLO), IU(MLO)
All I have on him is his role in 1499, when he led the Milanese army that faced the French invasion of Milan. Under overwhelming pressure he had to abandon the field. There was a G Sanseverino present in the French army at Pavia, but I think it’s someone else.
I don’t think he’s worth keeping.
A Savelli
Present in IU(PAP)
He was one of the leaders of the French army that invaded Abruzzi in 1494, and was one of the generals left behind in Naples when he returned to France.
I’m not sure how he made it through the collapse there, but by 1499 he was one of Cesare Borgia’s lieutenants in the conquest of the Romagna. After 1504 he was one of the condotierri hired by Florence to fight Pisa under Ercole Bentivoglio.
Generally not in command, so I say drop him.
T Savelli
Present in IU(PAP,PAP,PIS,VEN,PAP)
I don’t know
Until I hear otherwise...
V Savelli
Present in IU(VEN)
I don’t know
Also goes otherwise.
Schiner
Mathias Schiner, Archbishop of Sion. Sometimes spelled Schinner.
Currently not present in the game
He was the head of pro-Papal faction in Switzerland, opposing the pro-French faction. In 1512 he commanded the Swiss-Venetian army that drove the French out of Milan after the battle of Ravenna. In 1513, after Massimiliano Sforza had been driven out by the French again, Schiner led the Swiss army that beat the French under Tremouille at Novara returning Lombardy to Sforza’s control.
In 1515 he commanded the Swiss army at Marignano. He was fighting GG Trivulzio to a draw until Alviano’s Venetians arrived to crush the Swiss, and end the myth of their invincibility.
In 1516 he led a Swiss army to lift Gaston Foix’s sieges of Brescia and Verona, but then left to try to secure an alliance with England. While he was away his influence in Switzerland was overthrown by the pro-French party of Georg Supersax.
He participated in the Spanish campaign that drove the French from Milan in 1521, leading Swiss mercenaries for Charles V.
The Swiss could use another general, and even though these armies weren’t so much led as managed he fits the bill. Novara was a major victory.
L Sforza
Ludovico Sforza ‘il Moro’, Duke of Milan
Present in EU1(MLO), EU2(MLO)
In 1477, with Ottaviano Sforza and Roberto Sanseverino, he led the army that helped Prospero Adorno beat off Genoese exiles who tried to overthrow the government. In 1478 he led an army against Milan and the regent Bona of Savoy. In 1500 he was with the Swiss who reinstalled him in Milan, although I don’t know whether he had a military role. He was then besieged in Novara, again not sure whether he commanded the army.
Not much of a military career. I’m pretty comfortable with the EEP decision to axe him.
M Sforza
Massimiliano Sforza, Duke of Milan
Present in EU(MLO) EU2(MLO) EEP(MLO)
I’m not sure how much military experience he really had. He was made Duke in 1512 when the French withdrew after the battle of Ravenna. In 1513 he was besieged in Novara by Tremouille until the battle of Novara. As far as I know he was not present at that battle. In 1515 I have him besieged (again) in Milan after his Swiss troops abandoned him. He didn’t resist for long and was taken captive to France and dies in captivity.
Also not much of a military career.
Trivulzio
GG Trivulzio
Present in IU(MLO,NAP)
In 1472 he was one of the many condotierri who served under Galleazo Maria Sforza in the war against Charles the Bold of Burgundy.
In the Pazzi war he led troops from Milan to support Florence. In this role he served under Ercole d’Este.
In 1486 during the Barons revolt in Naples he led the Milanese contingent that fought with Florentine and Neapolitan troops against the Papal force of Sanseverino. I think Alfonso Duke of Calabria (Naples) was in overall command. In May they fought to a tie. With the peace and the confiscation of the assets of the Barons Trivulzio was hired by Naples.
In 1494 he served under Ferrante Duke of Calabria in Romagna. As the Neapolitan cause collapsed in early 1495 he was in command of the defense of Capua, but in February he opened the doors and joined the French service. He joined Charles VIII in the return to France, and commanded the French vanguard at Fornova (where he wasn’t very much engaged in battle).
In 1499 he led the French invasion of Milan. He took over all of Lombardy in a quick campaign and became governor of Milan for Louis XII. He then marched on the Romagna, but returned when il Moro returned to Milan with his Swiss. He returned to Lombardy and forced il Moro to Novara where Trivulzio eventually captured him.
Although he fought in the Cambrai war he was not in command. However, on 11 February 1511 with the death of Chaumont he became the commander of the French army. However by the end of the year Gaston Foix was in command. I don’t know if he was at present at Foix’s great triumph of Ravenna, but he defended Milan after that battle until he had to abandon it as Palisse withdrew.
In March 1513 with Tremouille he invaded Lombardy again, and by May had secured all of Lombardy. I believe he was present at the great defeat of the French at Novara, but Tremouille was in command.
In 1515 he accompanied Francis I in his invasion of Lombardy. He was detached to occupy Milan prior to the battle of Marignano, which was won by Francis. In late 1515 he was sent to help the Venetians finally take the last Imperial held cities, Brescia, Bergamo and Verona. I’m not sure what happened to him after that.
Definitely an important general, but he ought really be French. I’m tempted to give him to Milan, as they are short at this time. I don’t think he Neapolitan service should be included.
Uffreducci
Oliverotto Uffreducci, Oliverotto da Fermo
Present in EU(TOS), EU2(TOS), EEP(TOS),
From what I can tell he was a cardinal. Cesare Borgia had him murdered in 1503. I do not know why he has been called Uffreducci, as that’s not how I’ve usually seen him described. He is described by Machiavelli, and this is how he got into the game:
From the old IGC thread and explains how he ended up in the game
Then there is Oliverotti Uffreducci, who was a general strongly opposed to the Papacy. He could be Florentine, for instance (many of the Renaissance leaders of Italy were known to change allegiances a lot, and Oliverotti's main agenda was fighting the Papacy. He originated in Ferma in that minor state). This leader lived until 1503, and was a decent if not good general.
He did not originate in Fermo, but rather seized the lordship of that city. By 1501 he was in the service of Cesare Borgia, and was sent by him to Pisa, where I think he fought the Florentines. However, he remained in Borgia’s service.
In June 1502 he was (I think) second in command in Borgia’s coup against Urbino, where Cesare lured GB Montefeltro out of the city by requesting support for his war against Florence, and then seized Urbino and made himself Duke.
In October of that year, as Borgia moved on Bologna he was one of many of Cesare’s generals who conspired against him, and then fought him in battle.
I’m pretty sure he was present when the rebels meet Ugo Moncada and Michele Coriglia and beat them. He, along with the rest of the rebels reconciled with Borgia under Louis XII’s arbitration by the end of October.
In 31 December 1502 he entered Fano with Borgia, and was seized and later executed.
Lepanto effect. He was one of the examples Machiavelli discusses, so is well known to secondary sources. It wouldn’t be ridiculous to get rid of him, but I think it’s called for. If he’d kept he should be Oliverotto.
P Vitelli
Paolo Vitelli
Present in IU(PAP,TOS,TOS), EU(TOS), EU2(TOS), EEP(TOS) [well I think he is the ‘Vitelli’ in the game]
I don’t have much on him. He led the Florentine armies against Pisa. The Ten of War (the council of the republic) felt he was not prosecuting the war with adequate energy, and charged him with treason. (This is recounted by Machiavelli, although I haven’t read it in a while). He was executed, earning Florence the undying hatred of his brother Vitellozzo Vitelli. Paolo Vitelli was also famous for cutting off the hands and plucking out the eyes of enemies captured armed with the arquebus. Which did nothing to stop the adoption of the weapon.
Ineffective commander in chief. I say dump him.
Vzzo. Vitelli
Vitellozzo Vitelli
Present in IU(TOS,PAP) [unless he’s the Vitelli in the default TOS leader file]
He began his career serving Florence against Pisa, though I don’t think he was in command. He served with the French in Apulia in 1496 (the remnants of Charles VIII expedition) and after they were defeated entered the service of the Orsini. In 1496 Vitellozzo Vitelli raised an army from Papal fiefs who felt threatened by the pope’s attack on the Orsini. He then marched to raise the Duke of Gandia’s siege of Bracciano, and was met on the way by the papal army. On January 25 1497 at the battle of Soriano (an ominous name if I’ve ever heard one), Vitelli outflanked the papal army and destroyed it, injuring Gandia and capturing GB Montefeltro, his lieutenant along with all the baggage.
By 1500 he was in Cesare Borgia’s service. From June to September 1501 along with GP Baglioni he led the (successful) siege of Piombino for Borgia.
On the 18 June 1502 he defeated GP Baglioni, F Orsini, and P Petrucci outside Arezzo and took that city. In August the king of France forced him to return it to Florence.
In October of that year, as Borgia moved on Bologna he was one of many of Cesare’s generals who conspired against him, and then fought him in battle.
I’m pretty sure he was present when the rebels meet Ugo Moncada and Michele Coriglia and beat them. He reconciled with Borgia by the end of October.
On 31 December 1502 he entered Fano with Borgia, but was seized and executed.
Could be kept, as he was an innovater (developed sword and shield infantry to defeat halberdiers). If we are keeping one of Borgia’s lieutenants he’s the one for me.
edit: I added Fieramosca and Ordelaffi, but couldn't add the rest due to (incorrect) character limits.