An Englishman In Disguise

Cherry

By luigi_pagano

Mon, 05 Dec 2022
  • 1224 reads
13 comments
 

Because he was called Giovanni Acuto,
his true nationality was misunderstood
as he wasn't Italian but an Englishman
whose real name was John Hawkwood.

He led the mercenary White Company
and fought for Edward III, king of France.
Those soldiers of fortune were tough,
they were not tied but were freelance.

The Peninsula Italia in the 14th century
was divided into many warring states.
To Milan and Florence, John Hawkwood
offered to fight for them with his mates.

He also served the pope who gave him
a great expanse of land, as a reward.
He married the illegitimate daughter
of the duke of Milan whom he adored.

John, the condottiere, was regarded
as a leader and soldier of excellence.
Because of his loyalty he was made
an honorary denizen of Florence.

Having decided to return to England,
because he was getting frail and old.
he planned to make arrangements
for his property and land to be sold.

It is wisest to plan well in advance
in case one might unexpectedly die.
The best schemes of mice and men
are well known to go often awry.

That happened to this Englishman
who had the prophetic intuition
he would shuffle off this mortal coil
before his dream came to fruition.

 

© Luigi Pagano 2022 

Certificate U
Poem
Mutevoli pensieri
Historical Fiction
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

How interesting! I had certainly never heard of this man, and my knowledge of Italian history is very weak.

I think I first started trying to write verse when revising history when I was about 12 and wanted to fix dates etc in my head by simple verse. It does form a neat way to make the main facts crisply shown and readable doesn't it? Rhiannon

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hi Rhiannon. Even though they made an impact at the time, mercenaries seldom leave a trail in history. Sometimes their actions are recorded and remembered in relation to other significant events. I came across his name when I was writing a story about political intrigues in medieval Venice.
It's true that writing simple verses is a suitable way to remember dates and historical facts.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Yes, really interesting, and I had never heard of him either - thank you Luigi, and what a great piece for the Inspiration Point

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Hello Claudine. This comes from the depth of my well of 'useless information', as my better half calls it. As I said to Rhiannon, I first encountered this character when I was doing some research into medieval Italy for the purpose of writing a story about Venice and Genoa who at the time were fighting to gain supremacy in the Mediterranean Sea. There were different explanations for why he was called Giovanni Acuto; that he was perceived as acute is one possibility but it could be that the natives found his surname difficult to pronounce. I am glad that you found this potted biography interesting and for the delicious cherries.

Luigi x

 

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

Make sure to tell Mrs Luigi that this piece of information can go into the useful box!

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

yes

Cheers. x

 

Submitted by skinner_jennifer on

A very clever way of using the I P Luigi, and information brought to light on this man too.

Jenny. xx

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

An intriguing character, Jenny, and a long way away from Essex, the place where he was born! He must have liked Italy and especially Florence where he died.

Luigi xx

 

Submitted by Kris on

Class Piece of work Lugi.....yes

(captured me)*

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

Too kind. Many thanks.

Best regards, Luigi

 

Submitted by Tom Brown on

Must be family, if you fall they just march on. Those french legionares. Some French blood too in fact.

Party like there's no tomorrow that is my advice.

Cheers Luigi hope you have a goof time -Tom

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

yes Thanks

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

I must apologise for an error on line 6. It should read: and fought for Edward III, against France.