"Who was the first to devise the fearful weapons?"
"From there on came slaughters, wars"
"...shortest road to cruel Death was open. "
"And still, the unfortunate, blame him not!"
"It's we who badly use what he gave us to fight against ferocious wild beasts." Tibullus
Fast by the hour that,
never without the Will of God, Fate had doomed as
beth the last and further none for our Master,
everyone of us, forsaking our own,
lamented destiny's mindless thrust
to death, in dire war,
of such a noble and valiant captain.
Not often doth it come, in this the war he fought,
exploits be, like of old was customary,
because in these our times they more proceed...
...with the plots and deceits of politics.
Dispatch from Federico Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua...
... for Alfonso d'Este, Duke of Ferrara.
The Lord Joannino, procedeed yesterday to Mantua...
"...to cure the wounded foot..."
"...while skirmishing with Frundsberg's Almans. "
"But doctors make it be a case for death. "
Be Thou leal and glorious in bearing arms,
...as Thou have been, if Thy name Thou fail to uphold...
...with our faith's religion...
...under whose observance born we were and lived we have.
With dawn so near, to self repaireth in all torment.
No soon he doth me see, he orders me that Maria,
his consort, his son Cosimo forth should bring.
And thus, the death that called him under...
... his sadness fully doubled.
He ordered me his field-bed be brought,
so as a soldier he may die.
Thus done, the light, souring to his eyesight now,
was giving pace to ever lasting dark.
It became known to me that even His Sanctity was moved.
And still, not seeing unregretfully the ill fate of Joanni,
his own nephew, the Holy Father clearly saw the bad parts...
... he knew in him lay, and which by far surpassed the good ones.
But there's no more to be said, since God has put him right.
THE PROFESSION OF ARMS
The most Illustrious Lord Joanni de' Medici,
Captain of His Sanctity's, Pope Clement Vll, army...
... was sick for days four, and has died in quarter Grifone,
ex febre, in one foot being wounded...
... by an artelry shot...
... in Mantua, the last day of Novembre 1526.
BOCCADIGANDA PO SIX DAYS EARLIER
Alman waggons!
Bring the waggons down!
Today, Saturday, in the afternoon,
once he had caught up with the rearguards of the Landsknechts on the bank of the Po,
Lord Joanni de' Medici, and his light cavalrymen...
... impetously charged them and the enemy retreated...
... Iosing some of his subsistence waggons
Captain de' Medici has destroyed some of our provision waggons!
- The Great Devil and his Black Stripes! - Orders don't change: Avoid any fight.
De' Medici wants to slow us down.
Emperor Charles V's Alemans, valiant soldiers,
have invaded Italy with an army of 18,000 foot soldiers...
... and have enjoyed the plunder of some of our towns.
But they are yet to receive full pay, and, not counting harquebuses and muskets,
do not carry other artelry.
To stop the Aleman invasion of Italy there went...
... the general Della Rovere, duke of Urbino,
commander of the pontifical army,
with 8,000 foot soldiers and 600 lancers, preceded by Joanni de' Medici...
with 600 men under arms, light cavalrymen and harquebusiers in equal numbers,
having the purpose of hindering the advance of the Alemans...
... with sudden raids, by day and by night...
... so that need made Captain de' Medici, bronze the armours...
... so he could surprise the enemy even by night time.
Bridge in San Nicolò Po Gonzaga territory
Until now they were unknowing to what route the Alemans would take.
Being they eight miles from Mantua, it seemed they wanted to cross...
... the river in the village of Borgoforte or in San Nicolò Po.
Instead, on that river stretch, they found all the boats removed...
... and much struggle they went through crossing to the other bank...
... and stop they had, to the grave displeasure for the people of the land.
The bridge is gone!
The Pope's men have cut the ropes!
The supreme commander of the Alemans, General Zorzo Frundsberg,
designs reaching Rome the soonest possible, having determined his people...
... toward the extermination of priests and the plunder of the Church,
bragging with a golden noose, tied to his saddle,
and foolishly saying he wanted, with that, hang the Pope.
GABBIANA BOROUGH PONTIFICAL ARMY CAMP
Get ready for an urgent dispatch. Imediately get a dispatch rider.
A dispatch rider ready to leave right now!
A dispatch rider for Captain de' Medici.
Must chase away Frundsberg before he crosses the river...
...and finds the road to Parma wide open.
It's plain he refuses to give battle with us.
He wants to rush straight to Rome and the Pope.
We're in the full of winter now, he will find no provisions.
He knows how to get it, that lutheran.
But can't last long.
To Francesco Maria Della Rovere, duke of Urbino...
...supreme commander of the pontifical army.
"...supreme commander of the pontifical army. "
My opinion is that, being the italian troops...
...without discipline, nor accustomed to following orders,
our foot soldiers can't...
"...our foot soldiers..."
...sustain the strike...
"...strike."
...of the Aleman ranks in open field...
...even if they artlery have not.
It's more convenient to unsettle the Landsknechts...
... with skirmishes and forays, harassing and hindering them...
...in their provisions, more than anywhere else, thus being the only way of throwing
...them into some disarray and defeating men so duty observing.
"...and defeating men so duty observing. "
With lealty and obedience, Giovanni de' Medici.
"...with lealty..."
Here's a soldier's pay in this age.
An harquebus bullet squashed into a coin.
Colonel Cuppano, the new fire arms are changing the wars.
But it's wars that change the world.
"To the illustrious and honorable Captain, Sir Joanni de' Medici. "
"Thy Lordship must know for sure the amount of my affection I thee profess. "
"A nd that I'll always be burdened with regret, "
"if by thee asked of something I can not oblige,"
"as now am when is brought forth that artelry..."
"...thou hath dispatched to ask for,"
"...but which I can not risk depriving myself of. "
And it is certain I do not know the person for whom I would deprive myself of,
in an age so troubled as this.
And it is for this reason..."
...I dare to ask of thee, most honoured Captain de' Medici..."
"...that thou hold me excused if I do not follow..."
"...in this request of yours for artelry."
"Thy devoted brother, Alfonso d'Este, duke of Ferrara."
Long hair and beard are only nest for louses...
...and a easier catch to the enemy.
I'm that hungry, as to eat a full pig!
These rabble armies, of all races and creeds,
do all the evil they can! Force women, burn barns...
...kill the livestock! Empty trunks and coffers.
And the damages are getting worse, without respect for our country.
Nor for the poor people. The Pope's foot soldiers...
...are underpaid, and soldiers with no money...
Enough! ... without money, are shittier than pigs.
Sooner we get rid of the Alemans, sooner we get rid of the Pope's men,
who are worse than the Turk.
Knaves and scoundrels. They harm more the ones they should...
...defend, than the ones they're paid to injure.
But to avoid the damages of this war...
...it would be better for us to ease Frundsberg's way through...
...the Curtatone gate. The German only wants to cross...
...the Po and be free of harassment by the Pope's men.
Clouds tonight, fog tomorrow.
It'd suffice that these Landsknechts...
...win a day's vantage on the pontifical army.
And find on the other river a easy road to Milan.
- Commander of the guard. - At your orders!
Discreetly let the vicar of Curtatone know...
...that by special leave from Gonzaga, this night...
...general Frundsberg and his Aleman garrison are allowed to pass through...
Yes, Your Excellency.
FORTIFIED GATE OF CURTATONE GONZAGA'S STRONGHOLD
In nomine Patris et Filii...
... et Spiritus Sancti, Amen.
What will they say in Mantua...
...when I will be seen...
...begging for some other's favour than Thy?
Thou'll be blamed for it!
So this what was traded for this honor of mine,
that, unfalteringly, I put before everyone to judge?
All know the transport thou hast shown in this love.
Known is the the liberty I took with thee.
Known is that I, never of mine accord, to thee dearth have been.
Even cruel it is...
... that from this love that never'd die, I thought,
... I'm left with only everlasting shame!
Nothing else remains for me than disgrace with my husband.
And no other fate awaits me than, surely, an infamous one.
THE D'ESTE FAMILY CASTLE FERRARA
The German Emperor's Ambassador for Alfonso d'Este, Duke Of Ferrara.
His esteemed Caesarean Majesty, Emperor Charles V...
His esteemed Caesarean Majesty, Emperor of the Germans, Charles V,
...hath purposely dispatched one of His ambassador gentleman...
... to bring me the privilege of His honorable investiture.
And, also, the marriage contract between our first born Ercole...
...and His cherished daughter, the most distinguished peeress...
... Margherita of Austria.
Artelry named Falconetto...
Ingenious back loading device: Swifter readiness,
more fire power.
Move!
Hide them on board.
Dear consort, I pray of thee to send me six plates, "
"a couple of bowls and bigger cups. "
"A nd a few tablecloths with eight napkins. "
"A nd also two leather jerseys, because around here...
"...it is so humid and cold."
After our last missive, nothing worth mentioning..."
"...to Thy Lordship has happened here. "
"A nd wouldn't sending written words from one to another"
"...be the talk of those that do not see each other, "
"I would not impose on Thy Lordship. "
Don't get crossways with those horses! Damn!
Geep up, Moro! Gee up!
Stay under the bank! Go straight, man! Keep it in the backward current!
Come on, it's going. Let the ropes loose!
I'm Marquis Gonzaga's Chancellor.
I'm bringing His Lordship's greetings and the right of shelter
to General Zorzo Frundsberg and his lmperial Armies
on the fortified land of the Gonzagas.
Fill it up again, so it may last all night.
Read me something.
Here's what The Machiavello writes.
The loyalty of paid mercenaries doth not last."
"And why should they be loyal to thee, if know thee they do not?"
Upon what God or Saint should thou make them swear?"
Upon the ones they adore, or upon those they abhor?
I don't know one they adore.
But I well know they abhor all of them.
It couldn't be falser the opinion, according to which..."
"...money is the soul of war, more so than politics. "
Captain de' Medici?
Who is it?
Luc'Antonio.
Frundsberg's garrison was seen on the road to Mantua.
From Borgo Montanara to the Curtatone turn.
They are preceded by a squad with the Gonzaga colors.
Is it certain?
One of out patrols has seen them a short while ago.
Federico, that worm! He first swears allegiance to the Pope...
...then offers protection to Frundsberg's Alemans.
It's politics, Sir Aretino.
Just as The Machiavello writes.
From now politics is more powerful than armies... isn't it?!
But the bulk of the Alemans hath already reversed direction...
...and want to cross the Po at Ostiglia.
We won't be able to stop them.
Stop Frundsberg and we'll also stop the war.
But marching by night under these conditions...
The biggest risk is the treacherousness of the marshes.
That's the thing that most worries the soldiers.
The entire war is to be worried about, my dear Luc'Antonio.
Light cavalry and harquebusiers, ready to depart right now.
- Hey, guards! - One moment!
Stop, wait, there's a carriage going out.
Let it through.
Close the door, without fastening the locks.
Two guards on the terraces awaiting orders.
Where're you going this time of night?
Are you trying to get in Hell?
Or have you got bats in your belfry?
Are you damned souls without rest? De profundis clamo Te, Domine!
We're looking for the pontifical army's camp.
Better look for salvation instead, o depraved ignorants!
This is the age of meannesss, and of the Beast's triumph!
There is no mercy for you, and no salvation!
Is anyone here?
Answer.
We're looking for Captain de' Medici.
There's no one left here. They've abandonned camp.
They've all gone away.
Go on! Let's try more.
Pontifical dispatch rider!
Tell Captain de' Medici... the germans...
...have entered through Curtatone!
Don't slow, don't! Stay together.
Vicar, line up the guard.
Put out torches and lanterns.
Quickly, light mustn't be seen from far off.
Silence.
Bring the bridge up and tighten the chains.
Make haste!
For this night the orders are not to answer to others.
Hey, you, where're you going?
Parma customs.
Who are you, then?
The salt boat, from Ferrara to Mantua.
All well?
Like always!
Then, go fuck yourself!
You and your cow of a mother!
You and that cuckold of your father!
Move.
We're through tonight.
Frundsberg has let me know he well understands...
...the serious damage the passage of his soldiers brings to our land.
But that's how war is, and there was no other way.
And that he'll never be short of gratitude for Thee...
...for the amiable right of way through Thy land...
...that sets him up with a good vantage, for gaining on the pontifical army,
and crossing the Po on the Ostiglia pontoon bridge,
the only one still left. But, to avoid suspicion,
we should send the Pope a dispatch,
saying that Thy Lordship wants to make amends to the pontiff,
for the thing Thou was compelled to do, with the utmost displeasure.
But it was way beyond Thy strength to deny passage...
...to the Landsknechts, which go where they please.
Hey, guards! Open!
Bring the drawbridge down!
It's Giovanni de' Medici, Captain of the pontifical army,
that demands entrance!
We're looking for Frundsebrg's Alemans. Open up!
Let the vicar know right away, so he can give the orders!
Please, don't answer!
In the name of His Sanctity, and of the most christian of kings,
and of the Almighty Father, may He strike you all down!
Open this gate!
Traitors of the Church!
Or I'll cut your throats tomorrow, begining with the vicar!
And that whoremonger, Gonzaga!
Cowards! Bastards! Swine! Treacherous worms!
Bastards!
What more is it at this time of the night?
Captain de' Medici came at the Curtatone gate...
...with his troops.
He wants to chase Frundsberg even by night.
He has threatened the vicar of Curtatone,
and even Thy Lordship.
Says he that if the gate isn't opened, tomorrow he'll cut some heads.
And here's firewood.
As much heat as one wants.
Look there!
What a Christ!
It's the poor's Christ,
...of those that are hungry and cold.
BLACK STRIPES CAMP UNDER THE WALLS OF CURTATONE
What will we tell the men, if the money from Rome still doesn't come?
To settle for the Pope's blessings?
Hot wine... against night's dew?
Dear Luc'Antonio, they know it too well even in Rome...
...that blessings without weapons don't win wars.
Stand it on it's feet and pull on the head.
Careful, or it'll bite you!
Or he'll throw you in Hell...
...and you'll burn your arse.
Rather than dying of cold,
...I'll burn christs and, even, virgins.
Dear consort, I don't want you to miss to go to Rome.
The sooner the better.
You know well my needs you'll explain His Sanctity, the Pope,
that I find myself in poverty of means.
And in war, if one wants to have prestige with soldiers...
... one must spend the needed money.
I had a litter made.
And two men will carry it with less effort.
Our Cosimino has had a fever these last two days.
But don't doubt he's getting well...
... especially now that we've left for Rome.
In spite of the snow that's begun to fall these days.
Sunday, 24th of November
Where's that bastard vicar?
And you, go tell that whoremonger Federico...
...always messed up with riding trollops...
...that no sooner have I met the Almans, and I'll be back here...
...to settle my accounts with that worm...
...who yesterday evening has denied me access through this gate!
I'll twist his bowels and make him puke shit!
Is it Our fault if the vicar has followed orders...
...not to bring the drawbridge down for anyone, not even God Almighty...
...after a certain hour of the night?
Your Highness
If only you had deigned to warn us in good time,
as it's accustomed between gentlemen,
We'd have gladly ordered open...
... the Curtatone gate.
But His Sanctity knows, better than anyone else...
...what's His Joanni made off, always him being the worst...
...of all the violent men of this world. Still a boy...
...he had already cut one of his mates of revelry.
Mary Mother of God, what a mist there is.
On Po's bank, near Mantua, in a recess...
...Frundsberg hath placed the four artelry pieces...
...secretely given by Alfonso d'Este.
And, then, the german, trusting he'll surprise the pontifical army...
... with the power of the gun, decided to cross...
... the Po at Ostiglia, to free himself at last...
... from Captain de' Medici, who, with his squads,
... is following him at great pace, to make up for the loss of the day...
... heading for Bagnolo San Vito, where he catches up, by now, with the...
... forward positions of the aleman army in forced march for many hours.
So that as soon as our lands were relieved from these armies ' passage...
... we we'd be free from the scourges of war.
Looks like the front of the column.
Frundsberg's garrison.
But he is not here. They only want to trap us.
Put the armoured men in the center.
Armoured men in the center.
Armoured men in the center!
Stay on the dike.
Stay on the bank.
At fire range.
Go!
Don't resist!
Fall back on the sides!
Hide in the flood plain!
They're retreating! They're refusing the battle!
Scoundrels! Fight like soldiers!
What kind of men are you? Cowardly bastards!
Although last Friday and Saturday, we had,
due to never ceasing snow and wind, a very hard road,
we arrived in Rome yesterday evening, at our father's house,
in good health, thanks to God's mercy, and were right away received by His Sanctity,
Thine uncle, lovingly and with all consideration.
I let Him know the needs of your war.
And the Pope's answer was that never will he default the dangers...
that night and day pester Thy Lordship.
Shall we order retreat, before dark?
Before dark.
There's one more thing.
Smoke out general Frundsberg.
In saddle by two.
Cavalrymen and harquebusiers in saddle by two!
What are you boasting about? Knaves!
Where do you think you're going, armed like assassins?
There's no need of your weapons to exterminate the peoples of the world!
Listen, madmen!
God's chastisement is more powerful than all your swords!
Shut up, priest.
True richness is not of this world!
You're only shadows, shallow images!
OLD KILNS IN GORVERNOLO
It's he.
- Go! - Go!
It's a trap!
- Fall back! - Fall back!
Artelry!
General Della Rovere informs Thy Lordship...
...they haven't yet taken him to his lodging.
What is known for certain is that he was hit by the Landsknechts...
...of Frundsberg, who had hidden near a kiln...
...in San Nicolò da Po, in the Port of Governolo.
Having the Lord Joanni gone there with many cavalry...
...they were suddenly shot at with several rounds of falconetto.
So that general Della Rovere is, now, very anxious,
...not knowing whom from Frundsberg has had the said artelry.
We have already informed, in due time, His Sanctity...
...that marquis Federico has none, or very few such of an artelry.
And the little we do have, we keep for our own defence.
And nothing else.
And certainly it isn't us that'd help people who'd like to use...
...such powerful weapons in detriment of the Church.
And more so when concerning the Pope.
The artelry these Alemans have had, as far as we know...
... are the duke's of Ferrara, who gave it...
... to Frundsberg by night, secretly, water borne,
on boats dressed up like the salt boats.
Because it's of usage between the Lord Duke's officers and our owns...
... not to inspect them.
Look the snow's snowing! Virgin Mary how it snows!
The illustrious Joanni de' Medici, Captain of the pontifical army.
The last falconetto shot.
An unfortunate one.
What's really unfortunate is that there's no more truce...
...to the war, not even in winter, with the cold and bad weather,
... that hurt even more than weapons.
And our Joannino is the first among hot heads.
He has even bronzed his armours...
...so he could attack by night. Worse than this...
Illustrious General, the error was trying to wipe out...
...well set aleman forces, that already had the vantage of...
...the battle line.
But, if they don't want to confess to their errors,
...let them, at least, not throw the blame on us, because of that gate...
...that was locked by night, as everyone has been doing,
...since always.
My Lord Loyso Gonzaga, Captain de' Medici...
...has expressely demanded shelter under your protection, and under no one else's.
May the Lord bestow greater kindness upon Thee.
It already is a great reward from Heaven to be able to receive Captain de' Medici.
Wounded in the same foot, as in the Pavia battle.
It was an honor for me to give battle alongside...
... a man of arms as Thou are.
Thy cousin, marquis Federico...
...accompanies General Della Rovere, Duke d'Urbino, in his visit.
- My Lord General! - My Lord Loyso, Thy servant.
Dear cousin, all of us here, are in utmost grief...
...due to the unfortune befallen to our Joannino.
Without the Captain de' Medici on the battlefield, from now on...
...the Pope has serious reasons to be worried by the fate...
...of this war.
It's strange that a general like Thee deserts the war...
... to pay visits to the crippled.
Still, even in this case, I should thank my fortune...
...because in this evil that befell me it so happened...
...to be taken here, in the home of Sir Loyso...
...to whom I've always been so devoted, being he more like a brother to me.
And where, should I have the bad luck of dying...
... I won't be looked upon, by the world,
... as Thy enemy, nor of the Gonzaga family.
Our illustrious marquis Federico...
...has hurried to send for the eminent surgeon Habram,
who, with his wisdom, will take care of Thee.
For this, and any other haste,
... I shall always be indebted to Federico, for our ancient friendship...
... and his generosity.
And I thank ye also, illustrious friends,
...and above all the Lord.
Without Whose Will nothing is done.
The eminent surgeon Habram is here.
Let's leave him be taken care of.
MONDAY, 25TH OF NOVEMBER
It's useless, the leeches refuse to suck.
Two times have they tried.
It's the sign the blood is rotting.
The wound is full of pus.
More than twenty hours went by, before he dresed it thoroughly.
The doctors make it be a case for death,
even if they can't pronounce themselves yet,
...until the fourth day.
Due to the fierce way of Thy nature...
...Thou have never deigned to use...
...every possession of mine, as I have always desired.
Ask from me now whatever suitable...
...to Thy position and mine.
Love me well...
...when I shall be dead.
So that the rot in the wound...
...shall not carry the pus and infect the rest of the body...
...there is no other way, but to cut off the foot.
What is to be done,
let it be done.
We'd need linen to make bedding.
Not one ball is left.
And that Thou promisseed sending me, but, I know, nothing will happen.
I've also sent Thy Lordship two gowns,
...two smocks and a tunic.
And, also, two bags with roses,
to keep them in Thy bed,
perfumed.
WEDNESDAY, 27TH OF NOVEMBER
Everybody out!
Cut!
With the Almighty's help.
It pains me not to be able to send thee the satin clothes thou are asking for.
As I have written to thee, when I'll be richer,
...I'll be able to help thee better.
I'm healed!
FRIDAY, 29TH OF NOVEMBER
I'll write to Maria saying to her...
...not to be so ready to believe the bad things,
and, at the first full moon,
I'll be able to return home.
This is only to let Thee know that I am now...
...on the point of giving birth.
And sure being of bearing Thy Lordship's child...
...not that I ask for money from Thee,
but I do ask, and beg,
...that Thou should write a good letter to my husband.
So that out of respect for Thy Lordship, he'll go on...
... being a good husband to me, as he hath in the past been.
And this only for the salvation of the child I'll give birth to.
Who will be of Thy blood.
Please, read me something.
De profundis, clamo Te, Domine. "
"Domine, audi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuae intentae..."
In these the years of my life...
...I have always lived...
...like a soldier.
The same way I would have lived, by the custom of the clerics,
had I worn the clothes...
you wear.
"Out of the depths I cry unto thee, O Lord Hear my voice."
Listen to my invocation!
If Thou keeps remembrance of our sins...
... who can ever be saved?
Have mercy of me, O Lord. Free me of my wrongs,
and according to the depth of Thy love,
... erase every sin of mine.
Where is, O Death, thy victory? Where is the iron of thy blade?
The infallible weapon of death is in the rule of sin.
But as I believe in Thee, O Lord, my soul in Thy pardon I confide.
And my heart awaits Thee more than a guard the dawn.
The most Illustrious Lord Joanni de' Medici,
Captain of His Sanctity's, Pope Clement Vll, army...
... was sick for days four et mortus est in quarter Grifone,
ex febre, in one foot being wounded...
... by an artelry shot...
... in Mantua, the last day of Novembre 1526.
There went the alemans afterward along the river.
Arriving at Ostiglia, they crossed the Po,
and with Captain Joanni de' Medici out of the war,
the alemans have, at last, a clear road.
General Zorzo Frundsberg, gravely ill,
is forced to leave his army and return home.
The German army of His Caesarean Majesty Emperor Charles V,
joined with the troops of Bourbon, conquers...
... and pillages Rome in the month of May 1527.
Due to the dire fate...
... befallen upon Lord Joanni de' Medici...
... the most illustrious captains and commanders of all armies...
...vowed never again to use...
...against men, the powerful fire arms.