Banchello da Mandolossa (1389-1441) was a condotierro of the Duchy of Milan who was Lord of Asciano from 1414 to 1441. Mandolossa made a name for himself in campaigns against the Republic of Siena before dying in battle with Venice.
Biography[]
Mandolossa's death
Banchello da Mandolossa was born in Mandolossa, a commune of the present-day Province of Brescia in northern Italy's Lombardy region. He first displayed his skill set in the service of the Republic of Siena during their war with the Republic of Florence in the 1410s, but later appropriated Sienese funds to create his own army. By capturing Asciano from Siena in 1414 Mandolossa declared his independence from his former masters and built up his own mercenary force. Mandolossa was employed by the Duchy of Milan soon after, taking part in their expansion against the Swiss Confederation, the Republic of Florence, Republic of Venice, and Siena.
Mandolossa was confirmed in his domains by his capture of Sinalunga in 1421, and he was able to make peace with the Sienese Council of Nobles in 1423. In the future, Mandolossa was able to expand his lands against the Florentines, who were weakened by their conflicts in Tuscany.
In 1434, Mandolossa's contract with Milan was renewed for another twenty years, owing to his capture of San Gimignano from the House of Medici. Mandolossa's army ravaged the Tuscan countryside and gathered supplies via looting, and threatened to attack Florence, had it not been for his accepting of bribes from the Gonfaloniere Vittorio Rizutto.
In 1441, Mandolossa was put in command of an army of 11,000 troops in a campaign against Venice in Brescia. Mandolossa was mortally wounded at the Battle of Travagliato, near Brescia, leading a cavalry charge against the Venetians.