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Quiz about Condottieri Medieval Mercenaries

Condottieri - Medieval Mercenaries Quiz

In medieval and renaissance Italy bands of mercenaries - the condottieri - fought against each other in the pay of wealthy city states.

A multiple-choice quiz by Wallenstein76. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
Wallenstein76

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
328,778

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
304

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. 'Condottiere' (pl. condottieri) derives from the Italian word 'condotta'. What does it mean? Hint

conduct

lance

contract

mercenary

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Question 2 of 10

2. By which name was the mercenary company led by the English knight Sir John Hawkwood known? Hint

the Company of St. George

the White Company

the Black Company

the Great Company

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which northern Italian city was famous for the fine armour produced there? Hint

Venice

Cremona

Verona

Milan

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Question 4 of 10

4. Paolo Uccello's famous paintings of the Battle of San Romano in 1432 depict a clash between which city states? Hint

Siena vs. Venice

Milan vs. Venice

Florence vs. Siena

Florence vs. Milan

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which tactical school of thought stood for cautious planning and battlefield control and also involved large numbers of infantry? Hint

Bracceschi

Sforzeschi

Schiopettieri

Piccinini

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these famous condottieri leaders was NOT immortalised by an equestrian statue? Hint

Bartolomeo Colleoni

Paolo Savelli

Gatamelata

Carmagnola

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Question 7 of 10

7. The decisive Venetian victory at Maclodio might be unique in the annals of medieval/renaissance warfare. Why? Hint

In violation of the existing code of honour all the POWs were slaughtered.

The battle was only fought by cavalry without infantry support.

The ransom taken for the prisoners equalled the yearly income of the Duchy of Milan.

The victors took so many prisoners that most of them had to be set free again due to lack of provisions.

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Question 8 of 10

8. A famous statesman and writer criticised the condottieri for not taking risks such as attacking fortified towns and for avoiding unnecessary bloodshed on the field of battle. Who was it? Hint

Savonarola

Macchiavelli

Guicciardini

Dante

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Question 9 of 10

9. The invasion of Italy by which French king in 1494 united many quarrelling city states against him? Hint

Louis XII.

Louis XI.

Francis I.

Charles VIII.

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Question 10 of 10

10. Often termed 'the last condottiere' this member of a famous family died fighting in papal service against imperial troops in 1526. Hint

Giovanni Medici

Lorenzo Orsini

Massimiliano Sforza

Francesco Gonzaga

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. 'Condottiere' (pl. condottieri) derives from the Italian word 'condotta'. What does it mean?

Answer: contract

The contract the condottieri signed set the length of service, payment, provisions and other basic agreements between the mercenaries and their employer.

2. By which name was the mercenary company led by the English knight Sir John Hawkwood known?

Answer: the White Company

The polished armour of these men-at-arms presumably gave them their name.

3. Which northern Italian city was famous for the fine armour produced there?

Answer: Milan

Milan was the most important centre of weapons and armour production south of the Alps.

4. Paolo Uccello's famous paintings of the Battle of San Romano in 1432 depict a clash between which city states?

Answer: Florence vs. Siena

The Florentines under Niccolo da Tolentino inflicted a decisive defeat on the Sienese.

5. Which tactical school of thought stood for cautious planning and battlefield control and also involved large numbers of infantry?

Answer: Sforzeschi

Francesco Sforza (Sforzeschi) and Braccio da Montone (Bracceschi) developed the two major schools of tactical thought. 'Schiopettieri' means handgunners and the Piccinini, although a well-known condottiere dynasty, did not establish a school of thought of their own.

6. Which of these famous condottieri leaders was NOT immortalised by an equestrian statue?

Answer: Carmagnola

Whereas the other three (Colleoni, Savelli - Venice, Gatamelata - Padua) can still be admired today, the famous Carmagnola was executed as a traitor by Venice and thus not honoured with a statue.

7. The decisive Venetian victory at Maclodio might be unique in the annals of medieval/renaissance warfare. Why?

Answer: The victors took so many prisoners that most of them had to be set free again due to lack of provisions.

Carmagnola who had set a masterful trap for his opponents simply couldn't deal with the large numbers of prisoners. He did not have enough men to guard or enough provisions to support such numbers, so he set them free.

8. A famous statesman and writer criticised the condottieri for not taking risks such as attacking fortified towns and for avoiding unnecessary bloodshed on the field of battle. Who was it?

Answer: Macchiavelli

Macchiavelli blamed the 'bloodless' condottieri battles for the later downfall of the Italian city states and the resulting French, Swiss, German and Spanish domination of the Italian peninsula. This criticism, however, does not seem to be justified.

9. The invasion of Italy by which French king in 1494 united many quarrelling city states against him?

Answer: Charles VIII.

King Charles' invasion also initiated the foreign dominanation of Italy that lasted until the 19th century.

10. Often termed 'the last condottiere' this member of a famous family died fighting in papal service against imperial troops in 1526.

Answer: Giovanni Medici

Giovanni 'delle Bande Nere' (John of the Black Bands) attacked landsknecht troops under Georg von Frundsberg at a crossing of the river Po. He was wounded by a cannonball and died shortly after the amputation of his leg.

Source: Author Wallenstein76

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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