"Devil flags of the Bande Nere" Topic

Here's a link to a set of flags I've put together for the Black Bande of Giovanni de Medici. The information was provided by Robbie Rodiss who provided most of the description of the black bande described below, here's the link: link

The info comes from the book the Black Bands of Giovanni by Maurizio Arfaioli, which can be purchased via Amazon. .

In brief Maurizio describes Di Medici as being ahead of his time in that he organised his large mercenary band to be able to take on diverse roles on the battlefield. While the Swiss and Landsknecht units tended to still be the battlefield winner, they refused to get embroiled in close skirmish work, ambushes, sieges and virtually anything that didn't entail close order push of pike. That doesn't mean they couldn't do it, just they were reluctant to stand the causalities that such fighting risked.The Italian Black Bande in 1527 was organised in 15 companies totaling 4,229 men.

The band did have a backbone of pike however the majority of the band were heavily armed arqubusiers, ie they were equipped to fight at close range with any weapon they wished to carry, usually sword and dagger. It seems clear that the band operated in close support of each troop type.The band under Giovanni could be mounted on smaller Arabian horses to allow them to recce the area and also act as an early form of dragoon. The band were mercenaries, however they were well drilled and clearly sought after by the Italian states. In fact the French were reluctant to undertake the invasion of Naples until they were sure the band was coming south with them.

Dress wise, the band dressed in sombre colours, certainly after the death of Giovanni di Medici. The officers wore black sashes. Mention is made of the armour being very dark which suggests to me that it may have been more of a very dark gunmetal colour or blackened. One thing of particular interest is mention of the use of a devil motif on company standards and even emblazoned on several officers clothing and the captain of the Bande bearing a black flag with the 4 devils embroidered on it and the motto 'In spite of you Christ' in Latin.

cheers Pete

excellent work Pete

cheers
matt

Brilliant. Thanks Pete.

Drop a note here when you put some of these on ebay.

BTW: As far as I remember the book, the reason for Swiss and Landsknechts avoiding skirmishes, foraging and other duties was not a reluctance to stand casualties – an imprudent attitude for main battle troops – but that they thought it beneath their status. The Italians certainly liked to see this different.

BTW2: Anybody interested in the warfare of the Italian wars should consider Araiolis book – its among the best you can get on the topic. It actually only covers the time after Giovannis death up to the disbandment of the Black Bands, but that campaign is well covered. It also tells the story of the Imperial army AFTER the sack of Rome – many histories just stop there.

Hi Puster, they're up on ebay now. I agree that the arrogance of the Swiss and Landsknechts would have a part to play in them not wanting to get involved in skirmishing etc.

I was never really interested in the Italian Wars post the sack of Rome until I read the Mallet and Shaw book which really opened my eyes to what was going on in Italy at the time. Hopefully the TAG Tudor range will be expanded and cover this period.

cheers Pete