"Sforzescho versus Braccescho Condottiere Schools? " Topic

Been reading about these two "school", I can grasp the basic premise. Sforza used integrated cavalry and infantry, relied upon constant pressure and used envelop lent of flanks; Braccesscho emphasized cavalry, reserves and quick strikes.

If you were a Condottiere, must you belong to one of the schools? We're there hybrids? How often would Condottiere of one school serve with or under a Condottiere of another school? Would these loyalties to a certain school be very strong? Is there a list one can find identifying which Condottiere were affiliated with each school? Thanks!

The affiliation was more a political one. The two school (Bracceschi e Sforzeschi) were at the center of a network of allegiances and loyalities. In the XV century Italy this means that if one faction hired "Bracceschi", its opponents would hire "Sforzeschi". I was not able to find a list: however the allegiance was a strong one since at the battle of Poggio Imperiale (1479), were Condottiere of both school were present on the Florentine side, they must be kept separated to prevent infighting.

If I remember correctly, there were Condottieri who could switch between the different styles depending upon tactical considerations.

These distinctions were almost purely literary polemics by the humanists and writers like Machiavelli who knew nothing of war.