Sir John Hawkwood was the son of an Essex tanner. Born in 1320 in the village of Sible Hedingham, he served in the French wars under Edward III and was knighted at the Battle of Crecy in 1346. He continued in Edward's service until the Treaty of Bretigny in 1361 closed Edward's phase of the wars. Along with many other unemployed soldiers, he went south, where the perpetual feuding of the Italian city states provided lucrative employment for willing adventurers. It was the practice of the city states to hire mercenary armies according to the Condotta (or contract of service). These mercenaries were called Condottierie after the contract. In 1365 Hawkwood joined the Tard Venus Company. When that Company disbanded in 1364, he was elected leader of the group that became the White Company (known as the White Company because of their gleaming white armour).

By the standards of the time Hawkwood was a great and honourable captain. He had a reputation as a tactician and organiser and, above all, for keeping faith with his employer for as long as his contract lasted (which, of course, didn't prevent him from changing sides when the contract expired). He did not inflict unnecessary suffering on prisoners and would generally ransom other Condottierie at a reasonable price. At the Siege of Cesena in 1377, he defied the orders of the Papacy and refused to massacre 1000 women and children. In spite of his disobedience the Pope awarded him the Overlordship of the towns of Cotignola & Bagnacavallo.

Hawkwood was a great tactician. In march 1387 he provoked the forces of Verona under Giovanni Dei Ordelaffi into following his retreat from Verona along the river Adige towards his supply base at Castelbaldo. At Castagnaro he drew up his forces in marshes behind the stream. After repulsing wave after wave of Veronese assaults, he led a mounted attack at the enemy's left rear capturing 4500 men including all the leaders. In his last great battle at Allessandria in 1391 he was defeated by overstretched supply lines, having to withdraw and suffering the death of his ally, the Count of Armagnac.

Our bust is based on the fresco in Florence Cathedral and Hawkwood's exploits are recounted in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's book "the White Company".

Painting Guide
Hat - Brown Fur with Brass Ornaments Hair - Grey
Face - Tanned Eyes - Blue
Shirt Collar - Off White Mail Collar - Steel Grey with Brown Leather Neck Band
Surcoat - Scarlet with Various Different Shades of Red for Embroidery
Pauldrons - Polished Steel with Brass Edgings and Fixtures and Brown Leather Straps


This figure was sculpted by Gary Higgins of G&M Miniatures. The box photo was painted and photographed by Adrian Hopwood.

Sir John Hawkwood