Bande Nere

conjectural flags based on information provided by Robbie Rodiss that an eye witness is recorded as stating that some o the black bande's captains had flags with 4 devils embroidered on them and the motto ;In dispecto tuo christo. 

Battle of Caravaggio 1448

Here's a pic of Massimo Predonzani's new book  which is full of information on the mid 15th century armies of Milan and Venice and is now available from here  http://www.aciesedizioni.it  Just click on the Italian flag and follow the Libri link. It's just a shame that I can't read it;  just as well there's plenty pf pictures and google translate to help out. Anyway good look to Massimo and Marco the publisher and lets hope the book's a huge success and there's plenty more to come.

Battle of Piombino 1448

Here's some pictures pg Sigismondo Malatesta's army against Neapolitan troops at the siege of Piombino in 1448 taken from the Hesperis manuscript; which I think was completed in the 1460's. There's some interesting pictures of Italian infantry in action which if typical would  be an army list writers nightmare.

Basically the Italian infantry is intermixed with shield and spear armed  troops   in the from rank. these are supported by Pikemen with handgunners, crossbowmen and bowmen behind as well as swordsmen and javelin men ready to sortie out if given the opportunity.   cheers Pete