Bona Lombarda - Mercenary fighter Bona Lombarda ( c.1417-d.1470s) was born in Valtellina in the Alps
Bona Lombarda - Mercenary fighter Bona Lombarda ( c.1417-d.1470s) was born in Valtellina in the Alps of Lombardy, Italy. Little is known about her early life. A young peasant girl, she was said to have been robust. Her father was a soldier and probably educated her in the use of arms.In 1432, Bona met captain Pietro Brunoro Sanvitale, who served Francesco Sforza, and left with him. According to some tellings, she did so on her own will, but other versions have him abducting her. She would nevertheless become Pietro’s staunchest support. Dressed in male clothes, Bona followed him everywhere. She wore armor and carried weapons.In 1440, Bona participated in the naval battle of Torbole, sword in hand. Pietro then switched allegiance and fought for Venice. Bona had the honor of carrying a captured Milanese standard through the city. In 1444, Pietro was accused of treachery by King Alfonso of Naples and imprisoned. Bona relentlessly petitioned, in person and through acquaintances, the kings of Naples, France and England as well as European notables. In 1453, Pietro was finally released and he and Bona were officially married.Bona would then distinguish herself during the siege of Castello di Pavone. The castle had been capture by the Milanese enemy and Pietro was held prisoner inside. Bona led the assault, historian Johannes Guler Von Weineck describes her as clad in armor, bearing a sword and a shield. She reportedly showed great courage during the fighting and was the first to set foot inside the fortress. She would then win the palm of the best warrior during games organized in Venice in 1458, where she captured a wooden fortress defended by able captains and soldiers. Humanist Porcelio Pandone, who saw her on this occasion, describes her as a slim and brown-skinned woman who looked older than her real age. Bona and her husband then campaigned against the Turks in Negroponte. Pietro was killed during the campaign and Bona died two years later.A memorial plaque can be seen in the house where she was born:References:Allaire Gloria, “Bona of Lombardy”,in: Higham Robin, Pennington Reina (ed.), Amazons to fighter pilots, biographical dictionary of military women, vol.1Salomoni David, “Lombardi, Bona”Terminiello Fran, “Women fighters from history: Bona Lombarda” -- source link
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