2 - The composition and role of the army in the fifteenth century

Summary

THE CREATION OF A TERRAFERMA STATE, 1404–25

If the occupation of Verona and Padua in 1405 and the overthrow of the Carrara family cannot be described as the results of a revolution in Venetian thinking about Italian involvement, nor technically as the beginning of the Terraferma state, the moment did lead to the emergence of a significant Venetian permanent army. The history of this army in terms of its exploits and functions will be the concern of this chapter.

The speed and determination with which Venice reacted to the renewal of Carrarese expansion in 1404, when Francesco Novello by a swift coup added Verona to his Paduan possessions, are surprising. As recently as 1402 the strength of traditional opposition to extensive mainland commitment and to expensive land war had shown itself clearly. In the spring of that year, as Giangaleazzo Visconti prepared for another campaign of expansion, Venice, as we have seen, thought first of strengthening the defences of Mestre. The next relevant Senate decision was in May 1402 when authority was given for the raising of a further 300 lances which were to be sent to the assistance of Padua. With a growing sense of urgency in July Paolo di Leone was given command of this force; he was a Paduan and a close supporter of the Carrara, and therefore particularly suited to the appointment. However, proposals to offer a condotta to Paolo Orsini and to strengthen the garrisons of Treviso and Ceneda with 400 crossbowmen were both defeated in the Senate.