Hawkwood
SIR JOHN, in Italian, L'ACUTO or L'AGUTO, an English captain who won renown in Italy in the wars of the 14th century. He distinguished himself at the battles of Crécy and Poitiers. After peace was signed at Bretigny (1360) he gathered a band of mercenary soldiers and led them to Italy, where he at first took service with Pisa against Florence. Then, after fighting in most of the petty Italian wars of the period, notably for the Visconti and for Pope Gregory XI., he agreed to fight the battles of Florence in return for an annual pension. He died in 1394.