Departures of note

Giovanni da Barbiano, a condottiero from a noble Romagna family, was beheaded in Bologna on 27 September 1399 alongside his son, nephew, and other relatives after being captured near Spilamberto. His execution followed a career marked by shifting loyalties, brutal raids, and a notorious act of deception that defined his final years.

Born in Barbiano di Cotignola, Giovanni trained under the English mercenary John Hawkwood and later served in the Compagnia di San Giorgio led by his kinsman Alberico da Barbiano. In 1385 he seized control of Barbiano from Giacomo Boccadiferro, and he later joined other condottieri in ravaging the Italian Marche, seizing men and livestock. When war broke out in 1390 between the Visconti and the Florentines, he led a Bolognese corps but was defeated by Carlo I Malatesta.

In 1394, Giovanni allied with Azzo X d'Este, who was attempting to usurp the lordship of Ferrara. The Ferrarese Regency Council approached Giovanni and offered him 30,000 gold ducats plus the castles of Lugo and Conselice to deliver Azzo's dead body. Instead, Giovanni killed a servant of the condottiero Ato di Rodiglia who resembled Azzo, presented the corpse as Azzo's, and collected the reward. When Azzo learned of the deception, he attacked the Ferrarese in force. In 1395, Giovanni led Azzo's troops at the Battle of Portomaggiore, but his 8,000-strong army was defeated by Ferrara's forces under Astorre I Manfredi.

After fighting for the Visconti in 1396, Giovanni continued harassing the countryside until his capture in 1399. He was buried in Bologna's Cathedral of San Pietro alongside his son and other relatives.