Uguccione della Faggiuola

Uguccione della Faggiuola (c. 1250 – 1 November 1319) was an Italian condottiero, and chief magistrate of Pisa, Lucca and Forlì (from 1297).

Biography

A portrait of Uguccione della Faggiuola

Uguccione was born at Casteldelci. He came to prominence in the late 13th century as captain for the Aretine army, when he successfully captured Cesena. In 1297, he attempted to conquer Forlì but was unsuccessful.

Of Ghibelline association, in 1311–1312 he was imperial vicar in Genoa for Henry VII, who came to Pisa in 1312. After the latter's death in 1313, Uguccione was made chief magistrate (podestà), captain of the people, and virtual lord of that city.

He conquered Lucca in 1314 with the help of his protégé Castruccio Castracani. On 29 August 1315 he delivered the Guelfs of Florence and their Angevin associates from Naples their worst defeat since 1260 in the battle of Montecatini in the Val di Nievole.

In 1316 the Pisani and the Lucchesi under his former protégé Castruccio Castracani drove him out and he took refuge under Cangrande della Scala, who made Uguccione podestà of Vicenza.

He died during the siege of Padua on 1 November 1319.