Carlo I Malatesta

Who was Carlo I Malatesta?

Carlo I Malatesta was an Italian condottiero during the Wars in Lombardy and lord of Rimini, Fano, Cesena and Pesaro. He was a member of the powerful House of Malatesta.

Carlo was the brother of Pandolfo III and Andrea Malatesta, with whom he fought in numerous occasions.

In 1385 he was named vicar for Romagna by the Pope Urban VI and, two years later, Gonfalonier.

In 1390 he defeated a Bolognese corps led by Alberico da Barbiano. In his early years he fought mainly against the Montefeltro family, but later allied with them through a double marriage arrangement.

In 1397 he was named commander of the Anti-Visconti League, formed with Florence and Venice, as well as his traditional ally, the Papal States. In 1401, when his brother Pandolfo left for the Holy Land, Carlo passed under Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Milan, defeating the Florentine army at the siege of Brescia, personally capturing in a duel Leopold of Austria. Later he was against the Visconti, leading a Papal army against Bologna.

In 1406 he was named governor of Milan, but his loyalty lasted for only one year. From 1409 Carlo fought constantly for the Papal States, not only as Captain General of the Church but also as diplomat. In the chaotic situation created by the presence of three popes at the same time, he backed Gregory XII, whom he also housed in his lordship in Rimini, until his abdication at the Council of Constance. The resignation letter was read by Carlo himself.