Werner von Urslingen

Who was Werner von Urslingen?

Werner von Urslingen was a German mercenary.

He was born at Irslingen, in Irslingen Swabia, a member of the family of the dukes of Urslingen, and probably a descendant of the dukes of Spoleto. In 1338 he fought for the Republic of Venice against Mastino II della Scala of Verona. After the end of the conflict he entered the Compagnia di San Giorgio, financed by the Veronese and led by Lodrisio Visconti. He took part in the battle of Parabiago.

From 1342 he was at the service of the Republic of Pisa in the war against Florence, whose troops were led by Malatesta III Malatesta. Afterwards he collected a troop of adventurers under the name "Great Company", and with which he plundered Tuscany, Umbria, Romagna. There he supported Francesco Ordelaffi against the Papal States. Here he was bribed by his enemy, Malatestino Malatesta of Rimini, to help him in his feud with Ferrantino Malatesta. In 1343 he was hired by Taddeo Pepoli of Bologna for a very large sum, to fight against Obizzo III d'Este of Modena; he however switched to the Este side and moved to ravage several cities, including Correggio. The company was subsequently expelled from the Ferrara area, and von Urslingen returned to Germany with parts of his troops.