Braccio

Braccio, FORTEBRACCI, COUNT OF MONTONE, a celebrated Italian free-lance, born at Perugia, of an old patrician family, in 1368. From his early youth he was engaged in warfare, and had already given his sword to very various causes, when in 1416 he obtained the sovereignty of his native city. The year after he held Rome for a time. Next he accepted from Queen Joanna of Naples the command of her land-forces, and soon for his services was created Count of Foggia and Prince of Capua. In 1423, by the queen's command, he was crowned at Perugia, as Prince of Aquila and Capua. His ambition now soared to the throne of Naples itself. He overran Campania and Apulia, and advanced into Calabria, but in a battle before Aquila, was wounded and taken prisoner. Three days later he died, June 5, 1424.