Condottiere Lucrezia di Firenze of Italian League

My attempt at drawing European Female Warriors for the Historically wrong series. This character was inspired from reading the works of Niccolò Machiavelli and the chronicles of Cesare Borgia in the Italian Renaissance period.

I have to admit that many artist would often draw their European Female warriors in beautifully designed plate armor (regardless of its practicality) and graciously long hair decorated with accessories. It would be similar to the romantic portrayal of the famous Joanne d árc during the hundred years war. As for my character, she is pretty plain in comparison.

If you notice, Her name can be roughly translated from Italian (pardon if my grammar is wrong) "Mercenary Captain Lucrezia of Florence". As the name suggest, she is different than the various romantic portrayal of Female "Knights". While Knights were exclusively nobles who held strong ideals and "Chivalric" value, mercenaries were not bound by such constrictive concept. Swiss and the Italians were known for their mercenaries, composed of seasoned fighters and professional soldiers, these men fight for gold and silver and would gladly wage brutal war against their employer's enemies....providing their employer have enough gold to sustain these men.

In this drawing, Lucrezia is drawn with stylized Coat of Plates as her armor. Her weapons would consist of a crossbow, a dagger, a light steel broadsword and a buckler (small metal shield). The buckler can provide an extensive protection to the body with the advantage of its lightweight and if the dagger is combined with her broadsword, she can create a deadly fast and furious fighting combination that utilizes cross parry and offensive maneuver. This style would be very effective even against more heavily armed and armored enemies, such as knight in plate armor. Coat of plates were much more readily available and affordable in comparison to plate armour, and required little maintenance with the practical advantage of being able to be equipped easily.

Historically speaking, European female mercenaries were rarely documented, although it was possible for women to attain wealth through trades in the Italian city states and took part in fighting while escorting her trade goods.

Inspired by the music : Andreas Waldetoft - A Tuscan Night

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Jq5tP…