HISTORICAL TRACES OF EXISTANCE
Dead Company (Italian: Compagnia della Morte)
It is the name used in the historical literature regarding a troop of soldiers who were formed in the Middle Ages to support the Milanese militia of the Lombard League, bound by the oath Carroccio defense.
On the morning of May 29, 1176, when the Imperial Frederick's army met the Lombard force near the town of Legnano,
northwest of Milan, the Battle of Legnano, the battle of Italian freedom was fought!
Frederick's powerful force crashed into the less experienced Lombard cavalry and soon sent them flying in retreat.
But then a curious spectacle confronted the Germans.
Around seven hundred citizens who called themselves the "Company of Death" formed a phalanx before a sacred wagon, called "caroccio", dropped to their knees, made the sign of the cross, and offered their lives to Christ.
The Germans attacked savagely, but the defenders fought back ferociously.
Suddenly trumpets blared...
It is the name used in the historical literature regarding a troop of soldiers who were formed in the Middle Ages to support the Milanese militia of the Lombard League, bound by the oath Carroccio defense.
On the morning of May 29, 1176, when the Imperial Frederick's army met the Lombard force near the town of Legnano,
northwest of Milan, the Battle of Legnano, the battle of Italian freedom was fought!
Frederick's powerful force crashed into the less experienced Lombard cavalry and soon sent them flying in retreat.
But then a curious spectacle confronted the Germans.
Around seven hundred citizens who called themselves the "Company of Death" formed a phalanx before a sacred wagon, called "caroccio", dropped to their knees, made the sign of the cross, and offered their lives to Christ.
The Germans attacked savagely, but the defenders fought back ferociously.
Suddenly trumpets blared...