Il cardinale-militare nel Quattrocento e il problema della “doppia-obbedienza”

Abstract

The armed clergy can not be considered a recurrent theme in historical studies. The aim of this essay is to analyse a specific figure, the so-called cardinal-warriors, who played a crucial role in the 15th century papacy’s temporal policy. Frequently, these cardinal-warriors were in charge of the armies. The same armies that granted the popes to regain and build a territorial state, after Avignon captivity. Particularly, this work is focused on the relationship between these characters and their own hometowns: often the cardinals were at the service of a country different from the one they were born in. Therefore, we can say, they had to face and manage a “double allegiance”.