Louis Gonzaga (Rodomonte)
Italian mercenary (1500–1532)
Louis Gonzaga (Italian : Luigi ; 16 August 1500 – 2 December 1532), nicknamed "Rodomonte " due to his physical prowess, was an Imperial mercenary captain for Emperor Charles V .
Biography
Born at Mantua , Gonzaga was the eldest son of Ludovico Gonzaga , Count of Rodigo , a cadet member of the House of Gonzaga . He joined the forces of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor , on his visit to England. In 1527 he participated in the Sack of Rome , and personally escorted the besieged Pope Clement VII from his refuge in the Castel Sant'Angelo to the town of Orvieto . As a reward for his services, Rodomonte was able to marry Isabella Colonna , daughter of Vespasiano Colonna (and granddaughter of the general Prospero Colonna ), with whom he had one son, Vespasiano Gonzaga , born in 1531. He then led the papal armies in the siege of Ancona , and later began the conquest of Vicovaro . In the latter battle, he received a mortal arquebus wound.
His son Vespasiano succeeded him and became Duke of Sabbioneta and Traetto , Marquis of Ostiano , and Count of Rodigo and Fondi . He was brought up by his sister Giulia , the young widow of Rodomonte's father-in-law Vespasiano Colonna.
Sources
1st Generation 2nd Generation 3rd Generation 4th Generation 5th Generation 6th Generation 7th Generation
Francesco IV, Duke of Mantua
Ferdinando, Duke of Mantua
Margherita Gonzaga, Duchess of Lorraine
Vincenzo II, Duke of Mantua
Eleonora, Holy Roman Empress
Charles, Duke of Nevers
Marie Louise, Queen of Poland
Anne, Countess Palatine of Simmern
Cesare II, Duke of Guastalla
Vincenzo, Viceroy of Sicily
Andrea, Count of San Paolo
8th Generation 9th Generation
International National People Other