The Rogue - John Hawkwood

The lovable rogue, a trope in pop culture today. Break the law, charm the audience. But most historical rogues were not good, nor were they lovable. John Hawkwood, an English mercenary in the 14th century Italian Wars, was such a rogue. As the head of armies he committed multiple atrocities, extorted sums of money greater than entire nation-states, pillaged, burned, dismembered, and raped his way across the countryside. Yet so charming was his persuasive skills that he convinced leaders he would never stab them in the back, even as he stood holding the bloody knife.