Hugo of Moncada facts for kids
Hugo de Moncada (born around 1476 in Chiva, Valencia – died 1528 near Salerno, Italy) was an important Spanish leader. He was a skilled soldier and politician. He served as a top general on land and sea. He also held important positions like the ruler (called a Viceroy) of Sicily and later Naples.
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Early Life of Hugo Moncada
Hugo de Moncada was born in Chiva, a town in Valencia, around the year 1476. His father was Gastón de Moncada. His family was important in the kingdom of Valencia. Hugo also had an older brother named Juan. When he was young, Hugo became a knight. He joined a special group called the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Service with the French
In 1495, Hugo de Moncada fought in Italy. He was fighting for King Charles VIII of France. They were trying to take control of Naples from the Spanish. Later, he worked for Cesare Borgia, another powerful Italian leader. In 1496, Hugo then fought against the French in Spain.
Service with the Spanish
Fighting for Ferdinand II
Hugo de Moncada began working for Ferdinand II of Aragon, the King of Spain. He fought against pirates from North Africa in the waters around Italy. Because of his success, he was promoted. In 1509, he became the Viceroy of Sicily. He held this important job until 1517.
In 1513, Hugo helped a Spanish commander named Pedro Navarro. They attacked the port of Tripoli. Hugo provided ships (called galleys) from Sicily for this attack. In 1520, he led a successful Spanish attack on the island of Djerba.
Working for Charles V
In 1522, Hugo de Moncada became a general for Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Charles V was a very powerful ruler. Hugo led an attack on the city walls of Tournai. In 1524, he used 16 galleys to attack and capture the towns of Toulon, Hières, and Fréjus in France.
In January 1525, Hugo tried to win back lands that Charles V had lost. He attacked the town of Varazze with three thousand soldiers. But he was defeated and captured by forces allied with the French King, Francis I of France.
Treaty of Madrid and Diplomacy
Hugo de Moncada was set free in 1526. This happened because of a peace agreement called the Treaty of Madrid. As part of this treaty, Hugo was exchanged for another important person named Montmorency.
In June 1526, Emperor Charles V sent Hugo as an ambassador. Hugo went to Rome to meet with Pope Clement VII. He told the Pope that if he joined forces with the French, Charles V would cause trouble. Charles V would turn the city of Siena against the Pope. He would also use his influence with the powerful Colonna family against the Pope. Pope Clement understood these threats. When the French army marched into Italy, the Pope pulled his forces back to Rome.
The Sack of Rome
Hugo de Moncada took command of armies that marched into Italy. In May 1527, Hugo's Imperial troops attacked and captured Rome. This event is known as the Sack of Rome. Later, Hugo helped Pope Clement VII, who eventually became a supporter of Emperor Charles V.
In September 1527, the Viceroy of Naples died. Hugo de Moncada was then appointed as the new Viceroy of Naples. In 1528, while in the harbor of Naples, Hugo's fleet was surrounded. The French fleet, led by a captain named Filippino Doria, blocked them in. Hugo tried to break through the blockade. In a major naval battle, all of Hugo's ships were either sunk or captured. Hugo de Moncada himself was killed during this battle, known as the Battle of Capo d'Orso.
See also
In Spanish: Hugo de Moncada para niños
