Giovanni da Barbiano

Giovanni da Barbiano (died 27 September 1399) was an Italian condottiero, the leader of a force of mercenary soldiers.

He was trained from a young age in the military arts, placing himself initially under the command of the English mercenary John Hawkwood and later the Compagnia di San Giorgio led by Alberico.

In his early career he had an uneasy working relationship with Bologna, whilst at the same time attempting to establish his own lordship in Barbiana and Lugo.

He made a commitment to Simone of Saint George of Ferrara, to bring him the dead body of Azzo in exchange for a fee of 30,000 gold ducats plus the castles of Lugo and Conselice.

In 1396 Barbiano fought in the pay of the Visconti family, taking part in the ongoing fighting between the Duke of Milan and the Florentines.