Sampiero Corso

Sampiero Corso (Corsican: Sampieru Corsu, born Sampiero da Bastelica; 1498 – 17 January 1567) was a Corsican soldier, father of the Marshal of France Alphonse d'Ornano.

Born in Bastelica as a common man (although his mother was of the lower nobility), he became a condottiero mercenary at age 14, serving Giovanni de' Medici, then Pope Clement VII, and, in 1530, Ippolito de' Medici.

As of 1535, Sampiero's career was tied to the French House of Valois. He fought successfully for King Francis I, alongside the Chevalier de Bayard, in the Italian Wars; in 1547, he acquired the rank of colonel of the mercenary Corsican troops, and, in accordance with usage, became known by his moniker (indicative of his place of origin). The renown ensured his large fortune, and he married the noblewoman Vannina d'Ornano (he was 49, she was just 15).

Sampiero's expertise became most important as France tried to gain the advantage over Habsburg Spain by occupying the strategically located Corsica (also striking the Republic of Genoa, Spain's ally and overlord of the island). Henry II appointed Sampieru leader of a military expedition in the area.

With French and Ottoman support, he landed on the shores of Corsica in 1553, and managed to summon a revolt against the Genoese, defeating the troops of Andrea Doria on several occasions. However, the French became preoccupied by the ties established between the new English Queen Mary Tudor and Emperor Charles V. Sampiero was recalled in 1555, and a five-year armistice was signed the next year between France and Genoa, in Vaucelles. Genoa reoccupied Calvi and Bastia, but the rest of the island remained French - under the rule of Giordano Orsini (Jourdan des Ursins, a member of the Orsini family).

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