GEN: !SOURCE: #46 [Pg C-47] GEN: In his youth, he was apprenticed ot a London tailor, but traded needle and GEN: thimble for sword & shield in the French wars under King Edward III. He was GEN: knighted [& noted] for his valor. GEN: After the French wars, he went to Florence to serve as general in their GEN: defense. [It was common practice in those days for such republics to prefer GEN: foreigners over natives in this capacity; this made it easier to dismiss them GEN: at the end of their usefulness, thus setting more definite limits to their GEN: political power]. GEN: General Hawkwood was much appreciated and highly honored in Florence. Feb GEN: 1992. EJG.