John of Capestrano (1386-1456) was a great preacher,
administrator and diplomat, posthumously known as “the soldier
priest” after leading troops into battle against the Turk.
Capestrano is about 90 miles east of Rome, in the Abruzzi
mountains. In the 14th century the area was part of the Kingdom
of Naples. John’s ancestors, though, may have been French. It
seems likely that his father had arrived in Italy as a supporter
of Louis I of Anjou’s claim to the Kingdom of Naples. As a child
John’s ambition appeared entirely worldly. Having studied law at
Perugia, he built up a successful practice. In 1412 he was
appointed governor of Perugia. In 1416 he married. Soon
afterwards, however, his life changed dramatically when he was
thrown into prison by a local condottiero, with whom he had been
trying to negotiate peace. When John was freed he cast aside his
wife – explaining carefully that the marriage had not been
consummated – and immediately entered the Franciscan order at
Perugia, where he adopted a life of rigor