Rinaldo da Monteverde

Rinaldo da Monteverde, called Rinalduccio (died 1380), was a condottiere and possibly the illegitimate son of the tyrant Mercenario da Monteverde. After his father's murder in 1340 he took refuge in Milan with the Visconti. In 1373 he returned to Fermo with Visconti backing, and in 1376 had himself proclaimed captain of the people.

In 1377 he repeatedly attacked Sant'Elpidio, home of one of his father's killers. His despotic rule was hated, and in 1379 Fermo rose against him. He fled, hired three thousand men and besieged the city, but was repulsed.

He was seized by conspirators who tricked their way into Montefalcone castle on 31 May 1380. On 2 June he and his sons were beheaded in Fermo's main square, where a column carved with the severed heads stood until it was removed in 1419.