Michelotto Corella (Michelotto Coreglia, Michele di Corella or Miquel de Corella) was a valencian condottiero born on an unknown date in València. He was killed in Milan in January 1508.
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Known as the Valentino's executioner, he met Cesare Borgia during his studies at the University of Pisa.[1] With time he developed a boundless devotion for him to the grade of committing several murders for him.
The exact number of murders he committed under the Borgia’s command is still unknown. Remarkably, he killed both Vitellozzo Vitelli and Oliverotto da Fermo at the same time, strangling them with a violin string in Senigallia on December 31, 1502.
After his capture in 1503, Corella was first imprisoned in Florence and then in Rome where he was questioned and tortured.[2] However, he refused to reveal the many secrets he knew about the Borgias.[3]
He was released in 1505, and thanks to Niccolò Machiavelli's mediation, was hired by Florence as bargello. He held this position for two years, until 1507.[4]
He was killed in Milan in 1508 by some fellow countrymen although the instigator is unknown.[5]