The Essex link to a famous book

One of the most famous books ever written, The Prince by Machiavelli, delved into a shady world of politics. Yet did you know the book has an Essex connection?

It features a man who gave the Brits such a bad reputation abroad, he's been known as Essex's first medieval bullyboy.

In the book is the name Giovanni Acuto, otherwise known as Sir John Hawkwood from Sible Hedingham.

He first went to fight in France before becoming a soldier for hire leading a band of merceneries called the White Company on a reign of terror.

When he died King Richard II reportedly asked for his body to be returned to St Peter's Church in his home village.