GIANIBELLI, jarne-b61'16, or GLAMBELLI, FEDERICO (c.1530-?). A famous military engi neer. He was born at Mantua, and after serving for some time in Italy, proceeded to Spain and offered his services to Philip II.; but abruptly quitted Madrid, and after residing some time at Antwerp, where he acquired a high reputation as a mechanician, passed over to England and en tered the service of Queen Elizabeth, who granted him a pension. During the War of Independence in the Netherlands, Alexander, Duke of Parma, generalissimo of the Spanish forces, laid siege to Antwerp in 1584, whereupon Elizabeth commis sioned Gianibelli to proceed to the assistance of the inhabitants. On his arrival he found that the Spaniards had built a vast bridge across the Scheldt, interrupting all communication with the sea, by which alone the city could get provi sions or help. Early in 1584 Gianibelli carried out a plan for blowing up the structure by float ing down rafts laden with vast quantities of explosives against it, which were to be set off by means of a mechanical contrivance. The
ponderous structure was partially blown into the air, and no less than 800 men—among whom were some of the best Spanish officers—were killed. This achievement, however, was rendered unavailing by the singular remissness displayed at this juncture by the defenders and by the wonderful energy of the Duke of Parma, as well as the want of unity among the citizens, and Gianibelli was obliged to return to England. Here he was employed at the time of the threatened Spanish invasion in fortifying the coast-line, which he did in a very skillful man ner. When the Armada appeared in the channel, it was Gianibelli who proposed and carried out the plan of sending fire-ships into the midst of the enemy, who remembered too well Gianibelli's 'Hell-burners' of Antwerp to await their coming, and fled. Gianibelli died probably in London. The date of his death is not known.