Matteo Wade was an Irish expatriate and soldier who served in Italy, as an officer in the army of the Kingdom of Naples. In 1806 he was in charge of the Civitella del Tronto fortress, besieged by Joachim Murat's French troops. Despite being a mere 300 the defenders held the French off from 27 March to 21 May, then they were forced to surrender and were all taken prisoner. Matteo Wade is commemorated with a monumental tomb in Largo Rosati in the town of Civitella.