THE BATTLE OF MARIGNAN

the battle of Marignan

The battle of Marignan is one of the battles of  the wars of Italy  (1494-1559). It was held in Italy, September the 13, and 14 1515, and opposed the army of the king  François I ^er  of France  to the troops engaged by  the duke of Milan  to defend his territory.

CAUSES OF THE BATTLE

In 1515, François I ^er  becomes king de France. Like its predecessors (Charles VIII and Louis XII), it wishes to continue the wars of Italy and  to extend the kingdom beyond the Alps. At that time, Italy is divided into small principalities, all rivals. François I ^er  decides to attack the duchy of Milan, located in the north of the peninsula.

COURSE OF THE BATTLE

In August 1515, François I ^er  starts the crossing of the Alps with his army. Guided by shepherds, it goes up several valleys to the collar of Argentière (located at nearly 2 000 meters of altitude), which offers a passage towards Italy. The road is long and difficult: to clear a passage, it is necessary to throw bridges above the throats and to make jump of the rocks.

The meeting with the troops of the duke of Milan takes place close to the village of Marignan. To ensure his defense, the duke engaged of  the Swiss mercenaries, who are at the time famous for their military talents. However, after two days of combat, the French Army (helped by the Venetian troops) gains the victory. The battle of Marignan is fatal and makes nearly 15 000 dead.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE BATTLE

? The French victory allows to François I ^er  to become Master of the area of the Milanese.

? At the end of this battle, François I ^er  signs with Swiss "perpetual peace ": by this agreement,  the Swiss ones are committed  to yield troops to France when it needs some and  never not providing soldiers to countries in war against France. This peace is not broken until 1792.

? During his forwarding, François I ^er  discovered the masterpieces of the Italian artists. Several of them, like Léonard de Vinci, follow it to France where they introduce  the art of the Rebirth.

TO GO FURTHER

? François I ^er
? Rebirth

 

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