Battle of Pavia

:This article is about the battle in 1525. For the battle of Pavia fought by Charlemagne, see Battle of Pavia (773)

The battle

The attack came on the night of February 23, 1525. In the first assault, the Emperor's troops were

Related Topics:
February 23 - 1525

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routed, Francis distinguishing himself bravely. His coat-of-arms and white-plumed helmet

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appeared in the thickest of fighting. His faithful nobles accompanied him, notably, Admiral

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Bonnivet. The Admiral mistakenly advised an over-confident Francis to make a rally, and they found themselves

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attacked from the rear.

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The climax and crisis of the battle came when Pescara surprised the French with 1500 Spanish arquebusiers. All of the enemy's onslaught concentrated on the French center, where Francis rode.

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Gathering his scattered forces as best he could, Francis tried to save the remnants of his army.

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His bravest officers, dismayed by the failiure of the left flank, fought their way toward their

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King. The bravest and noblest of France were falling. The Duc de La Tremouille, fell from his

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horse, shot through the heart. The Marechal de la Foix died at the King's side. The King's horse

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was shot by a arquebuse fire of Cesare Hercolani, but he fought on, hand-to-hand. The enemy was determined to kill the King. But Lannoy, Viceroy of Naples rushed forward,

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saving the live of the half-naked King of the French.

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Thus ended the Battle of Pavia (in which the French army was virtually annihilated), on the

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Emperor's birthday. His birthday gift was the person of the King of France. Spanish hegemony in

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Italy dates from this battle.

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Francis was eventually freed in 1526 through negotiations of his sister, Marguerite, Queen of Navarre.

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