Battles & Campaigns · 1522
Battle of Bicocca
Bicocca, Milan, Italy
What happened
Swiss mercenaries in French pay had not been paid and demanded an immediate battle. They crossed open ground to attack Colonna's fortified park, but were stopped at a sunken road and earthworks, where Spanish arquebusiers fired on them. The Swiss withdrew.
Why it matters
It ended the Swiss reputation as unbeatable pikemen and was one of the first battles where firearms were decisive. Milan stayed under Imperial control.
What came next
Colonna and d'Avalos went on to capture Genoa, and the French left Lombardy.
Did you know?
The battle gave Spanish the word 'bicoca', meaning a bargain or something won cheaply.
Timeline
- 13–14 Sep 1515Battle of Marignano.
- 27 Apr 1522Battle of Bicocca.
- May 1522Siege of Genoa.
- 24 Feb 1525Battle of Pavia.