Battle of Fornovo
Fornovo di Taro, near Parma, Italy
What happened
King Charles VIII of France fought the League of Venice, an alliance of Venice, Milan and Mantua led by Francesco Gonzaga. Charles VIII had marched through Italy and taken Naples, starting the Italian Wars. As he marched home, the League's larger army blocked his path at Fornovo. French cavalry scattered the Italian ranks, and the French army broke through and left Italy.
Why it matters
Why it matters: Both sides claimed victory. It was the first big battle of the Italian Wars, but France lost all its conquests.
What came next
Naples was retaken by its former rulers. Charles VIII died in 1498 after hitting his head on a door frame at the castle of Amboise.
Did you know?
Gonzaga ordered a painting, the 'Madonna della Vittoria', to celebrate what he called his victory.
Timeline
- September 1494Charles VIII invades Italy.
- 22 February 1495The French reach Naples.
- 6 July 1495The Battle of Fornovo.
- 7 April 1498Charles VIII dies at Amboise.