Battle of Marignano
Near Melegnano, southeast of Milan, present-day Italy
What happened
King Francis I of France, with the Venetian commander Bartolomeo d'Alviano and Marshal Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, fought the army of the Swiss Confederacy. During the Italian Wars, the Swiss had taken control of Milan, and the young King Francis I wanted it back. Near Melegnano, southeast of Milan, the Swiss attacked at sunset and fought through the night against French cavalry and cannons. The next morning a Venetian army arrived to help the French, and the Swiss withdrew in good order.
Why it matters
Result: Franco-Venetian victory Swiss cantons signed the Treaty of Fribourg establishing the "Perpetual Peace". Leaders: Francis I / Gian Giacomo Trivulzio against Marx Röist / Maximilian Sforza. Why it matters: France won back Milan, and the battle ended in the Perpetual Peace between France and the Swiss.
What came next
In 1516 the Perpetual Peace of Fribourg was signed. Francis I lost Milan again ten years later when he was captured at Pavia.
Did you know?
Marshal Trivulzio, a veteran of every war for the previous 40 years, praised Marignano as a 'battle of giants'.
Timeline
- 1513 CEThe Swiss take Milan after the Battle of Novara.
- 13-14 September 1515 CEThe Swiss attack the French near sunset; the next day the Swiss withdraw in good order.
- 1516 CEThe Treaty of Fribourg, the Perpetual Peace, is signed.
- 24 February 1525 CEFrancis I is captured at Pavia.