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Updated: June 16, 2025
Had they but succeeded in arresting Charles and destroying his forces at Fornovo, it is just possible that then even then, at the eleventh hour Italy might have gained the sense of national coherence, or at least have proved herself capable of holding by her leagues the foreigner at bay.
And so to Fornovo; and the heat blinded and confused, and the air was alive with flies. But the sun dried me at once, and I pressed up the road because I needed food.
As it was, the battle of Fornovo, in spite of Venetian bonfires and Mantuan Madonnas of Victory, made her conscious of incompetence and convicted her of cowardice. After Fornovo, her sons scarcely dared to hold their heads up in the field against invaders; and the battles fought upon her soil were duels among aliens for the prize of Italy.
The same extraordinary luck which had attended the French in their whole expedition now favored their retreat; and the same pusillanimity which the allies had shown at Fornovo prevented them from re-forming and engaging with the army of Charles upon the plain. One hour before daybreak on Tuesday morning the French broke up their camp and succeeded in clearing the valley.
The Italian States confront the Great Nations of Europe Policy of Louis XI. of France Character of Charles VIII. Preparations for the Invasion of Italy Position of Lodovico Sforza Diplomatic Difficulties in Italy after the Death of Lorenzo de' Medici Weakness of the Republics II Moro The year 1494 Alfonso of Naples Inefficiency of the Allies to cope with France Charles at Lyons is stirred up to the Invasion of Italy by Giuliano della Rovere Charles at Asti and Pavia Murder of Gian Galeazzo Sforza Mistrust in the French Army Rapallo and Fivizzano The Entrance into Tuscany Part played by Piero de' Medici Charles at Pisa His Entrance into Florence Piero Capponi The March on Rome Entry into Rome Panic of Alexander VI. The March on Naples The Spanish Dynasty: Alfonso and Ferdinand Alfonso II. escapes to Sicily Ferdinand II. takes Refuge in Ischia Charles at Naples The League against the French De Comines at Venice Charles makes his Retreat by Rome, Siena, Pisa, and Pontremoli The Battle of Fornovo Charles reaches Asti and returns to France Italy becomes the Prize to be fought for by France, Spain, and Germany Importance of the Expedition of Charles VIII.
As it was, the battle of Fornovo, in spite of Venetian bonfires and Mantuan Madonnas of Victory, made her conscious of incompetence and convicted her of cowardice. After Fornovo, her sons scarcely dared to hold their heads up in the field against invaders; and the battles fought upon her soil were duels among aliens for the prize of Italy.
He was black, one-eyed, and of middling height; and to his great courage, as we shall see, Charles owed life upon that day. The French army, ready for the march, now took to the gravelly bed of the Taro, passing the river at a distance of about a quarter of a league from the allies. As the French left Fornovo, the light cavalry of their enemies entered the village and began to attack the baggage.
Charles could not do otherwise than descend upon the village of Fornovo, and cut his way thence in the teeth of the Italian army over stream and boulder between the gorges of throttling mountain. The failure of the Italians to achieve what here upon the ground appears so simple delivered Italy hand-bound to strangers.
He was black, one-eyed, and of middling height; and to his great courage, as we shall see, Charles owed life upon that day. The French army, ready for the march, now took to the gravelly bed of the Taro, passing the river at a distance of about a quarter of a league from the allies. As the French left Fornovo, the light cavalry of their enemies entered the village and began to attack the baggage.
First came the hero of Fornovo, Francesco Gonzaga, at the head of his troop of horse, mounted on magnificent chargers, "a sight admirable to behold;" then the infantry, all in excellent order, led by their different Condottieri, in glittering armour; afterwards the artillery, firing big guns, which seemed to rend the air; then the Stradiots armed with lances, targets, and scimitars, and the Venetian cross-bowmen and light cavalry.
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