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Battle of Fornovo

Type Event Region Europe Time 1495

On 6 July 1495, while withdrawing north from Naples, Charles VIII was intercepted by the forces of the Holy League near Fornovo, close to Parma.

Timeline

  1. 1495Central Italy · ItalyFacing the Holy League's concentration on the peninsula, Charles VIII abandoned consolidating his rule over Naples and led his main force north along the Apennines with the spoils, attempting to cross the Po valley before the League completed its encirclement.
  2. 1495Fornovo di Taro · Emilia-RomagnaThe League army, led by Venice, intercepted the French near the Taro River, and the two sides fought a fierce battle that day. The French broke through the League's lines with cavalry charges and artillery support, but suffered heavy casualties and losses of baggage, and both sides claimed victory.
  3. 1495Lombardy–French border · ItalyThe French continued north, crossed the Alps, and returned to France. Charles VIII's first Italian expedition ended with the capture of Naples failing to last, but it had thoroughly shaken the peninsula's political order.

Sources