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Battle of Legnano

Type Event Region Europe Time 1176

On May 29, 1176, Lombard League militia defeated Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I at Legnano northwest of Milan, shattering the field advantage of Barb…

Timeline

  1. 1174–1176Alessandria and Chiavenna area · Northern ItalyFrederick I marched south from 1174 to suppress the Lombard League but failed to take the newly built fortress of Alessandria after a long siege. Henry the Lion, Duke of Saxony and Bavaria, refused to send knightly reinforcements, leaving the emperor to continue fighting northwest of Milan with limited forces.
  2. 1176Legnano · LombardyOn May 29, the League militia centered on Milan formed up around their carroccio and engaged the emperor's cavalry near Legnano. The imperial charge was halted, Frederick fell from his horse, word spread that he was killed, the knights scattered, and the League won a decisive field victory.
  3. 1176–1177Northern Italy · Northern ItalyAfter surviving, the emperor was unable to organize another large-scale conquest and instead negotiated with Pope Alexander III and the Lombard cities. The Peace of Venice in 1177 ended the imperial-papal schism, and the Peace of Constance in 1183 recognized communal autonomy, institutionalizing the military consequences of Legnano.

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