Pavia, Battle of

The Battle of Pavia, fought on the morning of 24 February 1525, is the decisive engagement of the Italian War of 1521–26.A Spanish-Imperial army under the nominal command of Charles de Lannoy (and working in conjunction with the garrison of Pavia, commanded by Antonio de Leyva) attackes the French army under the personal command of Francis I of France in the great hunting preserve of Mirabello outside the city walls.

In the four-hour battle, the French army is split and defeated in detail.

The French suffer massive casualties, including many of the chief nobles of France; Francis himself, captured by the Spanish troops, is imprisoned by Charles V and forced to sign the humiliating Treaty of Madrid, surrendering significant territory to his captor.

The outcome of the battle cements Spanish Habsburg ascendancy in Italy.

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