Battle of Bénévent

The February 26th 1266, the battles of Bénévent (Italy) opposed the Sicilians of Manfred de Hohenstaufen to the French of Charles of Anjou, victorious.

Charles I {{er}} of Anjou was the champion of the Pape against the Hohenstaufen, dynasty reigning of Sicily. After having taken the abbey strengthened of Mount-Cassin, the coalition of Angevin moved towards Bénévent where Manfred, regent of its nephew Conradin had joined together its Ost.

The forces angevines included/understood 25.000 men including 6.000 knight S and sergeants with horse, 600 assembled principal rafter S, and a infantry - for half of principal rafter S - provençaux, auvergnats, Champagne, Gascon, Breton, Flemish and of the quotas of militiamans Italy NS. Manfred had joined together a less troop half 5.000 to 6.000 Arab infantrymen, 3.000 to 4.000 Arab and Berber riders, 1.000 Norman knights of Sicily, 1.200 German knights, 1.000 mercenaries Tuscan and lombards.

In the morning, Angevins are reflected in battle order in the plain on other side of Calore, river bordering the town of Bénévent. Manfred accepted the combat but the exit of its troops was slowed down by crowd in jubilation in the city.

In fact, whereas its first Moslem line arrived at the contact, its German troops had not crossed Calore and itself was still downtown. Initially, the Moslems badgered the first line angevine, consisted of infantry, and which was not long in releasing foot. The Moslems precipitated to massacre these infantrymen.

At this time the troop of the Provençaux, carried out by the marshal of Mirepoix and Philippe de Montfort, charged and crushed the Moslems. However, the Germans of Manfred, finally in battle order, counter-attacked Provençaux by adopting a formation in corner. Manfred had still not crossed the bridge on Calore.

Charles of Anjou then ordered the attack of his troop which took to side the Germans. In front of the rout of the latter, the sicilian forces of Manfred folded up bridge behind. And when Angevins led to its position, it could rejoin only a few hundreds of men who were not enough to defend it. Charles of Anjou having required not to make a district, Manfred was massacred on the spot.

This battle granted the kingdom of Sicily to Angevin. However, in 1268, it had to face Conradin with the battle of Tagliacozzo and, 15 years later, having lost the support of the pope, was driven out of Sicily by the sicilian Vêpres.

External bonds

Illumination of the XIV {{E}} century (BNF)

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