Battle of Fornoue

At the time of the first war of Italy, Charles VIII succeeded in seizing the Royaume of Naples without meeting much resistance. However, the growing hostility of the Italian States vis-a-vis the occupation and especially the formation of the League of Venice against the French, oblige it to curtail its stay with Naples and to make retirement towards France in order not to find itself taken with the trap. Its enemies block to him the passage to Fornoue, obliging it to fight battle.

Countryside preceding the battle

After having left Naples, the French Army makes several prolonged halts, in particular with His then Pisa, which gives time to the enemy army to precede it and await it the outlet of the the Apennines, near Parma. Moreover, not being able to be solved to give up his conquest completely, Charles VIII leaves strong garrisons in the most important cities, reducing of as much the manpower of his army. After having crossed to large-sorrow the mountains, handicapped by his artillery which it could not decide to give up, the king arrives in front of united the July 5th in Fornoue.

Unfolding

The following day, after having sent Philippe de Commines to propose in vain with united to let the French Army carry on its way towards France without fighting, the French, with court of vivres, are reflected in swing. The Maréchal of Gié ordered the avant-garde, Trémoille the body of battle and the Vicomte of Narbonne the rear-guard. They were in a small valley from where they could lead only by lending the side to the enemy army located to a hill on other side of a torrent guéable at this period of the year. Seeing the French moving, the enemy passed the torrent and attacked simultaneously before and the rear-guard Frenchwomen. Seizing the luggage of the French Army, the enemy put himself to plunder it rather than to fight, thus the battle lost and flees in rout. The combat did not last an hour in all. The French troops particularly showed a courage and an ardor which the Italians recognized by giving him the name of furia francese . The king, particularly, there showed bravery and risked by twice being made capture or wound following direct confrontations with the enemy.

Assessment

The enemy flees towards Parma. The French did not benefit fully from their victory not daring to continue united to Parma to try to inflict a clearer defeat to them. Threatened by the food shortage, the French raised the camp in secrecy during the night and took a certain lead on united which, after being themselves gathered and having become aware of the departure of the French, were blocked by the torrent whose flow had abruptly increased.

The battle of Fornoue thus allowed the French Army, more very fresh, to continue its retirement to arrive at Asti.

Sources and bibliography

Philippe de Commines, Memories

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