Battle of Ravenna Italian history [1512] Actions Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Ravenna-1512 Give Feedback External Websites Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Military History Encyclopedia on the Web - Battle of Ravenna, 11 April 1512 Print Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Ravenna-1512 Feedback External Websites Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Military History Encyclopedia on the Web - Battle of Ravenna, 11 April 1512 Written by R.G. Grant R.G. Grant is a historian who has written extensively on many aspects and periods of history. R.G. Grant Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Jul 15, 2024 • Article History Table of Contents Date: April 11, 1512 (Show more) Location: Italy Ravenna (Show more) Participants: France Spain (Show more) See all related content →

　　The Two Armies at the Battle of Ravenna, 1512The Two Armies at the Battle of Ravenna, 1512, print, c. 1512, printed 1530. This engraving depicts the opposing armies prior to engaging in direct combat. The Art Institute of Chicago, Gift of Mrs. Potter Palmer, Jr. (1951.373).(more)The Battle of Ravenna, an engagement fought on April 11, 1512, is chiefly remembered for the tragic death of the brilliant young French commander Gaston de Foix. This loss overshadowed an extraordinary triumph for the French forces, which inflicted appalling casualties upon a largely Spanish Holy League army.

　　Amid the shifting alliances that marked the Italian Wars, the French found themselves in conflict with a coalition of Papal States and foreign allies that was largely dependent on Spain for its military strength. In 1512 Gaston de Foix, Duke of Nemours since the death of his father at Cerignola, was appointed commander of the French army in Italy and viceroy of Milan at the age of twenty-one.

　　Britannica Quiz World Wars His bold leadership immediately invigorated the French campaign. He took Brescia by storm in February and then marched on Ravenna, intending to provoke the Holy League into battle. Ramon de Cardona, Spanish viceroy of Naples and commander of the Holy League forces, duly obliged by leading an army to relieve Ravenna. Battle was joined on Easter Sunday. Both sides had learned the new rules of warfare in the gunpowder age. Reluctant to assault well-defended earthworks with cavalry or infantry, they indulged in an artillery duel, maneuvering unwieldy cannon to find effective lines of fire.

　　After two hours, unable to stand passively taking losses, cavalry and infantry threw themselves forward in often disorganized assaults. Casualties were heavy as horsemen clashed in swirling melees and infantry swarmed over ramparts and ditches. The issue was decided when the French cavalry, having driven the opposing horsemen from the field, returned to attack the Spanish infantry. Amid the general slaughter of his forces, Cardona was taken prisoner. With the battle effectively over, de Foix was killed in a pointless skirmish with retreating Spanish infantry.

　　Losses: French, 4,500 of 23,000; Holy League, 9,000 of 16,000.

　　Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now