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Battle of Pavia: Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's troops defeat the French, killing or wounding 5,000 and capturing French

Battle of Pavia: Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's troops defeat the French, killing or wounding 5,000 and capturing French King Francis I

The Battle of Pavia, fought on the morning of 24 February 1525, was the decisive engagement of the Italian War of 1521–1526 between the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg Empire of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as well as ruler of Spain, Austria, the Low Countries, and the Two Sicilies.

The French army was led by King Francis I of France, who laid siege to the city of Pavia (then part of the Duchy of Milan within the Holy Roman Empire) in October 1524 with 26,200 troops. The French infantry consisted of 6,000 French foot soldiers and 17,000 foreign mercenaries: 8,000 Swiss, 5,000 Germans, and 4,000 Italians (Black Bands). The French cavalry consisted of 2,000 gendarmes and 1,200 lances fournies.

Historical Significance

The Battle of Pavia, fought on the morning of 24 February 1525, was the decisive engagement of the Italian War of 1521–1526 between the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg Empire of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as well as ruler of Spain, Austria, the Low Countries, and the Two Sicilies.

Key People

Charles V

Francis I of France

Events Before

  1. Earl Henry III of Nassau weds Mencia de Medoza, 16-years old marquess

    Earl Henry III of Nassau weds Mencia de Medoza, 16-years old marquess

  2. Giovanni de Varrazano, a Florentine explorer in the service of King Francis I of France, lands around area of Carolinas

    Giovanni de Varrazano, a Florentine explorer in the service of King Francis I of France, lands around area of Carolinas

  3. Florentine navigator Giovanni Verrazano on a voyage for France is the first European to discover New York harbour

    Florentine navigator Giovanni Verrazano on a voyage for France is the first European to discover New York harbour

  4. Duke of Albany leaves Scotland

    Duke of Albany leaves Scotland

  5. Emperor Charles I bans German national synode

    Emperor Charles I bans German national synode

Events After

  1. Charles V and Francis I sign the Treaty of Madrid, forcing Francis to renounce his claims to Burgundy, Italy, and Flande

    Charles V and Francis I sign the Treaty of Madrid, forcing Francis to renounce his claims to Burgundy, Italy, and Flanders

  2. Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (26) marries Princess Isabella of Portugal (22), his 1st cousin, in Seville

    Isabella of Portugal (Portuguese and Spanish: Isabel de Portugal; 24 October 1503 – 1 May 1539) was the empress consort of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, Archduke of Austria, and Duke…

  3. First Battle of Panipat: Central Asian conqueror Babur defeats Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, establishing the Mughal Empire in In

    First Battle of Panipat: Central Asian conqueror Babur defeats Sultan Ibrahim Lodi, establishing the Mughal Empire in India

  4. Battle of Mohács: In a decisive battle, the Kingdom of Hungary is conquered by the Ottoman Empire led by Suleiman the Ma

    Battle of Mohács: In a decisive battle, the Kingdom of Hungary is conquered by the Ottoman Empire led by Suleiman the Magnificent

  5. Heavy storm strikes Dutch coast, killing large numbers

    Heavy storm strikes Dutch coast, killing large numbers

More from the 1520s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 24, 1525?
The Battle of Pavia, fought on the morning of 24 February 1525, was the decisive engagement of the Italian War of 1521–1526 between the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg Empire of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as well as ruler of Spain, Austria, the Low Countries, and the Two Sicilies. The French army was led by King Francis I of France, who laid siege to the city of Pavia (then part of the Duchy of Milan within the Holy Roman Empire) in October 1524 with 26,200 troops. The French infantry consisted of 6,000 French foot soldiers and 17,000 foreign mercenaries: 8,000 Swiss, 5,000 Germans, and 4,000 Italians (Black Bands).
Why is Battle of Pavia: Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's troops defeat the French, kil... significant?
The Battle of Pavia, fought on the morning of 24 February 1525, was the decisive engagement of the Italian War of 1521–1526 between the Kingdom of France and the Habsburg Empire of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor as well as ruler of Spain, Austria, the Low Countries, and the Two Sicilies.
Who was involved in Battle of Pavia: Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's troops defeat the French, kil...?
Key figures include Charles V, Francis I of France.

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