Battle of Delebio
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Delebio was a battle of the Wars in Lombardy
. It occurred on 18 and 19 November 1432, near Delebio
, in the Valtellina
. It was an aftermath of the occupation of Brescia
and the Valle Camonica by the armies of the Republic of Venice
, led by Francesco Bussone, Count of Carmagnola.
The Venetian troops under Giorgio Corner had invaded the Valtellina in 1431, in order to secure the Republic's northern borders and favour their trades towards Germany. On 18 November 1432 the army of Filippo Maria Visconti
, duke of Milan, with more than 400 horse and an unspecified infantry under the condottiero Niccolò Piccinino
, marched alongside the Lake Como
to defy the Venetians. Among the commanders of the Venetian troops was Bartolomeo Colleoni
, which later became one of the most famous condottiero.
The first clash occurred that same day, when Venetians lost c. 300 infantry to push back a surprise attack on their camp. The following morning the camp was attacked by Piccinino from West and by the Ghibellines of Valtellina, under Stefano Quadrio, from East. The Venetians were crushed, most of their commanders being imprisoned. The Venetian losses amounted to 1,800 cavalry and 3,500 infantry, with c. 2,700 prisoners (5,000 casualties and 7,000 prisoners according to other sources).
Wars in Lombardy
The wars in Lombardy were a series of conflicts fought in central-northern Italy between the Republic of Venice and the Duchy of Milan, and their different allies. They lasted from 1425 until the signing of the Treaty of Lodi in 1454...
. It occurred on 18 and 19 November 1432, near Delebio
Delebio
Delebio is a comune in the Province of Sondrio in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 80 km northeast of Milan and about 30 km west of Sondrio. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,013 and an area of 22.5 km².Delebio borders the following municipalities: Andalo...
, in the Valtellina
Valtellina
Valtellina or the Valtelline valley ; is a valley in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, bordering Switzerland. Today it is known for its skiing, its hot spring spas, its cheeses and its wines...
. It was an aftermath of the occupation of Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
and the Valle Camonica by the armies of the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
, led by Francesco Bussone, Count of Carmagnola.
The Venetian troops under Giorgio Corner had invaded the Valtellina in 1431, in order to secure the Republic's northern borders and favour their trades towards Germany. On 18 November 1432 the army of Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti was ruler of Milan from 1412 to 1447.-Biography:Filippo Maria Visconti, who had become nominal ruler of Pavia in 1402, succeeded his assassinated brother Gian Maria Visconti as Duke of Milan in 1412. They were the sons of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Gian Maria's predecessor, by...
, duke of Milan, with more than 400 horse and an unspecified infantry under the condottiero Niccolò Piccinino
Niccolò Piccinino
Niccolò Piccinino was an Italian condottiero.-Biography:He was born at Perugia, was the son of a butcher.He began his military career in the service of Braccio da Montone, who at that time was waging war against Perugia on his own account, and at the death of his chief, shortly followed by that of...
, marched alongside the Lake Como
Lake Como
Lake Como is a lake of glacial origin in Lombardy, Italy. It has an area of 146 km², making it the third largest lake in Italy, after Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore...
to defy the Venetians. Among the commanders of the Venetian troops was Bartolomeo Colleoni
Bartolomeo Colleoni
Bartolomeo Colleoni was a Venetian condottiero, who became Captain-General of the republic of Venice, where there is a famous statue showing him on horseback.-Biography:...
, which later became one of the most famous condottiero.
The first clash occurred that same day, when Venetians lost c. 300 infantry to push back a surprise attack on their camp. The following morning the camp was attacked by Piccinino from West and by the Ghibellines of Valtellina, under Stefano Quadrio, from East. The Venetians were crushed, most of their commanders being imprisoned. The Venetian losses amounted to 1,800 cavalry and 3,500 infantry, with c. 2,700 prisoners (5,000 casualties and 7,000 prisoners according to other sources).