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The battle of Marciano-Scannagallo (August 2nd 1554) was a very important event
in the “War of Siena”, fought between Charles V’s Imperial
Army and the French who supported the Sienese rebels. The battle took place
during one of Piero Strozzi’s raids towards the Valdichiana with his French,
Swiss and Sienese troops. Scannagallo was the turning point in the whole conflict.
The two armies faced each other not far from Lucignano and Marciano. Piero Strozzi,
with his 14,000 infantrymen, 1,00 cavalrymenand 5 guns assaulted Lucignano,
Arezzo and Foiano, where he destroyed a lot of houses and slaughtered a very
large number of citizens. Gian Giacomo dei Medici, Marquis of Marignano, in
command of the imperial troops, arrived when the town had already been conquered,and
so he went towards Marciano, fighting against a French garrison that was on
guard. It was the end of June.
The
two armies stood still for about a month, until July 21st, when Piero
Strozzi ordered hos army to assault Marciano. In the meantime 15,000 infantrymen,
1,000 cavalrymen and 300 men-at-arms came to reinforce Marignano’s
army. Piero Strozzi’s troops, decimated and badly supplied, were
sorrounded by the enemy and so, on August 2nd, at about 10 a.m., he simulated
a
retread, but eventually he was compelled to accept the battle on “Poggio
delle donne”, near “Villa del Pozzo”. All the soldiers
entered in the field, the Lansquenetes of both the armies, the Swiss infantrymen,
the Gasconades, the Spaniards, the Florentines and the Imperials, heavy
cavalry included
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The battle near Scannagallo ditch went on for about two ours and eventually
the imperials won. The losses in Piero Strozzi’s army were huge, while
the Marquis of Marignano lost only a few soldiers. With this victory the Imperials
fought their way to Siena, that surrendered in the April of 1555. The Medicean
control of the whole Tuscany and the establishment of the regional State were
accomplished.
G. STRADANO 1583 - Battaglia di Marciano Scannagallo |
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