THE DUKE OF NEMOURS DEFEATS THE UNITED ARMIES OF THE POPE, THE VENETIANS, AND THE SPANIARDS, NEAR TO RAVENNA,—BUT IS HIMSELF SLAIN, AFTER HE HAD GAINED THE VICTORY AND TOTALLY REPULSED THE ENEMY.
We must now return to the wars in Italy, and elsewhere. During the Lent of the year 1512, the duke of Nemours marched his army before Ravenna, wherein that of the pope, the Venetians, and Spaniards were seeking opportunities to retaliate on the French,—and they had made great preparations for this purpose. The duke of Nemours, having had information of this, advanced thither, accompanied by many nobles and valiant captains, such as the lord de la Palisse, the lord d'Alegre and his son, the lord Jean Jacques of Trivulce, the lord de Châtillon governor of Paris, the lord de Molarc, Maugeron, La Crotte, and other officers of renown. When he had approached Ravenna, the French remained some time encamped from a scarcity of provision, and many suffered by it. Perceiving that their supplies had failed, like hardy warriors, stirred on by the eager desire of the duke of Nemours for the combat, they resolved, on the eve of Easter-day, to offer the enemy battle on the morrow, which was the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord.
The French advanced boldly to the combat, having their artillery in front, which played four hours incessantly, and did great damage to the Spaniards, principally to their men at arms. Some Spaniards sallied out of their camp, and the French rushed in,—when both parties met, and two superb and bold nations might then be seen contending with courage and earnestness for the victory. Never was heard such clattering of swords and lances: the gallant duke of Nemours hastened forward, fighting most wonderfully, to encourage his men; and it was for some time uncertain which side would have the advantage,—for the Spaniards shouted at times 'Victory! Julius, Julius!' at others, the French cried out 'Victory, Nemours!' At length, the French made their enemies fly.
During the battle, the lord de Molarc was killed by a cannon-shot,—a great loss to the king, for he was a valiant, and enterprising captain. He led that day the french infantry, a most courageous and steady band. La Crotte and captain Jacobs, who commanded the Lansquenets, were among the first of the slain; and their loss was a heavy blow: however, both French and Lansquenets advanced with greater courage to revenge the deaths of their captains, and pushed on until they came to where the baggage was, and some famished adventurers had already begun to knock in the heads of the casks of different wines,—when, having drank their fill, they ran away as fast as they could: not so the Spaniards, who still held on fighting,—for I can assure you, that these spanish troops were no way fainthearted, and there had not been so severe a battle fought as this for a long time. May God pardon those who were killed!
The remnant of the Spaniards and Italians that escaped wandered here and there. Upwards of twenty of the great lords of Italy lay dead on the field. There were many prisoners made: in the number were Pedro de Navarre, don John de Cardona, the marquis of Pescara, Pomare, Epinose, Castinago, John Antony Vosino, the count de Montelon, the marquis de Betonde, the marquis de l'Estelle, the son to the count of Consege, and others of renown. No one knew what became of the duke du Traict,[44] who was of their company. The viceroy of Naples saved himself by flight, until he gained the seashore, and embarked for Naples. The marquis de la Padulla and the count del Popolo made good a retreat before the end of the conflict, with eleven or twelve hundred horse, as well men at arms as light cavalry, and from sixteen to seventeen-hundred infantry, the remains of their army, and saved themselves as well as they could.
Numbers of Frenchmen were doubtless slain, for the Spaniards fought with the utmost bravery; and when the french men at arms returning from the pursuit, passed over the field of battle, the wounded laid hands on any swords near them, and, in the miserable state they were in on the ground, cut the legs of the horses the French were mounted on.
Pope Julius was at Rome when news of this event was brought him. God knows how he bore it, for he had been a very great sufferer in that battle. The instant he heard it, he would have set off without delay, fearing that the French would follow up their victory, and come to seek him even in Rome.
After this defeat, the illustrious and gallant duke of Nemours, having perceived a small body of the enemy that had not dispersed, like a magnanimous prince, but too unmindful of the signal victory God had just given him, required of the nobles and captains around him, that they would be pleased to march with him and drive them away. Some of them who, from long experience, knew the uncertainty of the chances of war, remonstrated with him on being too adventurous, and that he should remain satisfied with the success he had gained. Notwithstanding the truth of these remonstrances, he persisted in his resolution, and said aloud, 'Let all who love me, follow me.' Upon this, the lord d'Alegre, his son, Maugeron, the bastard of Cliete, seeing him thus determined and already advancing followed him.
The duke of Nemours was the first to attack this body of the enemy, who were greatly superior in number; and the gallant prince performed such feats of arms as astonished them, and cleared all around his horse with such rapid and mortal blows that none dared approach him. It was a grand sight to view so young a man displaying such extraordinary courage. The enemy, observing how few the French were, and that no reinforcements were coming to them, recovered their courage and surrounded the young hero. They first killed his horse, and then fell upon him with battle-axes, pikes, and every sort of weapon, that he, and all his companions, died a glorious death.