| Battle Of Cortenuova |
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| 1237 | |
| battles involving the holy roman empire | |
| cortenuova 1237 | |
| battles involving milan | |
| wars of the guelphs and ghibellines | |
| battles involving the lombards | |
| cortenuova | |
| SHOPPER'S DELIGHT | |
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The Battle of Cortenuova was fought on 27 November 1237 when Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II defeated the Lombard League . The sources refer to 7000 - 10,000 Saracen archers, which intervened at the end of the battle - "emptying their quiver", as quoted by Pier Delle Vigne - and probably saved the army from a repeat of the defeat at the Battle Of Legnano . This was a low point in the fortunes of the independent city-states of northern Italy. The forces of the Lombard League were destroyed in the battle. This was one of a number of campaigns by Frederick II against the Lombard municipalities during 1235 - 1239 . These included the taking of Vicenza , the failure of the siege of Brescia and the battle of Cortenuova which established the reputation of the Emperor as a skillful strategist. He misjudged his strength, rejecting all Milanese peace overtures and insisting on unconditional surrender. It was a moment of grave historic importance when Frederick's hatred coloured his judgment and blocked all possibilities of a peaceful settlement. Milan and five other cities held out, and in October 1238 he had to raise the Siege Of Brescia . The emperor then went on to invade the Papal States , and was excommunicated by Pope Gregory IX . It was a familiar experience for the former papal protégé. |