Mubatt
1. City of Ceresole d’Alba
Franco Olocco
Major
With the program financing INTERREG V ALCOTRA France-Italy 2014-2020 project 1673 “SuCCes”
Historical advice
Alberto Lusso
Restructuring project
Giovanni Marocco
Emanuele Alessandria
Alberto Giacosa
Fabrizio Omento
Armando Volpe
Realization of building works
Impresa Costruzioni Libero Bellio
Iperwood s.r.l.
Staging project
Elena Chiapasco
Danilo Manassero
Silvia Brovia
Graphic project
Danilo Manassero
Realization of the staging
Archi & Media s.r.l.
Realization videos and shootings
Aviodron
Narrative voices
Oscar Barile
Paolo Tibaldi
Translation of explicative texts
Alessandro Becchis
Stéphanie Raymond
Materials borrowed by
Anna Ruscazio
Alberto Lusso
Communication, promotion and events
Ente Turismo Langhe Monferrato Roero
Turismo in Langa
Major
With the program financing INTERREG V ALCOTRA France-Italy 2014-2020 project 1673 “SuCCes”
Historical advice
Alberto Lusso
Restructuring project
Giovanni Marocco
Emanuele Alessandria
Alberto Giacosa
Fabrizio Omento
Armando Volpe
Realization of building works
Impresa Costruzioni Libero Bellio
Iperwood s.r.l.
Staging project
Elena Chiapasco
Danilo Manassero
Silvia Brovia
Graphic project
Danilo Manassero
Realization of the staging
Archi & Media s.r.l.
Realization videos and shootings
Aviodron
Narrative voices
Oscar Barile
Paolo Tibaldi
Translation of explicative texts
Alessandro Becchis
Stéphanie Raymond
Materials borrowed by
Anna Ruscazio
Alberto Lusso
Communication, promotion and events
Ente Turismo Langhe Monferrato Roero
Turismo in Langa
10. The territorial context
The places of the battle
1
Disaster place
In the ancient land register of Ceresole in 1632 we find two toponyms they remember the ancient battle: the place called «Disaster» and «the place of the disaster». These toponyms are also reported in the following land register in 1742. It's very probable this «Disaster» denomination evokes not only in a generical manner the battle, but it indicates with more precision the correct place of the imperial collapse. Today there is a farmstead in Cristini place in Ceresole with the name «Disaster» (see photos of the ruins).
2
Buontempo Church
In the battle field area is also included the ancient lategothic church of Buontempo. The church stays in the ancient road it goes from Ceresole to Carmagnola (in Fontana Fredda place).
In the 16th century, the walls of the apsis were decorated with frescos. As the church was abandoned and suddenly in ruins, in 1991 the frescos are removed from the walls and placed on shaped supports, to reproduce the proceeding of the apsis of the chapel. Actually it's possible seeing the remaining of these frescos in a hall of the municipality of Ceresole.
3
Pillar of the battle
The map, here reported, derives from the «Great Chart of Sardinian States in dry land», published by the King Body of the Major State in 1852. The map, which contains also the description of villages and farmsteads, clearly indicates a pillar of the battle.
4
Alfiere Farmstead
Square Tower
The actually named «Alfiere» farmstead is one of the most beatiful farmstead in Ceresole.
From a figurated map of the 18th century the farmstead is indicated in «Mombelletto» place. («Type of Monbeleto farmstead of Zoelli's most illustrious sirs, end of Ceresole»), where is framed the area of the battle. The map reveals the presence of two farmsteads.
The cannon balls conserved in it date back from the tradition to the battle of Ceresole. The bullets are founded in the square tower during the restoration works.
Ceresole yesterday and today
A
Church of St. John the Baptist
B
Castle
C
City hall
1
Disaster place
In the ancient land register of Ceresole in 1632 we find two toponyms they remember the ancient battle: the place called «Disaster» and «the place of the disaster». These toponyms are also reported in the following land register in 1742. It's very probable this «Disaster» denomination evokes not only in a generical manner the battle, but it indicates with more precision the correct place of the imperial collapse. Today there is a farmstead in Cristini place in Ceresole with the name «Disaster» (see photos of the ruins).
2
Buontempo Church
In the battle field area is also included the ancient lategothic church of Buontempo. The church stays in the ancient road it goes from Ceresole to Carmagnola (in Fontana Fredda place).
In the 16th century, the walls of the apsis were decorated with frescos. As the church was abandoned and suddenly in ruins, in 1991 the frescos are removed from the walls and placed on shaped supports, to reproduce the proceeding of the apsis of the chapel. Actually it's possible seeing the remaining of these frescos in a hall of the municipality of Ceresole.
3
Pillar of the battle
The map, here reported, derives from the «Great Chart of Sardinian States in dry land», published by the King Body of the Major State in 1852. The map, which contains also the description of villages and farmsteads, clearly indicates a pillar of the battle.
4
Alfiere Farmstead
Square Tower
The actually named «Alfiere» farmstead is one of the most beatiful farmstead in Ceresole.
From a figurated map of the 18th century the farmstead is indicated in «Mombelletto» place. («Type of Monbeleto farmstead of Zoelli's most illustrious sirs, end of Ceresole»), where is framed the area of the battle. The map reveals the presence of two farmsteads.
The cannon balls conserved in it date back from the tradition to the battle of Ceresole. The bullets are founded in the square tower during the restoration works.
Ceresole yesterday and today
A
Church of St. John the Baptist
B
Castle
C
City hall
11. The phases of the battle
FRANCE
THE FOREFRONT
1. Chivalry: Paul de la Barthe, sir of Termes, Knight of S. Michele order, general of the lighthorseman of the king, 450-900 horses;
2. French infantry: Jean de Taix, sir of Taix, 4500 men (he leades old groups of France)
3-4. 60-150 weapon men: Guy of Guiffrey, sir of Boutieres.
THE MAIN CORPS (FIGHTING)
5. Swiss infantry: Wilhelm Froehlich, 3500-4000 men;
6-10. Chivalry: François de Bourbon-Vendôme, the Duke of Enghien, 600 horses: (6,7,8) 90-150 weapons men, (9) 100-300 nobles, (10) 150-200 lighthorsemen).
THE REARGUARD
11. Swiss infantry (Grueri): Cugh, 3500 men;
12. Italian and Provence infantry: Giovan Battista Grimaldi, sir of Ascros and Carlo Vagnone of Trofarello, sir of Drosso, 3000-3500 men;
13. Chivalry: leaded by Claude de Clermont, baron of Dampierre, 700 horses (350 guidons and 350 archiers)
THE ARMAMENT
19-20 cannons.
THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARMIES
SPAIN
THE FOREFRONT
20. Chivalry: Filippo Lannoi of Naples, prince of Sulmona (650 lighthorsemen);
19-18. Spanish and German infantry: Don Ramondo de Cardona and Seisnect, 3500-4000 men.
THE MAIN CORPS
17. Chivalry: Carlo Gonzaga, 400 horses; Alfonso of Avalos, marquis of Vasto, general commander;
16. German Lansquenets: Aliprando Madruzzo and i barons of Scala (so Cristoforo and Brunone of Scala's brothers), 7000 men.
THE REARGUARD
15. Italian infantry: Ferrante Sanseverino, prince of Salerno, general of Italian army, 6000 men;
14. Florence chivalry: Rodolfo Malatesta Baglioni, 400 lighthorsemen.
THE ARMAMENT
14-16 cannons.
THE FOREFRONT
1. Chivalry: Paul de la Barthe, sir of Termes, Knight of S. Michele order, general of the lighthorseman of the king, 450-900 horses;
2. French infantry: Jean de Taix, sir of Taix, 4500 men (he leades old groups of France)
3-4. 60-150 weapon men: Guy of Guiffrey, sir of Boutieres.
THE MAIN CORPS (FIGHTING)
5. Swiss infantry: Wilhelm Froehlich, 3500-4000 men;
6-10. Chivalry: François de Bourbon-Vendôme, the Duke of Enghien, 600 horses: (6,7,8) 90-150 weapons men, (9) 100-300 nobles, (10) 150-200 lighthorsemen).
THE REARGUARD
11. Swiss infantry (Grueri): Cugh, 3500 men;
12. Italian and Provence infantry: Giovan Battista Grimaldi, sir of Ascros and Carlo Vagnone of Trofarello, sir of Drosso, 3000-3500 men;
13. Chivalry: leaded by Claude de Clermont, baron of Dampierre, 700 horses (350 guidons and 350 archiers)
THE ARMAMENT
19-20 cannons.
THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARMIES
SPAIN
THE FOREFRONT
20. Chivalry: Filippo Lannoi of Naples, prince of Sulmona (650 lighthorsemen);
19-18. Spanish and German infantry: Don Ramondo de Cardona and Seisnect, 3500-4000 men.
THE MAIN CORPS
17. Chivalry: Carlo Gonzaga, 400 horses; Alfonso of Avalos, marquis of Vasto, general commander;
16. German Lansquenets: Aliprando Madruzzo and i barons of Scala (so Cristoforo and Brunone of Scala's brothers), 7000 men.
THE REARGUARD
15. Italian infantry: Ferrante Sanseverino, prince of Salerno, general of Italian army, 6000 men;
14. Florence chivalry: Rodolfo Malatesta Baglioni, 400 lighthorsemen.
THE ARMAMENT
14-16 cannons.
12. Main Bas-relief on Francis I's tomb
On the bas-reliefs of Francis I's tomb there are represented two battles in which French soldiers are the winners: The battle of Marignano (1515) and the battle of Ceresole (1544). Pierre Bontemps chooses to display an important moment of the battle: the tremendous attack of the pikes between the part of central battalion - the swiss infantry (left) leaded by Wilhelm Froelich (with the French army) against Lansquenets (with the imperial army) - and the following interventation of the French chivalry. The Lansquenets are leaded by Aliprando Madruzzo (brother of the cardinal of Trento) and by the brothers Cristoforo and Brunone Della Scala. In the bas-relief, placed at the foot of the king tomb, is reproduced the violent bloodbath of the pikes and the action of the hommes d'armes on one side of the Lansquenets.
13. The last knight
Blaise de Monluc is declared knight of Enghien on the battle field: he's probably the last knight declared directly on the field:
Monluc describes this important event at this manner:
«After Francis I° doesn't find that rare examples of the creations of the knights that the old nobility recognized all his magnificence: we don't find anything left of a knight created on the battle field, except for the valorous Montluc he received the slap from the duke of Enghien after the battle in Cerisolles in 1544».
Monluc describes this important event at this manner:
« We arrived at the camp where Mr Enghien was. I ran to him, and (raising our horse) I said to him: " Do you think, sir, that I'm not good with the horse as on foot"?. So he still told me full of sadness: " You will be always good, one way or another". (He stooped down), and he honoured to embrace me and he named me (at this moment) knight.»
14. The weapons
Hallberd
Arquebus
Sword
Cannon ball
Arquebus
Sword
Cannon ball
15.
« Les soldats, tournant le dos à l'ennemi, s'enfuirent rapidement »
« The soldiers, turning their backs on the enemy, fled quickly »
« The soldiers, turning their backs on the enemy, fled quickly »
2. Battle of Cerisolles, 14th april 1544, Charles-Samuel Girardet
On the right
Gravure print from oil painting by Jean Victor Schnetz, 1838, in the Michel Hennin's collection in Paris.
The luxurious castle of Versailles contains an oil painting of great sizes it represents the final moment of the battle of Ceresole. It 's about the painting of a French painter Victor Schnetz (1787-1870), under the title «Bataille de Cerisolles,14 avril 1544». The painting (h 380 cm – l 553 cm) was realized in 1837 and signed by the author. The scene represents the young lord of Enghien who, after the victory, receives the prisoners and the insignia of the losers.
The image represented at the entrance of the museum is from Charles-Samuel Girardet's engraving, 1838.
Reception point
Hans Schaufelein
«The vray speech and portrait of the day and very loualle battle of Ceresole in Piedmont»
1544-1548
Detail
Gravure print from oil painting by Jean Victor Schnetz, 1838, in the Michel Hennin's collection in Paris.
The luxurious castle of Versailles contains an oil painting of great sizes it represents the final moment of the battle of Ceresole. It 's about the painting of a French painter Victor Schnetz (1787-1870), under the title «Bataille de Cerisolles,14 avril 1544». The painting (h 380 cm – l 553 cm) was realized in 1837 and signed by the author. The scene represents the young lord of Enghien who, after the victory, receives the prisoners and the insignia of the losers.
The image represented at the entrance of the museum is from Charles-Samuel Girardet's engraving, 1838.
Reception point
Hans Schaufelein
«The vray speech and portrait of the day and very loualle battle of Ceresole in Piedmont»
1544-1548
Detail
3.
« [...] and there was a lot of violence in the air that it seemed there were thunders, lightnings and a fantastic storm. And also for the desorder that it created, with a great effort we could see and recognise ourselves each other »
S. N., The defeat of Spanish in Piedmont (Other letters of the defeat of Spanish in Ceresole) in Escapes parts to serve the history of France
4. Faces of imperial soldiers after the battle.
Charles-Samuel Girardet's engraving, 1838
5. France and Spain at the conquest of italy
01
After a long period of wars during the first half of 15th century, the main States of the peninsula signed an agreement founded on the respect of the principle of the balance. After Lodi's peace (1454) Italy has a period of peacefulness.
However, some years later, the duke of Mailand Ludovico Sforza, called il Moro, reached an agreement with the king of France Carlo VIII to increase his power.
Carlo VIII goes across the Alps in 1494 with an army of about 30000 soldiers.
He proceeds unopossed along the peninsula and he arrives till Naples. The Italian States ( and Ludovico il Moro, too), worried about the excessive power of the king, form an alliance to throw out him.
02
In 1499 the subsequent king of France, Luigi XII, comes again in Italy, he occupies the duchy of Mailand (1500) and his objective is the conquest of the reign of Naples (1501). His army leaded by Ludovico II, marquis of Saluzzo, is defeated by Spanish army in Garigliano in 1503. French comes back in Italy and they defeat Spanish in Ravenna (1512). They didn't conquest Mailand, leaded by Swiss, so they have to leave the peninsula.
03
For Francis Ist, new king of France, the duchy of Mailand is an important objective. He will prevent that it becomes a territory of the Empire. Neaples is already under Spanish control, if also Mailand could be under Spanish control, France could be encircled.
Carlo V could control not only German territories, Spain, the Netherlands, Franca Contea and American colonies, but also Italy.
Francis Ist conquests Mailand, he defeats Swiss during the battle of Marignano (1515).
He is however defeated in the battles of Bicocca (1522) and Pavia (1525) by Hispanic-imperials army.
The Duchy of Mailand is under control of the emperor Carlo V.
04
Francis Ist makes an alliance with Ottoman Turks (1543) to stop the emperor.
Turks besiege Nice (1543) and Carlo V retakes the control of the territory.
French occupy some cities in the north of Piedmont (Pinerolo, Saluzzo, Moncalieri, Torino), at the same time the imperials occupy some cities in the south of Piedmont (Asti, Chieri).
In 1543 Imperials conquest the city of Carignano, between French fortresses.
A part of the imperial army defends the city.
French soldiers besiege it to defend Turin and Piedmont.
In the attempt to arrive in Carignano, Imperials are blocked by French in Ceresole.
On 14th April 1544 Imperials are defeated in the battle of Ceresole.
05
France is attached in the North by English army (siege of Boulogne, september 1544), so French army leaves Italy.
Henry II, Francis Ist's son, declares war against Carlo V, too.
He makes an alliance with German Protestant princes and with the Pope Paul IV.
He is defeated during the battle of San Quintino (1557) by Imperial army leaded by Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy. With the following peace of Cateau-Cambris (1559), that puts an end of the wars in Italy, French are definitively expelled by the peninsula.
06
Carlo V's possessions.
After a long period of wars during the first half of 15th century, the main States of the peninsula signed an agreement founded on the respect of the principle of the balance. After Lodi's peace (1454) Italy has a period of peacefulness.
However, some years later, the duke of Mailand Ludovico Sforza, called il Moro, reached an agreement with the king of France Carlo VIII to increase his power.
Carlo VIII goes across the Alps in 1494 with an army of about 30000 soldiers.
He proceeds unopossed along the peninsula and he arrives till Naples. The Italian States ( and Ludovico il Moro, too), worried about the excessive power of the king, form an alliance to throw out him.
02
In 1499 the subsequent king of France, Luigi XII, comes again in Italy, he occupies the duchy of Mailand (1500) and his objective is the conquest of the reign of Naples (1501). His army leaded by Ludovico II, marquis of Saluzzo, is defeated by Spanish army in Garigliano in 1503. French comes back in Italy and they defeat Spanish in Ravenna (1512). They didn't conquest Mailand, leaded by Swiss, so they have to leave the peninsula.
03
For Francis Ist, new king of France, the duchy of Mailand is an important objective. He will prevent that it becomes a territory of the Empire. Neaples is already under Spanish control, if also Mailand could be under Spanish control, France could be encircled.
Carlo V could control not only German territories, Spain, the Netherlands, Franca Contea and American colonies, but also Italy.
Francis Ist conquests Mailand, he defeats Swiss during the battle of Marignano (1515).
He is however defeated in the battles of Bicocca (1522) and Pavia (1525) by Hispanic-imperials army.
The Duchy of Mailand is under control of the emperor Carlo V.
04
Francis Ist makes an alliance with Ottoman Turks (1543) to stop the emperor.
Turks besiege Nice (1543) and Carlo V retakes the control of the territory.
French occupy some cities in the north of Piedmont (Pinerolo, Saluzzo, Moncalieri, Torino), at the same time the imperials occupy some cities in the south of Piedmont (Asti, Chieri).
In 1543 Imperials conquest the city of Carignano, between French fortresses.
A part of the imperial army defends the city.
French soldiers besiege it to defend Turin and Piedmont.
In the attempt to arrive in Carignano, Imperials are blocked by French in Ceresole.
On 14th April 1544 Imperials are defeated in the battle of Ceresole.
05
France is attached in the North by English army (siege of Boulogne, september 1544), so French army leaves Italy.
Henry II, Francis Ist's son, declares war against Carlo V, too.
He makes an alliance with German Protestant princes and with the Pope Paul IV.
He is defeated during the battle of San Quintino (1557) by Imperial army leaded by Emanuele Filiberto of Savoy. With the following peace of Cateau-Cambris (1559), that puts an end of the wars in Italy, French are definitively expelled by the peninsula.
06
Carlo V's possessions.
6.
One of the most ancient and beatiful images of the battle of Ceresole, that represents in the most coherent manner the different positions into the battle field was realized in Bern from 1544 to 1548 by Swiss engraver Hans Schaufelein, titled «the vray speech and portrait of the day and very loualle battle of Ceresole in Piedmont». The printing is of great dimensions and the measure is 45,4x115,0 cm. The representation is composed by six parchment papers that in total compose the main events of the battle. It's a very rare work only now reproduced in colour for the first time.
A
«Arma amans capio nec sat rationis in armis». It means a Eneide of Virgilio's verse
«Arma am[e]ns capio nec sat rationis in armis»
(«I take weapons, crazy man: and weapons aren't enough for me»)
B
«Audaces fortuna juvat timidosque repellit»
(«Fortune helps fearless people, and repulses the shy one»)
C
«Concordia exercituum victrix»
(«The victory of the military forces is in the harmony»)
D
«Zerisolla»
(«Ceresole»)
E
Return of the Imperials, leaded by marquis of Vasto
The Marquis of Vasto, commander of the Imperials, leads the army towards Asti. He's recognizable because he has a white horse with a red drape.
«Da der Marquis den strengen und männlichen angriff der Eydtgnossen ersicht nimpt er mit sinen Reysigen die flucht».
(«Since the marquis of Vasto sees the violent attack of Swiss soldiers he runs away together with the chevalry towards Ceresole»)
F
«Sie schlahend die vier fendlin Lantzknecht. Und trizehen fendlin Sispanier. Des Künigs grietzer und italianer in die flucht»
(«Four insignias of the Lansquenets and thirteen insignias of the Spanish put the Gruers and Italians of the king to the flight»)
G.
Monogram of Hans Schaufelein, author of the incision.
The composition was realized in Bern. Heinrich Holzmüller is probably the editor.
H
«Dis sind die achtzehen fendli Lantzknecht»
(«These are the eighteen insignias of Lasquenets»)
I
«Sie thut der Reysig huff den Eydtgnossen ein dapffern bystand»
(«The group of knights goes to rescue to Swiss»)
L
«Die Schlahen die tryzehe[n] fendlin eydgnossen die achtzehen fendlt Lantzknecht in die flucht».
(«The thirteen swiss insignias put the eighteen insignias of the Lansquenets to the flight»)
M
«Des keysers Italianer huffen»
(«The group of the Italians of the king»)
N
«Die scarmützlen die franzosen mit den italianeren»
(«The clashes of French against Italians»)
O
«Die stond des Rünigs Frantzosen und Gaschgunier»
(«Here finds the French chivalry and Gascons»)
P
Particulars of the clushes.
FRANCE
THE FOREFRONT
1. Chivalry: Paul de la Barthe, sir of Termes, Knight of S. Michele order, general of the lighthorseman of the king, 450-900 horses;
2. French infantry: Jean de Taix, sir of Taix, 4500 men (he leades old groups of France)
3-4. 60-150 weapon men: Guy of Guiffrey, sir of Boutieres.
THE MAIN CORPS (FIGHTING)
5. Swiss infantry: Wilhelm Froehlich, 3500-4000 men;
6-10. Chivalry: François de Bourbon-Vendôme, the Duke of Enghien, 600 horses: (6,7,8) 90-150 weapons men, (9) 100-300 nobles, (10) 150-200 lighthorsemen).
THE REARGUARD
11. Swiss infantry (Grueri): Cugh, 3500 men;
12. Italian and Provence infantry: Giovan Battista Grimaldi, sir of Ascros and Carlo Vagnone of Trofarello, sir of Drosso, 3000-3500 men;
13. Chivalry: leaded by Claude de Clermont, baron of Dampierre, 700 horses (350 guidons and 350 archiers)
THE ARMAMENT
19-20 cannons.
SPAIN
THE FOREFRONT
20. Chivalry: Filippo Lannoi of Naples, prince of Sulmona (650 lighthorsemen);
19-18. Spanish and German infantry: Don Ramondo de Cardona and Seisnect, 3500-4000 men.
THE MAIN CORPS
17. Chivalry: Carlo Gonzaga, 400 horses; Alfonso of Avalos, marquis of Vasto, general commander;
16. German Lansquenets: Aliprando Madruzzo and i barons of Scala (so Cristoforo and Brunone of Scala's brothers), 7000 men.
THE REARGUARD
15. Italian infantry: Ferrante Sanseverino, prince of Salerno, general of Italian army, 6000 men;
14. Florence chivalry: Rodolfo Malatesta Baglioni, 400 lighthorsemen.
THE ARMAMENT
14-16 cannons.
A
«Arma amans capio nec sat rationis in armis». It means a Eneide of Virgilio's verse
«Arma am[e]ns capio nec sat rationis in armis»
(«I take weapons, crazy man: and weapons aren't enough for me»)
B
«Audaces fortuna juvat timidosque repellit»
(«Fortune helps fearless people, and repulses the shy one»)
C
«Concordia exercituum victrix»
(«The victory of the military forces is in the harmony»)
D
«Zerisolla»
(«Ceresole»)
E
Return of the Imperials, leaded by marquis of Vasto
The Marquis of Vasto, commander of the Imperials, leads the army towards Asti. He's recognizable because he has a white horse with a red drape.
«Da der Marquis den strengen und männlichen angriff der Eydtgnossen ersicht nimpt er mit sinen Reysigen die flucht».
(«Since the marquis of Vasto sees the violent attack of Swiss soldiers he runs away together with the chevalry towards Ceresole»)
F
«Sie schlahend die vier fendlin Lantzknecht. Und trizehen fendlin Sispanier. Des Künigs grietzer und italianer in die flucht»
(«Four insignias of the Lansquenets and thirteen insignias of the Spanish put the Gruers and Italians of the king to the flight»)
G.
Monogram of Hans Schaufelein, author of the incision.
The composition was realized in Bern. Heinrich Holzmüller is probably the editor.
H
«Dis sind die achtzehen fendli Lantzknecht»
(«These are the eighteen insignias of Lasquenets»)
I
«Sie thut der Reysig huff den Eydtgnossen ein dapffern bystand»
(«The group of knights goes to rescue to Swiss»)
L
«Die Schlahen die tryzehe[n] fendlin eydgnossen die achtzehen fendlt Lantzknecht in die flucht».
(«The thirteen swiss insignias put the eighteen insignias of the Lansquenets to the flight»)
M
«Des keysers Italianer huffen»
(«The group of the Italians of the king»)
N
«Die scarmützlen die franzosen mit den italianeren»
(«The clashes of French against Italians»)
O
«Die stond des Rünigs Frantzosen und Gaschgunier»
(«Here finds the French chivalry and Gascons»)
P
Particulars of the clushes.
THE COMPOSITION OF THE ARMIES
FRANCE
THE FOREFRONT
1. Chivalry: Paul de la Barthe, sir of Termes, Knight of S. Michele order, general of the lighthorseman of the king, 450-900 horses;
2. French infantry: Jean de Taix, sir of Taix, 4500 men (he leades old groups of France)
3-4. 60-150 weapon men: Guy of Guiffrey, sir of Boutieres.
THE MAIN CORPS (FIGHTING)
5. Swiss infantry: Wilhelm Froehlich, 3500-4000 men;
6-10. Chivalry: François de Bourbon-Vendôme, the Duke of Enghien, 600 horses: (6,7,8) 90-150 weapons men, (9) 100-300 nobles, (10) 150-200 lighthorsemen).
THE REARGUARD
11. Swiss infantry (Grueri): Cugh, 3500 men;
12. Italian and Provence infantry: Giovan Battista Grimaldi, sir of Ascros and Carlo Vagnone of Trofarello, sir of Drosso, 3000-3500 men;
13. Chivalry: leaded by Claude de Clermont, baron of Dampierre, 700 horses (350 guidons and 350 archiers)
THE ARMAMENT
19-20 cannons.
SPAIN
THE FOREFRONT
20. Chivalry: Filippo Lannoi of Naples, prince of Sulmona (650 lighthorsemen);
19-18. Spanish and German infantry: Don Ramondo de Cardona and Seisnect, 3500-4000 men.
THE MAIN CORPS
17. Chivalry: Carlo Gonzaga, 400 horses; Alfonso of Avalos, marquis of Vasto, general commander;
16. German Lansquenets: Aliprando Madruzzo and i barons of Scala (so Cristoforo and Brunone of Scala's brothers), 7000 men.
THE REARGUARD
15. Italian infantry: Ferrante Sanseverino, prince of Salerno, general of Italian army, 6000 men;
14. Florence chivalry: Rodolfo Malatesta Baglioni, 400 lighthorsemen.
THE ARMAMENT
14-16 cannons.
7. Cannons
«and he (of Vasto) in person went to German army, and he ordered two cannon shots against Swiss and Guasconi, then they moved out (and for me they were more than fourty as stendards and insignias) and they created more damages these two shots (the second in Carmagnola, they informed me next) than all the rest of our artillery.»
«At two o'clock A.M. the marquis made the countersign in Carignano and Chieri with two cannon shots and fires on the bell tower, to inform to be own propriety».
Bernardo Spina, Copia d’una lettera del signor Bernardo Spina, scritta ad uno amico suo in corte di Roma, nella quale si descrive il fatto d’arme di Ceresole in Piemonte seguito alli 14 d’aprile l’anno 1544, Milano, Giovanni Antonio Borgo, 1544
8. The international dimension
1
Champs Elysées, Paris
Rue de Cerisoles
In the main and characteristic area of Champs Elysées in Paris, into the VIIIth borough, we find dirrefent streets that at the end of 19th Century were dedicated to the most important personalities and battles of the 16th century. With a great satisfation, but also with surprise, we find a small street dedicated to Ceresole d'Alba: rue de Cerisoles (80 m long and 12 wide) that starts from rue Clément Marot 24 and ends to rue François Ier 41.
2
Saint Denis, Paris
Francis I's Tomb
Surely, the main opera with greatest dignity to the event ist the extraordinary bas-relief placed on the basement on Francis I's tomb in Saint Denis (1552), the parigian abbey where French kings are buried. On the tomb, as a neoclassic triumphal arch, are represented two great battles where France won: battle of Marignano (1515) and the battle of Ceresole (1544). The total architecture was realized by Philibert de l’Orme (1514 – 1570), inspired by the aestethic rules of ancient arts and Italian Renaissance. The bas-reliefs of the battle of Ceresole were realized by Pierre Bontemps (1507 – 1568).
3
The castle of Versailles contains an oil painting of cthe French painter Victor Schnetz (1787-1870), which has as its title «Bataille de Cerisolles,14 avril 1544».
Actually it takes part of a serie of works not exhibited to the public any more and conserved into Versailles warehouses. From this great oil painting some engravings from Charles-Samuel Girardet (Girardet's father) and Jules Rebel were realized.
4
In Belgium, La Louvière
It exists another anonymous tin coat of arms that represents the central panel of the bas-relief of Francis I's tomb in Saint-Denis. It consists of a fusion in pure tin realized between the end of 18th and the beginning of 19th century. The dimensions of this tin bas-relief are huge (length 152 cm, height 38 cm, deep 2,5 cm). The weight is about 100 kg.
5
Fontainebleau Castle
Also in the Fontainebleau castle, in the Ile-de-France region, at about 50 km from Paris, there are some references about the battle of Ceresole. The door is divided by in four panels: first two on the top, placed in mithological figures, contain the heading «Concordat,1513» and «Savoie-Piemont, 1535». At the bottom the cartouches call to memory the two famous battles where French won: «Marignan, 1515» and «Cerisolles, 1544».
6
Saint-Paul de Vence
Near the Port Royale, at the entrance of the village of Saint Paul de Vence, there is one of the 14 cannons used in Ceresole and French soldiers have brought with them during the way back. It's probably a Spanish cannon, removed to the enemies by French, and situated into the provencal village after the victory as «war trophy».
7
Maps room, Vatican Museums, Rome
Into the room, which contains the greatest painting schedule of geografic representations in Europe (120 m length and 6 breadth), we can see in a great fresco the disposition of French and Spanish army and the proceeding of the battle fought in the flat lands of Ceresole.The author of the project of the room and cartoons of all the panels was the Perugian mathematic and cosmograph Egnazio Danti.
In the centre of the fresco, almost foreground, is represented the battle of Ceresole, dominated by a white cartouche with the writing «Acerrimus ad Ceresola(m) conflictus Anno D(omi)ni MDXLIV». Yellow and orange colours of Spanish insignias are well clear. The insignia with imperial eagle, the flag with horizontal stripes and the flag with oblique cross are well recognizable. Great importance is the representation of French chivalry, to give importance of the main role in the final part: the interventation at the side of the square of Lansquenets.
Champs Elysées, Paris
Rue de Cerisoles
In the main and characteristic area of Champs Elysées in Paris, into the VIIIth borough, we find dirrefent streets that at the end of 19th Century were dedicated to the most important personalities and battles of the 16th century. With a great satisfation, but also with surprise, we find a small street dedicated to Ceresole d'Alba: rue de Cerisoles (80 m long and 12 wide) that starts from rue Clément Marot 24 and ends to rue François Ier 41.
2
Saint Denis, Paris
Francis I's Tomb
Surely, the main opera with greatest dignity to the event ist the extraordinary bas-relief placed on the basement on Francis I's tomb in Saint Denis (1552), the parigian abbey where French kings are buried. On the tomb, as a neoclassic triumphal arch, are represented two great battles where France won: battle of Marignano (1515) and the battle of Ceresole (1544). The total architecture was realized by Philibert de l’Orme (1514 – 1570), inspired by the aestethic rules of ancient arts and Italian Renaissance. The bas-reliefs of the battle of Ceresole were realized by Pierre Bontemps (1507 – 1568).
3
The castle of Versailles contains an oil painting of cthe French painter Victor Schnetz (1787-1870), which has as its title «Bataille de Cerisolles,14 avril 1544».
Actually it takes part of a serie of works not exhibited to the public any more and conserved into Versailles warehouses. From this great oil painting some engravings from Charles-Samuel Girardet (Girardet's father) and Jules Rebel were realized.
4
In Belgium, La Louvière
It exists another anonymous tin coat of arms that represents the central panel of the bas-relief of Francis I's tomb in Saint-Denis. It consists of a fusion in pure tin realized between the end of 18th and the beginning of 19th century. The dimensions of this tin bas-relief are huge (length 152 cm, height 38 cm, deep 2,5 cm). The weight is about 100 kg.
5
Fontainebleau Castle
Also in the Fontainebleau castle, in the Ile-de-France region, at about 50 km from Paris, there are some references about the battle of Ceresole. The door is divided by in four panels: first two on the top, placed in mithological figures, contain the heading «Concordat,1513» and «Savoie-Piemont, 1535». At the bottom the cartouches call to memory the two famous battles where French won: «Marignan, 1515» and «Cerisolles, 1544».
6
Saint-Paul de Vence
Near the Port Royale, at the entrance of the village of Saint Paul de Vence, there is one of the 14 cannons used in Ceresole and French soldiers have brought with them during the way back. It's probably a Spanish cannon, removed to the enemies by French, and situated into the provencal village after the victory as «war trophy».
7
Maps room, Vatican Museums, Rome
Into the room, which contains the greatest painting schedule of geografic representations in Europe (120 m length and 6 breadth), we can see in a great fresco the disposition of French and Spanish army and the proceeding of the battle fought in the flat lands of Ceresole.The author of the project of the room and cartoons of all the panels was the Perugian mathematic and cosmograph Egnazio Danti.
In the centre of the fresco, almost foreground, is represented the battle of Ceresole, dominated by a white cartouche with the writing «Acerrimus ad Ceresola(m) conflictus Anno D(omi)ni MDXLIV». Yellow and orange colours of Spanish insignias are well clear. The insignia with imperial eagle, the flag with horizontal stripes and the flag with oblique cross are well recognizable. Great importance is the representation of French chivalry, to give importance of the main role in the final part: the interventation at the side of the square of Lansquenets.
9.
« And he saw them so scared and pallid that of all it couldn't be extracted a pint of blood, and Italians in their right side don't have a better colour ».
Description of the French rearguard laid before the clash (Grueri, Italian and Provence)
François de Scépeaux (1509-1571) lord of Vieilleville. Memories