A Milanese victory over Florence in 1424 that resulted in the capture of Carlo I Malatesta and thousands of his troops.
Key Facts
- Date
- 28 July 1424
- Milanese cavalry
- ~4,000 cavalry
- Milanese infantry
- ~4,000 infantry
- Florentine cavalry
- ~8,000 cavalry
- Men-at-arms captured
- ~3,000 men
- Infantry captured
- ~2,000 men
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Milanese mercenaries under Angelo della Pergola besieged Alberico Novello da Barbiano in the castle of Zagonara. Carlo I Malatesta, lord of Rimini and ally of Florence, abandoned his siege of Forlì to relieve the castle, bringing roughly 8,000 cavalry to confront the Visconti forces.
On 28 July 1424, Malatesta's Florentine-allied cavalry launched an initial assault against the Milanese forces led by Secco da Montagnana. After several hours of fighting, the attack faltered and Pergola launched a decisive counterattack that routed the Florentine coalition. The only combat death was condottiero Lodovico degli Obizzi, who fell from his horse and suffocated in the mud.
Carlo I Malatesta was captured along with approximately 3,000 men-at-arms and 2,000 infantry. The castle of Zagonara was destroyed. The outcome represented a significant Milanese victory in the Wars in Lombardy, reinforcing Filippo Maria Visconti's power against Florentine interests in the region.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Carlo I Malatesta.
Side B
1 belligerent
Angelo della Pergola, Secco da Montagnana.