Second siege of Pontevico

The second siege of Pontevico was fought between 25 and 29 may 1453 at Pontevico (Lombardy) between the armies of the Duchy of Milan and that of Republic of Venice, an episode of the Wars in Lombardy.

Second siege of Pontevico
Part of Wars in Lombardy
Date 25–28 may 1453 Location Pontevico, Lombardy Result Venetian victory
Belligerents
Duchy of Milan	Republic of Venice
Units involved
Around 500 soldiers in the castle	Over 5000 infantrymen

Background

Main articles: Wars in Lombardy and First siege of Pontevico

During the fifth phase of the Wars in Lombardy, in June 1452 Pontevico has been besieged and occupied by Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan. However, before the winter, the venetian army passed the Oglio river. In March 1453, the venetians commanded by Jacopo Piccinino started the reconquest of the Bassa Bresciana, reaching the town on May 25th, when the Duke was in Cremona.

Order of battle

Duchy of Milan

In the Castle of Pontevico was located a garrison of around 500 men.

Republic of Venice

Jacopo Piccinino could count on over 5000 infantrymen.

Battle

On May 25th, Piccinino placed the bombards in front of the castle and he made his men camp along the two banks of the Oglio river, then he started the siege of the fortress. His intention was take the castle before the arrival of Francesco Sforza. The duke, as soon as he learned of the siege, gathered an army in Cremona and headed towards the Castle of Seniga, which was still under his control and where were located many milanese soldiers, to move to Pontevico encircling the besiegers. But, when Sforza left Cremona, four days of siege had already passed. In the fourth day of siege, on May 29th, Jacopo Piccinino decided to incite his soldiers promising them that, in case of victory, they could loot the town and take revenge on their enemies. So, the venetians soldiers moved their heavy weapons in front of the castle bastion, launching an attack against that single point of the fortress and opening an opening, where joined the besiegers.

Aftermath

Main articles: Third siege of Pontevico and Treaty of Lodi

The venetian soldiers who came in the town, plunded it. The milanese soldiers were taken prisoner and more unlucky has been thrown in the river.

In the next days, Jacopo Piccinino attempted to launch new attacks over Duke but he never get a win. On August 15th, the milanese army conquered Ghedi Then, in autumn, Francesco Sforza get numerous military reinforcements from France and Florence, conjoining with Renè of Anjou forming an army of around 25.000 among knights and infantrymen: they encircled the town and sieged his castle between October 16th and 19th, conquering it after three days of siege.