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Charles V and the Failure of Empire

Tides of History

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The Battle of Pivia

The Battle of Pivia was the most crushing defeat suffered by a French army since Ajinkor in 1415. Charles de la Neut's commander on the scene at Pivia told him: God gives each man one good harvest in their lifetime, and if they fail to bring it home, there is a risk they will never see another one. With the king of France captive, he could dictate terms to his greatest foe. He could even invade France itself and reclaim the duchy of Burgundy that had belonged to great-grandfather Charles the Bold.

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