Not Just the Tudors King vs. Emperor: The Battle of Pavia, 1525
Nov 3, 2025
Join Glenn Richardson, a Professor of Early Modern History, as he dives into the pivotal Battle of Pavia of 1525, where Francis I of France faced off against Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. They explore how this clash reshaped Europe, the allure of Italian warfare, and the profound consequences on the Italian city-states. With insights into royal rivalries, tactics, and the aftermath of Francis's capture, Glenn highlights the battle's underappreciated significance and its long-term impacts on European history.
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Pavia As A Turning Point
- The Battle of Pavia (1525) marked a turning point that reshaped Renaissance Europe and kingship.
- Charles V's victory and Francis I's capture shattered chivalric myths and altered strategic balance.
Why Pavia Is Less Famous
- Pavia is under-remembered because no modern nation fully claims the victory and all parties found it embarrassing.
- At the time it was as consequential as Agincourt, especially for the slaughter of French nobility.
Italy's Cultural and Dynastic Pull
- Renaissance kings pursued Italy from dynastic claims and the cultural prestige of classical Italy.
- Francis and Charles sought exceptional monarchy partly through Roman imperial imagery and military glory.
