Battle of Cascina

Copy of the Battle by Michelangelo's pupil Aristotele da Sangallo

Date	28 July 1364
Location	Cascina, Province of Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
Result	Florentine victory

Belligerents

Republic of Florence

Republic of Pisa

Commanders and leaders

Galeotto Malatesta

John Hawkwood
Hanneken von Baumgarten

Strength

15,000 (4.000 knights, 11.000 infantrymen)

Approximately 5,000 men (800 English, 4,000 Pisan levies)

Casualties and losses

2,000

The Battle of Cascina was an engagement between Pisan and Florentine troops on 28 July 1364 near Cascina, Italy. Florence's victory followed a recent defeat to Pisan forces that had enabled mercenary John Hawkwood, who was in command of the Pisan army, to occupy the Valdinievole, Prato en route to Florence. Hawkwood and his army looted the lucrative Mugello region and Pistoia before proceeding towards Florence. Hawkwood fought alongside Hanneken von Baumgarten and had 3000 men-at-arms at his disposal.

Florence's defenses were organized by Enrico di Monforte. In addition to the city's garrison, Florence hired 11,000 infantrymen and 4,000 knights and placed them under the command of Galeotto Malatesta, as Pandolfo II Malatesta had recently been relieved of his command. Malatesta's forces engaged the Pisan contingent in the commune of San Savino to the southeast of Cascina, and gained a clear victory in the engagement.

Pisan forces incurred thousands of casualties in the battle and at least 2000 Pisan soldiers were captured. Malatesta's victory is credited to his flexible tactics and efficacious deployment of forces, including 400 crossbowmen under the command of Ricceri Grimaldi.

As reported in the chronicle of Filippo Villani, On 28 July, the Florentine army under the command of Galeotto Malatesta advanced to Cascina a few miles from Pisa. The road was open, but the temperature was unbearable. The armor of the warriors had become burning hot in the blazing sun; many removed their armor to bathe in the Arno river. The elderly Malatesta, convalescing from fever, succumbed to an afternoon nap, leaving the camp unguarded and the defense disorganized. Pisan spies reported the situation to their commander, the cunning John Hawkwood (Giovanni l'Acuto). Hawkwood's forces were outnumbered three to one, so he decided his best chance of victory was to launch a surprise attack while the enemy was unprepared.

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Wikipedia