“…the event, which is often an experienced judge of things, revealed how much more prudent was the advice of the few who suggested that, leaving aside other ventures and saving money for better opportunities, they should only attend to the preservation of Padua, Treviso, and the other recovered areas, than that of those who—greater in number but inferior in wisdom, driven by hatred and indignation—were quick to involve themselves in so many enterprises: which, having begun recklessly, ultimately produced extremely heavy expenses, with no small ignominy and damage to the republic.” (F. Guicciardini, History of Italy, book VIII, ch. XIV)
This passage refers to the ill-advised attack on the Duchy of Ferrara launched by the Venetians in November 1509, during the wars against the League of Cambrai, following the defeat at Agnadello in May and the reconquest of Padua in July. The Venetian Senate debated whether it was better to limit themselves to defending Treviso and Padua or to adopt a more aggressive policy. The latter motion passed, and led by Angelo Trevisan, 17 galleys and about eighty other vessels sailed up the Po River, accompanied by cavalry.
Alfonso I d’Este (B. Dossi 1530)
The expedition was initially successful, so much so that Trevisan built two bastions at Polesella, not far from Ferrara, from which to launch an assault on the city. At a certain point, however, it became urgent to send the cavalry to defend Vicenza, which was threatened by French troops led by general Chaumont.[1]
Papal and French troops also arrived to support the Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso I d’Este (“the artillerist”)[2], and through a cannonade during the Battle of Polesella (Dec 21-22, 1509), they succeeded in capturing the Venetian bastions, sinking or seizing almost all their vessels, and driving them out of the Polesine.
In the clash, the Venetians lost over 2,000 men. Angelo Trevisan managed to escape, but upon returning to Venice, he was put on trial for “misconduct and negligence.”
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[1] Charles II d’Amboise, Lord of Chaumont (1473-1511), commander of the French forces of Louis XII during the Italian Wars waged against Venice by the League of Cambrai.
[2] Alfonso I d’Este (1476-1534) was the son of Ercole I and Eleonora of Aragon. In 1499, he paid homage to Louis XII upon his entry into Milan. In 1501, he married Lucrezia Borgia, and in 1508, he joined the League of Cambrai, seizing control of Este and Rovigo from the Venetians.
