Battle of Sant'Egidio

Battle of Sant'Egidio
The Battle of Sant'Egidio panel by Paolo Uccello Galleria degli Uffizi
Date 12 July 1416 Location Sant'Egidio, near Umbertide Result victory of Braccio da Montone
Belligerents
Company of Montone	Perugia
Commanders and leaders
Braccio da Montone	Carlo I Malatesta (POW)
Casualties and losses
180 killed	300 killed

The Battle of Sant'Egidio was fought on 12 July 1416 at Sant'Egidio, near Umbertide (central Italy) between the condottiere Braccio da Montone and the troops of Perugia, under Carlo I Malatesta. Braccio's victory resulted in his long-desired conquest of Perugia, of which he became lord.

The battle lasted for 7 hours and saw the massive use of heavy cavalry. Braccio used his famous tactics of using repeated cavalry assaults carried on by smaller units, seeking for weak spots in the enemy's line. This also allowed his troops time to refresh, as the battle was fought under an implacable sun.

The Perugians had 3,000 cavalry captured and 300 casualties; Braccio da Montone's troopes had 180 men-at-arms killed. Members of the Michelotti family taken prisoners were killed, a not usual outcome for condottieri battles. Both Carlo Malatesta and his cousin Galeazzo Malatesta were taken as prisoners.

References

• Murphy, David (2007). Condottiere 1300-1500. Oxford: Osprey. 

External links

• Page at condottieridiventura.it (in Italian)