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Battle of Carcano

The battle of Carcano was a battle on 8-9 August, 1160 between the Milanese and the Holy Roman Empire under Frederick Barbarossa. The battle was overall inconclusive, with both forces suffering heavy casualties.

Size of armies

The Milanese army had 1,300 troops besieging Carcano castle and 580 other troops. The siege army had:

-500 Italian light infantry

-590 spear men

-60 Genoese sailors

-50 Hobilars

-100 archers

The Milanese field army consisted of:

-180 mounted sergeants

-200 peasants

-100 Feudal foot knights

-100 Italian light infantry

The German army had a total army of 820 men which were:

-250 late royal knights

-280 crossbow men

-80 Italian light infantry

-120 archers

-55 Feudal knights

-35 Feudal foot knights

Battle

The battle started with Frederick Barbarossa setting up a camp next to Lago di Alserio with his relief force. He stationed infantry on the road to Erba, preventing a Milanese escape in that direction. He marched his forces out of camp southwest to the south of Carcano and to the north of Orsenigo. The Milanese, however, used infantry to go to Tassera and eventually Frederick's camp. The emperor was forced to march to Tassera, realizing that his poorly defended camp was in trouble. He defeated the Milanese at Tassera, but had left his Italian allies alone. The latter were ambushed by Milanese cavalry. Frederick realized he had very little troops left and withdrew, but soon the Milanese abandoned their siege.