Battle of Cascina

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Battle of Cascina
Copy of the Battle by Michelangelo's pupil Aristotele da Sangallo
Date 28 July 1364 Location Cascina, Tuscany 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)[1]
Casualties and losses
Unknown	2,000

The Battle of Cascina was an engagement between Pisan and Florentine troops on 28 July 1364 near Cascina, modern-day 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 3,000 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 comune 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 2,000 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.