FRANCE. François I, 1515-1547. Medal (Bronze, 39 mm, 33.84 g, 6 h), an early cast, by Matteo del Nassaro, on the French victory at Marignano, 1515. FRANCISCVS.PRIMVS.F.R. INVICTISSIMVS Bare-headed bust of the youthful François I to left, wearing a cloak fastened over his right shoulder, an ornamented cuirass and a pendant in the form of an elaborate monogram. Rev. DOQM (=and the Lord was in the midst of the fight) View of the Battle of Marignano. Armand II, p. 187, 4. TV, xvi, 539 (but struck). Attractive and clear with a fine light-chocolate patina . Holed and plugged, otherwise, very fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant.

Marignano was the great battle that effectively drove the Swiss out of Italy, and also convinced the Swiss to never again embark on foreign adventures. In fact, the battle never should have happened since the Swiss leaders had already reached an agreement with François I; however, newly arrived troops impelled by the bellicose and ambitious Matthäus Schiner, Cardinal of Sion, who hated the French, chose to continue the war. In the end, in a bloody two day battle (13-14 September 1515) French cannon and gun fire defeated the hitherto invincible phalanxes of Swiss pikemen.