Thomas Cromwell and the Battle of Garigliano

The Battle of Garigliano 1503 and Thomas Cromwell

While there is not much known about Thomas Cromwell and his time spent in the French army, it has been said that he participated in the battle of Garigliano in 1503. Here is some information: Source: Absolute Astronomy.com <a class="external" href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Battle_of_Garigliano_%281503" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Battle_of_Garigliano_(1503)</a>

The battle During the night between 27 and 28 December, the Spanish brought the bridge materials near the castle of Suio, in a position invisible to the French, some six kilometers north to the latter's camp. d'Alviano, commander of the Spanish vangaurd, had the contruction begin at dawn. At 10 AM some 4,000 Spaniards had crossed the Garigliano. The 300 crossbowmen in Suio did not notice the move, so Gonzalo de Cordoba was also able to cross the river with more 2,000 men, including 200 horsemen led by Prospero Colonna. He also ordered to attack the French bridge. When d'Alviano troops reached Suio, the crossbowmen fled towards Castelforte, where they met 300 further French troops, who also fled to Traetto, allowing d'Alviano to occupy Castelforte. Gonzalo de Cordoba spent the night in that town. The French had numerous ill soldiers in their Traetto camp, so they were not able to send reinforcements. French captain Alegri then decided to destroy the bridge and to order a general retreat to Gaeta, abandoning all the sick soldiers and nine cannons in the camp. Informed about the French retreat, Gonzalo decided to continue the advance. Colonna and his horsemen took contact with the French at Scauri, but a courageous defence of a bridge by Bernardo Adorno allowed the French a safe retreat. After a series of minor clashes, the French took position near a bridge in Mola, being also able to push back Colonna's attempt to surround them. However, the arrival of the rest of the Spanish forced the Marquis of Saluzzo to order another retreat. After some days of siege in Gaeta, the French surrendered. Spain had therefore gained the total supremacy over the Kingdom of Naples for several centuries.

Photo Credited to <a class="external" href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Battle_of_Garigliano.jpg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Battle_of_Garigliano.jpg</a>

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