Predonzani, Massimo: The Battle of Anghiari, 29 June, 1440

Volume 10 of the series "A Time of Knights 400 CE to 1453 CE." The victorious outcome of the Battle of Anghiari on June 29, 1440fought between the Milanese troops of Filippo Maria Visconti and the Florentine army, supported by papal contingents and forces under the Sforzawas of enormous significance for the city of Florence. With this victory, Florence finally freed itself from the Milanese threat that, since the time of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, had plagued the "City of the Lily" and all of Tuscany with war and devastation. Florence commemorated this military success in both literature and art. Best known is the battle fresco created by Leonardo da Vinci in Florence in 1504, which is unfortunately lost today. Even more significant, however, is the painted front panel of a Florentine wedding chest (*cassone*)crafted shortly after the mid-15th century to commemorate the battlewhich is now housed in the National Gallery in Dublin. Although this is not the only contemporary work of art depicting the event, it is undoubtedly the most precise and detailed. The depicted locations and phases of the battle correspond exactly to descriptions found in contemporary sources. Furthermore, the military coats of arms shown allow for the precise identification of the infantry and cavalry of the opposing armies. Visible are the principal banners of Duke Visconti, Florence, and the Papacy, as well as the emblems of the leading commanders: the leopard of the Bracceschi, the waves of the Attendolo-Sforza, and the bear of the Orsini. The standards of numerous other commanders are also depicted; their identities have been confirmed through the analysis of contemporary chronicles, registers, and letters. Finally, the entire course of the battle has been reconstructed using color plates, supplemented by illustrations, photographs, and maps.