As soon as Francis was informed of this conspiracy, he attempted to seize Bourbon ; but lie escaped, and fled into Italy. Not deeming it prudent to leave his kingdom at this juncture, lie entrusted the command of the army des tined for the invasion of Italy to Admiral Bonnivet, who was totally unfit for his station. The general of the Pope, however, being much inferior in force, was compelled to retire. The greatest part of the duchy of Milan submitted to the arms of France ; and had Bonnivet known how to act, Milan itself must have fallen. But he delayed attack ing it till it was too late ; the winter sct in, and Bonnivet was obliged to protect his troops from its inclemency in quarters. In Burgundy and Guienne, the success of Fran cis was more complete ; the Spaniards and Germans were repulsed. Paris, however, was threatened by the English, who, having landed in Picardy, advanced to within 11 leagues of the capital. Their career was, however, soon checked by the Duke of Vendome ; and they were driven out of the French territories with disgrace.
At the commencement of the next campaign, the affairs of Francis in Italy wore a very unfavourable aspect. A numerous army of the allies threatened that part of the Milanese which the French had conquered ; and Bonnivet was quite unable to contend, either with the superior num bers or the superior talents of his opponents. He was ac cordingly under the necessity of abandoning his entrenched camp, and crossing the river. During this latter move ment, he received a wound in his arm, which obliged him to quit the field. The famous Chevalier Bayard was en trusted with the command during the absence of Bonnivet. He animated the cavalry by his presence and example, to withstand the whole of the enemy's troops ; but in this service he received a wound, which lie immediately per ceived to be mortal. Incapable any longer of sitting on horseback, lie was placed on the ground, with his face to wards the enemy, and his eyes fixed on the guard of his sword, which lie held up instead of a cross. In this pos ture, he addressed his prayers to God, and expired, re gretted equally by his countrymen and his foes, as his an cestors for several generations had done, in the field of battle. Just as lie was about to draw his last breath, Bour bon arrived where he lay, and expressed his sorrow at his Grieve not for me (said the hero), I die, as I lived, true to my king; but I pity you, who fight against your your country, and your oath I" In consequence of the retreat of Bonnivet, which was continued into France, tke whole of Italy was wrested from his master. The Cardinal Bourbon, eager after revenge for the insults he had suffered, as well as anxious to con quer his promised kingdom, wished to have invaded Pro vence; but lie was restrained by Charles, who advised or commanded him to lay siege to Marseilles. In this siege, forty days were unprofitably consumed. The King of France advanced to its defence, and Bourbon retired into Italy. Francis, again elated by his success, and untaught
by all the reverses which his predecessors, as well as him self, had suffered in their attempts against Italy, resolved to enter that country, and endeavour to regain the Milanese. From this attempt he was in vain dissuaded by the most prudent and experienced of his generals, as well as by his mother. He persevered, and success seemed to sanction his design. The city of Milan opened its gates ; the army of Bourbon fled ; but Francis did not improve his successes. He consumed the precious time in besieging Pavia, when he ought to have pursued and attacked the enemy in the moment of their consternation and flight. He was still fur ther elated by the Pope and the republic of Florence de serting his adversary, and uniting themselves to his cause. It seemed to him as if the period were at length come, at which it was decreed that the French should be universally and permanently successful in Italy. Regarding the Milanese as secure, he dipatched 6000 men into Naples, while he him self pressed forward the siege of Pavia. This city, though de fended with the utmost gallantry, must have fallen, as it was reduced to the last extremity, when an imperial army ad vanced to its relief.
The battle of Pavia decided the fate of that city and of Francis. Lannoy and Pescara, the generals who advanced to its relief, were reinforced by 12,000 Germans, dis patched by Bourbon. Still Francis would not have been unfortunate, had he either raised the siege, or continued in his intrenchments ; but a false shame prevented him from adopting the first measure, and the foolish and rash advice of Bonnivet induced him to leave his advantageous position, and offer battle to his adversaries. This was what they wished for, but hardly expected. Even after the itnpe rialists had their adversary under circumstances most fa vourable to themselves, their success was extremely doubt ful ; and, in all probability, Francis would have witnessed a drawn and indecisive battle, or at least would not have suf fered such a severe and fatal loss, had it not been for the treachery of part of his own army. In the midst of the engagement, the Duke of Alencon, with the troops under his immediate command, that formed part of the left wing, went over to the enemy. About the same time, the garri son of Pavia sallied out on the rear of the French ; and the cavalry of the latter, unable to withstand the imperial horse, gave way. Under these circumstances, notwithstanding the exhortations, the example, and the exertions of Fran cis, the rout became general. The king was himself wounded, and thrown from his horse ; yet he defended him self bravely, till at length, exhausted by fatigue and his wounds, he was under the necessity of delivering his sword to Lannoy. On the day after the battle, Francis was con ducted to a strong castle near Cremona, and committed to the charge of an officer of great vigilance and integrity.