The Battle of Fornovo took place during the First Italian War, a conflict that arose from the ambitions of King Charles VIII of France to assert control over the Italian peninsula. In 1494, Charles invaded Italy, claiming the Kingdom of Naples based on a tenuous dynastic tie. By mid-1495, a coalition known as the Holy League was formed to counter the French incursion, comprising various Italian states including Venice, the Papal States, and the Kingdom of Aragon. The League sought to drive Charles out and restore equilibrium in Italian politics.

On July 6, Charles's army, which numbered around 10,000 soldiers, clashed with the Holy League forces just outside Fornovo di Taro. The League army, under the command of Francesco Gonzaga, numbered between 15,000 and 20,000, showcasing a powerful coalition of Italian states determined to regain their autonomy from foreign rule. The battle was marked by fierce fighting, as both sides utilized infantry and cavalry tactics, along with artillery. Notably, the French employed a more agile and coordinated strategy, leveraging their experienced archers and artillery units in a manner that allowed them to withstand the numerical advantage of the League forces.

Despite being outnumbered, the French forces managed to outmaneuver their opponents and secure a tactical victory. The resulting conflict led to significant casualties on both sides, but the French were able to retreat effectively while inflicting enough damage to delay the League's plans for further action. This allowed Charles VIII to continue his campaign in Italy, albeit with diminishing resources and increasing resistance from the local states. Ultimately, the Battle of Fornovo solidified Charles's control over key territories in Italy and set the stage for future confrontations as the Italian Wars unfolded.