The Profession of Arms 2001

Campaign launch toward Rome

In autumn 1526, Emperor Charles V tasks veteran general Georg von Frundsberg with leading a Landsknecht army toward Rome as part of the War of the League of Cognac. The Imperial force advances through Italy, seeking a decisive confrontation with papal defenses. The campaign sets the stage for a brutal winter march in hostile terrain.

Papal forces attempt to slow the march

The outnumbered papal armies attempt to slow Frundsberg by hit-and-run raids on Imperial supply trains. These tactics aim to exhaust the invaders and buy time to strengthen Rome’s defenses. Harsh winter weather compounds the hardship for both sides.

Curtatone corridor opens and closes

Federico II Gonzaga temporarily allows the Imperial army to pass through Curtatone, easing the march. A few hours later he denies passage to the papal troops, creating a critical bottleneck. The shifting access reshapes the immediate tactical landscape.

Ferrara grants falconets in exchange for a marriage

The Imperial army reaches Ferrara, where Alfonso I d’Este offers four falconets capable of piercing armor. In exchange, his heir would marry an Imperial princess, forging a powerful alliance. The deal strengthens the artillery advantage of Frundsberg’s force.

Governolo detachment and papal ambition

The papal detachment reaches Governolo as de’ Medici plots to capture Frundsberg. The looming confrontation signals a pivotal clash along the Po valley. Both sides prepare for a decisive engagement.

Wounded by falconet fire

In the ensuing skirmish at Governolo, Giovanni de’ Medici is wounded in the leg by a falconet shot. He is transported to Mantua for medical treatment, hoping to recover and continue the campaign. The injury foreshadows a much graver fate.

Infection and death of de' Medici

Despite efforts to cure the wound, the infection worsens and Giovanni de’ Medici dies of sepsis in Mantua. His death is a severe blow to papal leadership and morale. The war’s momentum shifts in ways that ripple through Europe.

Imperial assault on Rome intensifies

With papal leadership weakened, the Imperial armies press their assault on Rome. Frundsberg’s seasoned troops push forward, leveraging artillery and discipline to breach defenses. The campaign reaches a critical juncture as the city’s fate hangs in the balance.

The cautionary decision about firearms

Following de’ Medici’s death, the commanders of European armies declare they will cease using firearms because of their cruelty. The decision marks a controversial moral turning point in the conduct and memory of the war. The film links the violence of battle to a broader ethical reflection.