The Battle of Pavia, fought on 24 February 1525, was a turning point in the conflict between Francis I of France and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor of the German Nation. It was a principal battle of the Italian Wars, a series of long struggles for the control of Italy.

Francis I led the French army into northern Italy to try and gain control of the Duchy of Milan. He was, however, opposed by a powerful competitor in Charles V, whose army was better organized and assisted by imperial Spanish and German armies. The French army was decisively defeated through better tactics employed by the Imperial armies, namely use of firearms and heavy cavalry. The battle ended with Francis I’s capture, a devastating blow to French pride and power. In a letter to his mother, Francis famously wrote, “All is lost save honor,” signifying the gravity of his defeat. His capture left France vulnerable and shifted the balance of power in favor of Charles V, strengthening the Holy Roman Emperor's hold over Italy and diminishing French influence in the region.

Francis I was captured and imprisoned by Charles V after the battle. The imprisonment put a tremendous amount of strain on the French crown, resulting in an extraordinary display of diplomacy by Marguerite de Angoulême, the king's sister. The sister of Francis, a fierce defender, traveled across Europe in a bid to broker her brother's release. She pleaded with Francis to be released and negotiated his release with various European leaders and diplomats. Her journey demonstrated not only her commitment to her brother but also her political and diplomatic acumen in an era when women were seldom involved in foreign affairs. Marguerite's efforts were instrumental in eventually securing the release of her brother. In 1526, the Treaty of Madrid was signed, requiring Francis to abdicate French claims to Italy, Artois, and Flanders and surrender his two sons as hostages. Although Francis I later repudiated the treaty, it allowed him to recover his freedom and return to his rule as King of France.

The Battle of Pavia significantly influenced the political balance in Europe. It was the culmination of Charles V's authority and testified to the effectiveness of early modern warfare strategies. Marguerite de Angoulême's role also indicated the role of diplomacy in politics at the time and the significance of herself as a member of the French royal family.