It appears there is a slight chronological discrepancy in your request. The Battle of Legnano between the Lombard League and the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa did not occur on November 28, 1170. The battle actually took place on May 29, 1176. Here is the historical account of the correct event:

Battle of Legnano - May 29, 1176

The Battle of Legnano was a crucial engagement between the forces of the Lombard League, an alliance of northern Italian city-states, and the army of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. It occurred on May 29, 1176, near the town of Legnano, northwest of Milan.

Context

In the mid-12th century, the political landscape of Italy was tumultuous as Frederick I sought to assert imperial control over the region, which often brought him into conflict with the increasingly independent and economically powerful northern Italian communes. The Lombard League formed in 1167 as a defensive alliance to resist Frederick’s ambitions. Key members included cities like Milan, Venice, Bologna, and Verona. These cities banded together to protect their autonomy from the emperor’s centralizing policies.

Key Events Leading to the Battle

• 1162: After a long siege, Frederick I captured and destroyed Milan, forcing the city to submit to imperial authority. This sparked increased resistance among the northern cities.
• 1167: The Lombard League formally aligned, fortified their positions, and rebuilt Milan as a stronghold.
• 1176: After years of intermittent conflict, Frederick launched a campaign into Lombardy to reassert dominance and break the league’s resistance.

The Battle

On May 29, 1176, Frederick’s forces, arrayed with heavily armored knights and disciplined infantry, faced the militias of the Lombard League, primarily composed of citizen-soldiers. The league’s forces cleverly used local geography and tactics to counter the advantages of Frederick’s cavalry.

• The Lombard army, under the symbolic command of the carroccio (a war wagon that served as a rallying point), inflicted a decisive defeat on the emperor’s forces.
• The battle was noted for the valor of the Lombard infantry, who held against and eventually overwhelmed the imperial knights.

Aftermath and Significance

• Diplomatic Outcomes: Following the defeat, Frederick I was compelled to negotiate peace. The subsequent Treaty of Venice in 1177 resulted in the emperor formally recognizing the Lombards’ autonomy.
• Long-term Impact: This battle marked a significant victory for local autonomy in Italy. The Lombard League’s victory demonstrated the effectiveness of collective city-state resistance against imperial authority, setting a precedent for urban independence in Italy during the medieval period.
• Legacy: The battle is a celebrated event in Italian history, symbolizing the struggle for independence and liberty.

This event significantly weakened the dominance of the Holy Roman Empire over northern Italy and emboldened further movements for local independence throughout the peninsula.