Eric left all the Tuscan Knights behind, stationing one hundred Norman Knights under Matilda's command.
He then led his eight hundred Norman Knights and the two hundred Wales Longbowmen he had brought from England, continuing his advance toward Milan City.
There were only two main mountain passes leading from the Empire's Germanic Region to Northern Italy, south of the Alps.
One pass exited into the Mantua Region within Tuscan territory; the other opened up near Milan City.
'If the Marquis of Milan has already asked the Emperor for help, the Emperor will most likely plan to enter Northern Italy through the pass near Milan City, not through Tuscan, whose rulers have all but openly sided with Gregory.'
'If I can seize control of Milan City beforehand, the chances of my ambush on the Emperor's army succeeding will be much higher. At the very least, I'll have the initiative.'
