The Italian Wars

The Italian Wars were a series of wars between 1494 and 1559 that involved most Italian city-states, the Papal State and drew in major powers like France, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. The earlier War of Lombardy against the Republic of Venice had left the Duchy of Milan seeking an ally and turned to Charles VIII of France for help. Using the House of Valois' old claim to the throne of Naples as a pretext when Ferdinand I of Naples died, Charles invaded the peninsula in 1494. With his army followed a large and mobile siege train that battered down the medieval city walls in a matter of days - triggering the reforms that led to the fortification style called 'Trace Italienne.' Despite tactical victories in the field, Charles became cut off from France and was forced to return home in 1498. The conflict over Italy was, however, far from over and the wars between Spain and France would go on for another 61 years.