February 22, 1495
King Charles VIII of France entered Naples to claim the city's throne, part of the Italian Wars.
Naples, Italy | French Monarchy
On February 22, 1495, King Charles VIII of France made a significant move in the complex tapestry of the Italian Wars by entering the city of Naples to claim its throne. This event was a pivotal moment in the series of conflicts known as the Italian Wars, which involved various European powers vying for control over the Italian Peninsula.
The Italian Wars (1494–1559) were a series of conflicts that saw major European powers, including France, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Papal States, competing for dominance in Italy. The wars were characterized by shifting alliances and were driven by the desire to control the wealth and strategic locations of the Italian city-states.
Charles VIII ascended to the French throne in 1483 and harbored ambitions to expand his influence beyond France. His claim to the Neapolitan throne was based on a complex web of dynastic rights through his grandmother, Marie of Anjou. Encouraged by his advisors and the promise of support from various Italian factions, Charles saw an opportunity to assert his claim and expand French influence in Italy.
In 1494, Charles VIII launched an ambitious military campaign to conquer Naples. His army, composed of French knights, Swiss mercenaries, and Italian allies, advanced through Italy with remarkable speed and faced little resistance. The campaign was marked by the use of modern artillery, which played a crucial role in the French victories.
On February 22, 1495, Charles VIII entered Naples without significant opposition, as the ruling King Alfonso II of Naples had abdicated in favor of his son, Ferdinand II, who fled the city. Charles’s entry into Naples marked the temporary success of his campaign and the establishment of French control over the Kingdom of Naples.
Charles VIII’s occupation of Naples was short-lived. His presence in Italy alarmed other European powers, leading to the formation of the League of Venice in 1495, an alliance that included Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, the Papal States, and several Italian city-states. This coalition aimed to expel the French from Italy.
Facing the combined forces of the League, Charles VIII was forced to retreat from Naples later in 1495. Although his campaign ultimately failed to secure a lasting French presence in Italy, it set the stage for further conflicts in the Italian Wars, which continued for several decades.
The entry of Charles VIII into Naples is significant as it marked the beginning of a prolonged period of foreign intervention in Italy, influencing the political landscape of Europe and contributing to the eventual decline of the Italian city-states as independent powers.
Source: en.wikipedia.org