The Italian Wars were a series of conflicts lasting from 1494-1559, fought primarily between France and the Holy Roman Empire for control of the Italian Peninsula. At the time, the ironically named “Most Serene” Republic of Venice, the Republic of Florence, the Duchy of Milan, the Papal States, and the Kingdom of Naples all held sway over different parts of Italy.
War overcame the peninsula when Milan, hearing of the secret alliance between the Naples and the Florence against them, requested Charles VIII of France to act on his territorial claims in Naples. In 1494 the French under Charles VIII invaded, and quickly swept up all that stood between them and Naples. Soon though, Milan (who had asked the French to come in the first place), Venice, Emperor Maximilian of the Holy Roman Empire, Pope Alexander VI, and Ferdinand of Aragon forced Charles VIII back to northern Italy.
France invaded a second time, were pushed out again, made peace, stubbornly invaded once more, and were pushed out again, until at last the Spanish under Ferdinand was granted full control of Naples in 1504.
Fighting continued until 1516, when peace came after the Treaty of Noyon with the new French king, Francis I. During this short period of peace Maximilian died, and Charles V of the Hapsburgs was elected as the new Emperor in 1521. This move made the Hapsburg dynasty the most powerful in all of Europe, with their empire spanning multiple continents. After the elections Charles V made his way towards Rome to be officially crowned, but was intercepted by Francis I. The Pope who was to crown the new emperor was displeased with this, and made an attempt to invade France—though he was rapidly repulsed.
During this time, the English allied themselves with the Hapsburgs, supposedly to defend the weaker Italian states from the French.
Taking place in 1525, the Battle of Pavia is the most important engagement in the Italian wars. It resulted in a total French defeat—with even Francis himself being captured. The Treaty of Madrid was signed soon after, in which Francis promised to give up his claims and some territory. Of course, after being released from his captivity, he didn’t see the need to make good on his promises.
In 1526 the Holy League of Cognac was formed by Francis I, the Pope, Sforza of Milan, Venice, and Florence against Charles V and the Spanish. The Spanish and German mercenaries retaliated and quickly marched on Rome, which they brutally sacked, capturing the Pope in the process.
Peace was made with the Pope following the Treaty of Barcelona, June 29, 1529—and with the French following the Treaty of Cambrai, August 3, 1529. Peace with the French was due to weariness and worry over war with the Ottoman Empire. This treaty is also called the Peace of Ladies because it was negotiated by Charles’ aunt, Margaret, and by Francis’ mother, Louise of Savoy. Following the death of Francesco Sforza in 1535—the leader of Milan, a succession crisis emerged because both Francis I and Charles V claimed the city as theirs. Naturally, they fought another war, and peace was made once more with the Truce of Nice in 1538.
Never held off long, war erupted in 1542 between these two rivals, though this time fought outside of the Italian peninsula. After two years of war peace was again made, and the Treaty of Crespy was signed. The treaty was agreed to on the condition that Francis I would give up his claim to Naples, but the Duke of Orleans would marry either Charles’ daughter, and with her gain the Netherlands, or Charles’ niece, which would be given along with Milan. This never happened as the Duke of Orleans died before the marriage could take place.
Pope Paul IV and Henry II of France allied to take Naples in 1556, but were defeated in 1557 and signed the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis in 1559. This treaty ended French involvement in Italy and abandoned all French possessions there except Turin, Saluzzo, and Pignerol—and thus ending the Italian Wars.
Sources:
History of Italy by Francesco Guicciardini
An Encyclopedia of World History compiled and edited by William L. Langer, Houghton Mifflin
Company 1962