Italy in the fifteenth century. Balance of power. State system. The Kingdom of Naples ; its haracteristics. King Ferrante. Military weakness. Ludovico approaches the French Court. French claims to Milan, to Naples. Piero at Florence. Alexander VI at Rome. Relations with Florence, Milan, Venice, and Naples. Giuliano della Rovere. Charles' dealings with Britanny, England, Aragon, Maximilian. Danger of Ludovico. French preparations.
Charles at Pavia, Piacenza, Pontremoli. Surrender of Piero. Piero expelled. Charles enters Pisa and Florence. Advance on Rome. Perplexity of Alexander ; he yields to necessity. Resignation of Alfouso. Succession of Ferrantino. French advance. Naples occupied. Flight of Ferrantino. Death of Jem. League of States against Charles. Louis of Orleans at Asti. The French reach Asti. Charles returns to France. Results of campaign. Ferrantino recovers Naples. French generals forced to surrender, Federigo succeeds.
Expedition of Maximilian, Maximilian attacks Florence, fails to take Livorno. Designs upon Milan. French invasion, Ludovico abandons Milan. Louis at Milan. Revolt of the duchy. Return of Ludovico, French recouquest. Capture of Ludovico and his brother. French predominance in Italy. Designs upon Naples. Agreement with the King of Aragon ; joint invasion, ; the kingdom overrun. Disputes of France and Spain in Naples.
War breaks out. Victories of Gonzalo. The French confined to a few forts, Negotiations with Philip of Austria. Efforts to recover the kingdom. Death of Alexander VI, The French defeated on the Garigliano, Treaties of Louis with Maximilian, Philip, Ferdinand. Interview of Ferdinand and Louis at Savona, Accession of Julius II, ; his acquisitions ; his patience ; he takes Bologna, and overawes Perugia, Troubles in Genoa. Expedition of Louis, Submission of Genoa.
Ferdinand and Louis plot against Venice. The enemies of Venice Maximilian attacks Venice, Truce with Venice. France offended. League of Cambray, Venetian preparations. Victory of Agnadello, Venice bows to the storm. Padua re-occupied. Maximilian besieges Padua They are won over by the Pope ; futile invasion, Council summoned by Louis to Pisa, for Activity of Julius.
