Pope Alexander VI

French involvement

Alexander made many alliances to secure his position, but fearing himself isolated he sought help from Charles VIII of France. As the king of Naples threatened to come to the aid of Gian Galeazzo, who had married the Pope's granddaughter, Alexander encouraged the French king in his schemes for the conquest of Naples. Alexander carried on a double policy, always ready to seize opportunities to aggrandize his family. But through the intervention of the Spanish ambassador he made peace with Naples in July 1493 and also with the Orsini; the peace was cemented by a marriage between the pope's son Giuffre and Doña Sancha, Ferdinand's granddaughter. In order to dominate the Sacred College more completely he created twelve new cardinals, among them his own son Cesare, then only eighteen years old, and Alessandro Farnese, the brother of Giulia Bella, one of the pope's mistresses, creations which caused much scandal. On the 25th of January 1494 Ferdinand died and was succeeded by his son Alphonso II.

Related Topics:
Charles VIII of France - Naples - Orsini - Sacred College - Alessandro Farnese - 25th of January - 1494 - Alphonso II

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Charles of France now advanced formal claims on the kingdom, and Alexander drew him to his side and authorized him to pass through Rome ostensibly on a crusade against the Turks, without mentioning Naples. But when the French invasion became a reality he was alarmed, recognized Alphonso as king, and concluded an alliance with him in exchange for various fiefs for his sons (July 1494). Preparations for defense were made; a Neapolitan army was to advance through the Romagna and attack Milan, while the fleet was to seize Genoa, but both expeditions were badly conducted and failed, and on the 8th of September Charles crossed the Alps and joined Lodovico il Moro at Milan. The papal states were in turmoil, and the powerful Colonna faction seized Ostia in the name of France. Charles rapidly advanced southward, and after a short stay in Florence, set out for Rome (November 1494).

Related Topics:
France - Crusade - Turks - 1494 - Romagna - Genoa - 8th of September - Alps - Colonna - Ostia - Rome

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Alexander appealed to Ascanio Sforza for help, and even to the sultan. He tried to collect troops and put Rome in a state of defence, but his position was most insecure, and the Orsini offered to admit the French to their castles. This defection forced the pope to come to terms, and on the 31st of December Charles entered Rome with his troops and the cardinals of the French faction. Alexander now feared that the king might depose him for simony and summon a council, but he won over the bishop of Saint Malo, who had much influence over the king, with a cardinal's hat. Alexander agreed to send Cesare, as legate, to Naples with the French army, to deliver Cem to Charles and to give him Civitavecchia (January 16, 1495). On the 28th, Charles departed for Naples with Cem and Cesare, but the latter escaped to Spoleto. Neapolitan resistance collapsed; Alphonso fled and abdicated in favour of his son Ferdinand II, who also had to escape, abandoned by all, and the kingdom was conquered with surprising ease.

Related Topics:
Ascanio Sforza - Rome - 31st of December - Simony - Saint Malo - Civitavecchia - January 16 - 1495 - Spoleto - Ferdinand II

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