In theory, a Holy League is any group or alliance involving the Papacy, but in practice many leagues acquired specific names, for instance 'The League of Cognac', which pitted France, England, Pope Clement VII, Venice, Florence, and elements of Milan against the Emperor Charles V in 1526. Conversely, groups and organisations with no link to the Papacy also used the name, often during religious disputes. Unless you are studying a narrow subject matter it is often difficult to simply to refer a 'holy league' without giving further definitions, especially during the sixteenth century, which contained four clearly defined holy leagues and a whole sub-set towards the end of the century in France.

This feature briefly examines these sixteenth century leagues, outlining the constituent members, the period and type of activity and the reasons behind each alliance. A sixth league has been included, one which was formed at the very end of the fifteenth century: it is closely linked to another one of the leagues - they are part of the same conflict - and both will benefit from being considered together.

Holy League of 1495 (sometimes known as 'The League of Venice')
This was an alliance of Pope Alexander VI, the Emperor Maximilian, Venice, Milan, other smaller Italian states and Ferdinand of Aragon, created mainly by the latter's diplomatic maneuvering. The League had a single, but clearly defined, purpose: to expel the French King, Charles VIII, from Naples.

Charles had mounted a swift, and wholly successful, attack on Naples in the February of 1495, exploiting both a dynastic claim and the invitation of warring factions within both Italy, and Naples itself. His armies had marched down through Italy with a speed and savagery that left them largely unopposed. The possibility of a long term French presence within Italy, and its possible expansion south, was anathema to many major European parties and this Holy League, which combined three of the great European institutions (the Papacy, Holy Roman and Spanish Empires), is often seen as a precedent for unified European - and anti-French - action.

The League scarcely needed to attack Charles, who recognised that the alliance could swiftly cut his forces off from France, and he began to withdraw, leaving a garrison in Naples. French and League troops met at the Battle of Fornovo in 1495, where the League suffered what would be considered a heavy defeat had the French not continued with their retreat back to France. An official peace was signed in October - the Peace of Vercelli - and the League broke up shortly afterwards, its task complete. The French garrison in Naples lasted until the middle of 1496, before a combination of disease, local unrest and foreign attack caused their defeat.

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For Citation And Footnotes
Title: Holy Leagues of the 16th Century
Author: Robert Wilde
Date: 2001