1495 - Political Events

Political Events

Castilian prelate and diplomat Pedro, Cardinal González de Mendoza, dies at his native Guadalajara January 11 at age 66 after a career in which he has been called "the third king of Spain." A humanist, he has helped Isabella appoint bishops from the middle class and reform the Spanish episcopate.

Beatrice d'Este at Milan gives birth in February to a second son, who will be known as Francesco Sforza.

Naples surrenders in February to France's Charles VIII, who is crowned king. Alfonso of Naples has abdicated in favor of his son Ferrandino, 25, who retakes the city following the Battle of Fornovo July 6. Pope Alexander VI has organized a Holy League to drive out the French, Charles escapes to France, the Spanish general Gonzalo de Córdoba helps Ferrandino, the French fleet is captured at Rapallo, and a French army capitulates at Novaro.

France's Charles VIII sends home for reinforcements to help him in his Italian campaign; his wife, Anne of Brittany, replies that there are no Frenchmen left to send—only widows grieving for their lost husbands. Ludovico Sforza, duke of Milan, arrives in September at the French camp with his wife, Beatrice, who impresses the French with her cleverness and tact.

Perkin Warbeck attempts a landing on English soil July 3 as supporters press his claim to the throne (see 1494). Financed by the dowager duchess Margaret of Burgundy, his small force encounters resistance and quickly retreats to Ireland, where the earl of Desmond helps him lay siege to Waterford, but he retreats again, this time to Scotland, where James IV lets him marry Lady Catherine Gordon, a cousin of the king (see 1496).

The Spanish infanta Juana marries Felipe the Handsome, Count of Flanders; a 15-year-old daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, she settles with her husband at Ghent (see 1504).

Portugal's João II dies at Alvor October 25 at age 40 after a 14-year reign in which he has encouraged exploration and overcome the feudal nobility, putting its leaders to death. João the Perfect (O principe perfecto) is succeeded by his 26-year-old brother-in-law, who will reign until 1521 as Manuel I in a golden age of exploration and discovery.

The Diet of Worms attempts to modernize the Holy Roman Empire. The Imperial Diet proclaims Perpetual Peace, sets up an Imperial Chamber and Court of Appeal, and imposes a general tax.