1496 - Political Events

Political Events

The comte d'Angoulême dies suddenly January 1 at age 41 after twice having impregnated his young wife (and cousin), Louise, now 19, and his concurrent longtime mistress Jeanne de Polignac. Louise's daughter Marguerite will play a significant role in French politics, and her infant son François, born in September 1494, will become king.

Scottish forces sent by James IV invade Cornwall to press the claims of Perkin Warbeck, but they are poorly organized and support from Northumberland fails to materialize (see 1495). The 24-year-old earl of Suffolk Edmund de la Pole leads a company that defeats the Scots June 22 (see 1497; Cornish rebellion, 1497).

The new king of Naples dies September 7 at age 27. The last of the Anjou line in Italy, Ferrandino is succeeded by his uncle Frederigo, 44, who will reign until 1504 as king of Naples and Sicily (but see 1501).

Spanish forces complete their conquest of the Canary Islands from Portugal and from the indigenous fair-skinned Guanche, who have fought off invaders for a century (see 1479). Tenerife, largest of the seven volcanic islands, falls to the Spanish, who will rapidly assimilate the Guanche.

Poland's Statute of Piotkow restricts burghers from buying land, deprives peasants of freedom to move about, and gives the Polish gentry (szlachta) extensive privileges in what will be called the Magna Carta of Poland.

Scotland's James IV invades Northumberland to press the claims of Perkin Warbeck (see 1495; 1497).