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The Catholic League (or Holy League) was a coalition of various European powers that was formed between 1510 and 1511 to defend the states of Italy against Louis XII of France, and so strengthen the power of the pope.Members of the league were Pope Julius II, Venice, Switzerland, England under Henry VIII, Aragon under Ferdinand II, and Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor .
After being defeated by the French at the Battle of Ravenna on April 11 1512, the League gained the advantage, with notable victories by the Swiss over the French at Milan in 1512 and NovaraThe Battle of Novara was a battle of the Italian Wars fought on June 6, 1513. Swiss troops, part of the Holy League defeated the French under Louis de la Tremoille, forcing the French to abandon Milan. Duke Massimiliano Sforza was restored. in June 1513Events January 20 Christian II becomes King of Denmark and Norway. March 11 Leo X elected pope. March 27 Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sights North America (specifically Florida) for the first time mistaking it for another island. Later, on April 2, he land, this latter causing them to withdraw from Italy.
The English also had success in 1513 in northern France with successful siegeA siege is a prolonged military blockade and assault of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. A siege occurs when an attacker encounters a city or fortress that refuses to surrender and cannot be easily taken by a frontals at Therouanne and Tournais, and at the Battle of the SpursBattle of the Spurs or Battle of Guinegate August 16 1513. As part of the Holy League under the on-going Italian Wars, English troops under Henry VIII defeat a French army under Marshal La Palice. Called "Battle of the Spurs" because of the haste of the F at Guinegate . This despite an attempted Scottish invasion of England — see Battle of Flodden FieldThe Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field was fought in northern England on September 9, 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by Thomas Howard. The battle actually took place near the village of Branxton in t.
The death of Julius II in February 1513 soon lead to the league's collapse — but this was by no means the end of the struggle over Italy — see Italian WarsThe Italian Wars were a series of wars from 1494 to 1559 for control over the States of Italy, mainly involving France and Spain, but also involving most other European states, and the imprisonment for several months of Pope Clement VII. They started with.
See also
- Catholic LeagueThroughout history there have been many alliances and organizations known as the Catholic League including: Catholic League (USA) Civil rights group in the United States. Catholic League (German) 17th century alliance of German Catholic States during the for other similarly named coalitions
- British military historyBritish military history is a long and varied topic, extending from the prehistoric and ancient historic period, through the Roman invasions of Julius Caesar and Claudius and subsequent Roman occupation; warfare in the Mediaeval period, including the inva
