DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67375#0052
80
NAPLES AND ITS ENVIRONS.
king proved himself a valiant soldier ; and in 1389 his army
defeated Louis in a battle fought in Ischia, which island
the French had occupied.
Later, the great schism in the Church, and the violent
contentions in the election of a Pope, which engrossed all
parties, gave Ladislaus an opportunity to increase his power
in various directions; and he used all the means at his
command to prolong the struggle, as a French Pope, if
elected, would have overthrown his government. At length
it was thought that the growing strength of the King of
Naples threatened the Florentines and other powers in
Italy; and Braccio, a famous mercenary soldier — who had
previously fought for Ladislaus — was now lured, by larger
pay, to oppose him. In this emergency the young king
employed Attendolo Sforza, another celebrated free lance,
who from a peasant had risen to be a general of armies
and a worthy rival of Braccio.
Genoa had been hitherto the ally of the French, but by
some potent influence was now induced to forsake them
and join the Neapolitans ; and Louis, fearing lest he should
be hemmed in between two hostile armies, retreated while
he could. In 1410 the Florentines, with Braccio’s aid,
entered Rome, and compelled the Romans to consent to
the election of Alexander V., believing that a universally
accepted pope would be the most efficient check upon the
power of Naples. But Alexander died before accomplish-
ing the desired end, and the French and Florentines
united to establish John XXIII. on the papal throne; and
in 1411 these allies invaded the territory of Naples with
twelve thousand soldiers, among whom were the bravest
condottieri and other warriors in all Italy.
Ladislaus was defeated on his own ground. His army,
nearly as large as that of the allies, was drawn up at
Rocca Secca, awaiting the attack, which Louis led in person
with great impetuosity. Nearly all the nobles who served
NAPLES AND ITS ENVIRONS.
king proved himself a valiant soldier ; and in 1389 his army
defeated Louis in a battle fought in Ischia, which island
the French had occupied.
Later, the great schism in the Church, and the violent
contentions in the election of a Pope, which engrossed all
parties, gave Ladislaus an opportunity to increase his power
in various directions; and he used all the means at his
command to prolong the struggle, as a French Pope, if
elected, would have overthrown his government. At length
it was thought that the growing strength of the King of
Naples threatened the Florentines and other powers in
Italy; and Braccio, a famous mercenary soldier — who had
previously fought for Ladislaus — was now lured, by larger
pay, to oppose him. In this emergency the young king
employed Attendolo Sforza, another celebrated free lance,
who from a peasant had risen to be a general of armies
and a worthy rival of Braccio.
Genoa had been hitherto the ally of the French, but by
some potent influence was now induced to forsake them
and join the Neapolitans ; and Louis, fearing lest he should
be hemmed in between two hostile armies, retreated while
he could. In 1410 the Florentines, with Braccio’s aid,
entered Rome, and compelled the Romans to consent to
the election of Alexander V., believing that a universally
accepted pope would be the most efficient check upon the
power of Naples. But Alexander died before accomplish-
ing the desired end, and the French and Florentines
united to establish John XXIII. on the papal throne; and
in 1411 these allies invaded the territory of Naples with
twelve thousand soldiers, among whom were the bravest
condottieri and other warriors in all Italy.
Ladislaus was defeated on his own ground. His army,
nearly as large as that of the allies, was drawn up at
Rocca Secca, awaiting the attack, which Louis led in person
with great impetuosity. Nearly all the nobles who served