Italian War of 1551–1559 - Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis

Origins of the Conflict

The Italian War of 1551–1559 is an important chapter in the long conflict between France and the Habsburg Empire. This war, part of a series of wars from 1494 onwards known as the Habsburg-Valois War that changed Italy and Europe's Politics forever The underlying cause of the conflict was the aspiration of Henry II of France, to limit Habsburg influence in Italian domains such Naples and Milan vital for Habsburg hegemony.

Important Players and Changing Coalitions

Both Charles V, the Habsburg Emperor, and his son Philip II of Spain were set on retaining German rule over Italy during the conflict. France, in turn, wanted to break out of this hegemony. Adding to this complexity were the religious tensions of the time, with France backing factions within Habsburg lands at odds with Catholic conformity.

Not just limited to Italy, the war boiled over into France, the Netherlands and down the Mediterranean. Even figures such as Pope Paul IV joined with France against the Habsburgs, believing that they threatened the independence of the Papal States. Yet, alliances remained in constant change; and after the marriage of Queen Mary I of England to Philip II, she put England on the side of the Habsburgs engaging France with what became a total defeat leading to the loss of Calais in 1558.

Cateau-Cambrésis Peace Treaty (1559)

The war ended in 1559 with the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis, reordering power within Europe. By the terms of the peace, France abandoned its right to Italian lands opening the way for Habsburg domination of Italy. In exchange, France was permitted to retain control over key border areas such as Metz, Toul and Verdun.

Repercussions and Impact — What Happens Next

It was a peace that would have effects on Europe for decades to come. Its land remained the same, reaching from Philip II inclined Spain to maintaining power over the Mediterranean and through the Americas. Having shaken off its ambitions for Italy, France turned its attention to consolidating power domestically but also asserting itself more widely in northern Europe. The Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis essentially drew a close to wide-ranging foreign interventions in Italy, but the underlying tensions across Europe were far from resolved.