Cambrai, League of, the

Pope Julius II, humiliated by the failure of the Imperial invasion of Italy, turns to Louis XII of France (who, having been left in possession of Milan after the Second Italian War, is interested in further expansion into Italy) with an offer of alliance.

In mid-March, the Republic provides a pretext for an attack on itself by appointing her own candidate to the vacant bishopric of Vicenza (an act in keeping with prevailing custom, though Julius considers it a personal provocation); the Pope calls for all Christian nations to join him in an expedition to subdue Venice.

On December 10,1508, representatives of the Papacy, France, the Holy Roman Empire and Ferdinand I of Spain conclude the League of Cambrai against the Republic.

The agreement provides for the complete dismemberment of Venice's territory in Italy and for its partition among the signatories: Maximilian, in addition to regaining Istria, will receive Verona, Vicenza, Padua and the Friuli; France will annex Brescia, Crema, Bergamo and Cremona to its Milanese possessions; Ferdinand will seize Otranto; and the remainder, including Rimini and Ravenna, will be added to the Papal States.

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