THE ITALIAN WARS 1494-1559

The Devil's Band is set against the background of the Italian Wars, a murderous dynastic struggle between the Hapsburg Emperors of Germany and the Valois Kings of France that bathed western europe in blood for more than six decades... 

chevalier Bayard at the Bridge of Garigliano painted by Henri Philippoteaux 1840

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Background to the Italian Wars

King Charles' War 1494-1498

King Louis' War 1499-1504

The War of the League of Cambrai 1508-1516

The War of 1521-1526

The Battle of Pavia 1525

The War of the League of Cognac 1526-1530

The Later Italian Wars 1536-1559

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