Important contemporary account of the Italian Wars (1521-1530), in particular the struggle between the Pope, the Emperor, the French, and the Venetians about the restitution to power in Milan of Duke Francesco II Sforza (1495-1535). The work is written by Galeazzo Capella (1487-1537), who was a diplomat and minister in service of the duke, and therefore had first-hand experience with the war. His work was first published in Milan in 1531, shortly after the war had ended, and was several times reprinted and translated. The first two Antwerp editions were both printed in 1533. The present edition is the most scarce of the two, as we have not been able to trace any other copies in sales records.
In 1521 the recently elected Holy Roman Emperor Charles V managed to secure the alliance of his former opponent Pope Leo X and after him Pope Clement VII in his power struggle against King Francois I of France. He succeeded in wrestling Milan from decades of French control and returned it to the Duke of Milan. Although France had to concede in 1526, the Ottoman defeat of Imperial forces at the battle of Mohács in Hungary that year weakened the Empire and Clement turned against Charles, supported by several Italian princes. Once again the strategically important Milan was central in the power struggle, and once again the Empire got the upper hand, leading to the imprisonment of the Pope in 1529.
With the bookplate of Comte Chandon de Briailles mounted on the second free flyleaf, a 17th-century ownership annotation at the head of the title page ("Collegii pav. fol. jef (?)"), and two 18th-century annotations near the foot ("Gouye De Longuemare" and "Grotley"). The edges of the boards are lightly scuffed. The title page and final page are somewhat browned. Otherwise in very good condition. Nijhoff & Kronenberg 519; STCV 12926317; USTC 403886; cf. Adams C-583 (other ed.).