Agenda for the year 1515

There would be so much exaggeration in this story that it is believed to be a tale instead of an adventure. Yet all this is true on this year MDXV.

We are between Piedmont, Valais and Savoy. Between the cities of Lyon, Sion and Milan. To tell the truth, after so many journeys, where are we?

Here we are in a odd world ready to sink where everything is upside down. Danger is here, spirits are racing. Now, you have to go your own way.

On this year

January

On the 1st, death of Louis XII. Francis I, King of France. Claudius of France, heir to the Visconti rights over Milan. On the 12th, Charles III of Bourbon is made a constable. On the 12th, Louis XII is buried at St Denis, near Anne of Brittany. On the 18th, the King left for Reims. On the 25th, the coronation of King Francis I.

February

On the 4th, Louise de Savoie, Duchess of Angoulême, Anjou, Countess of mayne and Beaufort, Privy Council after the King. The 15th, arrival of the royal couple in Paris by La Chapelle. On the 19th, in Perpignan, Concordat between the clergy and the city about the taxes on meat, bread, game, flour, grapes.

March

On the 4th, Francis I summoned the bench and the back-bench to campaign in Italy and win the Milanese. On 24 March, the Treaty of Paris, the Count of Flanders, the future Charles V, who was seeking to inherit Spain, allied himself with Francis I to obtain his support. A marriage is planned between Charles and the young Renée de France.

April

Donation of the Duchy of Brittany, by Claude, to François 1er, then to the dolphin. On the 12th, Guille de Courthardy, Archduke Château du Loir. At the end of the month, departure of François I for the Loire Valley.

May

On the 6th, Lateran Council, convocation of the bishops of France, summoned before October 1st. The 21, letter of Erasmus to Leon X. On the 20th, a rhinoceros is sent to King Manuel I of Portugal. Guille Briçonnet, abbot of St Germayn des Prés, won at the reform, union with the congregation of Chezal.

June

On the 26th, the King leaves for Italy, regency to his mother, transfer of the rights to the Duchy of Milan by his wife. On the 27th, Francis I renews the alliance with Venice and promises to free Verona held by the Imperials. On the 29th, Francis I leaves Amboise to join the army in Grenoble via Lyon.

July

On the 10th, answer of Leo X to Erasmus. On the 12th, King Francis I enters Lyon. On the 17th, departure of the vanguard and on the 20th, departure of the artillery. On the morning of the 21st, the King left Lyon for Savoy and Italy at the head of the army.

August

On the 1st, the King enters Grenoble and the 8th passes the Alps. On the 15th, the French vanguard surprises the Milanese cavalry; Prosper Colonna is defeated at Villefranche; the Swiss retreat to Novara and Milan. On the 30th, after passing Torino, the French are in Novara, treaty and purchase the withdrawal of the Swiss.

September

On the 8th, Francis I concludes an agreement with the Swiss at Gallarate and undertakes to pay ECU 1 million in gold. On the 10th, the French laid siege to Milan. On the 13th and 14th, victory of Francis I in Marignan against Swiss mercenaries from the Italian states. On the 16th, capture of Milan by the French.

October

On the 4th, departure from Milan of the Swiss garrison, Duke Maximilian is exiled to France. The Milanese is entrusted to Charles de Bourbon. On the 11th, the king enters the city in triumph. On the 13th, treaty between Leo X and Francis I, Parma and Piacenza are attached. On the 16th, meeting between the King and Da Vinci.

November

On 7 November, Treaty of Geneva between France and eight of the Swiss cantons. The King is authorised to recruit soldiers in Switzerland. On the 20th, Genoa, which has signed a secret treaty with the Constable of Bourbon, gives itself to the King of France. The doge Octavian de Campo Fregoso becomes governor.

December

On the 11th, Interview in Bologna between Francis I and Pope Leo X. On the 15th, Francis I returns to Milan. At the end of the month, Leonardo da Vinci crosses the Alps.