Neapolitan Succession Crisis (1470s)

Timeline

1. 1471–1475Kingdom of Naples · CampaniaAfter acceding in 1458, Ferdinand I gradually weakened the great nobles' power, but centrifugal forces remained in the early 1470s. The French House of Anjou's claim to the Neapolitan throne cast a long shadow, and the papacy also sought to use Neapolitan armies to expand its influence in central Italy. Ferdinand maintained his rule through dynastic marriages and military suppression.
2. 1478–1479Tuscany–Naples border · TuscanyAt the call of Pope Sixtus IV, Ferdinand sent troops north to attack Florence, attempting to cooperate with the papacy in overthrowing Lorenzo de' Medici. However the war bogged down into stalemate, discontent in Naples over the prolonged expedition grew, and Ferdinand faced the choice of continuing to follow the pope or seeking a separate peace.
3. 1479–1480Naples · NaplesLorenzo de' Medici risked a personal visit to the Neapolitan court, negotiating with Ferdinand and concluding a rapprochement. Ferdinand halted military operations against Florence and instead reconciled with Lorenzo, isolating the papacy. This stabilized Ferdinand's southern rule and eased pressure on the legitimacy of his succession, but also displeased the pope.