First Campaign of Naples (1495-1498)
At the end of August 1494 Charles VIII of France crossed the Alps to occupy the kingdom of Naples. The Catholic Monarchs appointed Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba as head of the Spanish expedition that would oppose the most powerful army in Europe. In May 1495 Gonzalo disembarked in Mesina.
After an initial defeat in Seminara, Fernández de Cordoba took the initiative by applying the experience he had acquired in the war of Granada, which included ambushes, skirmishes, raids and the capture of castles supported by artillery. With the reinforcement arrived from Spain, Fernandez de Cordoba joins the siege of Atella in June 1496, after a seventeen-day march through enemy territory.
Near Atella, he joined the troops of King Ferdinand II of Naples. Inside the city where the Duke of Montpensier (who had managed to resist successfully) was located , Fernandez de Cordoba redistributed the besieging troops, destroyed the mills that supplied the city with flour and tightened the siege, forcing Montpensier to agree to the surrender of the city. His victory had such an impact that he began to be known as “ El Gran Capitán” (The Great Captain).
Once the area was under control, Fernandez de Cordoba returned to Calabria where he defeated D’Aubigny, gaining control of the kingdom.
Initial deployment. Battle of Seminara
1495 Fall Offensive
1496 Offensive
(1) July 14, 1496
(2) Winter 1495 – Spring 1496
(3) June 21, 1495
