Editing Ferdinand I of Naples (section)

=== War with Florence ===
In June 1452, King Alfonso declared war on [[Republic of Florence|Florence]], at the request of the [[Republic of Venice]], to divert Florence from helping [[Francesco I Sforza|Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan]]. Alfonso sent Ferrante with 6,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry. Alfonso arranged with Venice to attack Florence while Venice attacked Milan.

Ferrante led this army through [[Abruzzo]] and was lovingly received throughout the kingdom. In [[Tuscany]], the Duke's army encamped at the [[Abbey of San Galgano]]. Then the Florentines (whose governor was [[Cosimo de' Medici]]) raised the flags of King [[Charles VII of France]], and urged that [[René of Anjou|former king René]] reconquer Naples.

At this time there was an outbreak of disease in the Neapolitan army; [[Federico da Montefeltro|Duke Federico of Urbino]] and many other captains fell ill. Ferrante moved the army to [[Pitigliano]].<ref name="Le vite de Re di Napoli" />

On 1 September Ferrante was informed that [[Foiano della Chiana|Foiano]] had already been taken. When winter came, the war in Tuscany ended.<ref name="Le vite de Re di Napoli" /> Alfonso negotiated peace and signed a league with Venice and [[Republic of Siena|Siena]]. On 9 April 1454, Venice and Milan signed the [[Peace of Lodi]].<ref name="Le vite de Re di Napoli" />

Ferrante returned to Naples via Abruzzo. When he reached the borders of the Kingdom, he discharged the Duke of Urbino and the other captains.<ref name="Le vite de Re di Napoli" />

On 28 August 1454 he entered Naples, where he was received under a very rich [[baldachin]] with infinite joy by all the citizens.<ref name="Le vite de Re di Napoli" />

On 15 February 1455, Cardinal [[Domenico Capranica]] came to Naples on behalf of [[Pope Nicholas V]], to ask Alfonso to join the [[Italic League]], an alliance of the major princes and potentates of Italy. Alfonso agreed, and thus established friendship with Milan and Florence as well as Venice and the Papacy.<ref name="Le vite de Re di Napoli" />