Editing 1453 (section)

==== Italy ====
In [[Rome]], a plot by the humanist nobleman [[Stefano Porcari]] to overthrow Pope Nicholas V was discovered and put down by Papal forces in early January. Porcari escaped capture multiple times, but was eventually discovered hiding in a chest, and was executed on January 9.{{sfn|D'Elia|2007|pp=210–212}}

A [[Wars in Lombardy|series of regional military conflicts]] across [[Northern Italy]] centered on [[Lombardy]] continued in 1453.{{Sfn|Ilardi|1959|pp=129–138}} [[Francesco I Sforza|Francesco Sforza]], who had risen to power in Milan, allied with the Republic of Florence against their mutual enemies, Venice and the [[Kingdom of Naples]] under [[Alfonso V of Aragon]]. In 1452, Milan and Florence entered into an alliance with [[Charles VII of France]], who was opposed to the potential expansion of Alfonso's control in Italy. Held up by its campaign against the English, France was initially unable to offer any direct aid, but was able to prevent the [[Duchy of Savoy]], a Venetian ally, from invading Lombardy.{{Sfn|Ilardi|1959|pp=136–138}}{{Sfn|Mallett|1998|pp=556–558}}

On June 14, [[Ludovico III Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua|Ludovico Gonzaga of Mantua]] defended [[Mantua]] against Venetian forces led by his brother, [[Carlo Gonzaga of Milan|Carlo Gonzaga]].{{sfn|Swain|1989|p=443}} [[René of Anjou]], a French nobleman who had previously ruled Naples, allied with Florence and invaded Italy in August 1453 with a force of 2,000 soldiers, which soon grew to 3,000. Initially attempting to negotiate with the Venetians, Rene declared war on the republic on 10 October. Together with Milan and Florence, his forces managed to capture the region around [[Cremona]], [[Bergamo]], and [[Brescia]] by late November, although the onset of winter put a halt to the campaign.{{Sfn|Ilardi|1959|pp=139–140}} Concerned by the fall of Constantinople, Pope Nicholas V attempted to negotiate peace in the region in order to unite Christian Europe against the Ottoman Empire. Peace talks sponsored by Nicholas began in November. His efforts would materialize in April of the following year as the [[Treaty of Lodi]].{{Sfn|Ilardi|1959|pp=139–140}}{{Sfn|Mallett|1998|p=558}}