ABSTRACT
During the last decade of the Italian Wars, imperial and Spanish Dhegemony in Italy was under challenge from the French, whose forces had the upper hand in Piedmont, extended their base in central Italy from Mirandola to Parma, became entrenched in Sienese territory, and attacked the kingdom of Naples. Charles V lacked the energy to respond adequately to these threats, and gradually handed over the government of his Italian lands and oversight of Italian affairs in general to his son Philip. In the event, it was the outcome of the war on the northern frontier of France that put an end to the French challenge in Italy, and to the Italian Wars. The French challenge in Italy during Henry II's reign was in large part the outcome of the interests and initiatives of his agents and representatives in Italy. But it was in Italy that the war between Henry and Charles would begin, at Parma and in Piedmont.
