Florentine-Milanese wars

The Florentine-Milanese Wars were a series of conflicts primarily fought for control of Italy during the 15th century. These wars were part of the larger Italian Wars, which involved major European powers like France and Spain.

Key figures in these conflicts included Francesco Sforza, a condottiere who became duke of Milan and founded a dynasty that ruled for nearly a century. Cosimo de' Medici of Florence also played a significant role, often aligning with or against Milan depending on the political landscape.12

The wars were characterized by shifting alliances, intense rivalries between city-states like Florence and Milan, and the use of mercenary troops. These conflicts contributed to the rise of balance-of-power diplomacy in Renaissance Italy and ultimately led to Spanish Habsburg dominance in the region.23