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The War of the Sicilian Vespers, beginning in 1282, was a revolt by Sicilians against the French Angevin king, Charles I. The uprising started with a massacre of French soldiers and inhabitants in Palermo on Easter Monday, sparked by Charles's oppressive rule. This event led to a conflict between Charles and Peter III of Aragon for control of Sicily.1

The war involved alliances with the papacy and France supporting the Angevins, while Aragonese forces were aided by Italian Ghibellines. Peace treaties were eventually made, but Sicily ultimately came under Aragonese and later Spanish rule, beginning a long period of Spanish influence on the island.12

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