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Francis made an agreement, the Treaty of Madrid, with Charles V in January 1526 which led to his release in March. Francis undertook to surrender the duchy of Burgundy and renounce his claims to Naples, Milan and Genoa.
Francis was let go in exchange for his sons as hostages, but once he was free and back in France he and his council reneged on the treaty, with the blessing of the pope. Indeed, with the King of France free, Pope Clement went further, and he was instrumental in forming a new alliance against Charles and the emperor’s aspirations for northern Italy. Clement concluded negotiations and on 22 May 1526 the Holy League of Cognac was formed, England albeit not a member agreed to subsidise the alliance and was named as its protector. Its aim was to drive the Imperial army from northern Italy. |
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