(1508-1510)
A league formed by Pope Julius II, King Louis XII of France, and Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I to curtail Venice's territorial expansion and influence in Northern Italy. This resulted in Venice's loss of much of its territory and its financial ruin. Friction between Julius and Louis XII caused the league's collapse in 1510 and an alliance between the pope and Venice against France. In 1512, they drove the French out of Italy, but disagreements regarding the distribution of spoils caused a rift between the two allies. The Venetian Republic changed sides and, in 1515, the French, now led by Louis' successor, Francis I, regained their territories in Italy and, in 1517 the lands taken from the Venetian Republic were returned.
Historical dictionary of Renaissance art. Lilian H. Zirpolo. 2008.