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Did the Sack of Rome in 1527 end the Renaissance in Italy

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[[File: Sack of Rome Two.jpg |thumbnail|left|600px250px|Portrait of Emperor Charles V, 1527]]The Sack of Rome was the capture and the destruction of Rome by the mutinous troops of Emperor Charles V. It caused widespread outrage at the time and it shocked Europe. The Sack destroyed much of Rome and it is widely seen as ushering in a new era in the history of Italy. This article will discuss the impact that the Sack had on Italy and its development. The article will discuss the commonly held belief that it ended the Renaissance in Italy. The piece will show that the Sack of Rome in 1527 was of critical importance in the history of Italy and it guaranteed Spanish supremacy in Italy, led to increasingly religious orthodoxy and destroyed the economy of Rome and these all contributed to the ending of the Renaissance.
== Background==Since the 1490s The Sack of Rome was the great rivals France and Spain (capture and briefly Rome's destruction by the Swiss) had fought in Italy for control mutinous troops of the peninsulaEmperor Charles V. The various Italian city states and the Papacy were divided and they were often allied to It caused widespread outrage at the Hapsburgstime, Spanish and the Frenchit shocked Europe.<ref> Lopez, Robert Sabatino, <i>The Three Ages of the Italian Renaissance</i> (Charlottesville: University Press Sack destroyed much of VirginiaRome, 1970), p. 89 </ref> The struggle for Italy had entered and it is widely seen as ushering in a new phase during the reigns of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and his great rival Francis II of Franceera in Italy's history. In 1527 Italy was This article will discuss the scene of impact that the War of the League of Cognac and this involved France and the Papacy Sack had on one side and the Holy Roman Emperor, Spain Italy and her allies on the other. Pope Clement VII supported the French Monarch, Francis I in order to protect the independence of the Papacy.<ref> Lopez, pits development. 112</ref>
Pope Clement feared The commonly held belief is that Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and the Spanish king was becoming too powerful. He was commonly regarded as Sack of Rome ended the most powerful man Renaissance in Europe since the days of the CaesarsItaly. The Imperial troops, who were mainly composed Sack of German mercenaries and Spanish troops, defeated the French and the Papal armies Rome in 1527. However, the Emperor was of critical importance in no position to pay the army and they mutiniedhistory of Italy. This was typical of Charles VIt guaranteed Spanish supremacy in Italy, led to increasingly religious orthodoxy, despite his vast Empire he was often short of cash and usually nearly bankruptdestroyed Rome's economy. The Imperial army had been led by a powerful French nobles, of It was not the Bourbon FamilySack itself, who had rebelled against but the French Monarch. He was unable to quell effects of the revolt and was soon forced Sack that contributed to do the bidding ending of the mutinous troops. The soldiers sought food and money and they began to pillage large areas of Northern Italy and they terrorized many towns and villages.<ref>Tuchman, Barbara W. <i>The March of Folly: From Troy to Vietnam</i> (London, Random House Trade Paperbacks, 1985), pRenaissance. 345</ref>
==Why did the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V's army invade Italy in 1527?==
Since the 1490s, France and Spain (and briefly the Swiss) had fought in Italy for control of the peninsula. The various Italian city-states and the Papacy were divided, and they were often allied to the Hapsburgs, Spanish, and the French.<ref> Lopez, Robert Sabatino, <i>The Three Ages of the Italian Renaissance</i> (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1970), p. 89 </ref> The struggle for Italy had entered a new phase during the reigns of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and his great rival Francis II of France. In 1527 Italy was the scene of the War of the League of Cognac, and this involved France and the Papacy on one side and the Holy Roman Emperor, Spain, and her allies on the other. Pope Clement VII supported the French Monarch, Francis I, to protect the independence of the Papacy.<ref> Lopez, p. 112</ref>
==Sack of Rome- The Terror==After a few weeks, the loot and food available in the area began to run low and the soldiers looked for other targets. They selected Rome. They believed Pope Clement feared that they could get all the money and food that they needed in the Eternal City.<ref>TuchmanCharles V, p. 344</ref> Many of the mutinous soldiers were German mercenariesHoly Roman Emperor, famed for their bravery, many were also sympathisers of Martin Luther and they believed that the Pope Spanish king were becoming too powerful. He was corrupt and even commonly regarded as the ‘Anti-Christ’ who had distorted most powerful man in Europe since the message days of Christ. They wanted to seize Rome for religious reasons and possibly believed that they could deliver a fateful blow to the Catholic Church, even though Martin Luther stated that this would be wrongCaesars. Soon 33,000 The Imperial troops , who were on their way to Rome in the spring of 1527. The army was mainly composed of Germans, Spaniards German mercenaries and Italians.<ref>TuchmanSpanish troops, p. 345</ref> The army was reinforced by deserters form defeated the French army and banditsthe Papal armies in 1527. It However, the Emperor was largely unopposed as an Italian in no position to pay the army, under Venetian command also mutinied. The army became more disorganized as they advanced on Rome. The sacked several towns on the way and on the 5th of May, they had reached the Walls of Romemutinied. By this stage the army This was largely under the control of the common soldiers as their erstwhile leader typical of the Charles Bourbon was only heeded by his men when it pleased them.<ref> Chastel, Andre, <i>The Sack of Rome</i> (Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1983), pV. 78</ref>
On JuneDespite his vast Empire, the 6thhe was often short of cash and usually nearly bankrupt. The Imperial army had been led by powerful French nobles, who had rebelled against the army attacked the city walls. The leader French Monarch of the attack, Charles the Bourbon, Family. He was killed during unable to quell the assault. He had been at least able revolt and was soon forced to influence do the mutinous troops' bidding. The soldierssought food and money, but now the army was completely out and they began to pillage large areas of control They massacred the defenders Northern Italy, and any civilians they came across. Only the bravery of the Swiss Guard saved the Pope from the armyterrorized many towns and villages.<ref> ChastelTuchman, pBarbara W. 115<i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345308239/ref> =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0345308239&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=731d360be9211dec1e2b8dcb7ffcd7bf The mutinous soldiers executed any defenders who surrendered. A reign March of terror ensued in Rome for three days if not longer. The soldiers attacked cardinals and stole their wealth. The ordinary Romans also suffered greatlyFolly: From Troy to Vietnam]</i> (London, countless were robbedRandom House Trade Paperbacks, murdered and raped. Many were tortured in macabre ways so that they would divulge the location of their wealth. The mutineers stayed in the city for some months1985), continuing to terrorize the inhabitants and they only left after eight months because of plague and having received a hefty bribe form the Popep.345</ref>
==AftermathWhy was Rome Sacked by Charles V's army? ==[[File: Pope Clement VII.jpg|thumbnail|300px|Pope Clement VII After a few weeks, the loot and food available in 1528]]Emperor Charles V was deeply embarrassed by the actions of his mutinous armyarea began to run low, and the soldiers looked for other targets. They selected Rome. However, Charles knew They believed that they could get all the Pope was money and food that they needed in a weak position and he saw it as an opportunity to extend his control over the PapacyEternal City.<ref> Chastel. Tuchman, p. 212344</ref>. Successive PopesMany of the mutinous soldiers were German mercenaries, eager to preserve Italian independence and famed for their own had allied themselves with the French, to prevent Charles from upsetting the balance of power in Italybravery. Charles V now used the weakened position But many were also sympathizers of Pope Clement to ensure Martin Luther and they believed that the Papacy Pope was no longer able to resist Imperial interests in Italycorrupt. After Some even describe the pope as the Sack of Rome, Pope Clement was too afraid of Charles V after ‘Anti-Christ’ because they believe he distorted the Sack to adopt a policy that was independent message of the EmperorChrist. This policy was They wanted to have momentous consequences not only seize Rome for religious reasons and possibly believed that they could deliver a fateful blow to the Catholic Church but also for the history of Europe, even though Martin Luther stated that this would be wrong. In the aftermath of the SackSoon 33, the Popes 000 Imperial troops were very reluctant on their way to go against Rome in the wishes spring of 1527. The army was composed of the Emperor and after his abdicationGermans, the Spanish monarchsSpaniards, who inherited the greatest part of Charles V territoriesand Italians.<ref> Tuchman, p. 347345</ref>.
The Popes increasingly shadowed army was reinforced by deserters from the policies of French army and bandits. It was largely unopposed as an Italian army, under Venetian command, which also mutinied. The army became more disorganized as they advanced on Rome. They sacked several towns on the Spanish monarchy especially when it came to way, and on the enforcement 5th of religious orthodoxy. Prior to 1527May, the Pope they had been arguably just another secular ruler. After reached the Sack Walls of Rome. y this stage, the Pope army was largely under pressure from first the control of the common soldiers as their erstwhile leader of the Charles V and later Spanish monarchs such as Phillip II became more interest in clerical discipline and religious orthodoxy than previously. This Bourbon was to have serious repercussions for Italian society and its cultureonly heeded by his men when it pleased them.<ref>BurckhardtChastel, JacobAndre, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0691099472/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0691099472&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=990e20db1788d33ca9ee2a70c1f69586 The Civilization Sack of the Renaissance in ItalyRome, 1527]</i> (LondonPrinceton, PenguinPrinceton University Press, 19921983), p. 11278</ref>
The Popes insistence on religious orthodoxy meant that freethought and secular values were increasingly challenged in the aftermath of On June the Sack of Rome. The Inquisition became more active6th, as the Pope sought to stamp out every sign of free thought or ideas that were contrary to army attacked the teachings of the Churchcity walls. The growing fear leader of Protestantism was also instrumental in the new climate but attack, Charles the fear of the Emperor after the Sack and the Spanish meant that the Inquisition became all-pervasive in Italian society. This Bourbon, was to have a devastating impact on killed during the Renaissanceassault. This cultural flourishing was premised on an attempt He had been at least able to reproduce influence the classical world. It was largely humanisticsoldiers, secular and often overtly pagan and this but now the army was no longer possible in the aftermath completely out of control. They massacred the capture of Rome in 1527defenders and any civilians they came across. It became increasingly difficult for Only the humanist who were once so influential to express their views and instead bravery of studying the ancient classics they were expected to study religious worksSwiss Guard saved the Pope from the army.<ref> BurckhardtChastel, p. 120115</ref> No longer could they think and write freely as by the mid-1500s they were intimidated by the inquisitionThe mutinous soldiers executed any defenders who surrendered. The new emphasis on religious orthodoxy meant that many noble patrons were unwilling to subsidize the works A reign of humanists who expressed ‘pagan’ ideasterror ensued in Rome for three days, if not longer.
==Spanish Domination==The Popes had long opposed the ambitions of soldiers attacked the Holy Roman Emperor cardinals and the Spanish whom they believed correctly wanted to dominate Italystole their wealth.<ref> Duffy, Eoin, <i>History of the Popes</i> (London, Penguin, 2005), p. 267</ref> The Papacy was pivotal to the Italian resistance to the ambitions of the Spanish. This changed after the Sack of Rome in 1527, the Pope was cowed and to an extent meekly followed the policies of Charles V, they ordinary Romans also ceased resisting his growing controlsuffered greatly. This after the deathCountless were robbed, enabled Charles V’smurdered, heir to established de-facto control over Italy, except for Veniceand raped. The Pope had bankrolled the armies Many were tortured in macabre ways so that had been pivotal to they would divulge the Italian resistance to outsiders and after 1527, this was no longer possiblelocation of their wealth. The Papacymutineers stayed in the city for some months, had been practically bankrupted by the Sack and no longer could offer the financial support needed by the City-States continuing to recruit armies, which were mainly composed of mercenary soldiers. By 1550 terrorize the Spanish Monarchinhabitants, Phillip II was the dominant influence in Italy and not they only left after eight months because of the Pope. The Spanish control lead to a loss of political and individual freedom plague and this dealt a blow to the Renaissance as increasingly artists and thinkers hefty bribe they were unable to create paid by the worked they wanted or to freely express their own ideas and opinions.<ref> Burke, Peter. <i>The Italian Renaissance: Culture and Society in Italy Princeton</i> (Princeton University Press, 1999) pPope. 6 </ref>
==What was the aftermath of the Sack of Romein 1527?==[[File: Pope Clement VII.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Pope Clement VII in 1528]] Emperor Charles V was deeply embarrassed by the actions of his mutinous army. However, Charles knew that the Pope was in a weak position, and he saw it as an opportunity to extend his control over the Papacy.<ref> Chastel. p. 212</ref> Successive Popes, eager to preserve Italian independence and their own, had allied themselves with the French to prevent Charles from upsetting Italy's balance of power.  Charles V now used the weakened position of Pope Clement to ensure that the Papacy was no longer able to resist Imperial interests in Italy. After the Sack of Rome, Pope Clement was too afraid of Charles V the Sack to adopt an independent policy of the Emperor. This policy was to have momentous consequences not only for the Church but also for Europe's history. In the aftermath of the Sack, the Popes were very reluctant to go against the wishes of the Emperor and, after his abdication, the Spanish monarchs, who inherited the most significant part of Charles V territories.<ref> Tuchman, p. 347</ref>  The Popes increasingly shadowed the Spanish monarchy's policies, especially when it came to the enforcement of religious orthodoxy. Before 1527, the Pope had been arguably just another secular ruler. After the Sack of Rome, the Pope, under pressure from first Charles V and later Spanish monarchs such as Phillip II became more interested in the clerical discipline and religious orthodoxy than previously. This was to have serious repercussions for Italian society and its culture.<ref>Burckhardt, Jacob, <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014044534X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014044534X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=63c0a4b8b6e06474ca12c3c017e8285d The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy]</i> (London, Penguin, 1992), p. 112</ref>  The Pope's insistence on religious orthodoxy meant that freethought and secular values were increasingly challenged in the aftermath of Rome's Sack. The Inquisition became more active, as the Pope sought to stamp out every sign of free thought or ideas contrary to the teachings of the Church. The growing fear of Protestantism was also instrumental in the new climate. Still, the fear of the Emperor after the Sack and the Spanish meant that the Inquisition became all-pervasive in Italian society. This was to have a devastating impact on the Renaissance. This cultural flourishing was premised on an attempt to reproduce the classical world. It was mostly humanistic, secular, and often overtly pagan, and this was no longer possible in the aftermath of Rome's capture in 1527. It became increasingly difficult for the humanist who was once so influential to express their views. Instead of studying the ancient classics, they were expected to study religious works.<ref> Burckhardt, p. 120</ref> No longer could they think and write freely as by the mid-1500s, and they were intimidated by the Inquisition. The new emphasis on religious orthodoxy meant that many noble patrons were unwilling to subsidize the humanists' works who expressed ‘pagan’ ideas.<dh-ad/> ==The Implications of Spanish Domination over Italy==The Popes had long opposed the Holy Roman Emperor's ambitions, and the Spanish, whom they believed correctly, wanted to dominate Italy.<ref> Duffy, Eoin, <i>History of the Popes</i> (London, Penguin, 2005), p. 267</ref> The Papacy was pivotal to the Italian resistance to the ambitions of the Spanish. This changed after the Sack of Rome in 1527. The Pope was cowed and, to an extent, meekly followed the policies of Charles V. They also ceased resisting his growing control. After the death, this enabled Charles V’s heir to establish de-facto control over Italy, except for Venice. The Pope had bankrolled the armies that had been pivotal to the Italian resistance to outsiders, and after 1527, this was no longer possible.  The sack practically bankrupted the Papacy and it could no longer offer the financial support needed by the City-States to recruit armies, which were mainly composed of mercenary soldiers. By 1550 the Spanish Monarch, Phillip II, was the dominant influence in Italy and not the Pope. Spanish control led to an erosion of political and individual freedoms. This dealt a blow to the Renaissance as artists and thinkers could not create the work they wanted or freely express their ideas and opinions.<ref> Burke, Peter. <i>The Italian Renaissance: Culture and Society in Italy Princeton</i> (Princeton University Press, 1999) p. 6 </ref> == The End of Renaissance Rome?==
[[File: Papacy 2.jpg|thumbnail|350px|left|St Peter’s Basilica]]
Prior to Before 1527, Rome had become arguably the centre center of the Renaissance. Milan had been devastated by successive military occupations, while Florence had been destabilised destabilized and impoverished by twenty years of internal conflict. Apart from Venice, only the Pope had the means to sponsor and commission works of art. The Papal Court was extremely wealthy , and the Pope became the patron of many of the greatest artists of the time, such as Michelangelo and Raphael. This was especially the case after the 1500s because of a dramatic change in the economy.  After Columbus discovered America in 1492, the Italian economy went into a gradual but a steep decline, that which was noticeable by 1527. New trade routes were established in the Atlantic , and the trade of the Mediterranean dropped off. This led to less money being spent on art in Italy.<ref> Burke, p. 113</ref> The Papacy had could continue to support artists and writers, as its main revenue streams were from pilgrims and Church taxes. The popes, which Popes such as Clement VII, continued to spend on commissioning great commission works of art or on architecture, such as the ‘re-building ‘rebuilding of St Peter’s Basilica.'<ref> Burke, p 119</ref>  Rome's capture and the Imperial army's occupation caused massive economic dislocation. Much of the city’s wealth was spent on ransoms or stolen. Rome was devastated by the Sack and its aftermath. The city population fell dramatically; it was approximately 55,000 before 1527 but was only estimated to be 10,000 the following year. The city’s economy was in ruins. The Colonna family revolted in the Papal States and established a virtually independent principality. Following the end of the occupation of Rome, a plague decimated the survivors.
The capture of Rome and the occupation by the Imperial army caused massive economic dislocation and much of the city’s wealth was spent on ransoms or stolen. Rome was devastated by the Sack and its aftermath. The population of the city feel dramatically; it was approximately 55,000 before 1527 but was only estimated to be 10,000 the following year. The city’s economy was in ruins and the Colonna family revolted in the Papal States and established a virtual independent principality. Following the end of the occupation of Rome, a plague decimated the survivors. Rome was in a state of collapse , and the Sack had set the city back by a century. The Pope could no longer afford to pay artists and writers , and they gradually drifted away from the city. The capture of Rome in 1527, ended the Renaissance in Rome which had become the one of the last centres centers of the great cultural flourishing in Italy.<ref>Ruggiero, Guido. <i>[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521719380/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521719380&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=099fc32a1ba347508fdb90b622912ce0 The Renaissance in Italy: A Social and Cultural History of the Rinascimento]</i> (Cambridge University Press, 2015), p. 648 </ref>
==Conclusion==
The Sack of Rome is often considered the end of the Renaissance. The brutal seizure of the Eternal City and the subsequent eight-month occupation by a band of mutinous rebellious soldiers changed the Papacy and indeed Italy. The Papacy was no longer able to resist Spanish domination , and it increasingly followed the policies of first Charles V and later Phillip II. This led to increasing efforts by the Pope, through the Office of the Inquisition to enforce Religious Orthodoxy. The Sack of Rome, shattered the city’s economy , and no longer were was the Pope’s able ability to spend lavishly on buildings, books , and works of art. These factors changed Italian society.  It was no longer as open or free , and artists and writers became afraid to express their opinions. The secular and human values espoused by the Renaissance were no longer were acceptable in the new and increasingly intolerant atmosphere. The Sack destroyed the last centre center in Italy that could to provide the artists and writers' wealth and patronage needs by artists and writers. As Spain increasingly dominated the City-States of Italy and the old liberal atmosphere that contributed so much to the Renaissance was ended. The Sack of Rome in 1527 did not suddenly end stop the Renaissance , but it did help to hasten its demise.
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