Our History. (1553) Replying to the Franco-Turkish invasion of Corsica, Doria strives to lead the “Siena War” together.

The Genoese fought on two fronts, in Corsica against Marshal de Thermes and Sampiero, in Siena against Blaise de Monluc. Soliman’s Turks come to disturb the game with more greedy than political motivations

1^is March 1553, Sampiero requests a leave from Marshal de Brissac under whose orders he fights in Italy. For the condottiere, it is not a question of taking a vacation, but of requesting an interview with King Henry II in order to inform him of a secret proposal at a time when the “Siena War” raged between the French commanded by Blaise de Monluc and a Hispano-Genoese coalition, led by Admiral Doria. The constable of Montmorency accepts the arrival of Sampiero at court. “Proof that the project is important! It can only be a question of opening a new front against Charles-Quint. But no letter of course mentions it, the Genoese spy services being renowned… The trip therefore takes place, as well as the royal interview, probably at the end of May. »⁽¹⁾

In July, Sampiero is back in Italy. From the month of August, a Franco-Turkish fleet leaving from Castiglione della Pescaia in Tuscany, besieged Bastia. The Genoese garrison falls without too much resistance against an enemy superior in number. Sampiero opened the door to the French of Henri II allied for the circumstance to the Turks of Soliman. This project to drive out the Genoese in order to seize Corsica has been in the air for some time, initiated by Villegagnon in August 1552, then validated by Cardinal Du Bellay in June 1553. The idea of ​​making the island “a junction point between the French and Ottoman squadrons”, is in line with the aims of Sampiero. The new front which is opening up in Corsica against Genoa is linked to the “Siena War”, initiated in July 1552 and in which French troops took part under a treaty of alliance with Henry II. This conflict is directed against Spain, that is to say against Charles-Quint who in September 1551 declared war on France. “In 1553, Italy is no longer Italian, it is Spanish. » ⁽²⁾ Sienna the Ghibelline, who wanted to be faithful to the Emperor for a long time, has decided to put an end to his tyrannical protection. On September 26, 1552, with a reinforcement of 3,000 men, the city drove out the Spanish garrison and placed itself under the protection of France. Thus on August 11, 1552 – exactly one year before the Franco-Turkish attack on Bastia – “The Marquis de Thermes, accompanied by several French volunteers and a body of troops in the pay of France, entered the square. » ⁽³⁾ The Spaniards retaliated, supported at sea by Andrea Doria, but Siena held firm. The war ravaged the whole region from Monte Follonico to Pienza, with the siege of the imposing fortress of Montalcino where the Sienese notables had taken refuge. A rumor mentioning Turks raiding Sicily, the Spanish army had to abandon the battlefield to go to southern Italy to do battle with the Barbary of Sinan Pasha. Killing forty Turks, the Sicilians discover with amazement six French among the prisoners. “It was through these captives that Don Juan de Vega, the Viceroy of Sicily, was informed of the plans of Suleiman and Henry II. »⁽⁴⁾ The Franco-Turkish collusion is thus exposed if not confirmed.

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French troops stationed in Siena destined for Corsica

Alerted by Doria, Genoa urgently orders the governor of Corsica to reinforce the maritime towns, in particular Calvi and Bonifacio. But the message comes too late. “Sinan Pasha’s fleet had approached the shore of Siena, embarked there 3,000 men commanded by the Marquis de Thermes and fell unexpectedly on Bastia. »⁽⁵⁾

The plan to wage war on two fronts, in Siena and Corsica, met with opposition from Pietro Strozzi, an influential figure. “For him, this disjointed policy seems too ambitious. It is necessary to make a choice, otherwise the King risks losing Siena and not taking Corsica because it is the French contingents stationed in Siena that must constitute the bulk of the troops destined to land in Corsica. »⁽⁶⁾

However, in the meantime Siena has signed a separate peace with the Duke of Florence, Cosimo de’ Medici, without asking the French for their opinion. The Consul of Pisa writes to the Senate of Genoa: “The French fleet took their infantry and joined the Turkish fleet near Capraja. On the 21st, they left together for Corsica. »⁽⁷⁾ Sampiero plays the scouts: “San Pietro, born on this semi-wild island in 1501, a refugee in France from an early age, raised by Francis 1^is and by Henry II to the highest military posts, guaranteed the support of his compatriots. » ⁽⁸⁾ A few weeks later, Bonifacio, a fortress known as impregnable, fell. The Turks withdraw, but the French remain masters of the island. Only Calvi resists. The year 1554 will see a complete turnaround. Siena is again invaded by the Spaniards reinforced by Germans and Florentines, and Corsica suffers a return of the Genoese led by 87-year-old Doria. The French in Corsica created a permanent danger in Genoa. Doria wrote to the Emperor: “If the French keep this island, Genoa may be starved, it may be forced to submit to French domination. » ⁽⁹⁾ Doria begs Charles-Quint not to abandon the Genoese in such a serious situation, and the Emperor responds favorably to this request. The admiral sends Spinola, his lieutenant with 27 galleys and 3,000 men who have no trouble driving the French out of Bastia. Better fortified, Saint-Florent held out longer. Facing the French of Marshal de Thermes, an army of 9,000 Imperials increased by 2,500 Spaniards. “Corsica on the one hand, and Siena on the other, became the theater where the old passions, which had never ceased to completely agitate Italy, found a career.” One would have thought to go back to the time of the Guelphs and Ghibellines. » ⁽¹⁰⁾

While, despite military success, the Genoese were unable to regain control of Corsica, Charles V pressed Doria to return to Genoa. Reason: Dragut the Barbarian has just appeared with 60 galleys on the coasts of Puglia, the entire imperial fleet is recalled to the Gulf of Naples. The besieged and hungry city of Siena capitulates. “When they had no food left for more than one day, they resigned themselves to laying down their arms: on April 2, 1555, the Duke of Florence received their submission. The Imperials occupied the city. » ⁽¹¹⁾ “After Dragut left, there was nothing left to do in Corsica for the French. Exposed at any hour to a few visits by Doria’s fleet, they left Corsica exposed to the power of the Genoese. »⁽¹²⁾ In 1559, France ceded Corsica to Genoa by the Treaty of Cateau-Cambresis.

(1, 6, 7) Michel Vergé-Franceschi and Antoine-Marie Graziani. Sampiero was a European mercenary in the 16th century. Ed. Piazzola (2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) Jurien de la Gravière. The barbarian privateers and Soliman’s navy. Librairie Plon.

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