Claiming dynastic rights to the Kingdom of Naples, Charles VIII, King of France, passed into Italy in September 1494. The inability of the Italian states to coordinate their moves on account of old and new rivalries, coupled with what looked like the frightening military superiority of the French, paved the way to an effortless campaign: after marching unmolested along the peninsula, the King entered Naples in February 1495. The very ease with which the enterprise had been accomplished, however, finally induced the Italian states to take action. A large coalition was thus created (March 1495), which included Milan, Venice, the Pope, the King of Spain and the Emperor, for the sake of expelling the French from Italy.

As Charles heard of this, his control over the Kingdom of Naples was far from consolidated. He then decided to leave part of his troops in his new dominion and withdraw with the rest of his army (May 1495). While the King was on his way back, the French contingent left in Asti (about 50 km south-east of Turin) the year before seized Novara, a city of the Milanese, thereby prompting the Duke of Milan to lay siege to it and the Venetians to come to his assistance. After forcing his way in the only serious battle of the entire campaign, on the north-western side of the Apennines (Fornovo, 6 July 1495), Charles engaged in negotiations with the enemy coalition, especially the Duke of Milan. A truce was signed, which allowed for the evacuation of the French from Novara except for the citadel (September 1495); although both parties managed to increase the size of their armies during that time, neither was inclined to come to battle again. In fact, the Duke submitted a proposal for what amounted to a separate peace with the King of France, which is the subject of the debate below.

Much to the disappointment of the Venetians (who will eventually make the Duke pay for this and the Pisan affair – see the next debate), the peace was signed on 10 October 1495.