persed, and we proceed clearly, under the guidance of the illustrious Thuanus[1].
France had of a long time claimed a right over Genoa; but after the battle of Pavia, when the French were forced entirely to abandon Italy, that claim had become of no effect. Henry the second however, having commenced a new war in Italy, against the emperour Charles the fifth, resolved to assert his power in Corsica; Sampiero di Ornano encouraged this disposition, that he might avail himself of it, to free the island from a yoke which galled it so much.
He represented to Henry, that as the Genoese had taken part with the emperour, his majesty was debarred from all entrance to Italy by sea; whereas, by putting himself in possession of Corsica, he might have a free passage through the Mediterranean, and might, at the fame time, employ that island as a commodious garrison, where troops and warlike stores might be lodged, to be from thence thrown in upon Naples or Tuscany, as the situation of affairs should require.
An expedition was therefore ordered to Corsica, in the year 1553, under the command of
- ↑ Thuan. Hist. lib. xii. cap. 2.
