The Sack of Rome (May 1527) was a significant military victory achieved by the troops of Charles V. It was part of an ongoing conflict between the Imperial powers and the alliance created by the Treaty of Cognac (France, Venice, Milan, Florence and the Papacy). The troops fighting for the Holy Roman Empire did not receive payment, which resulted in the mutiny of 34,000 troops, and their advance on Rome (ostensibly seen as an easy target with considerable affluence). These men were joined by a plethora of desperate peoples; such as deserters, bandits and even some members of Luther’s Protestant Movement.
The troops were effectively led by Charles III, Duke of Bourbon, but were still largely uncontrolled. Despite this they succeeded in reaching the city of Rome, and on the 6th May they attacked the walls. During the violence, Charles III was shot, leaving a power vacuum that was not filled, essentially leaving the soldiers to do as they pleased. A notable event in the conflict was the ‘Stand of the Swiss Guard’ on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, which resulted in their massacre, but allowed the Pope to escape to safety. This was in vain, as the undisciplined army kept fighting; Pope Clement VII was forced to surrender.
The significance of the Sack of Rome was that it caused much humiliation for Charles V, who had failed to command his army and keep them under control. There was also an indirect impact on Henry VIII, in that it made it even more unlikely for the Pope to grant him a divorce. Pope Clement VII was caught in a dilemma whereby if he allowed Henry a divorce, he would offend Charles V (Catherine of Aragon was his Aunt), and if he didn’t he would upset Henry. Instead of making a decision, the Pope tried to ignore the issue. Now that he was virtually imprisoned by the Emperor, it would have been unwise to grant Henry VIII his divorce. Thus, in a rather long-winded way, the actions of a group of rogue soldiers could have potentially caused Henry to move away from the Catholic Church and begin the reformation.
Oliver Kadouchkine
The troops were effectively led by Charles III, Duke of Bourbon, but were still largely uncontrolled. Despite this they succeeded in reaching the city of Rome, and on the 6th May they attacked the walls. During the violence, Charles III was shot, leaving a power vacuum that was not filled, essentially leaving the soldiers to do as they pleased. A notable event in the conflict was the ‘Stand of the Swiss Guard’ on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica, which resulted in their massacre, but allowed the Pope to escape to safety. This was in vain, as the undisciplined army kept fighting; Pope Clement VII was forced to surrender.
The significance of the Sack of Rome was that it caused much humiliation for Charles V, who had failed to command his army and keep them under control. There was also an indirect impact on Henry VIII, in that it made it even more unlikely for the Pope to grant him a divorce. Pope Clement VII was caught in a dilemma whereby if he allowed Henry a divorce, he would offend Charles V (Catherine of Aragon was his Aunt), and if he didn’t he would upset Henry. Instead of making a decision, the Pope tried to ignore the issue. Now that he was virtually imprisoned by the Emperor, it would have been unwise to grant Henry VIII his divorce. Thus, in a rather long-winded way, the actions of a group of rogue soldiers could have potentially caused Henry to move away from the Catholic Church and begin the reformation.
Oliver Kadouchkine