War of the Mantuan Succession

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The War of the Mantuan Succession, 1628 to 1631, was caused by the death in December 1627 of Vincenzo II, last Gonzaga ruler of Mantua and Montferrat. This led to a proxy war between the French-backed Duke of Nevers and the Duke of Guastalla, supported by Spain. It is considered a related conflict of the 1618 to 1648 Thirty Years' War. Fighting centred on the French-held fortress of Casale Monferrato, which the Spanish besieged twice. French intervention on behalf of Nevers in April 1629 led Emperor Ferdinand II to support Spain by transferring troops from Northern Germany. They captured Mantua in July 1630, but failed to take Casale. Ferdinand withdrew his troops in response to Swedish intervention in the Thirty Years' War, and both sides agreed a truce in October 1630. The June 1631 Treaty of Cherasco, confirmed Nevers as Duke of Mantua and Montferrat, as well as leaving France in possession of Pinerolo and Casale, which controlled access to passes through the Alps. However, the diversion...

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