Florentine–Milanese Wars

The Florentine–Milanese Wars or Visconti Wars were three separate but connected conflicts in 1390–1402 between the Republic of Florence and her allies against the expansionist designs of the Lordship (from 1395 Duchy) of Milan under Gian Galeazzo Visconti. The wars involved most of the states of northern Italy, as well as foreign powers, as the rivals sought support in Germany and France. The first two conflicts were largely inconclusive, while Florence could count on an alliance network to contain Visconti. As the Florence's alliances collapsed during the late 1390s, the city was left exposed. Defeated during the third war, Florence was saved from conquest only by the sudden death of Visconti from the plague, after which his extensive territorial state rapidly collapsed.