Invasion of Corsica (1553) Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Invasion of Corsica

Part of the Ottoman-Habsburg wars and the Italian War of 1551–1559

Historic map of Corsica by Piri Reis

Date	1553–1559
Location	Corsica
Result	Ottomans and French temporarily occupy most of Corsica

Belligerents

Republic of Genoa

Ottoman Empire

France

Corsicans

Commanders and leaders

Andrea Doria

Turgut Reis

Paul de Thermes

Paulin de la Garde

Sampieru Corsu

Strength

60 galleys

14 galleys

The Invasion of Corsica in 1553 was a big event where French, Ottoman, and Corsican forces teamed up. They wanted to capture the island of Corsica from the Republic of Genoa.

Corsica was very important because of its location in the western Mediterranean Sea. It was a key point for the Habsburg communication network. It also served as a necessary stop for small ships traveling between Spain and Italy.

Since 1453, the island had been managed by the Genoese Bank of Saint George. This invasion of Corsica was mainly done to help France.

Why Corsica Was Invaded
How the Invasion Happened
Images for kids
See also

Why Corsica Was Invaded

Further information: History of Corsica

The French king, Henry II, was fighting in the Italian War of 1551–1559 against Emperor Charles V of the Habsburgs. King Henry II needed allies. He followed the Franco-Ottoman alliance policy of his father, Francis I.

Henry II made a deal with Suleiman the Magnificent, the Ottoman Sultan. They agreed to work together against the Habsburgs in the Mediterranean Sea. At this time, the island of Corsica was ruled by the Republic of Genoa.

The year before, in 1552, the Ottomans had already beaten a Genoese fleet. This fleet was led by Andrea Doria at the Battle of Ponza. The French ambassador, Gabriel de Luetz, was with the Ottomans during this battle. On February 1, 1553, France and the Ottoman Empire signed a new alliance treaty. This treaty included working together with their navies against the Habsburgs.

How the Invasion Happened

Summer Campaign of 1553

The Ottoman admirals, Turgut and Koja Sinan, joined forces with a French group of ships. This French group was led by Baron Paulin de la Garde. They attacked the coasts of Naples, Sicily, Elba, and then Corsica.

The Ottoman fleet helped the French by moving French soldiers from Parma to Corsica. These soldiers were led by Marshal Paul de Thermes. Corsican exiles also supported the French. These exiles included Sampiero Corso and Giordano Orsini. The French king had not officially approved this invasion beforehand.

Bastia was captured on August 24, 1553. Paulin de la Garde arrived at Saint-Florent on August 26. Bonifacio was taken in September. Only Calvi was left to capture. However, the Ottomans, who had gathered many valuable items, decided to leave the blockade. They returned to Constantinople at the end of September.

With the Ottomans' help, the French had taken strong positions on the island. By the end of the summer, they had almost completely taken over Corsica. This made the Papacy (the Pope and the Catholic Church) very unhappy.

Turgut Reis, a leader of the Ottoman forces

The Ottoman fleet left for the winter, and the French fleet went back to Marseilles. This put the control of Corsica at risk. Only 5,000 old soldiers and the Corsican rebels remained on the island.

Genoese Fight Back (1553–1554)

King Henry II started talking with Genoa in November. But Genoa sent a force of 15,000 men with Andrea Doria's fleet. They began the long process of taking back the island by attacking Saint-Florent.

An Ottoman fleet sailed in the Mediterranean under Dragut. But it arrived too late. It only sailed along the coast of Naples before returning to Constantinople. The French only got help from small ships called galliots from Algiers.

French and Turkish Operations (1555–1558)

Battle of the Corsicans with the Genoese.

By 1555, the French had been pushed out of most coastal cities. Doria left, but many areas were still under French control. In 1555, Jourdan des Ursins took over from de Thermes. He was named the King's Governor and Lieutenant General in Corsica.

The ambassador to the Ottoman Porte, Codignac, had to go to the Ottoman headquarters in Persia. The Ottomans were fighting a war there against the Safavid Empire. This was the Ottoman-Safavid War (1532–1555). Codignac asked for a fleet to be sent. The Turkish fleet only stayed near during the attack on Calvi and did not help much. The same happened during the attack on Bastia, which the Genoese had taken back. The Turkish fleet sent to help was badly affected by a sickness and went home with empty ships.

Another Ottoman fleet was sent to the Mediterranean in 1558 to help France. But the fleet was late in joining a French fleet near Bastia in Corsica. This might have been because the commander, Dragut, did not follow Suleiman's orders. Instead, the Ottoman fleet led an invasion of the Balearic islands. Suleiman apologized to Henry in a letter at the end of 1558.

The military alliance between France and the Ottomans was strongest around 1553. Finally, in the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559, the French gave Corsica back to the Genoese Republic.

Images for kids

Paul de Thermes, a leader of the French forces
Koja Sinan Pasha, a leader of the Ottoman forces
Baron de la Garde, an admiral of the French fleet
Andrea Doria, a leader of the Genoese forces
Statue of Sampiero Corso at Bastelica. He teamed up with the French and Ottomans to take Corsica.