Charles then continued his march to Naples, which he reached on the 22d of February.

He overran and subjugated the whole kingdom, and, having consolidated his conquest, entered Naples on a white steed, beneath imperial banners, and arrogantly assumed the title of King of Naples, Sicily and Jerusalem.

Alphonso, King of Naples, in despair, abdicated in favor of his son, Ferdinand; and Ferdinand, unable to oppose any effectual resistance, abandoned his kingdom to the conqueror, and fled to the island of Ischia.
These alarming aggressions on the part of France, already very powerful, excited general consternation throughout Europe.

Maximilian, as emperor, was highly incensed, and roused all his energies to check the progress of so dangerous a rival.

The Austrian States alone could by no means cope with the kingdom of France.