Louis, Count of Vaudémont

However, the ambitions of Charles VIII towards the same object prevented René from taking up rule in Italy.

Upon his death in 1508, Louis' older brother Antoine reverted to the style of Duke of Calabria to indicate his family's claims on Naples.

Originally destined for the Church and styled Prince de l'Eglise, he became Bishop of Verdun in 1508 and Abbot of Saint-Mihiel in 1512.

With the outbreak of the War of the League of Cognac, Louis was sent into Italy with an army under the command of Lautrec, and was invested by Pope Clement VII as King of Naples and Sicily.

Salerno fell to the invaders on 17 March 1527, but the siege of Naples by the French army was prolonged and unsuccessful.