In Naples, it was worsened by a viceregal government with few local concerns, interested only in helping to finance the series of continent wide wars in which Spain had become entangled.

Though repressed by the forces of viceroy Don Rodrigo Ponce de León, which had been able to restore order in almost all of the city, Masaniello's revolt had left in the streets a strong discontent.

When a fleet led by John of Austria the Younger, King Philip's son, came "to soothe the last insurgents" by cannonading the city, a new revolt broke out.

This time the revolt was not one of lazzari (poor Neapolitan people) simply rebelling against the class that held power; it was led by the gunsmith Gennaro Annese and was clearly against Philip.

The king's army, again under the command of John of Austria, chose a prudent strategy and filled Naples with spies, agitators and other agents to win over the remaining nobles.

This time they managed to conquer Procida but, after being repulsed by Spanish naval forces near Ischia, Pozzuoli and Salerno, they abandoned any hope of taking Naples.