Charles VIII, King of France, didn’t mean to end the Middle Ages. He just wanted the kingdom of Naples and to be taken seriously.

Charles was short, ugly and rumoured to be stupid. The first two were true. But when he took control of France from his regent, his elder sister, he was determined to prove his mettle.

In 1494, with his army pulling its mobile cannon, he invaded Italy, intent on getting to Naples. Everyone expected his advance to be halted by the many fortresses in the way but the French cannon smashed down the walls.

To the shock of all, Charles and his army rolled down through Italy and conquered Naples in a matter of months.

The Middle Ages were over. The modern world was born in rolling clouds of cannon smoke.