The Franco-Spanish war had been continuing in north Italy, and late in 1654, increasing Piedmontese hostility to the current French commander Grancey led to a search for a new allied commander-in-chief ; the French would have preferred to send the Duke of York ( later King James II ), but he too was unacceptable to Turin, so Thomas Francis was appointed as joint commander-though his wife was held in France almost as a hostage for his good behaviour.

The Franco-Spanish war had been continuing in north Italy, and late in 1654, increasing Piedmontese hostility to the current French commander Grancey led to a search for a new allied commander-in-chief ; the French would have preferred to send the Duke of York ( later King James II ), but he too was unacceptable to Turin, so Thomas was appointed as joint commander-though his wife was held in France almost as a hostage for his good behaviour.

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