I am looking for information including sources on the history of Milan
in the very late 15th century in particular how Louis the XII forced
the Sforza family from power and any major events that might have
happened during that power seize.

Hi! Thanks for the interesting question.

The conflict for the right to rule Milan came after Louis the XII
staked his hereditary claim over Milan.

“In 1499, Louis XII of France, who had a hereditary claim to the duchy
of Milan (he was a great-grandson of Gian Galeazzo Visconti), invaded
Italy and expelled Ludovico from his duchy.”

“Sforza, Ludovico or Lodovico”
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0844626.html 

Such power struggle came to a climax at the Battle of Navarro of 1500.
Our next two links are references to this event.

“Louis invaded Milan in 1499 and took the city in October. In 1500 the
Sforza’s had re-taken the city but there was no decisive battle
whereby one side comprehensively defeated the other. Both sides used
Swiss mercenaries and at the Battle of Novara the mercenaries refused
to fight one another!! At this ‘battle’ Sforza was taken prisoner.”

“In the Treaty of Blois signed in 1504, the Emperor recognised French
rule in Milan. As a result of this deal, the daughter of Louis had to
marry the grandson of the emperor thus tying both families together
and diminishing the chances of a major dispute between France and the
emperor.’

“Louis XII of France”
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/L12.htm 

“Louis XII allies with Venice, invades Italy (1499), and accepts the
surrender of his former ally, Milan. Ludovico of Milan attempts to
liberate his city, but is defeated at the Battle of Novara (1500) and
imprisoned. Ferdinand of Spain aids Louis, who conquers the Kingdom of
Naples (1501). Rome is occupied, and the Pope acknowledges Louis as
King of Naples. German king Maximilian signs the Peace of Trent,
recognizing French conquests. In 1502, Ferdinand of Spain sends a
fleet to seize Taranto, supporting Louis.”

“The Renaissance”
http://www.theminiaturespage.com/ref/history/reninfo.html 

An interesting side note, Leonardo Da Vinci was also greatly affected
by this conflict.

“Leonardo's greatest artistic challenge began when the Duke of Milan,
Ludovico Sforza, decided to honor his father Francesco Sforza in the
manner of the day with an equestrian statue. In 1482, Ludovico
commissioned Leonardo to design and build the largest equestrian
statue in the world. Leonardo saw this project, far more than the Last
Supper or any of his paintings, as the means to fix his place in
history.”

“However, Fate intervened to destroy Leonardo's dream of ever
completing his historic sculpture. A political situation between Louis
XII of France and the Duke had degenerated. Faced with imminent war,
the Duke sent the bronze he had gathered for the horse to Ferrara to
be cast into cannon. The French, under Trivulzio, invaded.”

“The French archers used the clay model for target practice, chipping
away pieces of the form; the model's destruction was completed by
weather, and the molds were lost forever. It is said that Leonardo
died regretting, more than anything else, his failure to complete the
horse.”

“To Italy, With Love”
http://www.leonardoshorse.org/to_italy.asp 

Here are links to the biography of Louis XII and a list of prominent
Sforza family members.

“Louis XII”
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/people/A0830394.html 

“Sforza”
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0844623.html 

Search terms used:           
Milan history "Louis XII " "Sforza family" “Battle +of Novara”
      
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if
you would need further information.
          
Thanks for visiting us.          
          
Regards,          
Easterangel-ga          
Google Answers Researcher

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Request for Answer Clarification by skewedoracle-ga on 16 Feb 2003 21:54 PST

Is there any site with more info on the Battle of Navarro?   I'm
looking for real specifics.  This is a really solid answer though if
you think there is nothing else.

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Clarification of Answer by easterangel-ga on 16 Feb 2003 23:51 PST

Hi again skewedoracle-ga and thanks for the kind words.

I took my time before submitting this answer and most of the time I
spent searching for this particular battle and couldn't find much.
Maybe another researcher can provide you with more details about this
event so I suggest, and if you like, you could post another question
for the "Battle of Novara" so other researchers may take a crack at
it.

Thanks again and I hope that you enjoyed your stay at Google Answers!

Easterangel-ga
Google Answers Researcher

A very good answer.  Well worth the money spent.