CHAPTERIV
ThedukeofCalabriaroutstheFlorentinearmyatPoggibonzi——
DismayinFlorenceonaccountofthedefeat——ProgressofthedukeofCalabria——TheFlorentineswishforpeace——Lorenzode\'MedicideterminestogotoNaplestotreatwiththeking——LodovicoSforza,surnamedtheMoor,andhisbrothers,recalledtoMilan——
Changesinthegovernmentofthatcityinconsequence——TheGenoesetakeSerezana——Lorenzode\'MediciarrivesatNaples——Peaceconcludedwiththeking——ThepopeandtheVenetiansconsenttothepeace——TheFlorentinesinfearofthedukeofCalabria——
EnterprisesoftheTurks——TheytakeOtranto——TheFlorentinesreconciledwiththepope——Theirambassadorsatthepapalcourt——
Thepope\'sreplytotheambassadors——ThekingofNaplesrestorestotheFlorentinesallthefortresseshehadtaken。
Thearmybeingthusreduced,withoutaleader,anddisorderprevailingineverydepartment,thedukeofCalabria,whowaswithhisforcesnearSienna,resolvedtoattackthemimmediately。TheFlorentines,findingtheenemyathand,wereseizedwithasuddenpanic;neithertheirarms,northeirnumbers,inwhichtheyweresuperiortotheiradversaries,northeirposition,whichwasoneofgreatstrength,couldgivethemconfidence;butobservingthedustoccasionedbytheenemy\'sapproach,withoutwaitingforasightofthem,theyfledinalldirections,leavingtheirammunition,carriages,andartillerytobetakenbythefoe。Suchcowardiceanddisorderprevailedinthearmiesofthosetimes,thattheturningofahorse\'sheadortailwassufficienttodecidethefateofanexpedition。Thisdefeatloadedtheking\'stroopswithbooty,andfilledtheFlorentineswithdismay;forthecity,besidesthewar,wasafflictedwithpestilence,whichprevailedsoextensively,thatallwhopossessedvillasfledtothemtoescapedeath。Thisoccasionedthedefeattobeattendedwithgreaterhorror;forthosecitizenswhosepossessionslayintheValdiPesaandtheVald\'Elsa,havingretiredtothem,hastenedtoFlorencewithallspeedassoonastheyheardofthedisaster,takingwiththemnotonlytheirchildrenandtheirproperty,buteventheirlaborers;
sothatitseemedasiftheenemywereexpectedeverymomentinthecity。Thosewhowereappointedtothemanagementofthewar,perceivingtheuniversalconsternation,commandedthevictoriousforcesinthePeruginotogiveuptheirenterpriseinthatdirection,andmarchtoopposetheenemyintheVald\'Elsa,who,aftertheirvictory,plunderedthecountrywithoutopposition;andalthoughtheFlorentinearmyhadsocloselypressedthecityofPerugiathatitwasexpectedtofallintotheirhandseveryinstant,thepeoplepreferreddefendingtheirownpossessionstoendeavoringtoseizethoseofothers。Thetroops,thuswithdrawnfromthepursuitoftheirgoodfortune,weremarchedtoSanCasciano,acastlewithineightmilesofFlorence;theleadersthinkingtheycouldtakeupnootherpositiontilltherelicsoftheroutedarmywereassembled。Ontheotherhand,theenemybeingundernofurtherrestraintatPerugia,andemboldenedbythedepartureoftheFlorentines,plunderedtoalargeamountinthedistrictsofArezzoandCortona;whilethosewhounderAlfonso,dukeofCalabria,hadbeenvictoriousnearPoggibonzi,tookthetownitself;sackedVicoandCertaldo,andaftertheseconquestsandpillagingsencampedbeforethefortressofColle,whichwasconsideredverystrong;andasthegarrisonwasbraveandfaithfultotheFlorentines,itwashopedtheywouldholdtheenemyatbaytilltherepublicwasabletocollectitsforces。TheFlorentinesbeingatSantoCasciano,andtheenemycontinuingtousetheirutmostexertionsagainstColle,theydeterminedtodrawnearer,thattheinhabitantsmightbemoreresoluteintheirdefense,andtheenemyassailthemlessboldly。WiththisdesigntheyremovedtheircampfromSantoCascianotoSantoGeminiano,aboutfivemilesfromColle,andwithlightcavalryandothersuitableforceswereableeverydaytoannoytheduke\'scamp。Allthis,however,wasinsufficienttorelievethepeopleofColle;for,havingconsumedtheirprovisions,theywerecompelledtosurrenderonthethirteenthofNovember,tothegreatgriefoftheFlorentines,andjoyoftheenemy,moreespeciallyoftheSiennese,who,besidestheirhabitualhatredoftheFlorentines,hadaparticularanimosityagainstthepeopleofColle。
Itwasnowthedepthofwinter,andtheweathersounsuitableforwar,thatthepopeandtheking,eitherdesigningtoholdoutahopeofpeace,ormorequietlytoenjoythefruitoftheirvictories,proposedatruceforthreemonthstotheFlorentines,andallowedthemtendaystoconsiderthereply。Theofferwaseagerlyaccepted;butaswoundsarewellknowntobemorepainfulafterthebloodcoolsthanwhentheywerefirstreceived,thisbriefreposeawakenedtheFlorentinestoaconsciousnessofthemiseriestheyhadendured;andthecitizensopenlylaidtheblameuponeachother,pointingouttheerrorscommittedinthemanagementofthewar,theexpensesuselesslyincurred,andthetaxesunjustlyimposed。Thesematterswereboldlydiscussed,notonlyinprivatecircles,butinthepubliccouncils;
andoneindividualevenventuredtoturntoLorenzode\'Medici,andsay,\"Thecityisexhausted,andcanendurenomorewar;itisthereforenecessarytothinkofpeace。\"Lorenzowashimselfawareofthenecessity,andassembledthefriendsinwhosewisdomandfidelityhehadthegreatestconfidence,whenitwasatonceconcluded,thatastheVenetianswerelukewarmandunfaithful,andthedukeinthepowerofhisguardians,andinvolvedindomesticdifficulties,itwouldbedesirablebysomenewalliancetogiveabetterturntotheiraffairs。
Theywereindoubtwhethertoapplytothekingortothepope;buthavingexaminedthequestioninallsides,theypreferredthefriendshipofthekingasmoresuitableandsecure;fortheshortreignsofthepontiffs,thechangesensuinguponeachsuccession,thedisregardshownbytheirchurchtowardtemporalprinces,andthestillgreaterwantofrespectforthemexhibitedinherdeterminations,renderitimpossibleforasecularprincetotrustapontiff,orsafelytosharehisfortune;foranadherentofthepopewillhaveacompanioninvictory,butindefeatmuststandalone,whilethepontiffissustainedbyhisspiritualpowerandinfluence。Havingthereforedecidedthattheking\'sfriendshipwouldbeofthegreatestutilitytothem,theythoughtitwouldbemosteasilyandcertainlyobtainedbyLorenzo\'spresence;forinproportiontotheconfidencetheyevincedtowardhim,thegreatertheyimaginedwouldbetheprobabilityofremovinghisimpressionsofpastenmities。LorenzohavingresolvedtogotoNaples,recommendedthecityandgovernmenttothecareofTommasoSoderini,whowasatthattimeGonfalonierofJustice。HeleftFlorenceatthebeginningofDecember,andhavingarrivedatPisa,wrotetothegovernmenttoacquaintthemwiththecauseofhisdeparture。TheSignory,todohimhonor,andenablehimthemoreeffectuallytotreatwiththeking,appointedhimambassadorfromtheFlorentinepeople,andendowedhimwithfullauthoritytomakesucharrangementsashethoughtmostusefulfortherepublic。
AtthistimeRobertodaSanSeverino,withLodovicoandAscanioSforzatheirelderbrotherbeingdeadagainattackedMilan,inordertorecoverthegovernment。HavingtakenTortona,andthecityandthewholestatebeinginarms,theduchessBonawasadvisedtorestoretheSforzeschi,andtoputastoptocivilcontentionsbyadmittingthemtothegovernment。ThepersonwhogavethisadvicewasAntonioTassino,ofFerrara,amanofloworigin,who,comingtoMilan,fellintothehandsofthedukeGaleazzo,andwasgivenbyhimtohisduchessforhervalet。He,eitherfromhispersonalattractions,orsomesecretinfluence,aftertheduke\'sdeathattainedsuchinfluenceovertheduchess,thathegovernedthestatealmostathiswill。ThisgreatlydispleasedtheministerCecco,whomprudenceandlongexperiencehadrenderedinvaluable;andwho,totheutmostofhispower,endeavoredtodiminishtheauthorityofTassinowiththeduchessandothermembersofthegovernment。Thelatter,awareofthis,toavengehimselffortheinjury,andsecuredefendersagainstCecco,advisedtheduchesstorecalltheSforzeschi,whichshedid,withoutcommunicatingherdesigntotheminister,who,whenitwasdone,saidtoher,\"Youhavetakenastepwhichwilldeprivemeofmylife,andyouofthegovernment。\"Thisshortlyafterwardtookplace;
forCeccowasputtodeathbyLodovico,andTassino,beingexpelledfromthedukedom,theduchesswassoenragedthatsheleftMilan,andgaveupthecareofhersontoLodovico,who,becomingsolegovernorofthedukedom,caused,aswillbehereafterseen,theruinofItaly。
Lorenzode\'MedicihadsetoutforNaples,andthetrucebetweenthepartieswasinforce,when,quiteunexpectedly,LodovicoFregoso,beingincorrespondencewithsomepersonsofSerezana,enteredtheplacebystealth,tookpossessionofitwithanarmedforce,andimprisonedtheFlorentinegovernor。ThisgreatlyoffendedtheSignory,fortheythoughtthewholehadbeenconcertedwiththeconnivanceofKingFerrando。TheycomplainedtothedukeofCalabria,whowaswiththearmyatSienna,ofabreachofthetruce;andheendeavoredtoprove,bylettersandembassies,thatithadoccurredwithouteitherhisownorhisfather\'sknowledge。TheFlorentines,however,foundthemselvesinaveryawkwardpredicament,beingdestituteofmoney,theheadoftherepublicinthepoweroftheking,themselvesengagedinalong-standingwarwiththelatterandthepope,inanewonewiththeGenoese,andentirelywithoutfriends;fortheyhadnoconfidenceintheVenetians,andonaccountofitschangeableandunsettledstatetheywereratherapprehensiveofMilan。Theyhadthusonlyonehope,andthatdependeduponLorenzo\'ssuccesswiththeking。
LorenzoarrivedatNaplesbysea,andwasmosthonorablyreceived,notonlybyFerrando,butbythewholecity,hiscominghavingexcitedthegreatestexpectation;foritbeinggenerallyunderstoodthatthewarwasundertakenforthesolepurposeofeffectinghisdestruction,thepowerofhisenemiesinvestedhisnamewithadditionallustre。Beingadmittedtotheking\'spresence,hespokewithsomuchproprietyupontheaffairsofItaly,thedispositionofherprincesandpeople,hishopesfrompeace,hisfearsoftheresultsofwar,thatFerrandowasmoreastonishedatthegreatnessofhismind,thepromptitudeofhisgenius,hisgravityandwisdom,thanhehadpreviouslybeenathispower。Heconsequentlytreatedhimwithredoubledhonor,andbegantofeelcompelledrathertopartwithhimasafriend,thandetainhimasanenemy。However,undervariouspretextshekeptLorenzofromDecembertillMarch,notonlytogainthemostperfectknowledgeofhisownviews,butofthoseofhiscity;forhewasnotwithoutenemies,whowouldhavewishedthekingtodetainandtreathiminthesamemannerasJacopoPiccinino;and,withtheostensibleviewofsympathizingforhim,pointedoutallthatwould,orratherthattheywishedshould,resultfromsuchacourse;atthesametimeopposinginthecouncileverypropositionatalllikelytofavorhim。Bysuchmeansasthesetheopiniongainedground,thatifheweredetainedatNaplesmuchlonger,thegovernmentofFlorencewouldbechanged。Thiscausedthekingtopostponetheirseparationmorethanhewouldhaveotherwisedone,toseeifanydisturbancewerelikelytoarise。Butfindingeverythinggoquietlyon,FerrandoallowedhimtodepartonthesixthofMarch,1479,having,witheverykindofattentionandtokenofregard,endeavoredtogainhisaffection,andformedwithhimaperpetualalliancefortheirmutualdefense。LorenzoreturnedtoFlorence,anduponpresentinghimselfbeforethecitizens,theimpressionshehadcreatedinthepopularmindsurroundedhimwithahaloofmajestybrighterthanbefore。Hewasreceivedwithallthejoymeritedbyhisextraordinaryqualitiesandrecentservices,inhavingexposedhisownlifetothemostimminentperil,inordertorestorepeacetohiscountry。Twodaysafterhisreturn,thetreatybetweentherepublicofFlorenceandtheking,bywhicheachpartybounditselftodefendtheother\'sterritories,waspublished。TheplacestakenfromtheFlorentinesduringthewarweretobetakenupatthediscretionoftheking;thePazziconfinedinthetowerofVolterraweretobesetatliberty,andacertainsumofmoney,foralimitedperiod,wastobepaidtothedukeofCalabria。
Assoonasthispeacewaspubliclyknown,thepopeandtheVenetiansweretransportedwithrage;thepopethoughthimselfneglectedbytheking;theVenetiansentertainedsimilarideaswithregardtotheFlorentines,andcomplainedthat,havingbeencompanionsinthewar,theywerenotallowedtoparticipateinthepeace。Reportsofthisdescriptionbeingspreadabroad,andreceivedwithentirecredenceatFlorence,causedageneralfearthatthepeacethusmadewouldgiverisetogreaterwars;andthereforetheleadingmembersofthegovernmentdeterminedtoconfinetheconsiderationofthemostimportantaffairstoasmallernumber,andformedacouncilofseventycitizens,inwhomtheprincipalauthoritywasinvested。Thisnewregulationcalmedthemindsofthosedesirousofchange,byconvincingthemofthefutilityoftheirefforts。Toestablishtheirauthority,theyinthefirstplaceratifiedthetreatyofpeacewiththeking,andsentasambassadorstothepopeAntonioRidolfiandPieroNasi。
But,notwithstandingthepeace,Alfonso,dukeofCalabria,stillremainedatSiennawithhisforces,pretendingtobedetainedbydiscordsamongthecitizens,which,hesaid,hadrisensohigh,thatwhileheresidedoutsidethecitytheyhadcompelledhimtoenterandassumetheofficeofarbitratorbetweenthem。Hetookoccasiontodrawlargesumsofmoneyfromthewealthiestcitizensbywayoffines,imprisonedmany,banishedothers,andputsometodeath;hethusbecamesuspected,notonlybytheSiennesebutbytheFlorentines,ofadesigntousurpthesovereigntyofSienna;norwasanyremedythenavailable,fortherepublichadformedanewalliancewiththeking,andwereatenmitywiththepopeandtheVenetians。ThissuspicionwasentertainednotonlybythegreatbodyoftheFlorentinepeople,whoweresubtleinterpretersofappearances,butbytheprincipalmembersofthegovernment;anditwasagreed,onallhands,thatthecityneverwasinsomuchdangeroflosingherliberty。ButGod,whoinsimilarextremitieshasalwaysbeenherpreserver,causedanunhoped-
foreventtotakeplace,whichgavethepope,theking,andtheVenetiansothermatterstothinkofthanthoseinTuscany。
TheTurkishemperor,MahometII。hadgonewithalargearmytothesiegeofRhodes,andcontinueditforseveralmonths;butthoughhisforceswerenumerous,andhiscourageindomitable,hefoundthemmorethanequalledbythoseofthebesieged,whoresistedhisattackwithsuchobstinatevalor,thathewasatlastcompelledtoretireindisgrace。HavingleftRhodes,partofhisarmy,underthePashaAchmet,approachedVelona,and,eitherfromobservingthefacilityoftheenterprise,orinobediencetohissovereign\'scommands,coastingalongtheItalianshores,hesuddenlylandedfourthousandsoldiers,andattackedthecityofOtranto,whichheeasilytook,plundered,andputalltheinhabitantstothesword。Hethenfortifiedthecityandport,andhavingassembledalargebodyofcavalry,pillagedthesurroundingcountry。Theking,learningthis,andawareoftheredoubtablecharacterofhisassailant,immediatelysentmessengerstoallthesurroundingpowers,torequestassistanceagainstthecommonenemy,andorderedtheimmediatereturnofthedukeofCalabriawiththeforcesatSienna。
Thisattack,howeveritmightannoythedukeandtherestofItaly,occasionedtheutmostjoyatFlorenceandSienna;thelatterthinkingithadrecovereditsliberty,andtheformerthatshehadescapedastormwhichthreatenedherwithdestruction。Theseimpressions,whichwerenotunknowntotheduke,increasedtheregrethefeltathisdeparturefromSienna;andheaccusedfortuneofhaving,byanunexpectedandunaccountableaccident,deprivedhimofthesovereigntyofTuscany。Thesamecircumstancechangedthedispositionofthepope;
foralthoughhehadpreviouslyrefusedtoreceiveanyambassadorfromFlorence,hewasnowsomollifiedastobeanxioustolistentoanyoverturesofpeace;anditwasintimatedtotheFlorentines,thatiftheywouldcondescendtoaskthepope\'spardon,theywouldbesureofobtainingit。Thinkingitadvisabletoseizetheopportunity,theysenttwelveambassadorstothepontiff,who,ontheirarrival,detainedthemunderdifferentpretextsbeforehewouldadmitthemtoanaudience。However,termswereatlengthsettled,andwhatshouldbecontributedbyeachinpeaceorwar。Themessengerswerethenadmittedtothefeetofthepontiff,who,withtheutmostpomp,receivedtheminthemidstofhiscardinals。Theyapologizedforpastoccurrences;
firstshowingtheyhadbeencompelledbynecessity,thenblamingthemalignityofothers,ortherageofthepopulace,andtheirjustindignation,andenlargingontheunfortunateconditionofthosewhoarecompelledeithertofightordie;saying,thatsinceeveryextremityisenduredinordertoavoiddeath,theyhadsufferedwar,interdicts,andotherinconveniences,broughtuponthembyrecentevents,thattheirrepublicmightescapeslavery,whichisthedeathoffreecities。However,ifintheirnecessitiestheyhadcommittedanyoffense,theyweredesiroustomakeatonement,andtrustedinhisclemency,who,aftertheexampleoftheblessedRedeemer,wouldreceivethemintohiscompassionatearms。
Thepope\'sreplywasindignantandhaughty。Afterreiteratingalltheoffensesagainstthechurchduringthelatetransactions,hesaidthat,tocomplywiththepreceptsofGod,hewouldgrantthepardontheyasked,butwouldhavethemunderstand,thatitwastheirdutytoobey;andthatuponthenextinstanceoftheirdisobedience,theywouldinevitablyforfeit,andthatmostdeservedly,thelibertywhichtheyhadjustbeenuponthepointoflosing;forthosemeritfreedomwhoexercisethemselvesingoodworksandavoidevil;thatliberty,improperlyused,injuresitselfandothers;thattothinklittleofGod,andlessofhischurch,isnotthepartofafreeman,butafool,andonedisposedtoevilratherthangood,andtoeffectwhosecorrectionisthedutynotonlyofprincesbutofeveryChristian;sothatinrespectoftherecentevents,theyhadonlythemselvestoblame,who,bytheirevildeeds,hadgivenrisetothewar,andinflameditbystillworseactions,ithavingbeenterminatedbythekindnessofothersratherthanbyanymeritoftheirown。Theformulaofagreementandbenedictionwasthenread;and,inadditiontowhathadalreadybeenconsideredandagreeduponbetweentheparties,thepopesaid,thatiftheFlorentineswishedtoenjoythefruitofhisforgiveness,theymustmaintainfifteengalleys,armed,andequipped,attheirownexpense,aslongastheTurksshouldmakewaruponthekingdomofNaples。Theambassadorscomplainedmuchofthisburdeninadditiontothearrangementalreadymade,butwereunabletoobtainanyalleviation。However,aftertheirreturntoFlorence,theSignorysent,asambassadortothepope,GuidantonioVespucci,whohadrecentlyreturnedfromFrance,andwhobyhisprudencebroughteverythingtoanamicableconclusion,obtainedmanyfavorsfromthepontiff,whichwereconsideredaspresagesofacloserreconciliation。
Havingsettledtheiraffairswiththepope,Siennabeingfree,themselvesreleasedfromthefearoftheking,bythedepartureofthedukeofCalabriafromTuscany,andthewarwiththeTurksstillcontinuing,theFlorentinespressedthekingtorestoretheirfortresses,whichthedukeofCalabria,uponquittingthecountry,hadleftinthehandsoftheSiennese。Ferrando,apprehensivethatifherefused,theywouldwithdrawfromthealliancewithhim,andbynewwarswiththeSiennesedeprivehimoftheassistancehehopedtoobtainfromthepopeandotherItalianpowers,consentedthattheyshouldbegivenup,andbynewfavorsendeavoredtoattachtheFlorentinestohisinterests。Itisthusevident,thatforceandnecessity,notdeedsandobligations,induceprincestokeepfaith。
Thecastlesbeingrestored,andthisnewallianceestablished,Lorenzode\'Medicirecoveredthereputationwhichfirstthewarandthenthepeace,whentheking\'sdesignsweredoubtful,haddeprivedhimof;foratthisperiodtherewasnolackofthosewhoopenlyslanderedhimwithhavingsoldhiscountrytosavehimself,andsaid,thatinwartheyhadlosttheirterritories,andinpeacetheirliberty。Butthefortressesbeingrecovered,anhonorabletreatyratifiedwiththeking,andthecityrestoredtoherformerinfluence,thespiritofpublicdiscourseentirelychangedinFlorence,aplacegreatlyaddictedtogossip,andinwhichactionsarejudgedbythesuccessattendingthem,ratherthanbytheintelligenceemployedintheirdirection;therefore,thecitizenspraisedLorenzoextravagantly,declaringthatbyhisprudencehehadrecoveredinpeace,whatunfavorablecircumstanceshadtakenfromtheminwar,andthatbyhisdiscretionandjudgmenthehaddonemorethantheenemywithalltheforceoftheirarms。
CHAPTERV
NewoccasionsofwarinItaly——DifferencesbetweenthemarquisofFerrara,andtheVenetians——ThekingofNaplesandtheFlorentinesattackthepapalstates——Thepope\'sdefensivearrangements——TheNeapolitanarmyroutedbythepapalforces——ProgressoftheVenetiansagainstthemarquisofFerrara——Thepopemakespeace,andentersintoaleagueagainsttheVenetians——OperationsoftheLeagueagainsttheVenetians——TheVenetiansroutedatBondeno——
Theirlosses——DisunionamongtheLeague——LodovicoSforzamakespeacewiththeVenetians——Ratifiedbytheotherparties。
TheinvasionoftheTurkshaddeferredthewarwhichwasabouttobreakforthfromtheangerofthepopeandtheVenetiansatthepeacebetweentheFlorentinesandtheking。Butasthebeginningofthatinvasionwasunexpectedandbeneficial,itsconclusionwasequallyunlookedforandinjurious;forMahometdyingsuddenly,dissensionsaroseamonghissons,andtheforceswhichwereinPugliabeingabandonedbytheircommander,surrenderedOtrantototheking。ThefearswhichrestrainedthepopeandtheVenetiansbeingthusremoved,everyonebecameapprehensiveofnewtroubles。Ontheonehand,wastheleagueofthepopeandtheVenetians,andwiththemtheGenoese,Siennese,andotherminorpowers;ontheother,theFlorentines,theking,andtheduke,withwhomweretheBologneseandmanyprinces。TheVenetianswishedtobecomelordsofFerrara,andthoughttheywerejustifiedbycircumstancesinmakingtheattempt,andhopingforafavorableresult。Theirdifferencesarosethus:themarquisofFerraraaffirmedhewasundernoobligationtotakesaltfromtheVenetians,ortoadmittheirgovernor;thetermsofconventionbetweenthemdeclaring,thatafterseventyyears,thecitywastobefreefrombothimpositions。TheVenetiansreplied,thatsolongasheheldthePolesine,hewasboundtoreceivetheirsaltandtheirgovernor。Themarquisrefusinghisconsent,theVenetiansconsideredthemselvesjustifiedintakingarms,andthatthepresentmomentofferedasuitableopportunity;forthepopewasindignantagainsttheFlorentinesandtheking;andtoattachthepopestillfurther,theCountGirolamo,whowasthenatVenice,wasreceivedwithallpossiblerespect;firstadmittedtotheprivilegesofacitizen,andthenraisedtotherankofasenator,thehighestdistinctionstheVenetiansenatecanconfer。Toprepareforthewar,theyleviednewtaxes,andappointedtothecommandoftheforces,RobertodaSanSeverino,whobeingoffendedwithLodovico,governorofMilan,fledtoTortona,whence,afteroccasioningsomedisturbances,hewenttoGenoa,andwhilethere,wassentforbytheVenetians,andplacedattheheadoftheirtroops。
Thesecircumstancesbecomingknowntotheoppositeleague,induceditalsotoprovideforwar。ThedukeofMilanappointedashisgeneral,Federigod\'Urbino;theFlorentinesengagedCostanzo,lordofPesaro;
andtosoundthedispositionofthepope,andknowwhethertheVenetiansmadewaragainstFerrarawithhisconsentornot,KingFerrandosentAlfonso,dukeofCalabria,withhisarmyacrosstheTronto,andaskedthepontiff\'spermissiontopassintoLombardytoassistthemarquis,whichwasrefusedinthemostperemptorymanner。
TheFlorentinesandtheking,nolongerdoubtfulaboutthepope\'sintentions,determinedtoharasshim,andthuseithercompelhimtotakepartwiththem,orthrowsuchobstaclesinhisway,aswouldpreventhimfromhelpingtheVenetians,whohadalreadytakenthefield,attackedthemarquis,overranhisterritory,andencampedbeforeFigaruolo,afortressofthegreatestimportance。InpursuanceofthedesignoftheFlorentinesandtheking,thedukeofCalabria,bytheassistanceoftheColonnafamilytheOrsinihadjoinedthepope,plunderedthecountryaboutRomeandcommittedgreatdevastation;whiletheFlorentines,withNiccoloVitelli,besiegedandtookCittadiCastello,expellingLorenzoVitelli,whohelditforthepope,andplacingNiccoloinitasprince。
Thepopenowfoundhimselfinverygreatstraits;forthecityofRomewasdisturbedbyfactionsandthecountrycoveredwithenemies。Butactingwithcourageandresolution,heappointedRobertodaRiminototakethecommandofhisforces;andhavingsentforhimtoRome,wherehistroopswereassembled,toldhimhowgreatwouldbethehonor,ifhecoulddeliverthechurchfromtheking\'sforces,andthetroublesinwhichitwasinvolved;howgreatlyindebted,notonlyhimself,butallhissuccessorswouldbe,and,thatnotmankindmerely,butGodhimselfwouldbeunderobligationstohim。ThemagnificentRoberto,havingconsideredtheforcesandpreparationsalreadymade,advisedthepopetoraiseasnumerousabodyofinfantryaspossible,whichwasdonewithoutdelay。ThedukeofCalabriawasathand,andconstantlyharassedthecountryuptotheverygatesofRome,whichsorousedtheindignationofthecitizens,thatmanyofferedtheirassistancetoRoberto,andallwerethankfullyreceived。Theduke,hearingofthesepreparations,withdrewashortdistancefromthecity,thatinthebeliefoffindinghimgone,themagnificentRobertowouldnotpursuehim,andalsoinexpectationofhisbrotherFederigo,whomtheirfatherhadsenttohimwithadditionalforces。ButRoberto,findinghimselfnearlyequaltothedukeincavalry,andsuperiorininfantry,marchedboldlyoutofRomeandtookapositionwithintwomilesoftheenemy。Theduke,seeinghisadversariescloseuponhim,foundhemusteitherfightordisgracefullyretire。Toavoidaretreatunbecomingaking\'sson,heresolvedtofacetheenemy;andabattleensuedwhichcontinuedfrommorningtillmidday。Inthisengagement,greatervalorwasexhibitedonbothsidesthanhadbeenshowninanyotherduringthelastfiftyyears,upwardofathousanddeadbeingleftuponthefield。Thetroopsofthechurchwereatlengthvictorious,forhernumerousinfantrysoannoyedtheducalcavalry,thattheywerecompelledtoretreat,andAlfonsohimselfwouldhavefallenintothehandsoftheenemy,hadhenotbeenrescuedbyabodyofTurks,whoremainedatOtranto,andwereatthattimeinhisservice。ThelordofRimino,afterthisvictory,returnedtriumphantlytoRome,butdidnotlongenjoythefruitofhisvalor;forhaving,duringtheheatoftheengagement,takenacopiousdraughtofwater,hewasseizedwithaflux,ofwhichheveryshortlyafterwarddied。
Thepopecausedhisfuneraltobeconductedwithgreatpomp,andinafewdays,senttheCountGirolamotowardCittadiCastellotorestoreittoLorenzo,andalsoendeavortogainRimino,whichbeingbyRoberto\'sdeathlefttothecareofhiswidowandasonwhowasquiteaboy,hisholinessthoughtmightbeeasilywon;andthiscertainlywouldhavebeenthecase,iftheladyhadnotbeendefendedbytheFlorentines,whoopposedhimsoeffectually,astopreventhissuccessagainstbothCastelloandRimino。
WhilethesethingswereinprogressatRomeandinRomagna,theVenetianstookpossessionofFigaruoloandcrossedthePowiththeirforces。ThecampofthedukeofMilanandthemarquiswasindisorder;
forthecountofUrbinohavingfallenill,wascarriedtoBolognaforhisrecovery,butdied。Thusthemarquis\'saffairswereunfortunatelysituated,whilethoseoftheVenetiansgavethemincreasinghopesofoccupyingFerrara。TheFlorentinesandthekingofNaplesusedtheirutmostendeavorstogainthepopetotheirviews;andnothavingsucceededbyforce,theythreatenedhimwiththecouncil,whichhadalreadybeensummonedbytheemperortoassembleatBasle;andbymeansoftheimperialambassadors,andtheco-operationoftheleadingcardinals,whoweredesirousofpeace,thepopewascompelledtoturnhisattentiontowardeffectingthepacificationofItaly。Withthisview,attheinstigationofhisfears,andwiththeconvictionthattheaggrandizementoftheVenetianswouldbetheruinofthechurchandofItaly,heendeavoredtomakepeacewiththeLeague,andsenthisnunciostoNaples,whereatreatywasconcludedforfiveyears,betweenthepope,theking,thedukeofMilan,andtheFlorentines,withanopeningfortheVenetianstojointhemiftheythoughtproper。
Whenthiswasaccomplished,thepopeintimatedtotheVenetians,thattheymustdesistfromwaragainstFerrara。Theyrefusedtocomply,andmadepreparationstoprosecutetheirdesignwithgreatervigorthantheyhadhithertodone;andhavingroutedtheforcesofthedukeandthemarquisatArgenta,theyapproachedFerrarasocloselyastopitchtheirtentsinthemarquis\'spark。
TheLeaguefoundtheymustnolongerdelayrenderinghimefficientassistance,andorderedthedukeofCalabriatomarchtoFerrarawithhisforcesandthoseofthepope,theFlorentinetroopsalsomovinginthesamedirection。Inordertodirecttheoperationsofthewarwithgreaterefficiency,theLeagueassembledadietatCremona,whichwasattendedbythepope\'slegate,theCountGirolamo,thedukeofCalabria,theSignorLodovicoSforza,andLorenzode\'Medici,withmanyotherItalianprinces;andwhenthemeasurestobeadoptedwerefullydiscussed,havingdecidedthatthebestwayofrelievingFerrarawouldbetoeffectadivisionoftheenemy\'sforces,theLeaguedesiredLodovicotoattacktheVenetiansonthesideofMilan,butthishedeclined,forfearofbringingawarupontheduke\'sterritories,whichitwouldbedifficulttoquell。ItwasthereforeresolvedtoproceedwiththeunitedforcesoftheLeaguetoFerrara,andhavingassembledfourthousandcavalryandeightthousandinfantry,theywentinpursuitoftheVenetians,whoseforceamountedtotwothousandtwohundredmenatarms,andsixthousandfoot。TheyfirstattackedtheVenetianflotilla,thenlyingupontheriverPo,whichtheyroutedwiththelossofabovetwohundredvessels,andtookprisonerAntonioJustiniano,thepurveyorofthefleet。TheVenetians,findingallItalyunitedagainstthem,endeavoredtosupporttheirreputationbyengagingintheirservicethedukeofLorraine,whojoinedthemwithtwohundredmenatarms:andhavingsufferedsogreatadestructionoftheirfleet,theysenthim,withpartoftheirarmy,tokeeptheirenemiesatbay,andRobertodaSanSeverinotocrosstheAddawiththeremainder,andproceedtoMilan,wheretheyweretoraisethecryof\"ThedukeandtheLadyBona,\"hismother;hopingbythismeanstogiveanewaspecttoaffairsthere,believingthatLodovicoandhisgovernmentweregenerallyunpopular。Thisattackatfirstcreatedgreatconsternation,androusedthecitizensinarms;
buteventuallyproducedconsequencesunfavorabletothedesignsoftheVenetians;forLodovicowasnowdesiroustoundertakewhathehadrefusedtodoattheentreatyofhisallies。LeavingthemarquisofFerraratothedefenseofhisownterritories,he,withfourthousandhorseandtwothousandfoot,andjoinedbythedukeofCalabriawithtwelvethousandhorseandfivethousandfoot,enteredtheterritoryofBergamo,thenBrescia,nextthatofVerona,and,indefianceoftheVenetians,plunderedthewholecountry;foritwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatRobertoandhisforcescouldsavethecitiesthemselves。Inthemeantime,themarquisofFerrarahadrecoveredagreatpartofhisterritories;forthedukeofLorraine,bywhomhewasattacked,havingonlyathiscommandtwothousandhorseandonethousandfoot,couldnotwithstandhim。Hence,duringthewholeof1483,theaffairsoftheLeaguewereprosperous。
Thewinterhavingpassedquietlyover,thearmiesagaintookthefield。Toproducethegreaterimpressionupontheenemy,theLeagueunitedtheirwholeforce,andwouldeasilyhavedeprivedtheVenetiansofalltheypossessedinLombardy,ifthewarhadbeenconductedinthesamemannerasduringtheprecedingyear;forbythedepartureofthedukeofLorraine,whosetermofservicehadexpired,theywerereducedtosixthousandhorseandfivethousandfoot,whiletheallieshadthirteenthousandhorseandfivethousandfootattheirdisposal。
But,asisoftenthecasewhereseveralofequalauthorityarejoinedincommand,theirwantofunitydecidedthevictorytotheirenemies。
Federigo,marquisofMantua,whoseinfluencekeptthedukeofCalabriaandLodovicoSforzawithinbounds,beingdead,differencesarosebetweenthemwhichsoonbecamejealousies。GiovanGaleazzo,dukeofMilan,wasnowofanagetotakethegovernmentonhimself,andhadmarriedthedaughterofthedukeofCalabria,whowishedhisson-in-
lawtoexercisethegovernmentandnotLodovico;thelatter,beingawareoftheduke\'sdesign,studiedtopreventhimfromeffectingit。
ThepositionofLodovicobeingknowntotheVenetians,theythoughttheycouldmakeitavailablefortheirowninterests;andhoped,astheyhadoftenbeforedone,torecoverinpeacealltheyhadlostbywar;andhavingsecretlyenteredintotreatywithLodovico,thetermswereconcludedinAugust,1484。Whenthisbecameknowntotherestoftheallies,theyweregreatlydissatisfied,principallybecausetheyfoundthattheplaceswonfromtheVenetiansweretoberestored;thattheywereallowedtokeepRovigoandthePolesine,whichtheyhadtakenfromthemarquisofFerrara,andbesidesthisretainallthepre-eminenceandauthorityoverFerraraitselfwhichtheyhadformerlypossessed。Thusitwasevidenttoeveryone,theyhadbeenengagedinawarwhichhadcostvastsumsofmoney,duringtheprogressofwhichtheyhadacquiredhonor,andwhichwasconcludedwithdisgrace;fortheplaceswrestedfromtheenemywererestoredwithoutthemselvesrecoveringthosetheyhadlost。Theywere,however,compelledtoratifythetreaty,onaccountoftheunsatisfactorystateoftheirfinances,andbecausethefaultsandambitionofothershadrenderedthemunwillingtoputtheirfortunestofurtherproof。
CHAPTERVI
Affairsofthepope——HeisreconciledtoNiccoloVitelli——DiscordsbetweentheColonnesiandtheOrsini——Variousevents——ThewarofSerezana——Genoaoccupiedbyherarchbishop——DeathofSixtusIV——
InnocentVIII。elected——AgostinoFregosogivesSerezanatothebankofSt。Giorgio——AccountofthebankofSt。Giorgio——WarwiththeGenoeseforSerezana——StratagemoftheFlorentinestoattackPietraSanta——DifficultiesandfinalsurrenderofPietraSanta——
TheLuccheselayclaimtoPietraSanta——ThecityofL\'AquilarevoltsagainstthekingofNaples——Warbetweenhimandthepope——
TheFlorentinestaketheking\'sparty——Peacebetweenthepopeandtheking。
DuringtheseeventsinLombardy,thepopesentLorenzotoinvestCittadiCastello,forthepurposeofexpellingNiccoloVitelli,theplacehavingbeenabandonedtohimbytheLeague,forthepurposeofinducingthepontifftojointhem。Duringthesiege,Niccolo\'stroopswereledoutagainstthepapalforcesandroutedthem。UponthisthepoperecalledtheCountGirolamofromLombardywithordersfirsttorecruithisarmyatRome,andthenproceedagainstCittadiCastello。
Butthinkingafterward,thatitwouldbebettertoobtainNiccoloVitelloashisfriendthantorenewhostilitieswithhim,anarrangementwasenteredintobywhichthelatterretainedCittadiCastello,andthepopepacifiedLorenzoaswellashecould。Hewasinducedtoboththesemeasuresratherbyhisapprehensionoffreshtroublesthanbyhisloveofpeace,forheperceiveddissensionsarisingbetweentheColonessiandtheOrsini。
InthewarbetweenthekingofNaplesandthepope,theformerhadtakenthedistrictofTagliacozzofromtheOrsini,andgivenittotheColonnesi,whohadespousedhiscause。Upontheestablishmentofpeace,theOrsinidemandeditsrestorationbyvirtueofthetreaty。
ThepopehadfrequentlyintimatedtotheColonnesithatitoughttoberestored;butthey,insteadofcomplyingwiththeentreatiesoftheOrsini,orbeinginfluencedbythepope\'sthreats,renewedhostilitiesagainsttheformer。Uponthisthepontiff,unabletoenduretheirinsolence,unitedhisownforceswiththoseoftheOrsini,plunderedthehousestheypossessedinRome,slewormadeprisonersallwhodefendedthem,andseizedmostoftheirfortresses。Sothatwhenthesetroubleswerecomposed,itwasratherbythecompletesubjugationofonepartythanfromanydesireforpeaceintheother。
NorweretheaffairsofGenoaorofTuscanyinrepose,fortheFlorentineskepttheCountAntoniodaMarcianoonthebordersofSerezana;andwhilethewarcontinuedinLombardy,annoyedthepeopleofSerezanabyinroadsandlightskirmishes。BattistinoFregoso,dogeofGenoa,trustingtoPagoloFregoso,thearchbishop,wastakenprisoner,withhiswifeandchildren,bythelatter,whoassumedthesovereigntyofthecity。TheVenetianfleethadattackedthekingdomofNaples,takenGallipoli,andharassedtheneighboringplaces。ButuponthepeaceofLombardy,alltumultswerehushedexceptthoseofTuscanyandRome;forthepopediedinfivedaysafteritsdeclaration,eitherinthenaturalcourseofthings,orbecausehisgriefforpeace,towhichhewasalwaysopposed,occasionedhisend。
Uponthedeceaseofthepontiff,Romewasimmediatelyinarms。TheCountGirolamowithdrewhisforcesintothecastle;andtheOrsinifearedtheColonnesiwouldavengetheinjuriestheyhadrecentlysustained。TheColonnesidemandedtherestitutionoftheirhousesandcastles,sothatinafewdaysrobberies,fires,andmurdersprevailedinseveralpartsofthecity。Thecardinalsentreatedthecounttogivethecastleintothehandsofthecollege,withdrawhistroops,anddeliverRomefromthefearofhisforces,andhe,bywayofingratiatinghimselfwiththefuturepontiffobeyed,andretiredtoImola。Thecardinals,beingthusdivestedoftheirfears,andthebaronshopelessofassistanceintheirquarrels,proceededtocreateanewpontiff,andaftersomediscussion,GiovanniBatistaCibo,aGenoese,cardinalofMalfetta,waselected,andtookthenameofInnocentVIII。Bythemildnessofhisdispositionforhewaspeaceableandhumanehecausedacessationofhostilities,andforthepresentrestoredpeacetoRome。
TheFlorentines,afterthepacificationofLombardy,couldnotremainquiet;foritappeareddisgracefulthataprivategentlemanshoulddeprivethemofthefortressofSerezana;andasitwasallowedbytheconditionsofpeace,notonlytodemandlostplaces,buttomakewaruponanywhoshouldimpedetheirrestoration,theyimmediatelyprovidedmenandmoneytoundertakeitsrecovery。Uponthis,AgostinoFregoso,whohadseizedSerezana,beingunabletodefendit,gavethefortresstotheBankofSt。Giorgio。AsweshallhavefrequentoccasiontospeakofSt。GiorgioandtheGenoese,itwillnotbeimproper,sinceGenoaisoneoftheprincipalcitiesofItaly,togivesomeaccountoftheregulationsandusagesprevailingthere。WhentheGenoesehadmadepeacewiththeVenetians,afterthegreatwar,manyyearsago,therepublic,beingunabletosatisfytheclaimsofthosewhohadadvancedlargesumsofmoneyforitsuse,concededtothemtherevenueoftheDoganoorcustomhouse,sothateachcreditorshouldparticipateinthereceiptsinproportiontohisclaim,untilthewholeamountshouldbeliquidated,andasasuitableplacefortheirassembling,thepalaceovertheDoganowasassignedfortheiruse。
Thesecreditorsestablishedaformofgovernmentamongthemselves,appointingacouncilofonehundredpersonsforthedirectionoftheiraffairs,andacommitteeofeight,who,astheexecutivebody,shouldcarryintoeffectthedeterminationsofthecouncil。Theircreditsweredividedintoshares,called/Luoghi/,andtheytookthetitleoftheBank,orCompanyofSt。Giorgio。Havingthusarrangedtheirgovernment,thecityfellintofreshdifficulties,andappliedtoSanGiorgioforassistance,which,beingwealthyandwellmanaged,wasabletoaffordtherequiredaid。Ontheotherhand,asthecityhadatfirstconcededthecustoms,shenextbegantoassigntowns,castles,orterritories,assecurityformoneysreceived;andthispracticehasproceededtosuchalength,fromthenecessitiesofthestate,andtheaccommodationbytheSanGiorgio,thatthelatternowhasunderitsadministrationmostofthetownsandcitiesintheGenoesedominion。
ThesetheBankgovernsandprotects,andeveryyearsendsitsdeputies,appointedbyvote,withoutanyinterferenceonthepartoftherepublic。HencetheaffectionsofthecitizensaretransferredfromthegovernmenttotheSanGiorgio,onaccountofthetyrannyoftheformer,andtheexcellentregulationsadoptedbythelatter。Hencealsooriginatethefrequentchangesoftherepublic,whichissometimesunderacitizen,andatothertimesgovernedbyastranger;
forthemagistracy,andnottheSanGiorgio,changesthegovernment。
SowhentheFregosiandtheAdorniwereinopposition,asthegovernmentoftherepublicwastheprizeforwhichtheystrove,thegreaterpartofthecitizenswithdrewandleftittothevictor。TheonlyinterferenceoftheBankofSt。Giorgioiswhenonepartyhasobtainedasuperiorityovertheother,tobindthevictortotheobservanceofitslaws,whichuptothistimehavenotbeenchanged;
forasitpossessesarms,money,andinfluence,theycouldnotbealteredwithoutincurringtheimminentriskofadangerousrebellion。
Thisestablishmentpresentsaninstanceofwhatinalltherepublics,eitherdescribedorimaginedbyphilosophers,hasneverbeenthoughtof;exhibitingwithinthesamecommunity,andamongthesamecitizens,libertyandtyranny,integrityandcorruption,justiceandinjustice;
forthisestablishmentpreservesinthecitymanyancientandvenerablecustoms;andshouldithappenasintimeiteasilymay
thattheSanGiorgioshouldhavepossessionofthewholecity,therepublicwillbecomemoredistinguishedthanthatofVenice。
AgostinoFregosoconcededSerezanatotheSanGiorgio,whichreadilyacceptedit,undertookitsdefense,putafleettosea,andsentforcestoPietraSantatopreventallattemptsoftheFlorentines,whosecampwasintheimmediatevicinity。TheFlorentinesfounditwouldbeessentiallynecessarytogainpossessionofPietraSanta,forwithoutittheacquisitionofSerezanalostmuchofitsvalue,beingsituatedbetweenthelatterplaceandPisa;buttheycouldnot,consistentlywiththetreaty,besiegeit,unlessthepeopleofPietraSanta,oritsgarrison,weretoimpedetheiracquisitionofSerezana。
Toinducetheenemytodothis,theFlorentinessentfromPisatothecampaquantityofprovisionsandmilitarystores,accompaniedbyaveryweakescort;thatthepeopleofPietraSantamighthavelittlecauseforfear,andbytherichnessofthebootybetemptedtotheattack。Theplansucceededaccordingtotheirexpectation;fortheinhabitantsofPietraSanta,attractedbytherichprizetookpossessionofit。
ThisgavelegitimateoccasiontotheFlorentinestoundertakeoperationsagainstthem;soleavingSerezanatheyencampedbeforePietraSanta,whichwasverypopulous,andmadeagallantdefense。TheFlorentinesplantedtheirartilleryintheplain,andformedarampartuponthehill,thattheymightalsoattacktheplaceonthatside。
JacopoGuicciardiniwascommissaryofthearmy;andwhilethesiegeofPietraSantawasgoingon,theGenoesetookandburnedthefortressofVada,and,landingtheirforces,plunderedthesurroundingcountry。
BiongianniGianfigliazziwassentagainstthem,withabodyofhorseandfoot,andcheckedtheiraudacity,sothattheypursuedtheirdepredationslessboldly。ThefleetcontinuingitseffortswenttoLivorno,andbypontoonsandothermeansapproachedthenewtower,playingtheirartilleryuponitforseveraldays,butbeingunabletomakeanyimpressiontheywithdrew。
InthemeantimetheFlorentinesproceededslowlyagainstPietraSanta,andtheenemytakingcourageattackedandtooktheirworksuponthehill。Thiswaseffectedwithsomuchglory,andstrucksuchapanicintotheFlorentines,thattheywerealmostreadytoraisethesiege,andactuallyretreatedadistanceoffourmiles;fortheirgeneralsthoughtthattheywouldretiretowinterquarters,itbeingnowOctober,andmakenofurtherattempttillthereturnofspring。
WhenthediscomfiturewasknownatFlorence,thegovernmentwasfilledwithindignation;and,toimpartfreshvigortotheenterprise,andrestorethereputationoftheirforces,theyimmediatelyappointedAntonioPucciandBernardodelNericommissaries,who,withvastsumsofmoney,proceededtothearmy,andintimatedtheheavydispleasureoftheSignory,andofthewholecity,iftheydidnotreturntothewalls;andwhatadisgrace,ifsolargeanarmyandsomanygenerals,havingonlyasmallgarrisontocontendwith,couldnotconquersopoorandweakaplace。Theyexplainedtheimmediateandfutureadvantagesthatwouldresultfromtheacquisition,andspokesoforciblyuponthesubject,thatallbecameanxioustorenewtheattack。Theyresolved,inthefirstplace,torecovertherampartuponthehill;andhereitwasevidenthowgreatlyhumanity,affability,andcondescensioninfluencethemindsofsoldiers;forAntonioPucci,byencouragingoneandpromisinganother,shakinghandswiththismanandembracingthat,inducedthemtoproceedtothechargewithsuchimpetuosity,thattheygainedpossessionoftherampartinaninstant。
However,thevictorywasnotunattendedbymisfortune,forCountAntoniodaMarcianowaskilledbyacannonshot。Thissuccessfilledthetownspeoplewithsomuchterror,thattheybegantomakeproposalsforcapitulation;andtoinvestthesurrenderwithimposingsolemnity,Lorenzode\'Medicicametothecamp,when,afterafewdays,thefortresswasgivenup。Itbeingnowwinter,theleadersoftheexpeditionthoughtitunadvisabletomakeanyfurthereffortuntilthereturnofspring,moreparticularlybecausetheautumnalairhadbeensounhealthythatnumberswereaffectedbyit。AntonioPucciandBiongianniGianfigliazziweretakenillanddied,tothegreatregretofall,sogreatlyhadAntonio\'sconductatPietraSantaendearedhimtothearmy。
UponthetakingofPietraSanta,theLucchesesentambassadorstoFlorence,todemanditssurrendertotheirrepublic,onaccountofitshavingpreviouslybelongedtothem,andbecause,astheyalleged,itwasintheconditionsthatplacestakenbyeitherpartyweretoberestoredtotheiroriginalpossessors。TheFlorentinesdidnotdenythearticles,butrepliedthattheydidnotknowwhether,bythetreatybetweenthemselvesandtheGenoese,whichwasthenunderdiscussion,itwouldhavetobegivenupornot,andthereforecouldnotreplytothatpointatpresent;butincaseofitsrestitution,itwouldfirstbenecessaryfortheLucchesetoreimbursethemfortheexpensestheyhadincurredandtheinjurytheyhadsuffered,inthedeathofsomanycitizens;andthatwhenthiswassatisfactorilyarranged,theymightentertainhopesofobtainingtheplace。
ThewholewinterwasconsumedinnegotiationsbetweentheFlorentinesandGenoese,which,bythepope\'sintervention,werecarriedonatRome;butnotbeingconcludeduponthereturnofspring,theFlorentineswouldhaveattackedSerezanahadtheynotbeenpreventedbytheillnessofLorenzode\'Medici,andthewarbetweenthepopeandKingFerrando;forLorenzowasafflictednotonlybythegout,whichseemedhereditaryinhisfamily,butalsobyviolentpainsinthestomach,andwascompelledtogothebathsforrelief。
Themoreimportantreasonwasfurnishedbythewar,ofwhichthiswastheorigin。ThecityofL\'Aquila,thoughsubjecttothekingdomofNaples,wasinamannerfree;andtheCountdiMontoriopossessedgreatinfluenceoverit。ThedukeofCalabriawasuponthebanksoftheTrontowithhismen-at-arms,underpretenseofappeasingsomedisturbancesamongthepeasantry;butreallywithadesignofreducingL\'Aquilaentirelyundertheking\'sauthority,andsentfortheCountdiMontorio,asiftoconsulthimuponthebusinesshepretendedthentohaveinhand。Thecountobeyedwithouttheleastsuspicion,andonhisarrivalwasmadeprisonerbythedukeandsenttoNaples。WhenthiscircumstancebecameknownatL\'Aquila,theangeroftheinhabitantsarosetothehighestpitch;takingarmstheykilledAntonioCencinello,commissaryfortheking,andwithhimsomeinhabitantsknownpartisansofhismajesty。TheL\'Aquilani,inordertohaveadefenderintheirrebellion,raisedthebannerofthechurch,andsentenvoystothepope,tosubmittheircityandthemselvestohim,beseechingthathewoulddefendthemashisownsubjectsagainstthetyrannyoftheking。Thepontiffgladlyundertooktheirdefense,forhehadbothpublicandprivatereasonsforhatingthatmonarch;andSignorRobertoofSanSeverino,anenemyofthedukeofMilan,beingdisengaged,wasappointedtotakethecommandofhisforces,andsentforwithallspeedtoRome。HeentreatedthefriendsandrelativesoftheCountdiMontoriotowithdrawtheirallegiancefromtheking,andinducedtheprincesofAltimura,Salerno,andBisignanototakearmsagainsthim。Theking,findinghimselfsosuddenlyinvolvedinwar,hadrecoursetotheFlorentinesandthedukeofMilanforassistance。TheFlorentineshesitatedwithregardtotheirownconduct,fortheyfeltalltheinconvenienceofneglectingtheirownaffairstoattendtothoseofothers,andhostilitiesagainstthechurchseemedlikelytoinvolvemuchrisk。However,beingundertheobligationofaLeague,theypreferredtheirhonortoconvenienceorsecurity,engagedtheOrsini,andsentalltheirownforcesundertheCountdiPitiglianotowardRome,totheassistanceoftheking。Thelatterdividedhisforcesintotwoparts;one,underthedukeofCalabria,hesenttowardRome,which,beingjoinedbytheFlorentines,opposedthearmyofthechurch;withtheother,underhisowncommand,heattackedthebarons,andthewarwasprosecutedwithvarioussuccessonbothsides。Atlength,theking,beinguniversallyvictorious,peacewasconcludedbytheinterventionoftheambassadorsofthekingofSpain,inAugust,1486,towhichthepopeconsented;
forhavingfoundfortuneopposedtohimhewasnotdisposedtotemptitfurther。InthistreatyallthepowersofItalywereunited,excepttheGenoese,whowereomittedasrebelsagainsttherepublicofMilan,andunjustoccupiersofterritoriesbelongingtotheFlorentines。Uponthepeacebeingratified,RobertodaSanSeverino,havingbeenduringthewaratreacherousallyofthechurch,andbynomeansformidabletoherenemies,leftRome;beingfollowedbytheforcesofthedukeandtheFlorentines,afterpassingCesena,foundthemnearhim,andurginghisflightreachedRavennawithlessthanahundredhorse。Ofhisforces,partwerereceivedintotheduke\'sservice,andpartwereplunderedbythepeasantry。Theking,beingreconciledwithhisbarons,puttodeathJacopoCoppolaandAntonellod\'Aversaandtheirsons,forhaving,duringthewar,betrayedhissecretstothepope。
CHAPTERVII
ThepopebecomesattachedtotheFlorentines——TheGenoeseseizeSerezanello——TheyareroutedbytheFlorentines——Serezanasurrenders——GenoasubmitstothedukeofMilan——WarbetweentheVenetiansandtheDutch——Osimorevoltsfromthechurch——CountGirolamoRiario,lordofFurli,slainbyaconspiracy——Galeotto,lordofFaenza,ismurderedbythetreacheryofhiswife——ThegovernmentofthecityofferedtotheFlorentines——DisturbancesinSienna——DeathofLorenzode\'Medici——Hiseulogy——Establishmentofhisfamily——EstatesboughtbyLorenzo——HisanxietyforthedefenseofFlorence——Histasteforartsandliterature——TheuniversityofPisa——TheestimationofLorenzobyotherprinces。
Thepopehavingobservedinthecourseofthewar,howpromptlyandearnestlytheFlorentinesadheredtotheiralliances,althoughhehadpreviouslybeenopposedtothemfromhisattachmenttotheGenoese,andtheassistancetheyhadrenderedtotheking,nowevincedamoreamicabledisposition,andreceivedtheirambassadorswithgreaterfavorthanpreviously。Lorenzode\'Medici,beingmadeacquaintedwiththischangeoffeeling,encourageditwiththeutmostsolicitude;forhethoughtitwouldbeofgreatadvantage,iftothefriendshipofthekinghecouldaddthatofthepontiff。ThepopehadasonnamedFrancesco,uponwhomdesigningtobestowstatesandattachfriendswhomightbeusefultohimafterhisowndeath,sawnosaferconnectioninItalythanLorenzo\'s,andthereforeinducedthelattertogivehimoneofhisdaughtersinmarriage。Havingformedthisalliance,thepopedesiredtheGenoesetoconcedeSerezanatotheFlorentines,insistingthattheyhadnorighttodetainwhatAgostinohadsold,norwasAgostinojustifiedinmakingovertotheBankofSanGiorgiowhatwasnothisown。However,hisholinessdidnotsucceedwiththem;fortheGenoese,duringthesetransactionsatRome,armedseveralvessels,and,unknowntotheFlorentines,landedthreethousandfoot,attackedSerezanello,situatedaboveSerezana,plunderedandburntthetownnearit,andthen,directingtheirartilleryagainstthefortress,fireduponitwiththeirutmostenergy。ThisassaultwasnewandunexpectedbytheFlorentines,whoimmediatelyassembledtheirforcesunderVirginioOrsino,atPisa,andcomplainedtothepope,thatwhilehewasendeavoringtoestablishpeace,theGenoesehadrenewedtheirattackuponthem。TheythensentPieroCorsinitoLucca,thatbyhispresencehemightkeepthecityfaithful;andPagolantonioSoderinitoVenice,tolearnhowthatrepublicwasdisposed。TheydemandedassistanceofthekingandofSignorLodovico,butobtaineditfromneither;forthekingexpressedapprehensionsoftheTurkishfleet,andLodovicomadeexcuses,butsentnoaid。ThustheFlorentinesintheirownwarsarealmostalwaysobligedtostandalone,andfindnofriendstoassistthemwiththesamereadinesstheypracticetowardothers。Nordidthey,onthisdesertionoftheiralliesitbeingnothingnewtothemgivewaytodespondency;forhavingassembledalargearmyunderJacopoGuicciardiniandPietroVettori,theysentitagainsttheenemy,whohadencampedupontheriverMagra,atthesametimepressingSerezanellowithminesandeveryspeciesofattack。Thecommissariesbeingresolvedtorelievetheplace,anengagementensued,whentheGenoesewererouted,andLodovicodalFiesco,withseveralotherprincipalmen,madeprisoners。TheSerezanesiwerenotsodepressedattheirdefeatastobewillingtosurrender,butobstinatelypreparedfortheirdefense,whiletheFlorentinecommissariesproceededwiththeiroperations,andinstancesofvaloroccurredonbothsides。Thesiegebeingprotractedbyavarietyoffortune,Lorenzode\'Mediciresolvedtogotothecamp,andonhisarrivalthetroopsacquiredfreshcourage,whilethatoftheenemyseemedtofail;forperceivingtheobstinacyoftheFlorentines\'
attack,andthedelayoftheGenoeseincomingtotheirrelief,theysurrenderedtoLorenzo,withoutaskingconditions,andnoneweretreatedwithseverityexcepttwoorthreewhowereleadersoftherebellion。Duringthesiege,LodovicohadsenttroopstoPontremoli,asifwithanintentionofassistingtheFlorentines;buthavingsecretcorrespondenceinGenoa,apartywasraisedthere,who,bytheaidoftheseforces,gavethecitytothedukeofMilan。
AtthistimetheDutchmadewarupontheVenetians,andBoccolinoofOsimo,intheMarca,causedthatplacetorevoltfromthepope,andassumedthesovereignty。Afteravarietyoffortune,hewasinducedtorestorethecitytothepontiffandcometoFlorence,where,undertheprotectionofLorenzode\'Medici,bywhoseadvicehehadbeenprevailedupontosubmit,helivedlongandrespected。HeafterwardwenttoMilan,butdidnotexperiencesuchgeneroustreatment;forLodovicocausedhimtobeputtodeath。TheVenetianswereroutedbytheDutch,nearthecityofTrento,andRobertodaS。Severino,theircaptain,wasslain。Afterthisdefeat,theVenetians,withtheirusualgoodfortune,madepeacewiththeDutch,notasvanquished,butasconquerors,sohonorablewerethetermstheyobtained。
Aboutthistime,therearoseserioustroublesinRomagna。Francescod\'Orso,ofFurli,wasamanofgreatauthorityinthatcity,andbecamesuspectedbythecountGirolamo,whooftenthreatenedhim。Heconsequently,livingundergreatapprehensions,wasadvisedbyhisfriendstoprovideforhisownsafety,bytheimmediateadoptionofsuchacourseaswouldrelievehimfromallfurtherfearofthecount。
Havingconsideredthematterandresolvedtoattemptit,theyfixeduponthemarketday,atFurli,asmostsuitablefortheirpurpose;formanyoftheirfriendsbeingsuretocomefromthecountry,theymightmakeuseoftheirserviceswithouthavingtobringthemexpresslyfortheoccasion。ItwasthemonthofMay,whenmostItalianstakesupperbydaylight。Theconspiratorsthoughtthemostconvenienthourwouldbeafterthecounthadfinishedhisrepast;forhishouseholdbeingthenattheirmeal,hewouldremaininthechamberalmostalone。
Havingfixeduponthehour,Francescowenttothecount\'sresidence,lefthiscompanionsinthehall,proceededtohisapartment,anddesiredanattendanttosayhewishedforaninterview。Hewasadmitted,andafterafewwordsofpretendedcommunication,slewhim,andcallingtohisassociates,killedtheattendant。Thegovernoroftheplacecomingbyaccidenttospeakwiththecount,andenteringtheapartmentwithafewofhispeople,wasalsoslain。Afterthisslaughter,andinthemidstofagreattumult,thecount\'sbodywasthrownfromthewindow,andwiththecryof\"churchandliberty,\"theyrousedthepeoplewhohatedtheavariceandcrueltyofthecounttoarms,andhavingplunderedhishouse,madetheCountessCaterinaandherchildrenprisoners。Thefortressalonehadtobetakentobringtheenterprisetoasuccessfulissue;buttheCastellanwouldnotconsenttoitssurrender。Theybeggedthecountesswoulddesirehimtocomplywiththeirwish,whichshepromisedtodo,iftheywouldallowhertogointothefortress,leavingherchildrenassecurityfortheperformanceofherpromise。Theconspiratorstrustedher,andpermittedhertoenter;butassoonasshewaswithin,shethreatenedthemwithdeathandeverykindoftortureinrevengeforthemurderofherhusband;andupontheirmenacingherwiththedeathofherchildren,shesaidshehadthemeansofgettingmore。Findingtheywerenotsupportedbythepope,andthatLodovicoSforza,uncletothecountess,hadsentforcestoherassistance,theconspiratorsbecameterrified,andtakingwiththemwhateverpropertytheycouldcarryoff,theyfledtoCittadiCastello。Thecountessrecoveredthestate,andavengedthedeathofherhusbandwiththeutmostcruelty。TheFlorentineshearingofthecount\'sdeath,tookoccasiontorecoverthefortressofPiancaldoli,ofwhichhehadformerlydeprivedthem,and,onsendingsomeforces,capturedit;butCecco,thefamousengineer,losthislifeduringthesiege。
TothisdisturbanceinRomagna,anotherinthatprovince,nolessimportant,hastobeadded。Galeotto,lordofFaenza,hadmarriedthedaughterofGiovanniBentivogli,princeofBologna。She,eitherthroughjealousyorilltreatmentbyherhusband,orfromthedepravityofherownnature,hatedhimtosuchadegree,thatshedeterminedtodeprivehimofhispossessionsandhislife;andpretendingsickness,shetooktoherbed,where,havinginducedGaleottotovisither,hewasslainbyassassins,whomshehadconcealedforthatpurposeintheapartment。Shehadacquaintedherfatherwithherdesign,andhehoped,onhisson-in-law\'sdeath,tobecomelordofFaenza。Agreattumultaroseassoonasthemurderwasknown,thewidow,withaninfantson,fledintothefortress,thepeopletookuparms,GiovanniBentivogli,withacondottiereofthedukeofMilan,namedBergamino,engagedfortheoccasion,enteredFaenzawithaconsiderableforce,andAntonioBoscoli,theFlorentinecommissary,wasalsothere。Theseleadersbeingtogether,anddiscoursingofthegovernmentoftheplace,themenofValdiLamona,whohadrisenunanimouslyuponlearningwhathadoccurred,attackedGiovanniandBergamino,thelatterofwhomtheyslew,madetheformerprisoner,andraisingthecryof\"AstorreandtheFlorentines,\"
offeredthecitytothecommissary。TheseeventsbeingknownatFlorence,gavegeneraloffense;however,theysetGiovanniandhisdaughteratliberty,andbytheuniversaldesireofthepeople,tookthecityandAstorreundertheirprotection。Besidesthese,aftertheprincipaldifferencesofthegreaterpowerswerecomposed,duringseveralyearstumultsprevailedinRomagna,theMarca,andSienna,which,astheyareunimportant,itwillbeneedlesstorecount。WhenthedukeofCalabria,afterthewarof1478,hadleftthecountry,thedistractionsofSiennabecamemorefrequent,andaftermanychanges,inwhich,firsttheplebeians,andthenthenobility,werevictorious,thelatterandlengthmaintainedthesuperiority,andamongthemPandolfoandJacopoPetrucciobtainedthegreatestinfluence,sothattheformerbeingdistinguishedforprudenceandthelatterforresolution,theybecamealmostprincesinthecity。
TheFlorentinesafterthewarofSerezana,livedingreatprosperityuntil1492,whenLorenzode\'Medicidied;forhehavingputastoptotheinternalwarsofItaly,andbyhiswisdomandauthorityestablishedpeace,turnedhisthoughtstotheadvancementofhisownandthecity\'sinterests,andmarriedPiero,hiseldestson,toAlfonsina,daughteroftheCavaliereOrsino。HecausedGiovanni,hissecondson,toberaisedtothedignityofcardinal。Thiswasthemoreremarkablefromitsbeingunprecedented;forhewasonlyfourteenyearsofagewhenadmittedtothecollege;andbecamethemediumbywhichhisfamilyattainedtothehighestearthlyglory。HewasunabletomakeanyparticularprovisionforGuiliano,histhirdson,onaccountofhistenderyears,andtheshortnessofhisownlife。Ofhisdaughters,onemarriedJacopoSalviati;another,FrancescoCibo;thethird,PieroRidolfi;andthefourth,whom,inordertokeephishouseunited,hehadmarriedtoGiovannide\'Medici,died。Inhiscommercialaffairshewasveryunfortunate,fromtheimproperconductofhisagents,whoinalltheirproceedingsassumedthedeportmentofprincesratherthanofprivatepersons;sothatinmanyplaces,muchofhispropertywaswasted,andhehadtoberelievedbyhiscountrywithlargesumsofmoney。Toavoidsimilarinconvenience,hewithdrewfrommercantilepursuits,andinvestedhispropertyinlandandhouses,asbeinglessliabletovicissitude。InthedistrictsofPrato,Pisa,andtheValdiPesa,hepurchasedextensively,anderectedbuildings,whichformagnificenceandutility,werequiteofregalcharacter。Henextundertooktheimprovementofthecity,andasmanypartswereunoccupiedbybuildings,hecausednewstreetstobeerectedinthem,ofgreatbeauty,andthusenlargedtheaccommodationoftheinhabitants。Toenjoyhispowerinsecurityandrepose,andconquerorresisthisenemiesatadistance,inthedirectionofBolognahefortifiedthecastleofFirenzuola,situatedinthemidstoftheAppennines;towardSiennahecommencedtherestorationandfortificationofthePoggioImperiale;andheshutouttheenemyinthedirectionofGenoa,bytheacquisitionofPietraSantaandSerezana。Forthegreatersafetyofthecity,hekeptinpaytheBaglioni,atPerugia,andtheVitelli,atCittadiCastello,andheldthegovernmentofFaenzawhollyinhisownpower;allwhichgreatlycontributedtothereposeandprosperityofFlorence。Inpeacefultimes,hefrequentlyentertainedthepeoplewithfeasts,andexhibitionsofvariouseventsandtriumphsofantiquity;hisobjectbeingtokeepthecityabundantlysupplied,thepeopleunited,andthenobilityhonored。Hewasagreatadmirerofexcellenceinthearts,andapatronofliterarymen,ofwhichAgnolodaMontepulciano,CristoferoLandini,andDemetriusChalcondylas,aGreek,mayaffordsufficientproofs。Onthisaccount,CountGiovannidellaMirandola,amanofalmostsupernaturalgenius,aftervisitingeverycourtofEurope,inducedbythemunificenceofLorenzo,establishedhisabodeatFlorence。Hetookgreatdelightinarchitecture,music,andpoetry,manyofhiscommentsandpoeticalcompositionsstillremaining。TofacilitatethestudyofliteraturetotheyouthofFlorence,heopenedauniversityatPisa,whichwasconductedbythemostdistinguishedmeninItaly。ForMarianodaChinazano,afriaroftheorderofSt。
Augustine,andanexcellentpreacher,hebuiltamonasteryintheneighborhoodofFlorence。HeenjoyedmuchfavorbothfromfortuneandfromtheAlmighty;allhisenterpriseswerebroughttoaprosperoustermination,whilehisenemieswereunfortunate;for,besidestheconspiracyofthePazzi,anattemptwasmadetomurderhimintheCarmine,byBatistaFrescobaldi,andasimilaronebyBaldinettodaPistoja,athisvilla;butthesepersons,withtheirconfederates,cametotheendtheircrimesdeserved。Hisskill,prudence,andfortune,wereacknowledgedwithadmiration,notonlybytheprincesofItaly,butbythoseofdistantcountries;forMatthias,kingofHungary,gavehimmanyproofsofhisregard;thesultansentambassadorstohimwithvaluablepresents,andtheTurkishemperorplacedinhishandsBernardoBandini,themurdererofhisbrother。
ThesecircumstancesraisedhisfamethroughoutItaly,andhisreputationforprudenceconstantlyincreased;forincouncilhewaseloquentandacute,wiseindetermination,andpromptandresoluteinexecution。Norcanvicesbeallegedagainsthimtosullysomanyvirtues;thoughhewasfondofwomen,pleasedwiththecompanyoffacetiousandsatiricalmen,andamusedwiththegamesofthenursery,morethanseemedconsistentwithsogreatacharacter;forhewasfrequentlyseenplayingwithhischildren,andpartakingoftheirinfantinesports;sothatwhoeverconsidersthisgravityandcheerfulness,willfindunitedinhimdispositionswhichseemalmostincompatiblewitheachother。Inhislateryears,hewasgreatlyafflicted;besidesthegout,hewastroubledwithexcruciatingpainsinthestomach,ofwhichhediedinApril,1492,intheforty-fourthyearofhisage;norwasthereeverinFlorence,oreveninItaly,onesocelebratedforwisdom,orforwhoselosssuchuniversalregretwasfelt。Asfromhisdeaththegreatestdevastationwouldshortlyensue,theheavensgavemanyevidenttokensofitsapproach;amongothersigns,thehighestpinnacleofthechurchofSantaReparatawasstruckwithlightning,andgreatpartofitthrowndown,totheterrorandamazementofeveryone。ThecitizensandalltheprincesofItalymournedforhim,andsenttheirambassadorstoFlorence,tocondolewiththecityontheoccasion;andthejustnessoftheirgriefwasshortlyafterapparent;forbeingdeprivedofhiscounsel,hissurvivorswereunableeithertosatisfyorrestraintheambitionofLodovicoSforza,tutortothedukeofMilan;andhence,soonafterthedeathofLorenzo,thoseevilplantsbegantogerminate,whichinalittletimeruinedItaly,andcontinuetokeepherindesolation。
End