Chapter I: Preface

During the last twenty years the patient researches of successive students in the archives of North Italian cities have been richly rewarded. The State papers of Milan and Venice, of Ferrara and Modena, have yielded up their treasures; the correspondence of Isabella d'Este, in the Gonzaga archives at Mantua, has proved a source of inexhaustible wealth and knowledge. A flood of light has been thrown on the history of Italy in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries; public events and personages have been placed in a new aspect; the judgments of posterity have been modified and, in some instances, reversed.

We see now, more clearly than ever before, what manner of men and women these Estes and Gonzagas, these Sforzas and Viscontis, were. We gain fresh insight into their characters and aims, their secret motives and private wishes. We see them in their daily occupations and amusements, at their work and at their play. We follow them from the battle-field and council chamber, from the chase and tournament, to the privacy of domestic life and the intimate scenes of the family circle. And we realize how, in spite of the tragic stories or bloodshed and strife that darkened their lives, in spite, too, of the low standard of morals and of the crimes and vices that we are accustomed to associate with Renaissance princes, there was a rare measure of beauty and goodness, of culture and refinement, of love of justice and zeal for truth, among them. As the latest historian of the Papacy, Dr. Pastor, has wisely remarked, we must take care not to paint the state of morals during the Italian Renaissance blacker than it really was. Virtue goes quietly on her way, while vice is noisy and uproarious; the criminal forces himself upon the public attention, while the honest man does his duty in silence, and no one hears of him. This is especially the case with the women of the Renaissance. They had their faults and their weaknesses, but the great majority among them led pure and irreproachable lives, and trained their children in the paths of truth and duty. Even Lucrezia Borgia, although she may not have been altogether immaculate, was not the foul creature that we once believed. And the more closely we study these newly discovered documents, the more we become convinced that this age produced some of the most admirable types of womanhood that the world has ever seen. When Castiglione painted his ideal woman in the pages of the "Cortigiano," he had no need to draw on his imagination. Elizabeth Gonzaga, Duchess of Urbino, and Isabella d'Este, Marchioness of Mantua, were both of them women of great intellect and stainless virtue, whose genuine love of art and letters attracted the choicest spirits to their court, and exerted the most beneficial influence on the thought of the day. Isabella, whose vast correspondence with the foremost painters and scholars of the age has been preserved almost intact, was probably the most remarkable lady of the Renaissance. The story of her long and eventful life--a theme of absorbing interest--yet remains to be written. The present work is devoted to the history of her younger sister, Beatrice, Duchess of Milan, who, as the wife of Lodovico Sforza, reigned during six years over the most splendid court of Italy. The charm of her personality, the important part which she played in political life at a critical moment of Italian history, her love of music and poetry, and the fine taste which she inherited, in common with every princess of the house of Este, all help to make Beatrice singularly attractive, while the interest which she inspires is deepened by the pathos of her sudden and early death.

If in Isabella we have the supreme representative of Renaissance culture in its highest and most intellectual phase, Beatrice is the type of that new-found joy in life, that intoxicating rapture in the actual sense of existence, that was the heritage of her generation, and found expression in the words of a contemporary novelist, Matteo Bandello--himself of Lombard birth--when with his last breath he bade his companions live joyously, "_Vivete lieti!_" We see this bride of sixteen summers flinging herself with passionate delight into every amusement, singing gay songs with her courtiers, dancing and hunting through the livelong day, outstripping all her companions in the chase, and laughing in the face of danger. We see her holding her court in the famous Castello of Porta Giovia or in the summer palaces of Vigevano and Cussago, in these golden days when Milan was called the new Athens, when Leonardo and Bramante decorated palaces or arranged masquerades at the duke's bidding, when Gaspare Visconti wrote sonnets in illuminated books, and Lorenzo da Pavia constructed organs or viols as perfect and beautiful to see as to hear, for the pleasure of the youthful duchess. Scholars and poets, painters and writers, gallant soldiers and accomplished cavaliers, we see them all at Beatrice's feet, striving how best they may gratify her fancies and win her smiles. Young and old, they were alike devoted to her service, from Galeazzo di Sanseverino, the valiant captain who became her willing slave and chosen companion, to Niccolo da Correggio, that all-accomplished gentleman who laid down his pen and sword to design elaborate devices for his mistress's new gowns. We read her merry letters to her husband and sister, letters sparkling with wit and gaiety and overflowing with simple and natural affection. We see her rejoicing with all a young mother's proud delight over her first-born son, repeating, as mothers will, marvellous tales of his size and growth, and framing tender phrases for his infant lips. And we catch glimpses of her, too, in sadder moods, mourning her mother's loss or wounded by neglect and unkindness. We note how keenly her proud spirit resents wrong and injustice, and how in her turn she is not always careful of the rights and feelings of her rivals. But whatever her faults and mistakes may have been, she is always kindly and generous, human and lovable. A year or two passes, and we see her, royally arrayed in brocade and jewels, standing up in the great council hall of Venice, to plead her husband's cause before the Doge and Senate. Later on we find her sharing her lord's counsels in court and camp, receiving king and emperor at Pavia or Vigevano, fascinating the susceptible heart of Charles VIII. by her charms, and amazing Kaiser Maximilian by her wisdom and judgment in affairs of state. And then suddenly the music and dancing, the feasting and travelling, cease, and the richly coloured and animated pageant is brought to an abrupt close. Beatrice dies, without a moment's warning, in the flower of youth and beauty, and the young duchess is borne to her grave in S. Maria delle Grazie amid the tears and lamentations of all Milan. And with her death, the whole Milanese state, that fabric which Lodovico Sforza had built up at such infinite cost and pains, crumbles into ruin. Fortune, which till that hour had smiled so kindly on the Moro and had raised him to giddy heights of prosperity, now turned her back upon him. In three short years he had lost everything--crown, home, and liberty--and was left to drag out a miserable existence in the dungeons of Berry and Touraine.

"And when Duchess Beatrice died," wrote the poet, Vincenzo Calmeta, "everything fell into ruin, and that court, which had been a joyous paradise, was changed into a black Inferno."

Then Milan and her people become a prey to the rude outrages of French soldiery. Leonardo's great horse was broken in pieces by Gascon archers, and the Castello, "which had once held the finest flower of the whole world, became," in Castiglione's words, "a place of drinking-booths and dung-hills." The treasures of art and beauty stored up within its walls were destroyed by barbarous hands, and all that brilliant company was dispersed and scattered abroad. Artists and poets, knights and scholars--Leonardo and Bramante, Galeazzo and Niccolo--were driven out, and went their way each in a different direction, to seek new homes and other patrons. But the memory of the young duchess--the _Donna beata_ of Pistoja and Visconti's song--lived for many a year in the hearts of her loyal servants, Castiglione enshrined her name in his immortal pages, Ariosto celebrated her virtues in the cantos of his "Orlando Furioso," and far on in the new century, grey-headed scholars spoke of her as "_la più zentil Donna d'Italia_"--the sweetest lady in all Italy.

And to-day, as we pace the dim aisles of the great Certosa, we may look on the marble effigy of Duchess Beatrice and see the lovely face with the curling locks and child-like features which the Lombard sculptor carved, and which still bears witness to the love of Lodovico Sforza for his young wife.

* * * * *

In conclusion, I must acknowledge how deeply I am indebted to Signor Luzio, keeper of the Gonzaga archives at Mantua, and to his able colleague, Signor Renier, for the assistance which they have lent to my researches, as well as for the help afforded by their own publications, in which many of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este's most interesting letters have already been given to the world. The State archives of Milan and Mantua are the principal sources from which the information contained in the present volume is drawn, and a list of the other authorities which have been consulted is given below.

ITALIAN.

Archivio di Stato di Milano, _Beatrice d'Este, Potenze
estere_, etc.

Archivio Gonzaga Mantova, _Copia lettera d'Isabella d'Este_,
etc.

A. Luzio and R. Renier, _Delle Relazioni di Isabella d'Este
Gonzaga con Ludovico and Beatrice Sforza_. Archivio Storico
lombardo, xvii.

T. Chalcus, _Residua_. Milano, 1644.

Archivio Storico Italiano, serie i. vol. iii.; Cronache
Milanesi di G. A. Prato, G. P. Cagnola, G. M. Burigozzo, etc.;
Serie iii. vol. xii., Serie v. vol. vi., Serie vii. vol. i.

L. A. Muratori, _Italicarum Rerum Scriptores_, vol. xxiv.

F. Muralti, _Annalia_.

Paolo Giovio, _Storia di suoi Tempi_.

Marino Sanuto, _Diarii, De Bello Gallico_, etc.

Bernardino Corio, _Historie Milanese_.

Rosmini, _Storia di Milano_.

Fr. Guicciardini, _Storia a'Italia_. Rendered into English by
G. Fenton. 1618.

F. Frizzi, _Storia di Ferrara_, vols. iv. and v.

P. Verri, _Storia di Milano_.

Baldassare Castiglione, _Lettere_. Edizione Serassi.

R. Renier, _Sonetti di Pistoia_.

Giornale Storico di Letteratura Italiano, vols. v. and vi.

Archivio Storico dell' Arte, vols. i. and ii.

Renier, _Canzoniere di Niccolo da Correggio_.

A. Campo Ghisolfo, _Storia delle Duchesse di Milano_. 1542.
Rivista Storica Mantovana.

Carlo Magenta, _I Visconti e Sforza nel Castello di Pavia_.

F. Calvi, _Bianca Maria Sforza Visconti, Regina dei Romani,
Imperatrice di Germania_.

Marchese d'Adda, _Indagini sulla Liberia Visconti Sforzesca
del Castello di Pavia_.

Malipiero, _Annali Veneti_.

Romanini, _Storia di Venezia_, vols. v. and vi.

Imhoff, _Historia Genealogica Italiæ_.

G. Uzielli, _Ricerche intorno a Leonardo da Vinci_.

G. Uzielli, _Leonardo da Vinci e Tre Gentil donne Milanesi_.

G. d'Adda, _Lodovico Maria Sforza_.

L. Beltrami, _Il Castello di Milano, sotto il dominio degli
Sforza_. 1450-1535.

L. Beltrami, _Bramante poeta_.

Padre Pino, _Storia genuina del Cenacolo_. 1796.

B. Bellincioni, _Le Rime annotate da P. Fanfani_. Bologna.

G. Tiraboschi, _Storia della Letteratura Italiana_, vols. vi.
and vii.

P. Molmenti, _La Vita Privata di Venezia_.

A. Rusconi, _Lodovico il Moro a Novara_.

F. Gabotto, _Girolamo Tuttavilla_.

G. L. Calvi, _Notizie dei principali Professori di Belle Arti
che fiorivano in Milano_.

G. Mongeri, _L'Arte in Milano_.

C. Amoretti, _Memorie Storiche sulla vita gli studi e le opere
di Leonardo da Vinci_.

Brigola, _Annali della Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano_.

Carlo dell'Acqua, _Lorenza Gusnasco di Pavia_.

P. Pasolini, _Caterina Sforza_.

FRENCH.

Manuscrits Italiens, _Affaires d'état_. Bibliothèque
Nationale.

Pasquier le Moine, _MS. La Conquête du Duché de Milan_.
Bibliothèque Nationale.

Jean d'Auton, _Chroniques de Louis XII_. Edition publiée pour
la Société de l'Histoire de France, par R. de Maulde La
Claviere. 4 vols.

Philippe de Commines, _Memoires_. Nouvelle edition publiée par
la Société de l'Histoire de France.

Vicomte Delaborde, _L'Expédition de Charles VIII. en Italie_.

M. Eugène Müntz, _La Renaissance en Italie et en France à
l'époque de Charles VIII_.

M. Eugène Müntz, _Musée du Capitole_.

M. Eugène Müntz, _Leonardo da Vinci_.

C. de Cherrier, _Histoire de Charles VIII, Roi de France,
d'après des documents diplomatiques inédits_.

Louis Pélissier, _Louis XII. et Lodovico Sforza_. Recherches
dans les Archives Italiennes.

Louis Pélissier, _Notes Italiennes_.

Louis Pélissier, _Les amies de Lodovico Sforza_. (Revue
historique.)

Edmond Gaultier, _Étude historique sur Loches_.

Paravicini, _Architecture de la Renaissance en Italie_.

Aldo Manuzio, _Lettres et Documents_. Armand Baschet.

_Gazette des Beaux Arts_, vol. xvi.

GERMAN.

Dr. Ludwig Pastor, _Geschichte der Päpste_, vols. v. and vi.

Jacob Burckhardt, _Die Cultur der Renaissance in Italien_.

Dr. W. Bode, Dr. Müller-Walde, _Jahrbuch der K. Preuss.
Kunstsammlungen_. Vols. ix., x., and xviii.

K. Kindt, _Die Katastrophe Lodovico Moro in Novara_.

Dr. Müller-Walde, _Leonardo da Vinci_.

ENGLISH.

_History of the Papacy_, by Dr. Creighton, Bishop of London.
Vols. iv. and v.

_The End of the Middle Ages_, by Madame James Darmetester.

_The Renaissance in Italy_. J. A. Symonds.

_Old Touraine_. T. Cook

CONTENTS

PAGE CHAPTER I 1471-1480

The Castello of Ferrara--The House of Este--Accession of Duke Ercole I.--His marriage to Leonora of Aragon--Birth of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este--Plot of Niccolo d'Este--Visit of Leonora to Naples--The court of King Ferrante--Betrothal of Beatrice d'Este to Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari--And of Isabella d'Este to Francesco Gonzaga 1

CHAPTER II 1451-1582

Lodovico Sforza--Known as Il Moro--His birth and childhood--Murder of Duke Galeazzo Maria--Regency of Duchess Bona--Exile of the Sforza brothers--Lodovico at Pisa--His invasion of Lombardy and return to Milan--Death of Cecco Simonetta--Flight of Duchess Bona--Lodovico Regent of Milan 11

CHAPTER III 1482-1490

Wars of Venice and Ferrara--Invasion of Ferrara--Lodovico Sforza and Alfonso of Calabria come to the help of Ercole d'Este--Peace of Bagnolo--Prosperity of Ferrara, and cultivation of art and learning at Ercole's court--Guarino and Aldo Manuzio--Strozzi and Boiardo-- Architecture and painting--The frescoes of the Schifanoia--Music and the drama--Education of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este 27

CHAPTER IV 1485-1490

Isabella d'Este--Lodovico Sforza delays his wedding--Plot against his life--Submission of Genoa--Duke Gian Galeazzo--The Sanseverini brothers--Messer Galeazzo made Captain-General of the Milanese armies--His marriage to Bianca Sforza--Marriage of Gian Galeazzo to Isabella of Aragon--Wedding festivities at Milan--Lodovico draws up his marriage contract with Beatrice d'Este 40

CHAPTER V 1490-1491

Marriage of Isabella d'Este--Lodovico puts off his wedding--Cecilia Gallerani--Her portrait by Leonardo da Vinci--Mission of Galeazzo Visconti to Ferrara--Preparations for Beatrice's wedding--Cristoforo Romano's bust--Duchess Leonora and her daughters travel to Piacenza and Pavia--Their reception at Pavia by Lodovico 50

CHAPTER VI 1491

City and University of Pavia--Duomo and Castello--The library of the Castello--Wedding of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, and Beatrice d'Este, in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia--Galeazzo di San Severino and Orlando--Reception of the bride in Milan--Tournaments and festivities at the Castello--Visit of Duchess Leonora to the Certosa of Pavia 60

CHAPTER VII 1491

Beatrice Duchess of Bari--Her popularity at the court of Milan-- Giangaleazzo and Isabella of Aragon--Lodovico's first impressions-- His growing affection for his wife--His letters to Isabella d'Este --Hunting and fishing parties--Cussago and Vigevano--Controversy on Orlando and Rinaldo--Bellincioni's sonnets 75

CHAPTER VIII 1491

Relations between Lodovico and Beatrice--Cecilia Gallerani--Birth of her son Cesare--Her marriage to Count Bergamini--Beatrice at Villa Nova and Vigevano--The Sforzesca and Pecorara--Lodovico's system of irrigation in the Lomellina--Leonardo at Vigevano--Hunting-parties and country life--Letters to Isabella d'Este 88

CHAPTER IX 1491-1492

Isabella of Aragon and Beatrice d'Este--Ambrogio Borgognone and Giovanni Antonio Amadeo--Cristoforo Romano and his works at Pavia and Cremona--The Certosa of Pavia--Illness of Beatrice--Her journey to Genoa--Correspondence between Isabella and Lodovico Sforza--Visit of the Marquis of Mantua to Milan 99

CHAPTER X 1491

Claims of Charles VIII. to Naples--Of the Duke of Orleans to Milan --Intrigues of the Venetian Senate, of Pope Innocent VIII., and of Ferrante and Alfonso of Naples--Visit of the French ambassadors to Milan--Treasures of the Castello--Jewels of Lodovico Sforza--Isabella of Aragon and her father--An embassy to the French court proposed-- Secret instructions of the Count of Caiazzo--_Fête_ at Vigevano --Tournament of Pavia 112

CHAPTER XI 1492

Intellectual and artistic revival in Lombardy--Lodovico and his secretaries--Building of the new University of Pavia--Reforms and extension of the University--The library of the Castello remodelled --Poliziano and Merula--Lodovico founds new schools at Milan-- Equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza--Leonardo's paintings at Milan--Lodovico as a patron of art and learning 125

CHAPTER XII 1492

Beatrice d'Este as a patron of learning and poetry--Vincenzo Calmeta, her secretary--Serafino d'Aquila--Rivalry of Lombard and Tuscan poets--Gaspare Visconti's works--Poetic jousts with Bramante --Niccolo da Correggio and other poets--Dramatic art and music at the court of Milan--Gaffuri and Testagrossa--Lorenzo Gusnasco of Pavia 141

CHAPTER XIII 1492

Visit of Duke Ercole to Milan, and of Isabella d'Este--Election of Pope Alexander VI.--Bribery of the Cardinals--Influence of Ascanio Sforza over the new Pope, and satisfaction of Lodovico--Hunting- parties at Pavia and Vigevano--_Fêtes_ at Milan--Visit of Isabella to Genoa--Lodovico's letters--Piero de Medici--King Ferrante's jealousy of the alliance between Rome and Milan 155

CHAPTER XIV 1493

Birth of Beatrice's first-born son--The Duchess of Ferrara at Milan --_Fêtes_ and rejoicings at court and in the Castello--The court moves to Vigevano--Beatrice's wardrobe--Her son's portrait--Letters to her mother and sister--Lodovico's plans for a visit to Ferrara and Venice 166

CHAPTER XV 1493

Lodovico's ambitious designs--Isabella of Aragon appeals to her father--Breach between Naples and Milan--Alliance between the Pope, Venice, and Milan proclaimed--Mission of Erasmo Brasca to the king of the Romans--Journey of Lodovico and Beatrice to Ferrara--_Fêtes_ and tournaments--Visit to Belriguardo, and return of Lodovico to Milan--Arrival of Belgiojoso from France 176

CHAPTER XVI 1493

Visit of Beatrice and her mother to Venice--Letters of Lodovico to his wife--Reception of the duchesses by the doge at S. Clemente-- Their triumphal entry--Procession and _fêtes_ in the Grand Canal-- Letter of Beatrice to her husband--The palace of the Dukes of Ferrara in Venice 185

CHAPTER XVII 1493

_Fêtes_ at Venice in honour of the Duchess of Ferrara and Duchess of Bari--Beatrice d'Este has an audience with the doge and Signory-- Explains Lodovico's position and his treaties with France and Germany--Visit to St. Mark's and the Treasury--_Fête_ in the ducal palace--The Duchess visits the Great Council--Takes leave of the doge--Return to Ferrara 195

CHAPTER XVIII

1493

Return of Beatrice to Milan--Visit of Duke Ercole and Alfonso to Pavia--Death of Duchess Leonora--Beatrice's _camora_ and Niccolo da Correggio's _fantasia dei vinci_--Marriage of Bianca Maria Sforza to Maximilian, King of the Romans, celebrated at Milan --Letter of Beatrice to Isabella d'Este--Wedding _fêtes_ and journey of the bride to Innsbrück--Maximilian's relations with his wife-- Bianca's future life 205

CHAPTER XIX

1493-1494

State of political affairs in Italy--Vacillating policy of Lodovico Sforza--Death of King Ferrante of Naples--Alliance between his successor Alfonso and Pope Alexander VI.--Lodovico urges Charles VIII. to invade Naples--Sends Galeazzo di Sanseverino to Lyons-- Cardinal della Rovere's flight from Rome--Alfonso of Naples declares war--Beatrice of Vigevano--The Gonzagas and the Moro--Duchess Isabella and her husband at Pavia 221

CHAPTER XX

1494

Arrival of the Duke of Orleans at Asti--The Neapolitan fleet sent against Genoa--The forces of Naples repulsed at Rapallo--Charles VIII. at Asti--Beatrice d'Este entertains him at Annona--The king's illness--His visit to Vigevano and Pavia--His interview with the Duke and Duchess of Milan--Last illness and death of Giangaleazzo Sforza--Lodovico proclaimed Duke at Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to Maximilian 231

CHAPTER XXI

1494

Lodovico joins Charles VIII. at Sarzana--Suspicious rumours as to the late duke's death--Piero de' Medici surrenders the six fortresses of Tuscany to Charles VIII.--Lodovico retires in disgust from the camp --Congratulations of all the Italian States on his accession--Grief of Duchess Isabella--Her return to Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to Antwerp--His interviews with Maximilian and Bianca--Letter to Lodovico to the Bishop of Brixen--Charles VIII. enters Rome--His treaty with Alexander VI. and departure for Naples 246

CHAPTER XXII 1495

Visit of Isabella d'Este to Milan--Birth of Beatrice's son, Francesco Sforza--_Fêtes_ and comedies at the Milanese Court--Works of Leonardo and of Lorenzo di Pavia--Mission of Caradosso to Florence and Rome in search of antiques--Fall of Naples--Entry of King Charles VIII. and flight of Ferrante II.--Consternation in Milan--Departure of Isabella d'Este 258

CHAPTER XXIII 1495

Proclamation of the new league against France at Venice--Charles VIII. at Naples--Demoralization of the victors--Charles leaves Naples and returns to Rome--The Duke of Orleans refuses to give up Asti--Arrival of the imperial ambassadors at Milan--Lodovico presented with the ducal insignia--_Fêtes_ in the Castello-- The Duke of Orleans seizes Novara--Terror of Lodovico--Battle of Fornovo--Victory claimed by both parties--The French reach Asti-- Isabella's trophies restored by Beatrice 266

CHAPTER XXIV 1495

Ferrante II. recovers Naples--Siege of Novara by the army of the League--Review of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan--Charles VIII. visits Turin and comes to Vercelli--Negotiations for peace-- Lodovico and Beatrice at the camp--Treaty of Vercelli concluded between France and Milan--Jealousy of the other powers--Commines at Vigevano--Zenale's altar-piece in the Brera 277

CHAPTER XXV 1496

The war of Pisa--Venice defends the liberties of Pisa against Florence--Lodovico invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succour the Pisans--The Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperor at Bormio--Maximilian crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano--His interview with the Venetian envoys--His expedition to Pisa 287

CHAPTER XXVI 1496

Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples--Works of Bramante and Leonardo in the Castello of Milan--The Cenacolo--Lodovico sends for Perugino--His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli--Grief of Beatrice-- Death of Bianca Sforza--The Emperor Maximilian at Pisa--The Duke and Duchess return to Milan--Last days and sudden death of Beatrice d'Este 298

CHAPTER XXVII 1497

Grief of the Duke of Milan--His letters to Mantua and Pavia-- Interview with Costabili--Funeral of Duchess Beatrice--Mourning of her husband--Letters of the Emperor Maximilian and Chiara Gonzaga-- Tomb of Beatrice in Santa Maria delle Grazie--Leonardo's Cenacolo, and portraits of the duke and duchess--Lucrezia Crivelli 307

CHAPTER XXVIII 1497-1498

The Marquis of Mantua dismissed by the Venetians--He incurs Duke Lodovico's displeasure by his intrigues--Isabella d'Este's correspondence with the Duke of Milan--Leonardo in the Castello-- Death of Charles VIII.--Visit of Lodovico to Mantua--Francesco Gonzaga appointed captain of the imperial forces--Isabella of Aragon and Isabella d'Este--Chiara Gonzaga and Caterina Sforza-- Lodovico's will 322

CHAPTER XXIX 1499

Treaty of Blois--Alliance between France, Venice, and the Borgias-- Lodovico appeals to Maximilian--His gift to Leonardo and letter to the Certosa--The French and the Venetians invade the Milanese-- Desertion of Gonzaga and treachery of Milanese captains--Loss of Alessandria--Panic and flight of Duke Lodovico--Surrender of Pavia and Milan to the French--Treachery of Bernardino da Corte and surrender of the Castello--Triumphal entry of Louis XII 337

CHAPTER XXX 1499-1500

Louis XII. in Milan--Hatred of the French rule--Return of Duke Lodovico--His march to Como and triumphal entry into Milan--Trivulzio and the French retire to Mortara--Surrender of the Castello of Milan, of Pavia and Novara, to the Moro--His want of men and money--Arrival of La Trémouille's army--Lodovico besieged in Novara and betrayed to the French king by the Swiss--Rejoicings at Rome and Venice--Triumph of the Borgias--Sufferings of the Milanese--Leonardo's letter 352

CHAPTER XXXI 1500-1508

Lodovico Sforza enters Lyons as a captive--His imprisonment at Pierre-Encise and Lys Saint-Georges--Laments over Il Moro in the popular poetry of France and Italy--Efforts of the Emperor Maximilian to obtain his release--Ascanio and Ermes Sforza released--Lodovico removed to Loches--Paolo Giovio's account of his captivity--His attempt to escape--Dungeon at Loches--Death of Lodovico Sforza--His burial in S. Maria delle Grazie 367