Chapter XI

1476.
Dec. 26. Assassination of Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza 234

" His character by Sanzi 235

1477. Federigo prepares to march upon Milan, but attacks
Jan. Montone 236

1473. Count Girolamo Riario invested with Forlì and Imola 236

" He is betrothed to Caterina Sforza 236

" Her education and character 237

1477. Their marriage 237

" The friendship of Sixtus for Lorenzo de' Medici soon
interrupted 237

" Revolutions in Florence usually sprang from family
feuds 239

" Origin of the Pazzi conspiracy 239

1478.
April 26. It explodes; Giuliano assassinated 240

" Italian conspiracies and politics 241

" The Pope is compromised 242

" Lorenzo appeals to his fellow citizens 243

" The parties to a new war in Tuscany 243

" The Duke's letter to an astrologer 244

" The campaign narrated by Federigo 245

" He breaks his leg 247

"
Dec. 23. He goes to the baths of Petriolo 247

1479.
May 23. He leaves Petriolo 247

" Defection of Roberto Malatesta 247

" The Florentines successful at Thrasimene, but
worsted in the Val d'Elsa 247

"
Nov. 12. Colle surrenders 248

"
" Its siege painted on a _bicherna_ (note) 248

" State of the Italian artillery 248

" Notices of it by Duke Federigo 249

"
Nov. 20. He goes to Siena and receives a donative 251

"
" 27. A truce for three months 251

" The unfortunate position of Florence, and
disorganisation of its army 251

" Lorenzo de' Medici goes to Naples to negotiate a
Dec. 6. treaty 252

1480.
Mar. 25. Peace proclaimed 252

"
Dec. Humiliation of the Florentines before Sixtus 253

1479-1480. Intrigues of the Duke of Calabria at Siena 253

" " Federigo winters at the baths of Viterbo 253

" " He receives the Sword and Hat 253

1480.
May 19. His letter to the magistrates at Siena 254

" He returns home 254

" Count Girolamo takes possession of Forlì 254

" Description of his Countess 255

1474-1479. Progress of the Turks in Europe 256

1480.
Aug. 11. They take Otranto by concert with the Venetians 257

" Consequent panic in Italy, and new combinations of
its powers 257

" Federigo summoned by Ferdinand, but detained by
Sixtus 257

1481.
May 3. Death of Sultan Mahomet 257

"
Aug. 10. Otranto recovered from the Turks 257