history of florence-第95部分
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The whole winter was consumed in negotiations between the Florentines
and Genoese; which; by the pope's intervention; were carried on at
Rome; but not being concluded upon the return of spring; the
Florentines would have attacked Serezana had they not been prevented
by the illness of Lorenzo de' Medici; and the war between the pope and
King Ferrando; for Lorenzo was afflicted not only by the gout; which
seemed hereditary in his family; but also by violent pains in the
stomach; and was compelled to go the baths for relief。
The more important reason was furnished by the war; of which this was
the origin。 The city of L'Aquila; though subject to the kingdom of
Naples; was in a manner free; and the Count di Montorio possessed
great influence over it。 The duke of Calabria was upon the banks of
the Tronto with his men…at…arms; under pretense of appeasing some
disturbances among the peasantry; but really with a design of reducing
L'Aquila entirely under the king's authority; and sent for the Count
di Montorio; as if to consult him upon the business he pretended then
to have in hand。 The count obeyed without the least suspicion; and on
his arrival was made prisoner by the duke and sent to Naples。 When
this circumstance became known at L'Aquila; the anger of the
inhabitants arose to the highest pitch; taking arms they killed
Antonio Cencinello; commissary for the king; and with him some
inhabitants known partisans of his majesty。 The L'Aquilani; in order
to have a defender in their rebellion; raised the banner of the
church; and sent envoys to the pope; to submit their city and
themselves to him; beseeching that he would defend them as his own
subjects against the tyranny of the king。 The pontiff gladly undertook
their defense; for he had both public and private reasons for hating
that monarch; and Signor Roberto of San Severino; an enemy of the duke
of Milan; being disengaged; was appointed to take the command of his
forces; and sent for with all speed to Rome。 He entreated the friends
and relatives of the Count di Montorio to withdraw their allegiance
from the king; and induced the princes of Altimura; Salerno; and
Bisignano to take arms against him。 The king; finding himself so
suddenly involved in war; had recourse to the Florentines and the duke
of Milan for assistance。 The Florentines hesitated with regard to
their own conduct; for they felt all the inconvenience of neglecting
their own affairs to attend to those of others; and hostilities
against the church seemed likely to involve much risk。 However; being
under the obligation of a League; they preferred their honor to
convenience or security; engaged the Orsini; and sent all their own
forces under the Count di Pitigliano toward Rome; to the assistance of
the king。 The latter divided his forces into two parts; one; under the
duke of Calabria; he sent toward Rome; which; being joined by the
Florentines; opposed the army of the church; with the other; under his
own command; he attacked the barons; and the war was prosecuted with
various success on both sides。 At length; the king; being universally
victorious; peace was concluded by the intervention of the ambassadors
of the king of Spain; in August; 1486; to which the pope consented;
for having found fortune opposed to him he was not disposed to tempt
it further。 In this treaty all the powers of Italy were united; except
the Genoese; who were omitted as rebels against the republic of Milan;
and unjust occupiers of territories belonging to the Florentines。 Upon
the peace being ratified; Roberto da San Severino; having been during
the war a treacherous ally of the church; and by no means formidable
to her enemies; left Rome; being followed by the forces of the duke
and the Florentines; after passing Cesena; found them near him; and
urging his flight reached Ravenna with less than a hundred horse。 Of
his forces; part were received into the duke's service; and part were
plundered by the peasantry。 The king; being reconciled with his
barons; put to death Jacopo Coppola and Antonello d'Aversa and their
sons; for having; during the war; betrayed his secrets to the pope。
CHAPTER VII
The pope becomes attached to the FlorentinesThe Genoese seize
SerezanelloThey are routed by the FlorentinesSerezana
surrendersGenoa submits to the duke of MilanWar between the
Venetians and the DutchOsimo revolts from the churchCount
Girolamo Riario; lord of Furli; slain by a conspiracyGaleotto;
lord of Faenza; is murdered by the treachery of his wifeThe
government of the city offered to the FlorentinesDisturbances in
SiennaDeath of Lorenzo de' MediciHis eulogyEstablishment of
his familyEstates bought by LorenzoHis anxiety for the defense
of FlorenceHis taste for arts and literatureThe university of
PisaThe estimation of Lorenzo by other princes。
The pope having observed in the course of the war; how promptly and
earnestly the Florentines adhered to their alliances; although he had
previously been opposed to them from his attachment to the Genoese;
and the assistance they had rendered to the king; now evinced a more
amicable disposition; and received their ambassadors with greater
favor than previously。 Lorenzo de' Medici; being made acquainted with
this change of feeling; encouraged it with the utmost solicitude; for
he thought it would be of great advantage; if to the friendship of the
king he could add that of the pontiff。 The pope had a son named
Francesco; upon whom designing to bestow states and attach friends who
might be useful to him after his own death; saw no safer connection in
Italy than Lorenzo's; and therefore induced the latter to give him one
of his daughters in marriage。 Having formed this alliance; the pope
desired the Genoese to concede Serezana to the Florentines; insisting
that they had no right to detain what Agostino had sold; nor was
Agostino justified in making over to the Bank of San Giorgio what was
not his own。 However; his holiness did not succeed with them; for the
Genoese; during these transactions at Rome; armed several vessels;
and; unknown to the Florentines; landed three thousand foot; attacked
Serezanello; situated above Serezana; plundered and burnt the town
near it; and then; directing their artillery against the fortress;
fired upon it with their utmost energy。 This assault was new and
unexpected by the Florentines; who immediately assembled their forces
under Virginio Orsino; at Pisa; and complained to the pope; that while
he was endeavoring to establish peace; the Genoese had renewed their
attack upon them。 They then sent Piero Corsini to Lucca; that by his
presence he might keep the city faithful; and Pagolantonio Soderini to
Venice; to learn how that republic was disposed。 They demanded
assistance of the king and of Signor Lodovico; but obtained it from
neither; for the king expressed apprehensions of the Turkish fleet;
and Lodovico made excuses; but sent no aid。 Thus the Florentines in
their own wars are almost always obliged to stand alone; and find no
friends to assist them with the same readiness they practice toward
others。 Nor did they; on this desertion of their allies (it being
nothing new to them) give way to despondency; for having assembled a
large army under Jacopo Guicciardini and Pietro Vettori; they sent it
against the enemy; who had encamped upon the river Magra; at the same
time pressing Serezanello with mines and every species of attack。 The
commissaries being resolved to relieve the place; an engagement
ensued; when the Genoese were routed; and Lodovico dal Fiesco; with
several other principal men; made prisoners。 The Serezanesi were not
so depressed at their defeat as to be willing to surrender; but
obstinately prepared for their defense; while the Florentine
commissaries proceeded with their operations; and instances of valor
occurred on both sides。 The siege being protracted by a variety of
fortune; Lorenzo de' Medici resolved to go to the camp; and on his
arrival the troops acquired fresh courage; while that of the enemy
seemed to fail; for perceiving the obstinacy of the Florentines'
attack; and the delay of the Genoese in coming to their relief; they
surrendered to Lorenzo; without asking conditions; and none were
treated with severity except two or three who were leaders of the
rebellion。 During the siege; Lodovico had sent troops to Pontremoli;
as if with an intention of assisting the Florentines; but having
secret correspondence in Genoa; a party was raised there; who; by the
aid of these forces; gave the city to the duke of Milan。
At this time the Dutch made war upon the Venetians; and Boccolino of
Osimo; in the Marca; caused that place to revolt from the pope; and
assumed the sovereignty。 After a variety of fortune; he was induced to
restore the city to the pontiff and come to Florence; where; under the
protection of Lorenzo de' Medici; by whose advice he had been
prevailed upon to submit; he lived long and respected。 He afterward
went to Milan; but did not experience such generous treatment; for
Lodovico caused him to be put to death。 The Venetians were routed by
the Dutch; near the city of Trento; and Roberto da S。 Severino; their
captain; was slain。 After this defeat; the Venetians; with their usual
good fortune; made peace with the Dutch; not as vanquished; but as
conquerors; so honorable were the terms they obtained。
About this time; there arose serious troubles in Romagna。 Francesco
d'Orso; of Furli; was a man of great authority in that city; and
became suspected by the count Girolamo; who often threatened him。 He
consequently; living under great apprehensions; was advised by his
friends to provide for his own safety; by the immediate adoption of
such a course as would relieve him from all further fear of the count。
Having considered the matter and resolved to attempt it; they fixed
upon the market day; at