CHAPTER III

Death of Filippo Visconti, duke of Milan--The Milanese appoint Sforza
their captain--Milan becomes a republic--The pope endeavors to restore
peace to Italy--The Venetians oppose this design--Alfonso attacks the
Florentines--The neighborhood of Piombino becomes the principal
theater of war--Scarcity in the Florentine camp--Disorders occur in
the Neapolitan and Florentine armies--Alfonso sues for peace and is
compelled to retreat--Pavia surrenders to the count--Displeasure of
the Milanese--The count besieges Caravaggio--The Venetians endeavor to
relieve the place--They are routed by the count before Caravaggio.

Pope Eugenius being dead, was succeeded by Nicholas V. The count had his
whole army at Cotignola, ready to pass into Lombardy, when intelligence
was brought him of the death of Filippo, which happened on the last
day of August, 1447. This event greatly afflicted him, for he doubted
whether his troops were in readiness, on account of their arrears of
pay; he feared the Venetians, who were his armed enemies, he having
recently forsaken them and taken part with the duke; he was in
apprehension from Alfonso, his inveterate foe; he had no hope from the
pontiff or the Florentines; for the latter were allies of the Venetians,
and he had seized the territories of the former. However, he resolved to
face his fortune and be guided by circumstances; for it often happens,
that when engaged in business valuable ideas are suggested, which in a
state of inaction would never have occurred. He had great hopes, that if
the Milanese were disposed to defend themselves against the ambition of
the Venetians, they could make use of no other power but his. Therefore,