Book V

Chapter I

The vicissitudes of empires -- The state of Italy -- The military factions of Sforza and Braccio -- The Bracceschi and the Sforzeschi attack the pope, who is expelled by the Romans -- War between the pope and the duke of Milan -- The Florentines and the Venetians assist the pope -- Peace between the pope and the duke of Milan -- Tyranny practiced by the party favorable to the Medici.

 

Chapter II

Death of Giovanni II. -- Renè of Anjou and Alfonso of Aragon aspire to the kingdom -- Alfonso is routed and taken by the Genoese -- Alfonso being a prisoner of the duke of Milan, obtains his friendship -- The Genoese disgusted with the duke of Milan -- Divisions among the Genoese -- The Genoese, by means of Francesco Spinola, expel the duke's governor -- League against the duke of Milan -- Rinaldo degli Albizzi advises the duke to make war against the Florentines -- His discourse to the duke -- The duke adopts measures injurious to the Florentines -- Niccolo Piccinino appointed to command the duke's forces -- Preparations of the Florentines -- Piccinino routed before Barga.

 

Chapter III

The Florentines go to war with Lucca -- Discourse of a citizen of Lucca to animate the plebeians against the Florentines -- The Lucchese resolve to defend themselves -- They are assisted by the duke of Milan -- Treaty between the Florentines and the Venetians -- Francesco Sforza, captain of the league, refuses to cross the Po in the service of the Venetians and returns to Tuscany -- The bad faith of the Venetians toward the Florentines -- Cosmo de' Medici at Venice -- Peace between the Florentines and the Lucchese -- The Florentines effect a reconciliation between the pope and the Count di Poppi -- The pope consecrates the church of Santa Reparata -- Council of Florence.

 

Chapter IV

New wars in Italy -- Niccolo Piccinino, in concert with the duke of Milan, deceives the pope, and takes many places from the church -- Niccolo attacks the Venetians -- Fears and precautions of the Florentines -- The Venetians request assistance of the Florentines and of Sforza -- League against the duke of Milan -- The Florentines resolve to send the count to assist the Venetians -- Neri di Gino Capponi at Venice -- His discourse to the senate -- Extreme joy of the Venetians.

 

Chapter V

Francesco Sforza marches to assist the Venetians, and relieves Verona -- He attempts to relieve Brescia but fails -- The Venetians routed by Piccinino upon the Lake of Garda -- Piccinino routed by Sforza; the method of his escape -- Piccinino surprises Verona -- Description of Verona -- Recovered by Sforza -- The duke of Milan makes war against the Florentines -- Apprehensions of the Florentines -- Cardinal Vitelleschi their enemy.

 

Chapter VI

The pope imprisons the cardinal and assists the Florentines -- Difference of opinion between the count and the Venetians respecting the management of the war. The Florentines reconcile them -- The count wishes to go into Tuscany to oppose Piccinino, but is prevented by the Venetians -- Niccolo Piccinino in Tuscany -- He takes Marradi, and plunders the neighborhood of Florence -- Description of Marradi -- Cowardice of Bartolomeo Orlandini -- Brave resistance of Castel San Niccolo -- San Niccolo surrenders -- Piccinino attempts to take Cortona, but fails.

 

Chapter VII

Brescia relieved by Sforza -- His other victories -- Piccinino is recalled into Lombardy -- He endeavors to bring the Florentines to an engagement -- He is routed before Anghiari -- Serious disorders in the camp of the Florentines after the victory -- Death of Rinaldo degli Albizzi -- His character -- Neri Capponi goes to recover the Casentino -- The Count di Poppi surrenders -- His discourse upon quitting his possessions.