CHAP. XLVII.
OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS THE KING OF FRANCE PASSES THROUGH IN HIS MARCH FROM PIACENZA TO LUCCA.
OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS THE KING OF FRANCE PASSES THROUGH IN HIS MARCH FROM PIACENZA TO LUCCA.
Afterthe king had heard mass at Piacenza, on the 23d of October, he set out to dine and sup at the little town of Fiorenzuola[127], where the people received him very affectionately. On Friday, he lay at another small town called Borgo San Domino[128], where he was equally well received. On the 25th, he was quartered at Fornove[129], which is of tolerable size, having a large abbey, and lies at the foot of the Appenines.
On the Sunday, he went to Borgo di Val di Taro[130]; and the next day, after hearing mass, he went to Beers, where he and histrain were much straitened for room; but it was necessary to exercise patience according to the country they were in. On Tuesday he left Beers to lie at Pontremoli[131], where he was received with processions, and lighted tapers and torches, as in the preceding towns. At this place, Pietro de Medici waited on the king with intelligence from Florence, and placed himself under his protection. To obviate any attempts of those who were inimical, he promised to place in his hands a small town called Sarsina[132]; and he afterwards delivered up another good place of the Florentines, called Sarsonella, near to Sarsane.
On Wednesday, the king visited the church of Nôtre Dame des Miracles, near to the town of Pontremoli, and dined at Yole. This day owing to some quarrel, several Germans were killed in Pontremoli, for which their countrymen revenged themselves severely on their return from Naples. The whole army marched on the 30th into Sarsina, and there halted for six days, onaccount of a rebellion among the Florentines. Ludovico Sforza, who was already beginning to form his plans of treachery, came again to visit the king at this place, and returned suddenly to Milan.
On the 6th of November, the king marched his army to Massa, a burgh with a castle having deep ditches all around it: near to it is a mountain whence white and black marble is dug,—and from it is seen the sea, about half a league off. He was honourably received by the lady of the place.—On Friday, he left Massa, and took up his quarters at Pietra Santa[133], a small town belonging to the Florentines; but the king having been duly informed that it formed part of the duchy of Genoa, and that the inhabitants had put themselves under the Florentines for their better security, and through subtilty, he placed in the castle a strong garrison of gens d'armes until his return.
FOOTNOTES:[127]Fiorenzuola, 13 miles from Piacenza.[128]Borgo San Domino,—20 miles from Piacenza.[129]Fornove,—10 miles from Parma, remarkable for the victory of Charles VIII. with nine thousand men, over the confederated princes of Italy.[130]Borgo di Val di Taro,—a small city, capital of the country called Val di Taro.[131]Pontremoli,—40 leagues from Parma.[132]Q. Sarsina?[133]Pietra Santa,—six miles from Massa.
[127]Fiorenzuola, 13 miles from Piacenza.
[127]Fiorenzuola, 13 miles from Piacenza.
[128]Borgo San Domino,—20 miles from Piacenza.
[128]Borgo San Domino,—20 miles from Piacenza.
[129]Fornove,—10 miles from Parma, remarkable for the victory of Charles VIII. with nine thousand men, over the confederated princes of Italy.
[129]Fornove,—10 miles from Parma, remarkable for the victory of Charles VIII. with nine thousand men, over the confederated princes of Italy.
[130]Borgo di Val di Taro,—a small city, capital of the country called Val di Taro.
[130]Borgo di Val di Taro,—a small city, capital of the country called Val di Taro.
[131]Pontremoli,—40 leagues from Parma.
[131]Pontremoli,—40 leagues from Parma.
[132]Q. Sarsina?
[132]Q. Sarsina?
[133]Pietra Santa,—six miles from Massa.
[133]Pietra Santa,—six miles from Massa.