CHAPTER XV

1494. Jan. Alfonso II. succeeds to the crown of Naples 341

" Position of the Italian powers at the invasion of Charles VIII. 341

" Alfonso's efforts to conciliate the Pontiff and his children 342

" His son Cesare made Cardinal Valentino 343

" The Pope employs Guidobaldo against the Orsini 344

" His first attack of gout 344

" The marriage of Lucrezia Borgia to Giovanni Sforza of Pesaro 344

" Its scandalous orgies 345

" June. Her visit to Urbino 345

" Double-dealing of Alexander with Alfonso 345

" The calamities of the French invasion 346

" Description of Charles VIII. by Guicciardini 346

" And by Mantegna 347

" And by Ludovico il Moro 347

" The campaign opened by Sir Bernard Stuart of Aubigny 348

" Aug. 20. Charles leaves Vienne and reaches Milan 348

" Alfonso alone prepares to oppose him 348

" Sends the Duke of Calabria into Romagna 348

" He is supported by the Duke of Urbino, but without avail 348

" Nov. 9. Tuscany welcomes Charles, and expels the Medici 349

" This revolution graphically described 350

" Financial expedient proposed at Florence 351

" Dec. 31. Charles enters Rome 351

1495. Jan. 28. Leaves it for Naples 351

" " 23. Alfonso abdicates the crown, and dies soon after 351

" Succeeded by his son Ferdinand II., who retires to " Ischia 352

" " 22. Charles takes possession of Naples 352

" Mar. 31. A new League formed against the French 352

1494. Oct. Ludovico il Moro becomes Duke of Milan 353

1495. The demoralisation of the French army 353

" May 20. It leaves Naples 353

" July 6. Battle of the Taro, at Fornovo 354

" Oct. It re-enters France 354

" July. Ferdinand II. restored at Naples 354

1496. Whose French garrison surrenders 355

" Results to Italy of this invasion 355

1495. The Pisan war, in which Guidobaldo was engaged by the Florentines 356

" Their conduct leads to fresh discord 356

" And to an invasion by Maximilian 357

" Guidobaldo recalled by the Pope to aid in restoring Ferdinand II. 357

1496. Oct. Who dies soon after 358

" Peace again troubled by Alexander, who attacks the " Orsini 358

" " Aided by Guidobaldo 358

" His petty campaign against Bracciano 359

1497. Jan. 23. Is beaten, and taken prisoner 360

" The Venetian Signory interfere in his behalf 361

" A heavy ransom extorted from him with the Pope's connivance 361