CHAPTER XXXIX

1527. Causes leading to the sack of Rome 3

" The Pontiff's fatal confidence 4

" Defenceless state of his capital 5

" Apr. His tardy alarm, and inadequate exertions 5

" " Demoralisation of the city 6

" " Warnings of impending woe 6

" May. Foolhardiness of Renzo da Ceri 8

" " Authorities for the sack 8

" " Panic in the city 8

" " Estimate of the respective forces 9

" " 5. Arrival of Bourbon's army 10

" " 6. The assault 10

" " The localities examined and compared 11

" " Death of Bourbon 12

" " Rome lost by a panic 13

" " The Pope and Cardinals gain the castle of S. Angelo 13

" " The imperialists overrun the entire city 14

" " It is ferociously sacked during three days 14

" " The Prince of Orange succeeds Bourbon 15

" " Savage atrocities and sacrilege of the army 15

" " Several cardinals outraged 16

" " Pillage of shops and palaces 17

" " Ransom extorted by the soldiery 18

" " Dilatory proceedings of the confederates 18

" " 3. The Duke of Urbino leaves Florence 19

" " Unworthy motives imputed to him 19

" " 17. Abortive attempt to rescue the Pope 20

" " 20. He advances to Isola di Farnese 21

" " Distracted counsels in his camp 21

" " He resolves upon inaction 22

" " His memorial defending this 22

" " The Pontiff vainly appeals to Lannoy 23

" Jun. 5. He accepts a humbling capitulation 23

" " Sale of cardinals' hats 24

" " The capitulation rejected 24

" Aug. Pestilence and famine in Rome 25

" " Death of Lannoy 25

" Oct. New and more severe terms of capitulation 25

" Dec. 8. The Pope escapes in disguise to Orvieto 26

Castiglione's negotiations at Madrid from 1524 to 1528 26

" Jul. 25. Conduct of Charles V. on hearing of sack 29

" The Pope's dissatisfaction and Castiglione's defence 29

" Nov. 22. The Emperor's hollow professions 31

" " Fatal consequences of the sack 32