Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 Excerpt: ...Villafranca and taken prisoner.1 This unexpected reverse reduced the Pope to such utter dismay, that already he foresaw Rome lost, and contemplated flight to Gaeta or Ischia.2 He ordered Lorenzo Medici to remain at Piacenza, and his letters to the King of France, which were intercepted, constrained the suspicious Spaniards also to inactivity. He sent Cencio, his confidential agent, to the French camp with proposals; and it was solely owing to the admonitions of Cardinal Giulio that he was dissuaded from entering into a precipitate and disgraceful treaty. It was hoped that the formidable power of the Swiss, the victors at Novara, would shatter the French attack. Confident and light-hearted, Francis I. left Turin, and unopposed pressed onwards until the Swiss interrupted his march at Marignano. Before the beginning of hostilities, however, Canossa forced his way to the young monarch with overtures of peace. "Time enough after the battle, which will decide all," said the King. And for two days--the 13th and 1 Colonna was surprised while at table, and surrendered to Aubigny. Mimoires du Martin du Bellay, Paris, 1753, i. 64. 2 This is evident from a letter of King Ferdinand to Jerome Vich, his ambassador in Rome; Calendar of Letters, etc., vol. ii. Henry VIII., ed. Bergenroth, n. 221. Battle of 14th September 1515--the battle raged fiercely Sept8? between the rival armies. Contemptuous of death, I5IS-the Confederates exposed themselves to the artillery fire from the enemy's entrenchments. The Cardinal of Sitten in person encouraged their wild ferocity. Night parted the furious combatants. Resting on their weapons, the sturdy mountaineers impatiently awaited the dawn in order to renew the attack. On September 14 the French wavered; the King, mounted on ...
