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the king。
During these events in Lombardy； the pope sent Lorenzo to invest Citta
di Castello； for the purpose of expelling Niccolo Vitelli； the place
having been abandoned to him by the League； for the purpose of
inducing the pontiff to join them。 During the siege； Niccolo's troops
were led out against the papal forces and routed them。 Upon this the
pope recalled the Count Girolamo from Lombardy with orders first to
recruit his army at Rome； and then proceed against Citta di Castello。
But thinking afterward； that it would be better to obtain Niccolo
Vitello as his friend than to renew hostilities with him； an
arrangement was entered into by which the latter retained Citta di
Castello； and the pope pacified Lorenzo as well as he could。 He was
induced to both these measures rather by his apprehension of fresh
troubles than by his love of peace； for he perceived dissensions
arising between the Colonessi and the Orsini。
In the war between the king of Naples and the pope； the former had
taken the district of Tagliacozzo from the Orsini； and given it to the
Colonnesi； who had espoused his cause。 Upon the establishment of
peace； the Orsini demanded its restoration by virtue of the treaty。
The pope had frequently intimated to the Colonnesi that it ought to be
restored； but they； instead of complying with the entreaties of the
Orsini； or being influenced by the pope's threats； renewed hostilities
against the former。 Upon this the pontiff； unable to endure their
insolence； united his own forces with those of the Orsini； plundered
the houses they possessed in Rome； slew or made prisoners all who
defended them； and seized most of their fortresses。 So that when these
troubles were composed； it was rather by the complete subjugation of
one party than from any desire for peace in the other。
Nor were the affairs of Genoa or of Tuscany in repose； for the
Florentines kept the Count Antonio da Marciano on the borders of
Serezana； and while the war continued in Lombardy； annoyed the people
of Serezana by inroads and light skirmishes。 Battistino Fregoso； doge
of Genoa； trusting to Pagolo Fregoso； the archbishop； was taken
prisoner； with his wife and children； by the latter； who assumed the
sovereignty of the city。 The Venetian fleet had attacked the kingdom
of Naples； taken Gallipoli； and harassed the neighboring places。 But
upon the peace of Lombardy； all tumults were hushed except those of
Tuscany and Rome； for the pope died in five days after its
declaration； either in the natural course of things； or because his
grief for peace； to which he was always opposed； occasioned his end。
Upon the decease of the pontiff； Rome was immediately in arms。 The
Count Girolamo withdrew his forces into the castle； and the Orsini
feared the Colonnesi would avenge the injuries they had recently
sustained。 The Colonnesi demanded the restitution of their houses and
castles； so that in a few days robberies； fires； and murders prevailed
in several parts of the city。 The cardinals entreated the count to
give the castle into the hands of the college； withdraw his troops；
and deliver Rome from the fear of his forces； and he； by way of
ingratiating himself with the future pontiff obeyed； and retired to
Imola。 The cardinals； being thus divested of their fears； and the
barons hopeless of assistance in their quarrels； proceeded to create a
new pontiff； and after some discussion； Giovanni Batista Cibo； a
Genoese； cardinal of Malfetta； was elected； and took the name of
Innocent VIII。 By the mildness of his disposition （for he was
peaceable and humane） he caused a cessation of hostilities； and for
the present restored peace to Rome。
The Florentines； after the pacification of Lombardy； could not remain
quiet； for it appeared disgraceful that a private gentleman should
deprive them of the fortress of Serezana； and as it was allowed by the
conditions of peace； not only to demand lost places； but to make war
upon any who should impede their restoration； they immediately
provided men and money to undertake its recovery。 Upon this； Agostino
Fregoso； who had seized Serezana； being unable to defend it； gave the
fortress to the Bank of St。 Giorgio。 As we shall have frequent
occasion to speak of St。 Giorgio and the Genoese； it will not be
improper； since Genoa is one of the principal cities of Italy； to give
some account of the regulations and usages prevailing there。 When the
Genoese had made peace with the Venetians； after the great war； many
years ago； the republic； being unable to satisfy the claims of those
who had advanced large sums of money for its use； conceded to them the
revenue of the Dogano or customhouse； so that each creditor should
participate in the receipts in proportion to his claim； until the
whole amount should be liquidated； and as a suitable place for their
assembling； the palace over the Dogano was assigned for their use。
These creditors established a form of government among themselves；
appointing a council of one hundred persons for the direction of their
affairs； and a committee of eight； who； as the executive body； should
carry into effect the determinations of the council。 Their credits
were divided into shares； called /Luoghi/； and they took the title of
the Bank； or Company of St。 Giorgio。 Having thus arranged their
government； the city fell into fresh difficulties； and applied to San
Giorgio for assistance； which； being wealthy and well managed； was
able to afford the required aid。 On the other hand； as the city had at
first conceded the customs； she next began to assign towns； castles；
or territories； as security for moneys received； and this practice has
proceeded to such a length； from the necessities of the state； and the
accommodation by the San Giorgio； that the latter now has under its
administration most of the towns and cities in the Genoese dominion。
These the Bank governs and protects； and every year sends its
deputies； appointed by vote； without any interference on the part of
the republic。 Hence the affections of the citizens are transferred
from the government to the San Giorgio； on account of the tyranny of
the former； and the excellent regulations adopted by the latter。 Hence
also originate the frequent changes of the republic； which is
sometimes under a citizen； and at other times governed by a stranger；
for the magistracy； and not the San Giorgio； changes the government。
So when the Fregosi and the Adorni were in opposition； as the
government of the republic was the prize for which they strove； the
greater part of the citizens withdrew and left it to the victor。 The
only interference of the Bank of St。 Giorgio is when one party has
obtained a superiority over the other； to bind the victor to the
observance of its laws； which up to this time have not been changed；
for as it possesses arms； money； and influence； they could not be
altered without incurring the imminent risk of a dangerous rebellion。
This establishment presents an instance of what in all the republics；
either described or imagined by philosophers； has never been thought
of； exhibiting within the same community； and among the same citizens；
liberty and tyranny； integrity and corruption； justice and injustice；
for this establishment preserves in the city many ancient and
venerable customs； and should it happen （as in time it easily may）
that the San Giorgio should have possession of the whole city； the
republic will become more distinguished than that of Venice。
Agostino Fregoso conceded Serezana to the San Giorgio； which readily
accepted it； undertook its defense； put a fleet to sea； and sent
forces to Pietra Santa to prevent all attempts of the Florentines；
whose camp was in the immediate vicinity。 The Florentines found it
would be essentially necessary to gain possession of Pietra Santa； for
without it the acquisition of Serezana lost much of its value； being
situated between the latter place and Pisa； but they could not；
consistently with the treaty； besiege it； unless the people of Pietra
Santa； or its garrison； were to impede their acquisition of Serezana。
To induce the enemy to do this； the Florentines sent from Pisa to the
camp a quantity of provisions and military stores； accompanied by a
very weak escort； that the people of Pietra Santa might have little
cause for fear； and by the richness of the booty be tempted to the
attack。 The plan succeeded according to their expectation； for the
inhabitants of Pietra Santa； attracted by the rich prize took
possession of it。
This gave legitimate occasion to the Florentines to undertake
operations against them； so leaving Serezana they encamped before
Pietra Santa； which was very populous； and made a gallant defense。 The
Florentines planted their artillery in the plain； and formed a rampart
upon the hill； that they might also attack the place on that side。
Jacopo Guicciardini was commissary of the army； and while the