The king, as I have said, left Naples on the 20th of May, and halted at Aversa. On the 21st, he marched from Aversa to Capua. On the morrow, he dined and slept at the bishop's palace in Sezza[4]; and on the Saturday, as he was about to enter Gaieta to refresh himself, the castle fell down and obstructed the road, so that he returned to Sezza,—but on the Sunday, when the damages had been repaired, he proceeded and lay at Monte Cassino. Thence he passed to Ponte-corvo, to Cyprienne, and to Fiorentino, a small city, then under an interdict from pope Alexander, because the inhabitants had murdered and cut off the arms of their bishop, who was a Spaniard, for having been obstinate in supporting king Alphonso against the king of France. This latter would not have been able to have heard mass that day, if he had not before had full powers given him to order the celebration of the mass in all places, according to his good pleasure.
On Friday, the 29th, the king advanced for the night to Valmontone, wherein were many who hated the French, because they had destroyed and burnt Monte-Fortino: nevertheless, he proceeded to Marina the next day, and halted there till Sunday.
On Monday the first of June, the king re-entered Rome, on his return to France, and was lodged in the palace of the cardinal de St Clement, near to St Peter's. He was grandly accompanied by his nobles, gentlemen pensioners, men at arms, cross-bowmen, Swiss and Germans; and because pope Alexander was absent[5], he posted his men in different parts of the town, to check any insolence of the Romans. Having done this, he went to St Peter's, to return his thanksgivings to God. On Wednesday, he left Rome, dined at Isola, and lay at Campanolle. Friday he advanced to Ronciglione, and the same day entered Viterbo with his whole army, where he was as well received as before. He remained in Viterbo until Whitsunday was passed, to perform his devotions, and visit the body of St Rosa.
On the 8th of June, the king supped and lay in the town of Monte Fiascone, celebrated for its muscadine wines,—and thence, continuing his march through La Paille and other places, arrived at Sienna, the inhabitants of which came out to welcome him, magnificently dressed, and with the same ceremonies as at the first of his coming thither.
The king marched from Sienna on the 17th of June for Poggiobondi, where he lay, and staid the following morning, on account of its being the feast of the holy sacrament, and attended the procession to high mass with great devotion. After dinner he advanced to Château Florentin,—and on the morrow he dined at Campane, near to Florence; but he did not enter Florence on his return, for, under pretence of being in the french interest, the town of Pont-Velle had been taken.
Saturday, the 20th of June, the king entered Pisa, where he was received with every honour and submission. He staid there two days, and on the Tuesday following dined at Pommart, and slept at Lucca, where, in return for his handsome reception, he took the town under his protection. He marched through Pietra Santa, and arrived, on the Saturday, at Sarsaigne[6], where he had intelligence of the junction of the duke of Milan with the Venetians. For this reason, he would not sleep at Villa Franca, but encamped his army on the other side of the river, where he supped, and waited for the arrival of his artillery, and the rear of his army.
The king left his camp, at Villa Franca, on the 30th of June, to hear mass at a large monastery near to Pontremoli; for the Germans had burnt that town, in revenge for the murders of some of their countrymen by the inhabitants, on their march to Naples. After dinner, the king encamped at the foot of the Appenines, and there remained until his artillery had passed the mountains. The lord de la Trimouille and Jean de la Grange were charged with this business,—and although there were plenty of hands they had great difficulties, on account of the rocks. On the 3d of July, and the following day, the king crossed the Appenines, and passed through Verceil and Cassano, and encamped his army near to Borgo de Taro, where he lay, under the security of strong guards. Sunday, the 5th of July, the king heard mass in his camp, and dined at Foronuovo[7], where he formed his plan for the order of battle, with a main body, a van and reserve, and having the usual guards established.
FOOTNOTES:
[4] Sezza,—29 miles NNW. of Naples.