[*261] The defeat of the Swiss at Marignano opened the way for the long fight between Francis I. and Charles V. It decided many things—the future of monarchy in Europe, for instance, as well as the fate of the republican army "so long invincible in Italy." Cf. Creighton, op. cit., vol. V., p. 243. "What will become of us," said Leo to Giorgi, the Venetian Ambassador, who brought him the news of the defeat—"and of you?" "We will put ourselves in the hands of the Most Christian King," he added, "and will implore his mercy." Cf. the Relazioni Venete, 2nd series, vol. III., p. 44, quoted by Creighton, who, as always, takes the view of a statesman, and not merely that of a scholar. Sforza surrendered Milan on October 4th. The Pope signed terms with Francis October 13th, 1515. The Pope was then in Viterbo, which he left for Bologna in November, coming to Florence on the last day of that month. In December he was back in Bologna to meet Francis. He returned to Florence and left for Rome on February 19th, 1516.
[*262] Giuliano had certainly been ailing for months. His death did not seem to have been unexpected.
[*263] So does Giorgi. Cf. Relazioni Venete, 2nd series, vol. II., p. 51.
[*264] Cf. Verdi: Gli ultimi anni di Lorenzo de' Medici duca d'Urbino, 1515-1519 (Pietrogrande, 1905).
[*265] I do not see how this was an outrage. Francesco had been already dismissed: see supra [360]. Besides, he had certainly made overtures to the French. Cf. Guicciardini, Storia d'Italia, vol. XII.
[*266] Cf. Pellegrini, Gubbio sotto i conti e Duchi d'Urbino, in Boll. per l'Umbria, vol. XI., p. 221. Gianpaolo Baglioni da Perugia entered the Eugubine territory with 100 knights, 500 horse, and 3000 foot. The Duke wrote that he could not defend Gubbio. On the 31st May the Consiglio was called together, and it decided: "redire ad Romanam ecclesiam et sub regimine s. D.N."
[*267] Zaccagnini has published an unknown poem on this taking of Urbino. See Un poemetto sconosciuto sulla presa d'Urbino del 1516, in Le Marche (1906), An. VI., p. 145.
[268] Vat. Urb. MSS. No. 906, 907, 928; Vat. Ottob. MSS. No. 3153.
[269] Vat. Ottob. MSS. No. 3153, f. 115.
[*270] It was against Venice that Leo had first, in March, 1517, tried to get help.