The Attitude of Savonarola toward the Renaissance--His Parentage, Birth,
and Childhood at Ferrara--His Poem on the Ruin of the World--Joins the
Dominicans at Bologna--Letter to his Father--Poem on the Ruin of the
Church--Begins to preach in 1482--First Visit to Florence--San
Gemignano--His Prophecy--Brescia in 1486--Personal Appearance and Style
of Oratory--Effect on his audience--The three Conclusions--His
Visions--Savonarola's Shortcomings as a patriotic Statesman--His sincere
Belief in his prophetic Calling--Friendship with Pico della
Mirandola--Settles in Florence, 1490--Convent of San Marco--Savonarola's
Relation to Lorenzo de' Medici--The death of Lorenzo--Sermons of 1493
and 1494--the Constitution of 1495--Theocracy in Florence--Piagnoni,
Bigi, and Arrabhiati--War between Savonarola and Alexander VI.--The
Signory suspends him from preaching in the Duomo in 1498--Attempts to
call a Council--The Ordeal by Fire--San Marco stormed by the Mob--Trial
and Execution of Savonarola [497]
CHAPTER X.
CHARLES VIII.
The Italian States confront the Great Nations of Europe--Policy of
Louis XI. of France--Character of Charles VIII.--Preparations for the
Invasion of Italy--Position of Lodovico Sforza--Diplomatic
Difficulties in Italy after the Death of Lorenzo de' Medici--Weakness
of the Republics--Il Moro--The year 1494---Alfonso of
Naples--Inefficiency of the Allies to cope with France--Charles at
Lyons is stirred up to the Invasion of Italy by Giuliano della
Rovere--Charles at Asti and Pavia--Murder of Gian Galeazzo
Sforza--Mistrust in the French Army--Rapallo and Fivizzano--The
Entrance into Tuscany--Part played by Piero de' Medici--Charles at
Pisa--His Entrance into Florence--Piero Capponi--The March on
Rome--Entry into Rome--Panic of Alexander VI.--The March on
Naples--The Spanish Dynasty: Alfonso and Ferdinand--Alfonso II.
escapes to Sicily--Ferdinand II. takes Refuge in Ischia--Charles at
Naples--The League against the French--De Comines at Venice--Charles
makes his Retreat by Rome, Siena, Pisa, and Pontremoli--The Battle of
Fornovo--Charles reaches Asti and returns to France--Italy becomes
the Prize to be fought for by France, Spain, and Germany--Importance
of the Expedition of Charles VIII. [537]
No. II.—Translations of Nardi, 'Istorie di Firenze,' lib. l. cap. 4;
and of Varchi, 'Storia Fiorentina,' lib. iii. caps. 20,21, 22; lib. ix. caps. 48, 49, 46[592]
No. III.—The Character of Alexander VI., from Guicciardini's
'Storia Fiorentina,' cap. 27[603]