[66] After the capture of Siena by the Spaniards in 1555 a number of the people of Siena, nobles as well as burghers, withdrew to Montalcino with the intention of founding there a new republic. With them went the French mercenaries who, under the Marshal de Monluc, had helped to defend the city. Montaigne was, no doubt, inquiring after the tombs of these men.
[67] This bridge crosses a stream called La Paglia, to which Montaigne probably refers when he speaks of the village of La Paille.
[68] Ronciglione. The Farnesi had one of their finest seats here.
[69] A piece of money first coined by Julius III., worth about sixty centesimi.
[70] Montaigne evidently feared the effect of the dew. Just before he reached Roveredo (vol. i. p. 187) he writes to the same effect.
[71] This inn still exists at the corner of the Via di Monte Brianza and the Via dell’ Orso.
[72] In the Via di Monte Brianza.
[73] He makes the same complaint of Padua.
[74] Gregory XIII. Ugo Buoncompagni di Bologna.
[75] Alessandro Farnese, nephew of Paul III.