solved that she should remain
free; and, therefore, each party, having no other resource, prepared to
continue the war.

In the meantime Niccolo Piccinino arrived at Lucca, and the Florentines,
being doubtful what course to adopt, ordered Neri di Gino to lead their
forces into the Pisan territory, induced the pontiff to allow Count
Francesco to join him, and with their forces they halted at San Gonda.
Piccinino then demanded admission into the kingdom of Naples, and this
being refused, he threatened to force a passage. The armies were
equal, both in regard of numbers and the capacity of their leaders, and
unwilling to tempt fortune during the bad weather, it being the month of
December, they remained several days without attacking each other. The
first movement was made by Niccolo Piccinino, who being informed that if
he attacked Vico Pisano by night, he could easily take possession of
the place, made the attempt, and having failed, ravaged the surrounding
country, and then burned and plundered the town of San Giovanni alla
Vena. This enterprise, though of little consequence, excited him to make
further attempts, the more so from being assured that the count and Neri
were yet in their quarters, and he attacked Santa Maria in Castello and
Filetto, both which places he took. Still the Florentine forces would
not stir; not that the count entertained any fear, but because, out of
regard to the pope, who still labored to effect an accommodation, the
government of Florence had deferred giving their final consent to the
war. This course, which the Florentines adopted from prudence, was
considered by the enemy to be only the result of timidity, and with
increased boldness they led their forces up to Barga, which they
resolved to besiege. This new attack made the Florentines set aside
all other considerations, and resolve not only to relieve Barga, but
to invade the Lucchese territory. Accordingly the count proceeded in
pursuit of Niccolo, and coming up with him before Barga, an engagement
took place, in which Piccinino was overcome, and compelled to raise the
siege.

The Venetians considering the duke to have broken the peace, send Giovan
Francesco da Gonzaga, their captain, to Ghiaradadda, who, by severely
wasting the duke's territories, induced him to recall Niccolo Piccinino
from Tuscany. This circumstance, together with the victory obtained over
Niccolo, emboldened the Florentines to attempt the recovery of Lucca,
since t