ept Naples; so that, thinking he had the victory in his power, he
resolved during the siege of Naples to take Benevento, and his other
possessions in that neighborhood, from the count; and thought he might
easily accomplish this while the latter was engaged in the wars of
Lombardy. Having heard of the conclusion of peace, Alfonso feared the
count would not only come for the purpose of recovering his territories,
but also to favor Rene; and Rene himself had hope of his assistance for
the same reason. The latter, therefore, sent to the count, begging he
would come to the relief of a friend, and avenge himself of an enemy.
On the other hand, Alfonso entreated Filippo, for the sake of the
friendship which subsisted between them, to find the count some other
occupation, that, being engaged in greater affairs, he might not have
an opportunity of interfering between them. Filippo complied with this
request, without seeming to be aware that he violated the peace recently
made, so greatly to his disadvantage. He therefore signified to pope
Eugenius, that the present was a favorable opportunity for recovering
the territories which the count had taken from the church; and, that he
might be in a condition to use it, offered him the services of Niccolo
Piccinino, and engaged to pay him during the war; who, since the peace
of Lombardy, had remained with his forces in Romagna. Eugenius eagerly
took the advice, induced by his hatred of the count, and his desire to
recover his lost possessions; feeling assured that, although on a former
occasion he had been duped by Niccolo, it would be improper, now that
the duke interfered, to suspect any deceit; and, joining his forces to
those of Niccolo, he assailed La Marca. The count, astonished at such an
unexpected attack, assembled his troops, and went to meet the enemy. In
the meantime, King Alfonso took possession of Naples, so that the whole
kingdom, except Castelnuova, was in his power. Leaving a strong guard
at Castelnuova Rene set out and came to Florence, where he was most
honorably received; and having remained a few days, finding he could not
continue the war, he withdrew to Marseilles.

In the meantime, Alfonso took Castelnuova, and the count found himself
assailed in the Marca Inferiore, both by the pope and Niccolo. He
applied to the Venetians and the Florentines for assistance, in men and
money, assuring them that if they did not determine to restrain the pope
and king, during his