lone, the embassy was not completed; and thus
the Venetians learned, that however little they might esteem the
Florentines, the latter had still less respect for them.

In the midst of these fears, the emperor, Frederick III., came into
Italy to be crowned. On the thirtieth of January, 1451, he entered
Florence with fifteen hundred horse, and was most honorably received
by the Signory. He remained in the city till the sixth of February, and
then proceeded to Rome for his coronation, where, having been solemnly
consecrated, and his marriage celebrated with the empress, who had
come to Rome by sea, he returned to Germany, and again passed through
Florence in May, with the same honors as upon his arrival. On his
return, having derived some benefits from the marquis of Mantua, he
conceded to him Modena and Reggio. In the meantime, the Florentines did
not fail to prepare themselves for immediate war; and to augment their
influence, and strike the enemy with terror, they, in conjunction with
the duke, entered into alliance with the king of France for the mutual
defense of their states. This treaty was published with great pomp
throughout all Italy.

The month of May, 1452, having arrived, the Venetians thought it not
desirable to defer any longer their attack upon the duke, and with
sixteen thousand horse and six thousand foot assailed his territories
in the direction of Lodi, while the marquis of Montferrat, instigated
either by his own ambition or the entreaties of the Venetians, did the
same on the side of Alexandria. The duke assembled a force of eighteen
thousand cavalry and three thousand infantry, garrisoned Alexandria and
Lodi, and all the other places where the enemy might annoy them. He then
attacked the Brescian territory, and greatly harassed the Venetians;
while both parties alike plundered the country and ravaged the smaller
towns. Having defeated the marquis of Montferrat at Alexandria, the duke
was able to unite his whole force against the Venetians and invade their
territory.

While the war in Lombardy proceeded thus, giving rise to various
trifling incidents unworthy of recital, King Alfonso and the Florentines
carried on hostilities in Tuscany, but in a similarly inefficient
manner, evincing no greater talent, and incurring no greater danger.
Ferrando, the illegitimate son of Alfonso, entered the country with
twelve thousand troops, under the command of Federigo, lord of Urbino.
Their first attempt was t