iviera,
and thought he had not been rewarded by John in proportion to his
family's merits; for it was by their means the latter had become prince
of the city. This impression drove the parties into open enmity; a
circumstance gratifying to Ferrando, who saw in it relief from his
troubles, and the sole means of procuring his safety: he therefore
assisted Pietrino with money and men, trusting to drive John out of the
Genoese territory. The latter being aware of his design, sent for aid
to France; and, on obtaining it, attacked Pietrino, who, through his
numerous friends, entertained the strongest assurance of success; so
that John was compelled to keep within the city, into which Pietrino
having entered by night, took possession of some parts of it; but upon
the return of day, his people were all either slain or made prisoners by
John's troops, and he himself was found among the dead.

This victory gave John hopes of recovering the kingdom; and in October,
1459, he sailed thither from Genoa, with a powerful fleet, and landed
at Baia; whence he proceeded to Sessa, by the duke of which place he was
favorably received. The prince of Taranto, the Aquilani, with several
cities and other princes, also joined him; so that a great part of the
kingdom fell into his hands. On this Ferrando applied for assistance
to the pope and the duke of Milan; and, to diminish the number of his
enemies, made peace with Gismondo Malatesti, which gave so much offense
to Jacopo Piccinino, the hereditary enemy of Gismondo, that he resigned
his command under Ferrando, and joined his rival. Ferrando also sent
money to Federigo, lord of Urbino, and collected with all possible speed
what was in those times considered a tolerable army; which, meeting the
enemy upon the river Sarni, an engagement ensued in which Ferrando was
routed, and many of his principal officers taken. After this defeat, the
city of Naples alone, with a few smaller places and princes of inferior
note, adhered to Ferrando, the greater part having submitted to John.
Jacopo Piccinino, after the victory, advised an immediate march upon
Naples; but John declined this, saying, he would first reduce the
remainder of the kingdom, and then attack the seat of government. This
resolution occasioned the failure of his enterprise; for he did not
consider how much more easily the members follow the head than the head
the members.

After his defeat, Ferrando took refuge in Naples, whither the scat