them to proceed
to the charge with such impetuosity, that they gained possession of
the rampart in an instant. However, the victory was not unattended by
misfortune, for Count Antonio da Marciano was killed by a cannon shot.
This success filled the townspeople with so much terror, that they began
to make proposals for capitulation; and to invest the surrender with
imposing solemnity, Lorenzo de' Medici came to the camp, when, after a
few days, the fortress was given up. It being now winter, the leaders of
the expedition thought it unadvisable to make any further effort until
the return of spring, more particularly because the autumnal air had
been so unhealthy that numbers were affected by it. Antonio Pucci and
Biongianni Gianfigliazzi were taken ill and died, to the great regret
of all, so greatly had Antonio's conduct at Pietra Santa endeared him to
the army.

Upon the taking of Pietra Santa, the Lucchese sent ambassadors to
Florence, to demand its surrender to their republic, on account of its
having previously belonged to them, and because, as they alleged, it was
in the conditions that places taken by either party were to be restored
to their original possessors. The Florentines did not deny the articles,
but replied that they did not know whether, by the treaty between
themselves and the Genoese, which was then under discussion, it would
have to be given up or not, and therefore could not reply to that point
at present; but in case of its restitution, it would first be necessary
for the Lucchese to reimburse them for the expenses they had incurred
and the injury they had suffered, in the death of so many citizens; and
that when this was satisfactorily arranged, they might entertain hopes
of obtaining the place.

The whole winter was consumed in negotiations between the Florentines
and Genoese, which, by the pope's intervention, were carried on at Rome;
but not being concluded upon the return of spring, the Florentines would
have attacked Serezana had they not been prevented by the illness of
Lorenzo de' Medici, and the war between the pope and King Ferrando; for
Lorenzo was afflicted not only by the gout, which seemed hereditary in
his family, but also by violent pains in the stomach, and was compelled
to go the baths for relief.

The more important reason was furnished by the war, of which this was
the origin. The city of L'Aquila, though subject to the kingdom of
Naples, was in a manner free; and the Count di