was
received with great honour; and whilst he sojourned in Siena, the
marshal of King Charles, which was called, as we have said, M. William
di Belselve, with his people, departed from Florence on S. John's Day
in June to go to Arezzo to hinder the movements of Conradino; and by
the Florentines they were escorted and accompanied as far as
Montevarchi; and they desired to accompany him till he should be nigh
unto Arezzo, hearing that the journey was like to be disputed, and
fearing an ambush in the region round about Arezzo. The said marshal,
being beyond measure confident in his people, would have the
Florentines accompany him no further, and in front of the cavalcade he
set M. William, the standard-bearer, with 300 horsemen well armed and
in readiness, and he passed on safe and sound. The marshal, with 500
of his horsemen, not on their guard nor keeping their ranks, and for
the most part unarmed, prepared to advance, and when they came to the
bridge at Valle which crosses the Arno nigh to Laterino, there sallied
forth upon their rear an ambush of the followers of Conradino, which,
hearing of the march of the said marshal, had departed from Siena
under conduct of the Ubertini and other Ghibelline refugees from
Florence; and being come to the said bridge, the French, not being
prepared, and without much defence, were defeated and slain, and the
greater part were taken, and those which fled towards Valdarno to the
region round about Florence were taken and spoiled as if they had been
enemies; and the said M. William, the marshal, and M. Amelio di
Corbano, and many other barons and knights were taken and brought to
Siena to Conradino, and this was the day after the Feast of S. John,
the 25th day of the month of June, in the year of Christ 1268. At
which defeat and capture the followers of King Charles and all those
of the Guelf party were much dismayed, and Conradino and his people
increased thereupon in great pride and courage, and held the French
almost for naught. And this being heard in the Kingdom, many cities
rebelled against King Charles. And at this time King Charles was at
the siege of the city of Nocera of the Saracens in Apulia, which had
rebelled, to the end that the others on the coast of Apulia, which
were all subject to him, might not rebel against him.

Sec. 25.--_How Conradino entered into Rome, and afterwards with his host
passed into the kingdom of Apulia._

[Sidenote: 1268 A.D.]

Conradino, having