War with Milan and Naples—Filippo Maria Visconti and Alfonso of Naples—End of the Visconti—Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan—Relations of Sforza with Florence and Cosimo de’ Medici—Alliance of Venice and Naples against Florence—War in the Valley of Chiana and in the Maremma—Peace of Lodi—The Sack of Constantinople—Triumph of the House of Aragon in Naples—Pope Eugene IV.—Contest of the Holy See with the Council of Basle—Council of Union at Florence—Reunion of the Churches of the East and West—Sojourn of Pope Eugenius IV. in Florence—Consecration of the Cathedral and of the Church of Sta. Croce—The Eugenius College—Political Complications—René of Anjou in Florence—Return of the Pope to Rome—Pope Pius II. in Florence—Death of Archbishop St. Antonine—Charlotte of Lusignan in Florence 139 CHAPTER VIII. LAST DAYS OF COSIMO DE MEDICI. Cosimo in Advanced Age—Death of his Brother Lorenzo—His sons Piero and Giovanni—Piero’s Marriage to Lucrezia Tornabuoni—Death of Giovanni—Piero’s Children—Cosimo’s Manner of Life—Cosimo’s Disposition and Character—Cosimo in Outward Demeanour and in Business—Cosimo’s Ecclesiastical Edifices—Churches and Monasteries, Palace and Villas—Buildings and Foundations Abroad—Cosimo’s Last Days at Careggi Villa—Piero’s Letter to his Sons—Death of Cosimo—Marsilio Ficino on Cosimo—Cosimo de’ Medici the Father of his Country 153 SECOND BOOK. _PIERO DE’ MEDICI. FIRST YEARS OF LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT._ CHAPTER I. PIERO DE’ MEDICI, HIS RELATIONS AND FRIENDS. Piero de’ Medici and his Family—Lucrezia Tornabuoni de’ Medici—Lorenzo de’ Medici—Lorenzo’s Education—Gentile de’ Becchi of Urbino—His Youthful Years and Dispositions—Giuliano de’ Medici—Bianca de’ Medici Pazzi—The Family of Pazzi—Andrea, Piero, Jacopo de’ Pazzi and their Relatives—Nannina de’ Medici Rucellai—The Rucellai—Giovanni and his Son Bernardo—The Soderini—Lorenzo Soderini and his Sons Niccolò and Tommaso 167 CHAPTER II. LORENZO’S YOUTH. CONSPIRACY OF DIOTISALVI NERONI AND HIS COMPANIONS.