Dispute of Venice with Ferrara—The Allies of Both—Beginning of the Campaign at the Po—Preparations in Rome—Sixtus IV.’s Oppression—Proposals to Louis XI.—Battle of Campomorto—Danger of Ferrara—Bad Management of the War—Threat of a General Council against Sixtus IV.—Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Participation in the same—The changed Policy of Sixtus IV.—Sixtus IV.’s Agreement with his Adversaries—Lorenzo de’ Medici as Florentine Plenipotentiary at the Peace Congress of Cremona—Opposition of Venice and Continuation of the War—Ludovico il Moro and the Affairs of Milan—Lorenzo do’ Medici and Ludovico il Moro—Ludovico il Moro on Milan Affairs—Ludovico’s Negotiation with Venice—The Peace of Bagnolo—Unfavourable Conditions for Ferrara—Death of Pope Sixtus IV.—Confused State of Politics—Città di Castello and Siena—The Sarzana Controversy—Occupation of Pietrasanta 197 CHAPTER III. THE EARLY DAYS OF THE RULE OF INNOCENT VIII. LOUIS XI. AND FRANCE. State of Rome in the Last Days of Sixtus IV.—Girolamo Riario—Confusion on the Death of the Pope—Pope Innocent VIII.—The Cybò Family—Character of Innocent VIII.—Congratulatory Embassies—Florentine Embassy—Piero de’ Medici—Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Advice to his Son—Lorenzo on his Relations with the Papal Chair—Latter Days of King Louis XI.—His Connection with Florence—Louis XI. to Lorenzo de’ Medici—The Ring of S. Zanobi—Extinction of the House of Anjou—Death of Louis XI.—State of French Affairs after the King’s Death—Anne of Beaujeu Regent for her Brother Charles VIII.—Opposition of the Nobles—Anne de Beaujeu and Florence—Efforts of the French against Maximilian of Austria at the Court of Innocent VIII.—Lorenzo’s Foresight—Refusal of the Pope 213 CHAPTER IV. POLITICAL TROUBLES. WAR OF THE BARONS. The Sarzana Dispute in Presence of Innocent VIII.—Lorenzo de’ Medici in connection with Milan and Siena—Disturbances in Siena—Political Balance—Political Situation of the Kingdom of Naples—Ferrante of Arragon—Alfonso of Arragon, Duke of Calabria—Alliance of the Barons—Capture of Aquila—Outbreak of the War of the Barons—The Barons, the King, and the Pope—Innocent VIII., Venice, and the Barons—Neapolitan Affairs and the People of Florence—Unsettled Position of Affairs—Lorenzo de’ Medici in Favour of King Ferrante—Lorenzo’s Counsel to the Arragonese 226 CHAPTER V. EFFECTS OF THE WAR OF THE BARONS. FIGHTING ABOUT SARZANA.