1444. July 22. His assassination 53 " His intended marriage 55 1439-1443. Two original letters from him to the magistrates of Siena 56 The dukedom lapsed on his death 58 CHAPTER IV Federigo Count of Urbino 61 1422. June 7. The mystery and misstatements regarding his birth 61 1424. Dec. 22. Set at rest by his legitimation 62 " The Brancaleoni of Mercatello 63 1430. Their heiress Gentile betrothed to Count Federigo 64 " The state of Italy at this time 64 " Rome and the Papacy 65 " Florence and Central Italy 66 " Lombardy and Venice 67 1433. Federigo sent to Venice as a hostage 68 1434. Made a companion of the Hose 68 " Becomes a pupil of Vittorino da Feltre at Mantua 69 " Character and system of Vittorino 70 1433. Federigo knighted by the Emperor 71 1437. Dec. 2. His marriage 72 " Nicolò Piccinino successor of Braccio di Montone 72 1438. Federigo serves under him in Lombardy 74 1439. Next, under his brother-in-law Guidaccio Manfredi, Lord of Faenza 74 " A midnight alarm 74 " The Malatesta hereditary rivals of the Montefeltri 75 " Sigismondo Pandolfo Lord of Rimini opposed by Federigo 75 1440. June 29. The battle of Anghiari 77 1442. Federigo recovers Montelocco 77 1441. Description of S. Leo 78 " Federigo takes it 80 " Position of Francesco Sforza 80 " Pedigree of the Sforza family 80 1443. Federigo after his father's death rejoins Piccinino 81 " Visits Naples with him 81 " Nov. 8. Sforza defeats Piccinino at Monteluro 82 " Sanzi's description of that battle 82 " Federigo invested with Mercatello 83 1444. He protects Galeazzo Malatesta's seigneury of Pesaro 83