1445. Feb. 21. Is challenged by Sigismondo Malatesta of Rimini 83 CHAPTER V 1444. Federigo accepted as successor of Duke Oddantonio July 22. in Urbino 85 " Conditions imposed by the people 86 " The state of Central Italy 87 " Contemporary sketch of Federigo 88 " Spite of Sigismondo Pandolfo 89 " Sale of Pesaro and Fossombrone 90 1445. Marriage of Alessandro Sforza, who becomes Lord March 16. of Pesaro 91 " Mistakes of Sismondi 91 " Francesco Sforza's breach with Filippo Maria Visconti and Sigismondo Malatesta 91 " June 22. He is supported by Federigo, and visits Urbino 92 1446. His position at La Marca, which he loses 92 " Federigo excommunicated by Eugenius for adhering April. to Sforza 93 " The fortune of war changes 93 1447. Sforza is reconciled with the Duke of Milan 94 " Sept. 3. Sigismondo attacks Fossombrone 95 " Feb. 23. Death and character of Eugenius IV. 95 " Death of the Duke of Milan 96 1450. Succeeded by Francesco Sforza 97 1447. Designs of Alfonso of Naples upon Tuscany 97 1448. March. Opposed by Federigo for the Florentines 98 " Sigismondo tricks Alfonso, and attacks Fossombrone 98 " Sept. Alfonso and Federigo return home 99 1449. Sigismondo attempts to dupe Federigo, but is foiled 99 1450. Federigo made Captain-general by the Duke of Milan 100 " June 29. Peace between Naples and Florence 100 " Loses his eye in a tournament 101 CHAPTER VI 1450. The peace of Italy threatened by new combinations 102 " Federigo quits the service of Milan for that of Naples 103 " The King employs him without exacting sureties 103 1451. The Emperor Frederick III. comes to Italy, and is crowned at Rome 103 1452. The Neapolitan campaign in Tuscany under Federigo and the Duke of Calabria 103 1452-1453. Federigo goes to Naples, and returns in the spring 104