The lord de Conti, like a valorous knight, hastened to their relief, and did wonders; but he was surrounded, and fell, which was a great pity.--Soon after, the duke of Nemours made an agreement with them to return home, on receiving a sum of money,--which they accepted and retreated, to return again to seek more money. The inhabitants of Brescia were now (unfortunately for them) advised to quit the french interest, and put themselves under the dominion of Venice, for which they severely suffered. In like manner, those of Bergamo revolted to the Venetians,--but the castles of both places remained in the hands of the French, under the command of able captains, who gallantly served the king, especially in his italian wars, for which some of them were but badly recompensed. The council[40] before mentioned was first held at Tours, then at Lyon, and then referred to a general council at Pisa, where were many cardinals, archbishops, bishops, abbots, priors, and other prelates of the church. There were likewise some very learned theologians, and canonists, to whom this affair would afford matter of discussion. Several essential points were determined on in the different sessions of this council; but, for weighty reasons, the council was transferred to Milan, and thence to Lyon, where it remained. The french army suffered much at the siege of Bologna, from the rigour of the weather: but, notwithstanding this, they were victorious, drove out of the town the pope and his archbishops, and entered it as conquerors. FOOTNOTES: [Footnote 39: Oran,--a town of Algiers. I should imagine this to be a mistake for some place on the southern coast of Africa.] [Footnote 40: The council--was held in 1510 at Tours, and attended by all the prelates and doctors of France. Louis XII. proposed eight questions, touching his declaring war against pope Julius II. in favour of Alphonso duke of Ferrara, whom the pope had determined to deprive of his dominions. The answers of the council confirmed the king in his resolution for war. I do not see any thing of these removals of the council in the Art de Verifier les Dates, from whence the above is taken.] CHAP. XXV. THE DUKE OF NEMOURS MARCHES HIS ARMY AGAINST BRESCIA.--ON TAKING THE TOWN, A GREAT SLAUGHTER ENSUES. When the duke of Nemours heard of the revolt of Brescia, and that the Venetians had entered the town, he instantly made preparations to attack them, and with great diligence, marched day and night to Brescia; for I can promise you, that the king had, at that time, an excellent army,--and the liberal promises of the duke of Nemours urged them on, so that they were almost immediately before it.