In the meanwhile a great dispute arose between the Lord Ludovic and Robert di St. Severino, as is usual, for it is impossible for two persons in authority to agree long together; but Ludovic getting the upper hand, the other quitted Milan, and went into the Venetian service.[228] Yet since that time, two of his sons, the Lord Galeas[229] and the Count di Cajazzo[230], came back into the service of the Lord Ludovic, and the state of Milan; some say they came with their father’s consent, others say not: be it which it will, Ludovic entertained them very kindly, and they did, and do still[231], serve him very faithfully. You must know that the Lord Robert, their father, was of the house of St. Severino[232], but by a natural daughter, which in Italy is no great matter; for a natural daughter with them is as good as one lawfully begotten. I mention this because they assisted us in our enterprise in Italy, in favour of the Prince of Salerno (who is chief of the house of St. Severino), and for other reasons, which you shall hear afterwards. The Lord Ludovic began presently to make it appear that he was resolved to establish his authority; and he caused money to be coined with the Duke’s effigy on one side, and his own on the other, which caused abundance of the people of Milan to murmur. The duke was married to the Duke of Calabria’s daughter[233], who, after the death of his father, Ferrand King of Naples, became king himself by the name of Alphonso; the young lady was very courageous, and would fain have stimulated her husband to vindicate his authority; but he was a weak prince, and merely disclosed all she said. The captain of the castle maintained his reputation for a long while, and never stirred from his fortress; for suspicions began now to arise, so that both the sons never went abroad together, but when one went forth the other stayed at home. In short, about a year or two before our expedition into Italy, this Lord Ludovic, having been abroad with the young duke, waited on him back to the castle, to receive homage of his subjects. The captain as usual ordered the drawbridge to be let down, and advanced a little way upon it with some of his officers to receive the duke and kiss his hand, according to the usual custom; the duke being at some distance from the bridge, the captain was forced to step forward a pace or two; upon which the two sons of St. Severino, and others that were with them, seized on him and secured him. Those of the castle pulled up the drawbridge, upon which Ludovic, causing the end of a candle to be lighted, swore he would cut off their heads if they did not surrender the castle before the candle was burnt out; upon which they submitted, and he fortified the castle, and put a strong garrison in it for himself, though all was done in the duke’s name. Ludovic also caused a charge to be made against the captain, upon pretence that he intended to deliver up the castle to the emperor,