[8] Perugia had a close connection with Florence, whom she imitated in many ways. The Florentines were careful to keep upon good terms with Perugia, and many were the embassies exchanged by the two towns. We even hear that, when the Guelph party were exiled from Florence, the Perugians, ever faithful to the Lion of the Guelphs, enabled them to re-enter their city. Yet it must in truth be added, that the two towns had several points of difference, and that they occasionally met on the field of battle as well as in the council chamber. [9] No cardinal was allowed to enter Perugia's gates before he had arrived at a distinct understanding with the chancellor that he came as friend and well-wisher to the city, and not as legate with powers to infringe on the rights of the citizens. [10] For an account of his death, see chap. v. p. 143. [11] _Beccherini_: probably derived from _beccaio_ (butcher) or _beccheria_ (slaughter-house), which place Perugia greatly resembled at times. [12] See page 149. [13] Some say that the bull was found reposing in the hands of S. Ercolano's statue, as nobody had courage enough to present it to the citizens. [14] On all the lower hills and in the plains around Perugia the nobles had their strongholds--great walled citadels of bricks and mortar, like the nests of prehistoric birds. Deruta was one of these, belonging to the Baglioni in early times: Bettona, another (where some descendants of the Baglioni still live in a large red villa). In the Palazzo degli Oddi--Via dei Priori--some well-kept canvasses still show what the nests of the Oddi looked like, and also their position. [15] Sir John Hawkwood and his English soldiers became a scourge in Umbria at this period. [16] Pandolfo was the first of the Baglioni who openly attempted to get power in his native town. [17] His son, Francesco Sforza, was afterwards Duke of Milan. [18] Paolo Uccello's splendid picture in our National Gallery is always said to represent the battle of S. Egidio. We have however no proof that the youth with yellow hair is indeed, as hitherto reported, a portrait of Galeazzo Malatesta. [19] It was believed by some that Braccio's success depended on a kindly spirit imprisoned in a crystal who gave him good council, and brought him luck. [20] A poet of Aquila, Ciunillo, points to a more tragic cause of Braccio's death. We are given to understand that young Francesco Sforza (the son of Braccio's great rival Attendolo Sforza, who had met his death a few months previously whilst crossing the river Pescara on his way to relieve Aquila) gave the surgeon's arm a slight nudge as he was cleaning the wound, and drove the sharp instrument straight into Braccio's brain. Nothing that we know of Francesco Sforza's character (he was afterwards Duke of Milan) would lead us to suppose him capable of such a deed. [21] Date of his birth uncertain (1386?).