The Story of Siena and San GimignanoGardner, Edmund G.
History
The Story of Siena and San Gimignano
Gardner, Edmund G.
Art -- Italy -- Siena; San Gimignano (Italy) -- History; Siena (Italy) -- History
In the meanwhile Leonardo Bellanti, Andrea Piccolomini, Lorenzo
Beccafumi, and three other delegates were making terms for Siena with
Cesare. But the Pope called the Duke back to suppress the rising of the
Roman barons, and the intervention of the King of France protected Siena
from further molestation. To the demands of the King addressed to the
Balìa for the recall of Pandolfo, an evasive answer was returned, and
the Pope was assured that the Sienese did not want him back. Pandolfo,
however, had gained over the Florentines by undertaking to restore
Montepulciano, and he suddenly appeared with armed men at Poggibonsi. On
March 29th, the Balìa decreed his recall and restitution into the
Collegio; but they implored him not to bring Giampaolo Baglioni with
him, and to be content with a modest return with a small company, so
that he could "enjoy his sweet native land in peace with the others, as
is the common desire of all the citizens." Nevertheless, on the same
day, Pandolfo entered Siena in triumph accompanied by the French
ambassadors, with Giampaolo Baglioni and his cavalry, and the
condottiere Pochintesta da Bagnacavallo with a large force of infantry.
"And so," he wrote to the Florentines, "by the gift of God, accompanied
by the orators of the Most Christian King, and with a great multitude of
the citizens and Sienese nobles, peacefully and without tumult or any
disturbance, have I entered my sweet native land."[56]
Alexander VI. died in the following August, and was succeeded by the
Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, who took the title of Pius III. in the
memory of his uncle. Andrea Piccolomini had left Siena on Pandolfo's
return, and the new Pope was probably not well disposed to the
re-establishment of this despotism in his native city. But his
pontificate only lasted twenty-six days--he was broken down already with
age and ill-health; and Pandolfo managed to establish friendly relations
with his successor, Julius II. Like his uncle, Pius III. has left his
mark upon Siena, and we shall return to him in the Duomo.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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