DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42863#0115
CHAPTER XXVII
1513—1514
Invasion of Lombardy by the French—Their defeat by the Swiss
at Novara—Isabella’s journey to Milan stopped by the illness
of the Marquis—Papal intrigues against Ferrara—Visit of
Raimondo de Cardona to Mantua—Journey of Isabella to the
Lago di Garda—-Her letters from Lonato, Sermione, and
Saib—Trissino presents his “ Ritratti ” to her—Portrait of the
Marchesa introduced—Visit of Isabella to Milan and Pavia.
The insecure nature of the young Duke of Milan’s
throne was soon shown. Hardly were the festivities
in honour of his accession ended than Milan was
attacked by a French army under La Tremouille
and Trivulzio, and only saved by the timely arrival of
a Swiss force, which defeated the invaders with great
loss at Novara. The French beat a hurried retreat
across the Alps, the Castello surrendered, and Maxi-
milian Sforza was once more restored to power. But
his weakness and incapacity, as well as the heavy taxes
which he extorted from his unfortunate subjects, in
order to pay the annual tribute demanded by his
Swiss supporters, and gratify his own extravagant
tastes, rendered his rule more and more unpopular.
He began to look with unfounded suspicion on his
younger brother Francesco, Duke of Bari, whose
popularity with the Milanese had from the first
excited his jealousy, and took every opportunity of
keeping him away from court.1 In spite, however,
1 Prato, op. cit.
93
1513—1514
Invasion of Lombardy by the French—Their defeat by the Swiss
at Novara—Isabella’s journey to Milan stopped by the illness
of the Marquis—Papal intrigues against Ferrara—Visit of
Raimondo de Cardona to Mantua—Journey of Isabella to the
Lago di Garda—-Her letters from Lonato, Sermione, and
Saib—Trissino presents his “ Ritratti ” to her—Portrait of the
Marchesa introduced—Visit of Isabella to Milan and Pavia.
The insecure nature of the young Duke of Milan’s
throne was soon shown. Hardly were the festivities
in honour of his accession ended than Milan was
attacked by a French army under La Tremouille
and Trivulzio, and only saved by the timely arrival of
a Swiss force, which defeated the invaders with great
loss at Novara. The French beat a hurried retreat
across the Alps, the Castello surrendered, and Maxi-
milian Sforza was once more restored to power. But
his weakness and incapacity, as well as the heavy taxes
which he extorted from his unfortunate subjects, in
order to pay the annual tribute demanded by his
Swiss supporters, and gratify his own extravagant
tastes, rendered his rule more and more unpopular.
He began to look with unfounded suspicion on his
younger brother Francesco, Duke of Bari, whose
popularity with the Milanese had from the first
excited his jealousy, and took every opportunity of
keeping him away from court.1 In spite, however,
1 Prato, op. cit.
93