CHAPTER III.

CAMPAIGN OF 1478. Allies and Opponents of the Florentines—The Duke of Urbino on Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Political Situation of Milan and Venice—Florentine Preparations—The Papal and Neapolitan Forces—The Valley of the Chiana—Commencement of the Campaign at Montepulciano—Brief of Pope Sixtus IV. to the Florentines—Lorenzo de’ Medici before the Council—Opposition of the Clergy to the Curia—Official Vindication of the Republic—Reply of Pope Sixtus IV. to the Florentine Document—Death of Donato Acc…