Europe at the Opening of the Sixteenth Century 19 conducted to Rheims to be consecrated, accompanied by so many princes, gentlemen, and officers that the number of them was something almost incredible. . . . While these things were taking place the king of France was privily preparing for his expedition for the conquest of his duchy of Milan, and gradually collected his army near Lyons and in Dauphiny. The Good Chevalier was already at that time the king's lieutenant in that region, where he was as beloved as if he were their natural lord. Now, as you have already learned from sundry passages, the Good Chevalier was always gladly at the front when the enemy was attacked and in the rear when his men retreated. And so it happened in this expedition, for he was sent with his com- pany and three or four thousand foot soldiers to the borders of Dauphiny and the territory of the marquis of Saluzzo, who had lost all his possessions except a strong fortress called Revello. In the marquis' territory a great number of Swiss were garrisoned, and Lord Prospero Colonna, the lieutenant general of the pope, had taken up his residence there, exact- ing tribute of the people and doing just as he liked. [The French troops, however, made their way over a pass which the Swiss had failed to guard, reenforced Bayard and his men, and took Colonna prisoner.] The king of France, who was very joyful over the taking of Lord Prospero, — and with good reason, — marched with his army as fast as he could and came into Piedmont to Turin, where the duke of Savoy, his uncle, received him honorably. The Swiss, who had been guarding the passes, when they heard of the taking of Lord Prospero and the rout of his troops, abandoned their posts and retired toward Milan, whither they were pursued. Proposals for settling the difficulties between the Swiss and the king of France were under consideration. . . . Negotia- tions continued until a conclusion was reached, as the army of the king was approaching within twelve or fifteen miles of Milan, whither the Swiss had retreated with their good prophet, the cardinal of Sion, who all his life had been a mortal enemy of the French, as he was to show himself Opening of the Italian campaign. 233b. The Battle of Marignano (September 13-14, 1515)
