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86 HISTORICAL ABSTRACT.
1481. Otranto is captured from the Turks by Alfonso, Duke of Calabria--
'la qual cosa diede all grezza a tutta Italia' [Ammirato, vol. ifi.
p. I49].
Sept 10. Beginnings of the Quarrel between Venice and Ferrara.--
Venice, desirous of increasing her inland empire, seeks a quarrel
with the Duke of Ferrara [for the immediate pretext, see Ammirato,
vol. ifi. I49]. The Venetians are supported by the Pope, chiefly in
the interest of Girolamo Riario (Signore of Imola and Forli), who
goes to Venice to arrange the details of the now inevitable war. An
arrangement made for dividing the territory of the Duke of Ferrara
between Venice and the Pope. Ludovico Moro, Lorenzo de'
Medici, and Ferdinand of Naples remonstrate in vain. Thus Italy
is at the close of the year split up into two great parties, grouped
respectively round Lorenzo and his allies, or S1xtus IV and Venice.
[On the one hand Florence, Naples, Milan, Mantua, Bologna; on
the other, Venice, Pope, Genoa, Siena, Rimini.]
1482. The War between Venice and Ferrara.--War declared by Venice,
May 3. The Venetians divide their land forces into two divisions,
one for the Ferrarese territory under Ruberto da San Severino;
the other for the Remagna under Ruberto Malatesta.--Frederick,
Duke of Urbino, is appointed general of the League. The Venetians
are at first successful, and occupy the whole of the Polesine (Guicciardini,
St. Fier. ch. vii). To relieve Ferrara, the Duke of Calabria
brings up an army towards Rome ; but his passage is checked by
the Papal forces. On August 2I an engagement takes place at
Campo Morto, near Velletri, in which Ruberto Malatesta completely
defeats the Duke, but dies himself on September _oth.
[His epitaph :--
' Ruberto son, che venni, vidi, e vinsi
Lo infitto Duca, e Roma liberai:
E lui di fama e me di vita strinsi.']
At the same time the Duke of Urbino dies, and Ruberto da San
Severino crosses the Po, and arrives at the gates of Ferrara.
Desperate position of the Duke of Ferrara.
At this juncture Sixtus IV, probably alarmed at the great
success of Venice ['la cagione pu6 essere varia'--Guicciardini],
and the threat of a general Council, resolves to abandon his alliance.
On December 23 a league is formed between the Pope, Naples,
Milan, Florence [' Lega Santissima'], and the Pope summons the
Venetians to abandon the Ferrarese territory. They pay no heed
to his remonstrances.
Savonarola sent to preach at Ferrara : is forced by the war to
leave. Goes to Florence and enters the Convent of St. Mark.
1484. The war between Venice and Ferrara is brought to a conclusion
by a peace negotiated between Ludovico Moro and Ruberto da