Page:A new and general biographical dictionary; containing an historical and critical account of the lives and writings of the most eminent persons in every nation v1.djvu/156

 ALA M A N NT. The fnendfhip which he contradted with him and Buondel- mcrtfe proved very nigh fatal to him, for he entered with them into a confpiracy againft Julius de Medici, and the plot being difcovered, Diacetto was beheaded, but Alamanni and Buondelmonte faved themfelves by flight ; however they were profcribed, and a Turn of money put upon their heads. They went by different roads to Venice, where they were very kindly entertained by Charles Capello, a gentleman of fen a. torian rank. Julius de Medici having been elecled pope next year, under the name of Clement VII. they refolved to retire into France ; as they patted through Brefcia, they were arrefted and thrown into prifon, but Capello having ufed his intereft in their favour, they were again fet at liberty. Ala- manni wandered from place to place, living fometimes in France, fometimes at Genoa, waiting for fome happy change which might reftore him to his native country : this change happened in the year 1527, when, Charles V's army having taken Rome, the pope was obliged to retire to the caftle of St. Angelo. The Florentines feized this opportunity to re- ftore the public liberty ; and having driven the Medici out of the city, recalled Alamanni and Buondelmonte, with many others who had-been exiled. But the emperor's army having been very fuccefsful in Italy, Nicholas Capponi, one of the chief magiftrates of Florence, being apprehenhve of fome new misfortunes, propofed entering into an agreement with his imperial majedy. Several perfons were of his opinion ; and a council of the city being called, Alamanni made a long fpeech in fupport of" Capponi's rhotion : but the oppofite party having prevailed, Alamanni became fufpicious to the Abettors of Liberty ; ib. that now he appeared feldom at Florence, and lived moltly at Genoa. However, the commonwealth having raifed an army in 1528, they appointed Alamanni commiflary- general, and his comrniiTion was fent to him at Genoa. The affairs of the French being reduced very low in Italy, he once more endeavoured to draw off the Florentines from the inte- reft of France; but all his endeavours proved ineffectual, and rendered him odious to the people, fo that he was again obliged to leave Florence. A truce having been concluded betwixt the emperor and Francis I. the Florentines now thought proper to fend deputies to folicit peace with his imperial majefty ; but he refufed to treat with them, unlefs they reftored the fovereign power to the Medici; and upon their refufal to comply with this de- mand, the emperor's and the pope's armies entered into Tuf- cany, took great part thereof, and befie-ed Florence. The Florentines