Page:History of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella the Catholic Vol. II.djvu/321

297 CAMPAIGNS OF GONSALVO. 297 their, place of destination, but were captured by a chapter Biscayan and Genoese fleet off Pisa. ^ '- — Charles had entirely failed in his application to Pope Alexander the Sixth for a recognition of his right to Naples, by a formal act of investiture.^ He determined, however, to go through the ceremony of a coronation ; and, on the 12th of May, he made his public entrance into the city, arrayed in splen- did robes of scarlet and ermine, with the impe- rial diadem on his head, a sceptre in one hand, and a globe, the symbol of universal sovereignty, in the other ; while the adulatory populace saluted his royal ear with the august title of Emperor. After the conclusion of this farce, he made preparations for his instant departure from Naples. On the 20th of May he set out on his homeward march, at the head of one half of his army, amounting in all to not more than nine thousand fighting men. The other half was left for the defence of his new con- quest. This arrangement was highly impolitic, since he neither took with him enough to cover his retreat, nor left enough to secure the preservation of Naples.^ It is not necessary to follow the French army in Retreat of the Frenclu 2 Bernaldez, Reyes Catolicos, CEuvres, torn. ii. pp. 3-5. — Co- MS., cap. 140-143. mines, M^moires, liv. 8, chap. 2. 3 Summonte, Hist, di Napoli, The particulars of the coronation torn. iii. lib. 6, cap. 2. are recorded with punctilious pre- According to Giannone, (Istoria cision by Andre de la Vigne, sec- di Napoli, lib. 29, cap. 2,) he did retary of Queen Anne. (Hist, de obtain the investiture from the Charles VHI., p. 201.) Daru has pope ; but this statement is con- confounded this farce with Charles's tradicted by several, and confirmed original entry into Naples in Feb- by none, of the authorities I have ruary. Hist, de Venise, tom. iii. consulted. liv. 20, p. 247. 4 Brantome, Hommes Blustres, VOL. 11. 38