from Private Journal of a visit to Egypt and Palestine... (1827) by Lady Judith Cohen Montefiore

Friday, May 25.- We left Milan at five o'clock, scarcely half awake, having enjoyed buth three hours' rest. It rained heavily; but the road was good and level, and we reached Lodi, so celebrated for the battle fought by Napoleon, in time for breakfast; for which, however, we payed dearly, and enjoyed but an indifferent meal. Parmasan cheese, so much esteemed, is the production of this place. On arriving at the banks of the Po, we were informed that it would not be safe to cross it for some time, the wind, which was then blowing violently, rendering the stream as rough as the sea; and the wooden bridge having been, a short time before, carried away by the floods occasioned by the late continued rains. No better situation offering itself, we took our seats on the bench of the custom-house, and rather impatiently watched the tide for an hour and a half, in that cold and bleak resting-place; but this by way of variety. At lenght, however, we were enabled to cross the river in a small boat, arranging for Armstrong and the carriages to follow. We were fourteen minutes in making the passage; but Armstrong and the carriages two hours and a half. This detention obliged us to determine on remaining to-morrow at Piacenza, a dull town, not in the least assimilating with its name.

Saturday, May 26. Piacenza.- We walked to see the two equestrian bronze statues of Ranuzio Farnese and Alesandrio Farnese, father and son. They are greatly admired; as are also the cathedral and the church of la madonna della Campagnia, which has some fine paintings by Guercino, the pupil of Caraccio; and a rich altar-piece of massive silver. We took some excellent coffee at a caffé; and after dinner walked on the promenade, where we observed about a dozen carriages. The experience of this day has convinced us that the Hotel d'Italia is not the best, nor the most to be esteemed for its provisions.

Sunday, May 27.- Having risen at five, we walked to the market-place, where fruit, flowers, and vegetables were on show for sale, as on our market-days in England. Here we refreshed ourselves with coffee, previous to leaving Piacenza, which we did at seven o'clock, and while traces of the drowsy god were still visible on the countenances of our companions; Mr. Mazzara starting first, in his own carriage, to order horses. From this place commences the ancient Flaminian road, constructed during the consulship of Lepidus and Flaminius.

from The Journey of the Queen's Ambassadors unto Rome, anno 1555 (Thomas Thirlby, bishop of Ely and viscount Montague Anthony Browne along with Sir Edward Carne) [Harleian Lib. 252, 13.]

from Lodi to Piacenza, twenty miles; passing by a little pile where was shot off ordnance both great and small; The Lords had a banquet in this pile; and after, passed the river of Po with boats; being all over the river, the Lords were received as before, and so passed by the town walls a long while ere ever they came to their lodgings. They being lodged in the house of Signior Francisco Baratiero, in the street called Santo Nazaro (la Signora Hippolita sua moglie, Signior Cesare et Hercole suoi figliouli. Signior Alberico, Alessandero, et Camillo Baratiero nepoti del detto Francisco Baratiero). This city is very strong, and a castle of great force, but not fully finished yet. This town did belong to the Church of Rome. Paulus Tertius

being a Roman born, of the noble house of the Farnesi, and Pope, who willing to advance his own blood, created his son Peter Aliege Duke of Piacenza and Parma, who, for his cruelty and rigour towards his subjects, was slain in his own house; and because he that did kill him was afraid of the Pope, the townsmen delivered their town into the Emperor's hands, the which he hath exempted unto the Dutchy of Milan. This Peter Aliege, the first Duke of Piacenza and Parma, married the base daughter of the French King, and had by her three sons and one daughter; his daughter is married to the Duke of Urbine, and his eldest son named Octavio, is now Duke of Parma; the other two brethren be Cardinals, the one called Cardinal Farnese, who is now Chancellor of Rome, and the other, cardinal St. Angelo, they both being in great estimation with the Pope Paulus Quartus, that now is; so that it is thought that they will procure and stir up war against the Emperor, for recovery of Piacenza for the Duke of Parma. 

Here the Lords remained two days, the 20th and the 21th.

[This was the last embassy which went from England to pay public homage to the See of Rome]