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]
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