He descended upon the valley of the Lamone, and commenced hostilities by the capture and occupation of Brisghella on November 7.

The other lesser strongholds and townships offered no resistance to Cesare's arms.

Indeed they were induced into ready rebellion against their lord by Dionigio di Naldo--the sometime defender of Imola, who had now taken service with Cesare.
On November 10 Cesare himself halted his host beneath the walls of Faenza and called upon the town to surrender.

Being denied, he encamped his army for the siege.

He chose the eastern side of the town, between the rivers Lamone and Marzano, and, that his artillery might have free play, he caused several houses to be demolished.
In Faenza itself, meanwhile, the easy conquest of the valley had not produced a good effect.