Victuals and other necessaries of life had long since been running low.

Still the men of Faenza tightened their belts, looked to their defences, and flung defiance at the Borgia.

The wealthier inhabitants distributed wine and flour at prices purely nominal, and lent Astorre money for the payment of his troops.

It is written that to the same end the very priests, their patriotism surmounting their duty to the Holy Father in whose name this war was waged, consented to the despoiling of the churches and the melting down of the sacred vessels.
Even the women of Faenza bore their share of the burden of defence, carrying to the ramparts the heavy stones that were to be hurled down upon the besiegers, or actually donning casque and body-armour and doing sentry duty on the walls while the men rested.
But the end was approaching.

On April 18 the Borgia cannon opened at last a breach in the walls, and Cesare delivered a terrible assault upon the citadel.