Into it Charles entered with seventy-eight hundred horse, many Swiss foot, and many artillerymen and bombardiers.

The Italian population regarded this army with an admiration tinged with timidity and anxiety.

News was heard there to the effect that young John Galeas, nephew of Ludovic the Moor and lawful Duke of Milan, was dead.

He left a son, five years old, for whom he had at Pavia implored the king's protection; and "I will look upon him as my own," King Charles had answered as he fondled the child.

Ludovic set out in haste for Milan; and it was not long before it was known that he had been proclaimed duke and put in possession of the duchy.