re young and innocent boys; and this sin committed
by the Pisans did not go unpunished, as in due time hereafter may be
found. We will leave speaking, for a while, of the affairs of Florence
and of Tuscany, and will tell of other events which took place in the
said times and came to pass through the whole world.

Sec. 129.--_How the Saracens took Tripoli in Syria._

Sec. 130.--_Of the coronation of King Charles II., and how he passed
through Florence, and left Messer Amerigo di Nerbona as captain of war
for the Florentines._

[Sidenote: 1289 A.D.]

In the said year, on the 2nd day of May, there came to Florence Prince
Charles, son of the great King Charles, which was returning from
France after he had been loosed from prison, and was going to the
court at Rieti where was the Pope; and he was received by the
Florentines with great rejoicing, and the Florentines did him much
honour and made him many presents; and having sojourned three days in
Florence, he departed on his journey towards Siena. And when he was
departed, tidings came to Florence that the troops of Arezzo were
making ready to go into the country of Siena to hinder or bring shame
upon the said Prince Charles, which had but a small company of
men-at-arms. Straightway the Florentines caused the horsemen of the
cavalry to ride forth, wherein were all the flower of the best
families of Florence, together with mercenaries which were in
Florence, and they were in number 800 horse, and 3,000 foot, to
accompany the prince; wherefore the prince took in very good part such
honourable service, and speedy and unasked succour of so many good
men, though it came not to the pinch of need withal; for the Aretines
having heard of the riding forth of the Florentines, did not venture
to go out against them; but nevertheless the Florentines accompanied
the said prince beyond Bricola to the borders of the territory of
Siena and of Orvieto. And when the commonwealth of Florence asked of
the prince to appoint them a captain of war, and also that he would
grant them to carry forth the royal standard with the host, the prince
allowed it, and knighted Amerigo di Nerbona, a man very noble, and
brave and wise in war, and gave him to them for captain; which M.
Amerigo with his company, about 100 mounted men, came to Florence with
the said horse; and the prince came to the court, and was honourably
received by Pope Nicolas IV. and by his cardinals; and the day of
Pentecost follo