a
general crusade; and he forbade, under pain of severe judgments and
excommunications, that any Christian should go to Alexandria or the
land of Egypt with merchandise, or victuals, or wood, or iron, or
should give aid and favour there in any wise.

Sec. 146.--_Of the death of King Rudolf of Germany._

[Sidenote: 1291 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Purg. vi. 103-105.]

In the said year 1291, King Rudolf of Germany died, but he never
attained to the honours of the Empire, because he was always intent
upon increasing his state and lordship in Germany, leaving the
enterprises of Italy that he might increase land and possessions for
his sons; who, by his energy and valour, from a small count rose to be
Emperor, and gained for himself the duchy of Austria, and a great part
of the duchy of Suabia.

Sec. 147.--_How King Philip of France caused all the Italians to be
taken prisoner, and then ransomed._ Sec. 148.--_How the Pisans
recaptured the fortress of Pontadera._

Sec. 149.--_How the city of Forli in Romagna was taken by Maghinardo da
Susinana._

[Sidenote: 1291 A.D.]

[Sidenote: Cf. Inf. xxvii. 49-51.]

In the said year all the county of Romagna, being obedient to Holy
Church, and under the care of the bishop of Arezzo, which was count
thereof for the Pope, Maghinardo da Susinana, with certain nobles and
great men of Romagna, took the city of Forli by theft, and in it they
took the Count Aghinolfo of Romena with his sons, which was brother to
the said count bishop of Arezzo; and they besieged the said count
bishop in Cesena; whence arose great war in Romagna. The said
Maghinardo was a great and wise tyrant, holding many castles between
Casentino and Romagna, and having many followers; and he was wise in
war and very fortunate in many battles, and in his time did great
things. He was a Ghibelline by race and by his works, but with the
Florentines he was a Guelf and the enemy of all their enemies, whether
they were Guelfs or Ghibellines; and in every expedition and battle
which the Florentines undertook, whilst he was alive, he was with his
people in their service as a captain; and this was because, when his
father died, which was called Piero Pagano, a great nobleman, leaving
the said Maghinardo, a young child and with many enemies, to wit, the
Counts Guidi and the Ubaldini and other lords of Romagna, this said
father left him to the care and tutelage of the people and
commonwealth of Florence, him and his lands; by