Secondly, by winning to himself all the gentlemen of Rome, so as to be able to curb the Pope with their aid, as has been observed.

Thirdly, by converting the college more to himself.

Fourthly, by acquiring so much power before the Pope should die that he could by his own measures resist the first shock.

Of these four things, at the death of Alexander, he had accomplished three.

For he had killed as many of the dispossessed lords as he could lay hands on, and few had escaped; he had won over the Roman gentlemen, and he had the most numerous party in the college.