Too timid to take the field himself, he had trained in his service a band of great commanders, among whom Alberico da Barbino, Facino Cane, Pandolfo Malatesta, Jacopo dal Verme, Gabrino Fondulo, and Ottobon Terzo were the most distinguished.

As long as he lived and held them in leading strings, all went well.

But at his death his two sons were still mere boys.

He had to intrust their persons, together with the conduct of his hardly won dominions, to these captains in conjunction with the Duchess Catherine and a certain Francesco Barbavara.

This man had been the Duke's body-servant, and was now the paramour of the Duchess.