Stefano Porcari intended to capture Nicholas V.
at the great gate of S.Peter's (1453).

The only chance of catching cautious princes off their guard was when they were engaged in high solemnities.

See above, p.

168.
Another peculiarity in the Pontificate of Sixtus deserves special mention.

It was under his auspices in the year 1478 that the Inquisition was founded in Spain for the extermination of Jews, Moors, and Christians with a taint of heresy.