He had many difficulties with the council; often they objected to his plan of fortifying the heights of San Miniato.

Michael Angelo went to Pisa and Arezzo to superintend the strengthening of the works there.

He was sent also to Ferrara with letters from the Signori and the Ten to the Duke, the greatest Italian authority upon fortification, and to their envoy, Galeotto Giugni, who wrote to inform the Florentines that Michael Angelo refused to abandon the inn and receive the hospitality of the Duke, who with great honour personally conducted him over the fortresses and walls of Ferrara; no doubt at the same time showing him his art collections.

It would be interesting to know if Michael Angelo looked upon the portrait-head of Julius II., broken from his Bologna statue, when the bronze was turned into a cannon.

Perhaps he also saw La Giulia, the cannon herself.