Cal._, ii., 610.] [Footnote 479: _Ibid._, ii., 619.] [Footnote 480: _Ibid._, ii., 707.] [Footnote 481: _Ibid._, ii., 699, 30th Nov., 1524.] [Footnote 482: _Ibid._, ii., 702-11.] Charles received the news of that victory with astonishing humility.
But he was not likely to forget that at the critical moment he had been deserted by most of his Italian allies; and it was with fear and trembling that the Venetian ambassador besought him to use his (p.

170) victory with moderation.[483] Their conduct could hardly lead them to expect much from the Emperor's clemency.

Distrust of his intentions induced the Holy League to carry on desultory war with the imperial troops; but mutual jealousies, the absence of effective aid from England or France, and vacillation caused by the feeling that after all it might be safer to accept the best terms they could obtain, prevented the war from being waged with any effect.

In September, 1526, Hugo de Moncada, the imperial commander, concerted with Clement's bitter foes, the Colonnas, a means of overawing the Pope.

A truce was concluded, wrote Moncada, "that the Pope, having laid down his arms, may be taken unawares".[484] On the 19th he marched on Rome.
Clement, taken unawares, fled to the castle of St.Angelo; his palace was sacked, St.Peter's rifled, and the host profaned.