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the rear their friends. When Castruccio saw that his men
were unable to strike a decisive blow at the enemy and put
them to flight, he sent one thousand infantrymen round by
the castle, with orders to join the four hundred horsemen
he had previously dispatched there, and commanded the
whole force to fall upon the flank of the enemy. These orders
they carried out with such fury that the Florentines
could not sustain the attack, but gave way, and were soon
in full retreat—conquered more by their unfortunate position
than by the valour of their enemy. Those in the rear
turned towards Pistoia, and spread through the plains, each
man seeking only his own safety. The defeat was complete
and very sanguinary. Many captains were taken prisoners,
among whom were Bandini dei Rossi, Francesco Brunelleschi,
and Giovanni della Tosa, all Florentine noblemen, with
many Tuscans and Neapolitans who fought on the Florentine
side, having been sent by King Ruberto to assist the
Guelphs. Immediately the Pistoians heard of this defeat
they drove out the friends of the Guelphs, and surrendered
to Castruccio. He was not content with occupying Prato
and all the castles on the plains on both sides of the Arno,
but marched his army into the plain of Peretola, about two
miles from Florence. Here he remained many days, dividing
the spoils, and celebrating his victory with feasts and
games, holding horse races, and foot races for men and
women. He also struck medals in commemoration of the
defeat of the Florentines. He endeavoured to corrupt some
of the citizens of Florence, who were to open the city gates at
night; but the conspiracy was discovered, and the participa-
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