A.D. 1248. LETTEB TO THE PEOPLE OP MLXAK. 595 us up entirely, having now marshalled all hie knights, and all bis battalions of infantry, outside the walls, entrusted to his faithful generals, he himself being at no great distance ; we having invoked the aid of God and the glorious Virgin, seeing that God is able to put down the proud, and to exalt the humble, immediately went forth against them, with our people and all our knights, not at all delaying our march, until we. brought our ranks close to theirs in close combat, our standard going before us, with the effigy of the precious Virgin, in whose path and by whose guidance we were advancing. And although they resisted obstinately at first, nevertheless we, becoming more vigorous, pressed on more vigorously against them, and overthrew them all, and crushed their whole army. And when the impious Frederic heard of this, and was thinking of assisting his men, he feared to encounter us ; and descending by secret paths, like a bandit, he lost his men and nearly all his booty, of whom we took three thousand prisoners and more. We also took the standard of the Cremonese ; we also took the fortresses which he had erected, and all his camps ; and we now have all that he had. We have also slain Thaddœus, his judge, and his chamberlains, and lords of the bedchamber. Moreover, of our own citizens, who were banished, we slew more than fifteen hundred, whom we found among his knights and people, besides those who were trampled under our horses' feet and destroyed in that way, whom we cannot enumerate because of their numbers ; and the rest of his army we put to flight and scattered in every direction. At last, having returned into the city, with praise and honour to God, we arranged the affaire of our city, trusting in him who is the true safety of all men ; for having greatly crushed the arms of the wicked, we and ours now hope to enjoy profound peace for ever/ "And we announce this to you that you may have joy, entreating your magnificence that you will all come at once to our assistance, without any delay of any kind, and join our standard ; since, as God has opened us the way, we wish to proceed along it with all speed, in order to recover the town of Saint Dominic, and Bressello, and the rest of our territories ; and also to take the vessel of the Cremonese, our enemies and yours, that so we may wipe them out of the book of the living. Away with all delays, Ο ye most prudent as ye are the most constant of men ! since, after God and the blessed Virgin Mary,