Fourth Genoa-Venice War. The Genoese and Paduans join forces and storm Chioggia, completing the siege of Venice. They ask for negotiations, but the Genoese respond that “it won’t be discussed until the horses of Saint Mark are harnessed” (the famous bronze quadrille brought from Constantinople in 1204, previously imported from Rome). But the Venetians do not surrender easily. The entrance to the Lido di San Nicolo’ is barricaded with large chained boats, forts are built, debts are incurred to procure resources, and merchants are bribed to break the siege. The Venetian populace is united against the invader, but is also angry with the nobles for the treatment of Vettore Pisani, who has been imprisoned following the defeat by the Genoese. The nobles realize they need all the popular support and release Pisani. When he shows up at the dock to recruit crews, the scribes struggle to cope with the crowd of crossbowmen, rowers, all experienced people, who want to sign with him.
