Altopascio, Tuscany. The Ghibellines land a crucial victory. Castruccio Castracani defeats the Florentines, led by Raimondo da Cardona, at Altopascio. Despite their outnumbering, they win thanks to Azzone Visconti’s masterful use of cavalry (800 Germans, 200 of whom were sent by Passerino Bonacolsi). To mock the defeated enemy, a coin (the castruccino) is minted, and three palios are run: one for horsemen, one for foot soldiers, and a third for prostitutes. The moment is propitious for Duke Passerino to consider attacking the most dangerous Guelph city: Bologna.
