January 1502

Cesare’s army camp had spent the onset of winter outside the city of Bologna, the Duke of Romagna entreating with the Bentivoglio’s, d’Este’s, and the other lords of the Papal States. The Duke had also communicated with the Roi of France and the others in the region, where he temporarily met with d’Alegre and his men while they went to Ravenna to occupy the territory on behalf of the Church in the wake of venetian aggression. However, shortly after Cesare would retire his own forces to Cesena, where much of the preparations for his campaigning in the region was made. Here the Duke would continue to write letters furiously to the lords and ladies of Italy, and his uncle in Rome.

Cesare also sought to regain a semblance of control over the administration of his duchy, which had been designated to his subordinates during the previous year of travel and campaigning. A survey of the developments within the cities of the Romagna and the continued improvement of the fortresses under his control would be made, and a reorganization of the condottieri commanders that traveled with the Duke and the Borgia administrators of his realm was due. Eventually, come the month of February, Cesare would make a short travel to Rome before returning to his army in Cesena.

[Raising troops, army movement, reorganizing contracts]