Sayfa 261 / 310

But Castruccio from being a prisoner became almost a prince in

Lucca, and he carried himself so discreetly with his friends and

the people that they appointed him captain of their army for one

year. Having obtained this, and wishing to gain renown in war, he

planned the recovery of the many towns which had rebelled after

the departure of Uguccione, and with the help of the Pisans, with

whom he had concluded a treaty, he marched to Serezzana. To

capture this place he constructed a fort against it, which is

called to-day Zerezzanello; in the course of two months

Castruccio captured the town. With the reputation gained at that

siege, he rapidly seized Massa, Carrara, and Lavenza, and in a

short time had overrun the whole of Lunigiana. In order to close

the pass which leads from Lombardy to Lunigiana, he besieged

Pontremoli and wrested it from the hands of Messer Anastagio

Palavicini, who was the lord of it. After this victory he

returned to Lucca, and was welcomed by the whole people.