seized and held Piacenza for Venice. He defended the town with 2,000 lances, 2,000 infantry and 6,000 armed citizens. The town was besieged by Milanese forces under Francesco Sforza. In addition to Sforza's men the Milanese army had 10,000 soldiers and the condottieri under leaders such as Francesco Piccinino, Guidaccio Manfredi, Luigi dal Verme and others had 15,000 cavalry and infantry. The walls were broken down by cannon fire, and flooding of the river Po meant that boats could approach the city walls. After fierce fighting, Taddeo d'Este, Alberto Scotto and the Venetian governor Gherardo Dandolo were forced to surrender and were taken captive. The town was thrown open to pillage and the inhabitants were treated with great cruelty. Due to his personal friendship with Sforza, d'Este was soon released. Taddeo d'Este died suddenly while attempting to take Mozzanica on 21 June 1448. His state funeral was held in Brescia. His body was returned to Este, where it was buried in the family tomb in the church of S. Francesco. His male line died out in 1463. References Citations Sources 1390 births 1448 deaths 15th-century condottieri Republic of Venice generals 15th-century Venetian people