Plot

Paolo helps Lucrezia and Guilia escape Sforza, but they are captured by advancing French forces as the Pope's cardinals flee Rome before King Charles' military juggernaut.

Lucrezia and Giulia Farnese leave Sforza's castle for Rome but Paulo the groom pays a heavy price for helping them get away. The two women soon encounter a French patrol but Lucrezia manages to charm the French King. The Pope meets with the Spanish ambassador but doesn't get the help he was expecting. Despite the advice of his Cardinals that they decamp and leave Rome, he refuses to do so. Juan does come up with a plan to meet the French forces long before they reach Rome. They find themselves just a bit outnumbered however. It's Lucrezia who comes up with a solution.—garykmcd

Paolo decides against accompanying lover Lucrezia and Giula, who flee his recovered master to the papal court. Lord Giovanni Sforza's whip lacerates Paolo's bare back, but instead of a destination is only told how all three hate the brute. Pope Alexander refuses to evacuate or flee Rome with the populace, as even Cesare advises. The Spanish ambassador calls a demand for help pointless. Juan still believes his condottiere that the French can be beaten despite their superior canons if the more mobile papal army surrounds them in open field. By the time a simple chained canon balls demonstration proves the contrary, flirtatious Lucrezia has arrived and charmed her away into the confidence of king Charles. She persuades both cocky generals to agree to terms of passage trough Rome without a battle.—KGF Vissers