As the state of siege continued in Rome, Johann Burchard, the pope's Master of Ceremonies tells us,
"... from December 19th onward, the French troops were breaking into the city suburbs by Monte Mario and penetrating as far as the Church of San Lazarro and the fields close to the Castel Sant'Angelo. In these positions they remained throughout a whole night so that, with treacherous help they could attack the city from that side." [p.98]
Defenses in the city were increased, including the destruction of buildings and the digging of a ditch around the Castel Sant'Angelo. Fear inside the city grew to such an extent that prominent houses from December 22, Burchard says, the house of Don Jacopo Magnolino a goldsmith was destroyed, as well as others. [p. 98]
Supposed plans of evil designs of the invaders were discussed including the French entering through the Porta San Paolo to begin burning and pillaging. But many of these fears simply didn't materialize.
Burchard gives a letter he says 'written in the following vein' by Cardinal Raymond Peraudi from Formello, on December 23rd, beseeching Germans in Rome to open their gates to the French. Claiming that 'not a hen or an egg would be taken' by French forces moving through the city, and that the pope himself had promised secure passage for them, Peraudi had with these lies, Burchard affirms, 'induced the people to admit Charles VIII'. [p. 99] Interestingly, Burchard has Peraudi's letter sound much like a sermon from Savonarola in places. That God was 'deeply offended by our sins and wickednesses, and unless placated by the prayers of devout persons, neither this union' between the pope and the French king, nor any 'consequent peace between princes could be achieved.' [pp.99-100]
Christmas Eve was a Wednesday that year as well and the pope heard Vespers sung that evening in the Sistine Chapel.
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Johann Burchard: At The Court of the Borgia translated for english, with introduction by Geoffrey Parker, The Folio Society, Ltd, 1963
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