The imperial ban was issued against both cities (April
1159); troops were hurriedly called up from Germany, and contingents were
obtained from the Italian allies, until Frederic had in the field a force estimated
at 100,000 men. But for six months he was held in check by the resistance of
Crema, which he had planned to reduce with a small force while the main bulk of
his levies were gathering for the siege of Milan. The attack on Crema was
cordially seconded by the citizens of the neighbouring Cremona, who gave their
assistance in diverting the watercourses which ran through the city, and lent
Frederic the most famous of living engineers to make his siege-machines. Crema
was completely invested; and every known method of assault was tried.
The moat
was filled with fascines, and movable towers of wood, so high as to overtop the
battlements, were brought up to the walls; which were also attacked with rams,
and undermined by sappers working in the shelter of huge penthouses. But
breaches were no sooner made than repaired; every scaling-party was repulsed;
and the defenders derided the Emperor in opprobrious songs. For once in his
life he descended to bluster and ferocious inhumanity. He swore that he would
give no quarter, he executed captives within sight of the walls, and he
suspended his hostages in baskets from the most exposed parts of the
siege-towers. Fortunately for his fame he relented, when hunger and the
desertion of their master-engineer compelled the Cremesi to sue for terms. They
received permission to depart with as much property as they could carry on
their backs. The rest fell to the imperial army; and the men of Cremona were
commissioned to demolish the city, which they did with a goodwill. The turn of
Milan followed; the Emperor, warned by experience, fell back upon the slow and
costly, but irresistible method of blockade.
