At the end of the month, the court left Monzone
for Madrid, but the nuncio fell ill on the journey, and
was obliged to remain at Saragossa. From here he
wrote, on August 3, to inform the Emperor of the
arrival of the Papal Chamberlain, Alfonso di Sangro,
Bishop of Lecce. This prelate had been sent to
Charles by the Pope, with an urgent request that he
would release the unhappy Cardinals who were still
detained as hostages at Naples, and exposed to all
the horrors of war and pestilence. In the same letter
Castiglione expressed his regrets that he was unable
to escort the Papal envoy to Madrid, adding that he
hoped to follow, as soon as he could leave his bed. ¹ A
fortnight later he joined the court, and remained at
Madrid with the Emperor until the end of October.

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