Part 4

Six months before he dyed, the Pope, whose continual study it was, how to make him great, declared and proclaim’d him his Legat over all _Italy_; not that any urgent business did require such a Function, but only that he might give him an occasion of shewing his Grandeur, and receiving more pleasure in those triumphs and receptions, he was upon this score to have bestowed upon him by the _Italian_ Princes; who to humour the Pope, forgot no honour they could think of, towards the person of his Legat; and could not indeed have done more to the Pope himself; particularly in _Venice_, _Milan_, and _Padua_, he was received with so extraordinary a pomp, that it was almost incredible.

Great was the delight which he took in these publick honours; but much greater were the pleasures, which he tasted in secret, having ordinarily, amongst his Attendants, five or six Russians, whose business it was to satisfie his appetite, though never so inordinate. Being at last come back to _Rome_, to the possession of his old Mistresses, he ended his dayes amongst them, and went to a new world, whether of pleasure or of pain, God knows.

But the Popes affection to his kindred was not buryed in his grave; for he made his Brother _Jerome_ succeed in his favour and fortune, which he rather increased then diminished; for he made him Lord and Soveraign of _Inola_ and _Forli_; and gave him the government of all the state of the Church, besides other important Offices.

This _Jerome_ was a quite contrary disposition to his Brother; being naturally severe in words and deeds, and averse from all pleasures but hunting. He married _Catharina_, natural daughter to _Galeazzo_, Duke of _Milan_; and _Sixtus_ made _Ascanius_, the son of the said Duke, Cardinal into the bargain, contrary to the young mans inclination, which was rather to marriage, then to a single life.

But the inordinate passion of this Pope did not rest in all this; for his ambition of having kindred to advance was such, that not being content with that great number of true Nephews that he had, he substituted and adopted some, that were no relation to him at all; to whom he gave an infinity of places and commands.

He gave to _Leonard_, his brothers son, a natural daughter of King _Ferdinand_ in marriage, and made him Prefect of _Rome_: And he being dead, he immediately transferred that honour and place to another Nephew, called _John de la Rovere_, brother to the Cardinal _Julian_; giving him besides, the Propriety of the States of _Sora_ and _Sinigaglia_.

This _John_ had by _Giovanna_, daughter to _Frederick_, Duke of _Urbin_, a son, who was _Francesco Maria della Rovere_, who after the death of _Guido Ubaldo_, his Uncle, who dyed without male issue, succeeded by adoption, and in the right of his Wife, to the Dukedom of _Urbin_.

Besides these, _Sixtus_ made Cardinals the two brothers, _Christopher_, and _Dominic_, _de la Rovere_, who lived in _Turin_, under the protection of the Duke of _Savoy_, though they were Soveraigns of _Vico Nuovo_, and other Estates in _Italy_.

Besides, he made _Jerome Batto_, his sisters Son, Cardinal, as likewise _Raphael Samson_, son to a sister of _Pictro Riario_, whom he promoted to that dignity, when he was but seventeen years old, upon condition, that he should change his name, and take that of the Popes Family.

This Pope had so much kindred, and was so inclined to advance them, that he often granted the same thing to two different persons, having forgot that he had granted it to the first.

But amongst all his inventions to enrich them, this was one of the best: In the beginning of his Pontificat, he made, as if he had a design to pay the debts, left upon the Church by the precedent Popes, _Eugenius_, _Nicolas_, _Calistus_, _Pius_, and _Paul_; but pretending want of money to do it, he compassed his design by this means.

_Paul_ the second, his predecessour, had alwayes had a great inclination for the publick pomp and state of the Popedom, and therefore strove to make the Ornaments of the Popes person and head the richest that was possible for him; to which end, in the Miter, which serves at their Coronation, and other publick ceremonies, he had caused above the worth of a million in precious stones to be set, having bought up (all the world over) the best Diamonds, Saphires, Rubyes, Emeraulds, Chrysolites, _&c._ that could be had for money; so that afterwards, when he came out in publick, he looked like another _Aaron_, with a Majesty more divine then humane, being himself very tall, and of a comely port and presence.

_Sixtus_, who having been brought up in the severity of a Monastick life, did little esteem that outward pomp, which _Paul_, his predecessour, so much prized, caused these precious Stones to be sold, under pretence of discharging such debts, as the Church was lyable to for his predecessours.

The Jewels were soon sold, and the money consigned into the hands of his Nephews; but the debts were never payed, though the Jewels had been sold to that end: And that which is worth relating is, that the Pope answered every one, that came to demand any thing due to them; that he had already payed the others, that he was sorry it was not their fortune to come sooner, and that the money had proved short to discharge so many debts: So that the poor Creditors were fain to go away cheated, and yet knew not whom to complain of.

The _Romans_ murmured strangely, against this greediness of the Pope and his kindred, and so much the more, because that they had not yet been accustomed to see a Popes passion; for his kindred make him rob and plunder the Church. They wondred what example _Sixtus_ could have for his proceedings, for none of his predecessours had hitherto shewed so little moderation, but in providing for their kindred, had kept some measures. Neither could his education furnish him with this ambition and covetousness; for he had been brought up in a Convent, amongst Religious persons, who professed voluntary poverty, and to whose principles he seemed to be so inured, as not to be able to forsake them: for all the while he managed publick business, before he was a Cardinal, it was with a great deal of candour and disinteressment that he did it; and when he came to be made Cardinal, he was so far from keeping a Court, and living in that splendour, which others thought became that dignity, that his family and Retinue looked rather like a Convent, then like a train of Attendants. But as soon as he was Pope, he changed of a sudden, and lived like a Prince, never troubling himself at what the world said of him, but cared only to please himself, and make his kindred great.

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_Sixtus_ being dead, _Innocentius_ the eighth was made Pope, in the year 1484. being of the noble Family of _Cibo_, which hath had many eminent persons in it. This Pope, remembring the complaints of the _Romans_ against his predecessour, for being too indulgent to his kindred, resolved to be very cautious in that point, and give no occasion of scandal that way: Which he observed so well, that when any one of his kindred came to _Rome_, and that he had notice of it, he would say, _Our kindred had much better stay in_ Geneva _without us_, _then come to_ Rome _for our sakes_; and indeed he was very reserved to them: For to _Mauritius Cibo_, who was a very accomplish’d Gentleman, he gave nothing, but the Government of the Dutchy _Spoleto_, and made him President of the State of the Church Employments, which in those dayes were not of any great honour or profit, though now they are both rich and honourable.

So he made _Lawrens Cibo_, his Nephew, Cardinal, but with very little authority, forbidding him to meddle with publick business of importance, without being called to it. And yet was he forced, as it were, to honour him thus far; for many whispering about the Court, that he was a Bastard, he was fain to shew the world, that he did own him, as being lawfully born of one of his Cozens; which he proved by a process and strict examination before Cardinal _Balbo_, a _Venetian_, and one, who had no wayes interest to favour the family of _Cibo_.

The greatest advantage that this Pope procured his Family, was, that he married _Francesco Cibo_ with _Magdalen_ of _Medicis_, sister of _Leo_ the tenth that was afterwards, giving him the County of _Anguillara_, which was not of any importance in those dayes, and making him Captain General of the Forces of the Church: And in this he ended all the favours that he ever shewed his Family, which was very noble besides.

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_Alexander_ the sixth succeeded _Innocentius_ in the Popedom, who was a barbarous, lascivious Pope, making no difficulty of bringing desolation upon the Church, and imbrewing his hands in innocent bloud, to advance and make great his kindred. In the reign of this Pope, the _Romans_ used to say, _That the Emperours had taught tyranny_, _and the Popes practised it_.

He was cruel, covetous, and insatiable, in heaping riches together: He spent his retired hours all in lascivious pleasures, taking great delight to be embraced and caress’d by fair Ladies; whence the numbers of his Bastards was very great; many taking from thence occasion to say, _That he __had filled_ Rome _with Bastards_, _and_ Spain _with Whores_. ’Tis true, that he declared for his Heirs only, four male children, and two female: And though he used to change Ladies often, for variety and greater pleasure, yet he gave himself up to _Vanoccia_, a Roman Curtizan, whom he loved as his lawful Wife, and with whom he would sport and toy in publick, keeping her at his table, and in his house, as if she had been his true Wife, and this while he was Archbishop and Cardinal.

Being made Pope, in the year 1492. the second of _August_, he introduced into _Rome_, not a _Nipotismo_, but rather a _Filiolismo_, nay indeed, a _Bastardismo_, that is, a company of Bastards, whom he brought with him, in his return from his Legation in _Spain_: And his first way to make him great was, by force of Arms, making league with this Prince, then with that, then with another, but still upon these conditions, to give Principalities, which he nam’d, to his bastard sons.

For this end, he joyned in a Confederacy, which proved fatal to all _Italy_, with _Lewis_ the twelfth of _France_, with the Catholick King, the _Venetians_, and the _Florentines_; the Conditions of which League were, that they should dispossess the true and ancient Owners of the Provinces of _La Romagna_, _La Marca_, and _Umbria_; and that the whole should be made over to _Cesar Borgia_, the Popes son; who to this end had laid aside his Cardinals Cap, and taken in marriage _Charlotte_ of _Albret_, daughter to the King of _Navarre_, and allyed to the French King, and divers other great Princes.

But this design having taken no effect, because of the dispute, that rise between the _French_ and the _Spaniard_, about the dividing of the Kingdom of _Naples_, which at last ended in the utter ruine of the _French_, the _Spaniards_ remaining Masters of the whole Kingdom; the Pope thought it was easier for him to compass his ends, and establish the Grandeur of his Bastards by great and powerful Alliances.

From hence proceeded, that having promised his daughter _Lucretia_, while he was Cardinal, to a certain _Spaniard_; as soon as he was Pope, he took her away from him, and bestow’d her in marriage upon _John Sforza_, Lord of _Pesaro_, with whom being also fallen out, he took her away from him, and bestowed her upon _Lewis_ of _Arragon_, natural son to King _Alfonse_; joyning thus two bastards, that they might not reproach one another: And he likewise dying some months after his marriage, he gave her to _Alfonse d’Este_, Duke of _Ferrare_, with whom she lived and dyed. ’Twas in the pomp of her Wedding, that the Pope caused to be celebrated in _Rome_, Turnaments and Tiltings, together with the representation of a hunting Match; and many say, that in the Ball and Dances the Pope danced every night, masked, with some of his intimate Friends.

Of his sons, he made _Godfrey_, the youngest Prince of _Squillace_, a City in _Ulterior Calabria_, and the Country of Saint _Cassiodorus_: He made _Cesar_, who was the second, Cardinal; and his eldest, named _John_, was by the great entreaties and instances of the Pope, made Duke of _Candia_ in_ Spain_, much against the inclination of the Catholick King; for this _John_ he procured in marriage a bastard daughter of _Alfonse_, King of _Naples_; and thus he filled the _Vatican_ with bastards, whereupon _Pasquin_, with a great deal of reason, call’d it, _Il Bastardismo_.

_Cesar_, his second son, being troubled to see his brother _John_ above him, and more beloved by his Father, resolved to take him out of the way; so one night, as _John_ was going in _Rome_ about some business, he caused him to be set upon by some of his Confidents, who having stabb’d him, cast him half alive headlong into the _Tyber_; and the same evening (a barbarous action) they had supped together, very brotherly, at their Mother _Vanoccias_ house.

The Pope, who was afraid of incurring the same danger from his son, whose temper he knew to be wicked enough for such an undertaking, was forced to dissemble this inhumane action of the Cardinal, and to make no pursuits nor informations about the death of his eldest son.

_Cesar_, being thus delivered of his brother, began to give himself up to the life of a Souldier, and the practise of Arms, without any consideration of his being a Cardinal: for his great motive in murdering his brother was, that he might attain to the dignity of _Gonfalonier_, or Standard-bearer of the Church, and Captain General of the Popes Armies; so that a little after his Fratricide, he layed off his Cardinals Habit, and the Pope invested him with all the honours of his dead brother.

Thus being made General of the Popes Army, he united with the _French_, and married _Charlotte_ of _Albret_, and had for her portion the Dutchy of _Valenza_, from whence he was called over, after Duke _Valentine_, as being a particular acquisition of his own.

With the help of _Lewis_ the twelfth, and of his Father the Pope, he gained a great estate in _Italy_; his Father being still ready to supply him with vast sums of money, which he spent to purchase greatness.

Having driven the Family of the _Sforza’s_ out of _Milan_, and put them in prison; by the help of the _French_ King, he made himself Master, with great cruelty, of all the Cities of _La Romagna_, except _Bologna_, banishing and murdering the ancient and true Lords and Masters of them.

The first seized upon _Forli_ and _Imola_, causing the poor young _Riarri_, who were Lords of those places, to fly for safety; and taking prisoner their Mother _Catharine_, whom he carried in triumph to _Rome_; exposing to the eyes of the _Romans_ his barbarous cruelties.

From _Forli_ he passed to _Faenza_, which City he took by force, putting to death _Astorre Manfredi_, who was Lord of it.

He did the same by _Arimino_ and _Pesaro_, forcing _Nulatesta_, and _John Sforza_, to avoid by flight, the infamy and cruelty of the death they were sure to undergo, if they fell into his hands.

After this, he besieged _Sinigaglia_, and took it by force, committing infinite acts of inhumanity in it.

With the same course of Victory, though with craft and deceit mingled with force, he deprived _Guido Ubaldo di Feltro_ of his Dutchy of _Urbin_, making him fly to _Mantua_, not without danger of falling into his net by the way.

After this, he lead his Army against the City of _Camerino_, which he took by force, and put to a cruel death _Giulio Cesare_, and _Venantio Varrani_, who were, and had been, long in possession of it. And with the same ardour and ambition, he fell to persecuting all the neighbouring Princes, in hopes to deprive them of their States.

At last, he turned his rage upon the chiefest Families of _Rome_, beginning with the noble Family of the _Gaetani_, who were in possession of great Estates in the Country of the _Volai_, putting to death _Honorato_ and _Cola Gaetani_.

Next, he fell upon the _Colonna’s_ Family, and having dispossessed them of their Lands, forced them to fly to _Apulia_, and _Sicily_, where they were extremely pitied by that people, who had a perfect knowledge of their rare deserts.

But while he thought to do the same to the _Ursins_, they having leagued themselves with other Princes, raised an Army in their defence; and having at last encountred his, defeated it, and forced him to fly to _Imola_, or, as some say, to _Rome_, where the Pope, being frightned with this sudden blow, had recourse to craft and dissimulation; he treats with the Confederates; gives them such Conditions, that they themselves, even triumphant, could hardly expect: And having thus lull’d them asleep, and made them lay down Armes; in the mean while, _Borgia_ having recovered himself, and got a new Army, fell upon them most cruelly; and persecuting them separately, put to death some, banish’d others; and in a word, used all barbarous means to compass their ruine.

All this while the Pope was taking his delight in the _Vatican_, in _Vanoccia’s_ armes; receiving every day, with new joy and satisfaction, the news of his Sons crimes.

The Revenue of the Church being not sufficient to maintain such an Army as _Cesar Borgia’s_ was, and withall, to supply the expence of his Court, which was truly Royal and Prince-like; _Alexander_ made a new Colledge of fourscore Writers of Briefs, selling every place for two hundred and fifty Crowns of Gold; receiving besides into _Rome_ those _Moors_, that the King of _Spain_ had driven out of his Dominions, who to enjoy their liberty, gave him great sums of money: And yet all this seeming inconsiderable, he sold divers Cardinals Caps, and at last, for fear of being unprovided of money in some urgent necessity, he resolved to dispatch with poyson, the richest Prelates of the Court, and amongst them some very rich Cardinals, whose Estates he intended to make himself heir to, and so satiate the barbarous greediness of his son.

But Divine Providence, taking compassion of the innocency of so many persons, disappointed this barbarous design most miraculously; for just in the execution of it, the Pope himself was, by the mistake of his Cup-bearer, sent out of the World, and his son _Cesar_ in extreme danger: And thus it happened.

_Alexander_ invited to a Treat, in his Garden of _Belocdere_, all the richest Cardinals and Prelates, under pretence of honouring them; and had secretly given order to mingle some poyson with most exquisite Wines that they were to drink. But the Cup-bearer, in pouring out his Wine into Glasses, mistook, and poysoned the Pope and his Son _Cesar_. ’Tis true, that some do believe, that the Cup-bearer did it on purpose, being glad to be the Instrument, that should deliver the State and Church from so much misery, in which they were involved under this Popes tyranny.

_Cesar_ perceiving himself to be poysoned, presently had recourse to Remedies, and with vomiting, being strong, and in the flower of his age, freed himself from the poyson, though very violent: ’Tis true, that he remained impotent, and unfit for action, so that his Army immediately crumbled away, for want of his personal assistance to keep them together.

But the Pope, who was already seventy two years old, was not able to resist the strength of the poyson, though all the Remedies imaginable, were put in use to save him. So he dyed in the _Vatican_, in the year one thousand five hundred and three.

As soon as the Pope was dead, _Cesar_, his son, caused himself, and all the Popes Treasure, to be transported to the _Vatican_, under the guard of twelve thousand Souldiers, with an intention, to force the Cardinals to make a Pope of his liking: But he failed in his design; for the Cardinals met in the Convent of _La Minerva_: And _Cesar_ having set _Michrelletto Correglia_, his great Captain, to besiege them, the people of _Rome_, moved with indignation against such a violence offered to the Cardinals, rose in Armes for their defence; whereupon _Borgia_ resolved to retire to _Nepe_ with his Army, and leave the Cardinals their liberty: Who being free, and having celebrated the Popes Obsequies, went into the Conclave to choose his Successor; and after some dispute, agreed in the Person of Cardinal _Picolomini_, one of the eminentest Prelates of the Court, who took the name of _Pius_ the third.

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The news of this Election being come to _Siena_, which was the Popes native Country, _Pandolfo Petrucci_, who was Tyrant of this City, was extremely troubled at it, doubting not, but that the Pope would soon drive him away, and set his Country at liberty; so that to be rid of his fear, he procur’d a Chirurgion to poyson a Sore that the Pope had in one of his Legs; which was done, and the poor Pope dyed, some seven and twenty dayes after his creation.

The _Picolomini_ Nephews and Relations to his Holiness, were already flown to _Rome_, like so many Bees, but before they could get within the gates, they receiv’d the sad news of their Uncles death; so that they were fain to return to _Siena_ upon the same Horses, upon which they came to _Rome_. ’Twas certainly believed, that this Pope would have made another _Nipotismo_ in _Rome_, for he was very tender hearted and kind to his kindred.

To _Pius_ succeeded _Jules_, the second brother to _Sixtus_ the fourth, who was chosen with so publick a consent and applause, that he was almost proclaim’d Pope before he went into the Conclave; the people receiv’d the news of his Election, with extraordinary demonstration of joy, because of the great esteem they had for his person, _Alexander_ having kept him in banishment from _Rome_, for the space of ten years together, to the displeasure of the whole Court of _Rome_.

_Jules_ proved a man of a great Soul, and a noble and constant Defender of the Church, and little inclin’d to make his kindred great. ’Tis true, he did own a great deal of kindness for his Relations, but much more for the Church: And did say, _That he would have bestowed upon them all that he had_, _if all that he had were not the Churches_. Therefore he would never give them any State belonging to the Church; and if _Francesco Maria_, his brothers son, did obtain the Dutchy of _Urbin_, it was, because that _Guido Ubaldo da Feltra_, his Kinsman, did adopt him. Some say, that it was by the Popes perswasions, that _Guido Ubaldo_ did this; which though it were true, yet it did not any wayes prejudice the Church: And if he did bestow _Pesaro_ on the same _Francesco Maria_, which State was lately fallen to the Church by the death of _Gio. Sforza_, who dyed without Heirs, it was to pay to the said _Francesco Maria_ certain debts, which he pretended due to him from the Church.

Besides, he never gave any extraordinary Authority to four Cardinals of his own kindred and creating; who were very much displeased and discontented at this his severity.

He answered one day two of his Relations, who were very pressing for an Office, which he would not grant; _You ought to be content with what my Brother did_, _who lov’d the house of_ La Rovere _better then the Church_.