Part 5

In his time Rome was almost without a _Nipotismo_: but no sooner was _Leo_ the tenth raised to this great honour, but things began to run in another stream; for this Pope, though otherwise very worthy of such an Elevation, yet was he no sooner settled in his Dignity, but he began to project the greatness and advancement of the house of the _Medicis_. And first he bestowed upon _Julian_, his Brother, the Office of _Gonfaloniero_, or Standard-bearer to the Church, together with other charges and places: Then he called most of his kindred to _Rome_, making them Cardinals, and bestowing Dignities upon them. So that the _Nipotismo_ began to take a new possession of _Rome_ and the Church.

_Leo_ undertook, by the means of the Emperour _Maximilian_, to make his brother _Julian_ Lord of _Siena_ and _Lucca_, pretending to add to his Domination the Dutchies of _Urbino_ and _Ferrara_: But _Julian_ dying in the interim, the Pope transferred his kindness upon his brother _Lawrens_, and attempted the execution of this his design in his favour, by the means of the Emperour _Charles_ the fifth, who was newly come to the Empire. Besides, he put into his hands the government of the City of _Florence_, with this condition, that he should undertake nothing, without the advice and consent of the Citizens.

Then he enriched him with all the Honours and Offices his brother had enjoyed in the Church-State; and yet desirous every day to make him greater, and to satisfie the instant prayers of his Mother _Alfonsina_. He made war with _Francesco Maria della Rovere_, Duke of _Urbin_; and having sent an Army against him, under the command of _Renzo di Lere_, he took his Dutchy from him, and invested with the title of Duke of _Urbin Lawrens_ his Nephew; the poor Duke and his Lady being constrained to fly to _Mantua_ for refuge.

With the same intention, though not with the same success, he strove to pick a quarrel with _Alfonse_, Duke of _Ferrara_; but he being a Prince experienced in war, and under the protection of a strong City, easily defeated the Popes design and artifices.

_Lawrens_ being dead, the Pope sent the Cardinal of _Medicis_ to _Florence_, to govern that City; and in him first began to relent that great ardour, with which he had hitherto pursued the advancement of his Family, giving himself over to other Employments, much more necessary, and more becoming a Prelate, whose care was not only to be bounded within the walls of _Rome_, but over all _Christendome_.

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_Adrian_ the sixth was _Leo’s_ Successour, he had been the Emperour _Charles_ the fifth his Tutor, and was created Pope the year of our Lord 1529. being then in _Victoria_, a City of _Spain_: As soon as he received the news of his Election, he embarqued at _Terracona_, and came to _Genoa_; where having received the Complements of Ambassadours of all parts, he came in great triumph to _Rome_.

This Pope was indeed too severe with his kindred; and under him, the Court of _Rome_ pass’d from one extremity to another: for his Predecessours gave all to their Nephews, and he refus’d to give them even that which they deserved; and for this reason he was blam’d, not only by the Court, and forraign Ambassadours, but also by the common people, as being unnatural and clownish.

There was in _Siena_ one of his Cozens sons, maintained there in his studies by the Pope; who being moved with the ambition of rising under his Uncles Pontificat, came to _Rome_ without order; but the Pope no sooner had notice of it, but he commanded (without being prevail’d upon to see him) that he should instantly be carried back again upon a hackney Horse; giving order to his Confessor, to tutor him sharply for being so bold; and bidding him remember to take from his Uncle, an example of modesty and temperance, and apply himself strongly to his study, and the practise of vertue, which would advance him without help of his kindred, or at least very little.

Many others of his kindred, even his Nephews, came from _Germany_ to _Rome_, with a design to enrich their fortunes, as other Popes Relations had done; but they soon found they had abus’d themselves, for the Pope, angry at their journey, sent them all back, with no other Present, then each of them a woollen Sute, and just as much money as would suffice to bear their charges. Nay, even to one, who out of necessity was come a foot, he refused to give any more then would just defray his expences on foot back again. ’Tis true, that some Cardinals were very Noble to them. This Pope was continually blaming the Prodigality of those who had bestowed such great riches upon the Church. In the year that this Pope liv’d, _Rome_ was so afflicted and visited with Warre, Famine, and Plague, that it cannot be remembred without tears, and the people very unjustly laid all the fault upon the Pope, all mouths being open to clamour against him, and sing the Latin Verse:

_Semper de Sextis diruta Roma fuit_.

To _Adrian_ succeeded _Clement_ the Seventh of the Family of the _Medici_, who conserving the wonted ambition of this Family encreased their revenues and power with all his industry, insomuch that after he had been imprison’d and extraordinarily ill us’d by the Emperour _Charles_ the Fifth, he nevertheless entred into a confederacy with him, upon condition that he should give his bastard Daughter _Margaret_ in Marriage to _Alexander_ of _Medici_, _Lawrens_ his Son, and by force of Arms oblige the _Florentines_ to acknowledge him for their Lawful Prince. All this was accordingly executed, the Emperor having sent the Prince of _Orange_ with a very great Army to settle the _Medici_ in their new principality.

And _Clement_ not content with this; as soon as the Emperour was gone into _Spain_, made a new league with _Francis_ the First of _France_, and to strengthen it, _Henry_ the Second, the Daulphin of _France_, married _Catharina_ of _Medicis_ Daughter to _Laurens_; the wedding was kept at _Marseillis_, where the King and the Pope were both present.

The Pope having thus happily setled his family, returned to _Rome_, and there died: In _September_ 1534. and in the same year, in the Month of _October_, _Paul_ the Third was chosen to fill his place, with great joy and applause of the people of _Rome_. He was _Alexander Farnese_ Cardinal, and one who shewed himself worthy of so eminent a dignity.

His first work was to find out means to advance his Family; and therefore in _December_ following he created two of his Nephews Cardinals; one _Alexander Fernese_, Son to _Pietro luigi Farnese_ his own Son, for the Pope had been married before he was Cardinal; and the other _Guido ascanso Forza Costanza_ his daughters Son. _Alexander_ being suddenly dead, the Cardinal _Hippolito Medici_ was made Vice-Chancellour of the Church, and Vice-Chamberlain after the death of Cardinal _Spinola_. Thus from day to day, as places and offices became vacant, the Popes Nephews were sure to have them.

_Paul_ was very desirous to procure a meeting between the Emperour and the King of _France_, where he desir’d to be present in person also; which thing being carried on by his Legat, Cardinal _Carpi_ was well accepted and agreed of by both _Princes_, the Town of _Nizza_ in _Provence_, but belonging to the Duke of _Savoy_: was chosen for the place of meeting, as being conveniently situated upon the Sea side.

The Pope, though old, was the first that came to the place appointed, having endured very great inconveniencies in his journey; and yet he was disappointed at last of his desires; for these two Princes having penetrated into the Popes design, found that it was not out of any love to Christendome, but only out of a fond affection to his family that he had desir’d their company. So they refused to see one another in his presence, but came separatly, and kiss’d the Popes feet with no small mortification to his Holiness, being thus deluded and almost derided.

And indeed this interparly was not desired nor procur’d by the Pope, either with a design of appeasing the differences in Religion, or of making a League betwixt the Christian Princes against the Turk, though this were the pretext, but with a purpose to get _Margaret_ of _Austria_, the widdow of _Alexander Medici_, for _Octavio Farneze_ his Grandchild; and following the example of _Clement_ the Seventh, give _Victoria_, afterwards married to _Guido Ubaldo_ Duke of _Urbin_, his Neece, to some Prince of the blood of _France_, having chosen out the Duke of _Vendosme_, who was a young Prince of great merit and hopes: but for this time the Pope was forced to return to _Rome_ without having effected his designs, as the King of _France_ went to his own Kingdome, and the Emperour to _Marseilles_, where he visited the _French_ King.

Some time after the Pope obtained from the Emperour the City of _Novarre_ for his Son _Pietro Luigi_, and made up the match between his Grandchild _Octavio_ and the Princess _Margaret_ Daughter to the Emperour, and widdow of _Alexander Medici_; this done, the Pope undertook the recovery of the City of _Lamerino_, which he pretended to be devoted to the Church by the death of _Giovani Maria Varrano_, who had receiv’d the investiture of that place from _Leo_ the Tenth, and dyed without any male children, and upon this Title made warre against the young _Guido Ubaldo da Feltro_, who by the Womens side pretended a right to it, but not being able to maintain it, was fain to fly and leave the place to the Pope, who having taken it, presently gave the investiture to his Grand-child _Octavio Farneze_, making him Duke of _Camerino_, and Receivour General of the Church, having before made him Prefect of _Rome_ in the place of the Duke of _Urbin_.

But this Popes ambition swell’d much higher, for he went about to buy the Dutchy of _Millan_ of the Emperour with the Churches money, and make an unalienable Patrimony of the Family of the _Farnezes_. But the Emperour, though very necessitous and extreamly sollicited by the Pope with a vast summe of ready mony, was nevertheless so prudent as not to dismember from his Empire so considerable a part of it.

Besides this the Pope gave to his Son _Pietro Luigi_, against the consent of almost all the Cardinals, the noble Cities of _Parma_ and _Placentia_ in _Lombardy_, which were Fiefs of the Church. The said _Pietro Luigi_ was murdered by the principal Citizens of _Placentia_ in a conjuration layed and carried on by the Emperours order; who all along refused to confirm _Pietro Luigi_ in this new Principality, the Pope pretending that the Emperour should acknowledge him for lawful Lord and Master of these Cities; which he was so far from doing, that he endeavour’d to take them from him; whereupon the Pope was forced, that he might support his Son, to side with the _French_, who failed not to settle his Grand-child _Octavio_, though with this condition that he should renounce _Camerino_, and restore it to the Church, and be content with _Parma_ and _Placentia_, for which he should pay every year seven thousand Crowns to the Apostolick Chamber.

Thus the Nipotismo was in great credit and Authority in _Pauls_ time: for this Pope spared nothing to make them great, alienating the Churches Lands, and maintaining them in the possession of their acquisitions with the Churches Mony, which stirr’d the indignation of all Christendome, and made the Hereticks, who by this time were multiplied like Grashoppers, take from them an occasion to deny the Popes authority and primacy.

_Julius_ the third, who succeeded _Paul_, preserv’d his Nipotismo in a handsome condition and rank, but was not so furiously transported with Ambition to settle them in Dukedomes and Principalities. His humour was gay and merry, a good companion, and one that lov’d to eat and drink well with his friends.

And yet though this jovial inclination of his made him little enclin’d to warlike attempts, he nevertheless sent great Succours to the Duke of _Florence_, _Cosino_, in his Warre against the _Sienezes_: and this because the said Duke had promis’d him to make his Brother _Baldwin_ Marquis of _Monte san Sabino_; which thing was not only executed, but besides, the Dukes Daughter was promised in Marriage to _Fabian de monti Baldovin_ his Son; she was afterwards married to _Alfonse_ Duke of _Ferrara_.

_Giulio_ made also five of his Nephews Cardinals, to wit, _Christopher di Monte_, _Fulvio de la Corgna_, _Innocentia de Monte_, _Geronimo Simoncello_, and _Roberto de Monte pulcrano_. To these he was very liberal, but to say true, not prodigal, as his Predecessors had been. ’Tis true, he did what he could, to make his Brother _Baldwin_ Duke of _Camerino_, and deprive the Church of so good a State, but the Cardinals oppos’d him so vigorously, that he was fain to desist from his design.

_Julius_ being dead, the very name of the Nipotismo dyed with him, for in the year 1555 _Marcelius_ the Second was made Pope; who would never endure, that any of his kindred should come neer _Rome_, no not his own Brother. Nay more, he would never suffer that two Nephewes of his, who before his Election liv’d with him, following their Studies in _Rome_ under his care, should receive any visits as his Nephews; and he forbid him to stir out of doors, least in going to School they should be owned in the streets, and receive the Complements of persons of quality.

They that knew much of his mind while he was Cardinal, said after his death, That his intention was altogether bent to apply some remedy to the ambition of the Popes; and that he had particularly resolved to give to his Brother and Kindred but just as much as would maintain them like ordinary Gentlemen; but not so much as a simple Barony, much less Dukedomes and Principalities; and to this he would have the advice and consent of the whole Colledge of Cardinals, having a firme purpose of making most secure decrees, by which the Popes should be bound, and kindred from giving any thing to their Kindred without the consent of all the Cardinals.

But while he was intent upon so good a work, he was surprized by death twenty dayes after his election; so that in so short a time he did neither good nor harme to the Church.

To him succeeded _Paul_ the Fourth, of the House and Family of _Caraffa_ in the same year 1555. This Pope was one of the most fantasticall ill humour’d men that all the World could afford. He presently made his Brothers Son _Carlo Caraffa_ Cardinal; and to him he gave so much Authority, that it seemed that the Popes Will depended upon his pleasure. He excommunicated _Mark Antonia Colomna_, _and Ascanio_ his Son, under divers pretexts, but indeed only to take from them those offices and honours which they had in _Rome_, and to seize upon all their Revenues within the Territories of the Church; which was severely executed; the Pope at the same time giving the investiture of all their estates to _Giovani_, Count of _Montorio_ his Brothers Son, giving him the Title of Duke of _Paliano_, which place he immediatly went about to fortifie, that it might hold out against the forces the Colonesses were raising to recover their lands, as at last they did.

A little after he made _Antonio Caraffa_ the Earles brother, Marquess of _Montebello_, a place which he had deprived the right owner, the Earl of _Bagno_, of, as being contumacious, and for having, as the Pope said, ingrossed that money which the King of _France_ had sent for the War in _Italy_.

The Nephewes of this Pope became at last so insolent by their Uncles indulgence, that they did rob, spoyl, ravish, kill, and in a word commit all sorts of crimes with impunity; Exercising so many cheats and frauds upon the poor people, that not only they made all the World cry out against them, but at last moved the indignation of their own Uncle, and provoked him to be severe to them, driving them away out of _Rome_, and depriving them of all honour and dignity.

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_Pius_ the Fourth of _Milan_, of the Family of the _Medici_, but of that branch that was then setled in _Milan_, was chosen _Pauls_ Successor; and no sooner had he taken possession of the Popedome, but he fell to frame a process and impeachment against the Nipotismo of his Predecessor, with a design to punish them severely; which he executed, but with an affront to the holy Character of a Pope, for he made as if he had pardon’d them all their misdemeanours, which he confirmed with an Oath; to which the _Caraffas_ trusting, came to _Rome_, but no sooner were they there, but by the Popes order, they were clap’d up in prison, and having undergone a new tryal, were all condemned to die. The Cardinal _Carlo Caraffa_ was strangled, the Earls of _Montorio_ and of _Alife_, and _Leonardo di Cardine_ were beheaded. Thus the City was as it were purged of these abominations which this Nipotismo had defiled it with.

After this the good Pope _Pius_, that he might not come short of the Piety of his Predecessors, introduced a new Nipotismo; for above five and twenty Nephewes, brothers and sisters children, came in upon him, of whom he refus’d none, but raised as high as it was possible for him to do, making them all rich, and allying them with great families; but his kindness did particularly extend to _Giovani Antonio Sarbellone_ his Nephew, who seemed to be born to heap riches together.

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But _Pius_ the Fifth, who succeeded _Pius_ the Fourth, was not at all of this Humour, for he was absolutely averse from any such unjust wayes of advancing his kindred, having hardly condescended to make _Michael Bonello_ his Sisters son Cardinal; and certainly he had never done it, if all the Cardinals unanimously had not raised in him a Scruple of Conscience, by saying, That he refused to promote one who was most worthy of that Honour. Therefore at last, and as it were by force, he declar’d him Cardinal, but with a strict Order not to meddle with state affairs without Commission.

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_Gregory_ the Thirteenth of the Family of the _Buon Compagni_, who was chosen Pope after the death of _Pius_ in the year 1572. followed not so good a path, but declin’d to a great indulgence for his Relations. First, he presently made _Philippo Buoncompagno_ his Nephew Cardinal, to whom he gave many Abbyes which were vacant in his Predecessors time.

Besides he call’d about him all his Nephewes, and Cozens, to whom he gave Offices, Dignities, Governments and Lordships, enough to make him great. ’Tis true, he shewed no great ambition of making them great Princes, because he saw little posibility of a good success, but he heaped Abbies and Prelatures upon them as many as they pleased.

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He dyed 1585 the tenth of _April_, and had for Successor upon the 24th of the same Month _Sixtus_ the Fifth of the poor family of the _Peretti_ having been a Monk of that conventual Order, of which _Sixtus_ the fourth who lov’d his kindred so well was.

In his first beginning he seem’d a little averse from his kindred, not that he despised them, but he shewed no desire of making them Princes; but they that made any foundation upon this exteriour were much deceiv’d, for there never was a Pope that had a greater love for his relations then this; and all well considered, we shall find, that _Sixtus_ the fifth gave away much more to his Nipotismo, then _Sixtus_ the Fourth; for his Family of _La Rovere_, was very Noble, and liv’d splendidly before his assumption to the pontificat, whereas the Family of _Peretti_ was so poor, that they had not bread to eat, being fain to beg here and there.

One of _Sixtus_ the Fifth his Sisters was a Laundress in _Escoli_, and come to see her Brother in _Rome_ upon an Ass, which was led by a Halter by her eldest Son, and with all this he left him all rich and great. He lov’d this Sister of his _Camila_ most tenderly, insomuch that he could never see her enough; and for her sake in the first month of his Popedome, he made one of her Sons Cardinal, giving him his own Cardinals Cap, and calling him by the name of Cardinal _Moncealto_, though he was but one and twenty years old. To him _Sixtus_ gave in Abbyes and Church-lands above five and thirty thousand Duckats a year, which was no small revenue, in the hands of one, who lov’d much to be thrifty.

To the other brother, who had led the Asse, he gave the chiefest offices and places of _Rome_, and married him with great pomp and solemnity, to a rich Roman Lady.

He assigned 20 thousand Crowns a year to his said sister _Camilla_, who drawing allwayes before her Eyes, her ancient poor condition, could never be brought to lead a great Ladyes life, but liv’d allwayes like a country Woman.

Her two Daughters were both married, one to _Virginio Urtino_, and the other to the high Constable of the Kingdome of _Naples_; _Colonna_, to one of which he gave for portion, a hundred thousand Crowns, and made a Cardinal of the family of the _Colonna_, together with great Offices and Revenues.

Besides this, he made _Alexander Beretto_ his brothers Son Cardinal, and assign’d him a revenue of twenty thousand Duckats in Offices within _Rome_, and in the Popes Territories, in which he had great number of Benefices.

In a word, _Sixtus_ when he dyed left to his Family the sum of a hundred and fifty thousand Duckats yearly revenue, besides money in specie, and the wonder of this was, that it was all done without any prejudice to the Church, but so much to the contrary; for he surpassed in the stateliness of his edifices in _Rome_, the ancient Romans, and yet left behind him five millions of Crowns to the Church, to the astonishment of all Christendome.

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There is little or nothing to be said of _Urban_ the seventh, who succeeded _Sixtus_ in the year 1590, because he liv’d but 13 dayes after his election: But his kindred of the house of _Castagna_, in _Genoa_, having suddenly heard the news of his elevation, hastened to _Rome_; but three dayes journey from _Genoa_, they receiv’d the newes of his death: Whereupon they were forced to return home, and keep close for a great while, to avoyd the derision and mocking of their Enemies. And this was, because that they had gone out of the City in great pompe and state; beginning allready to carry themselves like so many Princes: but their pretensions vanishd with the Popes death.

Nevertheless the Pope in so short a time shewed himself kind, for he left them some considerable Legacies, having given away to the company of the Nuntiata, whose Protector he had been, all that was in his power to distribute.

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But that which _Urban_ could not compass in thirteen dayes, _Gregory_ the fourteenth his Successor did in ten months. This Pope was of the family _Sfondrata_ of _Milan_, and very desirous of adding to the greatness of his family. And because that _Paulo Emilio Sfondrato_ was at the time of his creation in _Milan_, the Pope refus’d to dispatch any business before his coming to Rome, where presently he was made Cardinal, and had twelve thousand Crowns a year assigned him the same day, besides a great number of Abbies and Offices which his Uncle gave him a little after.

The Pope was used to pass most part of his time with this Cardinal; no business passing, but what was sifted between them; the Pope often saying to him, Nephew, make a good purse before I die: And the Nephew, who understood the means did not fail to obey him, and out of every hundred take ninety for himself; the rest he left to the Church, and that was alwayes the worst money.