Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume 1 (of 3) Illustrating the Arms, Arts, and Literature of Italy, from 1440 To 1630.

Our attention has been long distracted from our mountain duchy, whose lord sought, in the peaceful retreat of his elegant court and happy home, to isolate himself from intrigues...

This work was originally published in 1851. As noted below, footnotes marked by an asterisk were added by the editor of the 1909 edition, from which this e-book was prepared.

It was to the Pontiff's anxiety for his favourite project against the Infidel, that the Malatesta owed the shadow of sovereignty still left them. He inherited from Nicholas V. t...

The offer of an engagement by the League had been carried to Federigo, by six envoys commissioned from its leading powers, and was readily accepted. His preparations being compl...

The three years and a half which had now passed since the Count's marriage had been spent by him almost entirely in active service. During his long absences, the state was in a...

Eleven years had now gone by since the marriage of Federigo, and had given him eight daughters. Although the laws of succession were neither well defined nor rigorously adhered...

Those readers who have thus far followed our narrative of Count Federigo's military career may perhaps regret that its somewhat limited and monotonous interest should not have b...

State of the papacy at the accession of Alexander VI.--His election, character, and children--The aspect of Italy at the close of her golden age--The disputed succession of Napl...

With Federigo, successor of Duke Oddantonio, commences the proper subject of these volumes, but we are met by a preliminary difficulty as to his birth and parentage, which has b...

The mediæval history of Italy is too frequently traced in characters of blood, and the period which we have now reached, although generally regarded as one of comparative tranqu...

Italy ill prepared for the French Invasion--Duke Guidobaldo sent against the Orsini--Lucrezia Borgia's second marriage--Descent of Charles VIII.--He reaches Naples and retreats-...

In the life of Duke Federigo we have seen personal merit accompanied by a remarkable continuance of good fortune. The mystery of his birth was no bar to his enjoying unquestione...

From the mists of the dark ages which brooded over the mountains of Central Italy, there emerged a race who gradually spread their paltry highland holding over a broad and fair...

The French conquests in Lombardy having been achieved, Valentino now urged Louis to perform certain secret stipulations which had for their object his establishment in Romagna a...

Count Guidantonio found himself, on his succession, hampered by debts incurred in purchasing another ample investiture in vicariate from Boniface IX., which cost him 12,000 gold...

Count Federigo enters the Neapolitan service--His two campaigns in Tuscany--Fall of Constantinople--Peace of Lodi--Nicholas V.--The Count's fruitless attempt at reconciliation w...

The country which composed the DUCHY OF URBINO, and which nearly corresponds with the modern Legation of Urbino and Pesaro, is situated upon the eastern fall of Central Italy, b...

It was during the siege of Pesaro that Federigo heard of the horrible catastrophe, by which his brother Oddantonio, on the 22nd July, 1444, atoned the excesses of his brief sove...

The crimes and ambition of the Borgia--Murder of the Duke of Gandia--Duke Guidobaldo's expeditions against Perugia and Tuscany--He adopts Francesco Maria della Rovere as his hei...

The sparks of discord, though smothered, were still smouldering in many quarters. Sixtus, whose restless ambition was stirred by schemes of nepotism for his unscrupulous nephew...

State of the papacy at the election of Alexander VI.--His election, character, and children--The aspect of Italy at the close of her golden age--The disputed succession of Naple...

The crimes and ambition of the Borgia--Murder of the Duke of Gandia--Duke Guidobaldo's expeditions against Perugia and Tuscany--He adopts Francesco Maria della Rovere as his hei...

Italy ill prepared for the French invasion--Duke Guidobaldo sent against the Orsini--Lucrezia Borgia's second marriage--Descent of Charles VIII.--He reaches Naples and retreats-...

Count Federigo enters the Neapolitan service--His two campaigns in Tuscany--Fall of Constantinople--Peace of Lodi--Nicholas V.--The Count's fruitless attempt at reconciliation w...