CHAPTER XXXII

1490. Mar. 25. Birth of Duke Francesco Maria I. 313

1501. Nov. 6. He succeeds to his father's state of Sinigaglia 313

" " He is carried to Urbino 313

1502. Apr. 24. Is made Prefect of Rome 313

" His early education and tastes 314

" His military propensities 314

" June 20. His escape from Cesare Borgia 315

1502. He is received at the court of France 315

1504. March. His return to Italy 315

" June 17. Restored at Sinigaglia 316

" Sep. 18. Invested as heir-apparent of Urbino 316

1505. Jan. Contracted in marriage to Leonora Gonzaga 316

1506. His first military service 316

1507. Oct. 6. Assassinates the paramour of his sister 317

1508. Apr. 14. He succeeds to the dukedom of Urbino 318

" " His constitutional concessions 319

" " 25. His summons to his new subjects to swear allegiance 319

" His judicious and conciliatory measures 320

" Origin of the League of Cambray 321

" Dec. 10. It is signed 322

" " The objects of this unnatural combination 322

" Oct. 4. Francesco Maria made captain-general of the ecclesiastical forces 323

1509. May. Elected a Knight of the Garter, but not confirmed by Henry VIII. 324

" Dec. 24. His marriage celebrated 324

The Duchess Leonora's psalter 324

" April. He takes the field against Venice 325

" May 4. Takes Brisghella 325

" Remarkable incident in his camp 325

" The Pope's partiality for the Cardinal of Pavia 326

" His character and intrigues against Francesco Maria 327

" His treachery 327

" May 14. The Venetians beaten at Vaila 328

" June 11. Rimini capitulates, and the campaign closes 329

" The Duke carries his bride to Rome 329

" He reconciles the Pope to Giuliano de' Medici 329

" The Pope changes sides 330

" Further treachery of the Cardinal of Pavia 330

1510. July. The Duke marches against Ferrara 331

" Sep. Julius II. takes the field 331

" His suspicions of the Cardinal 332

" The council of Pisa threatened 332

" His indomitable resolution 333