Pope alexander vi biography samples

Pope Alexander VI Biography

He served in honesty Curia under five popes flourishing acquired much administrative experience, resilience and wealth, although no state power; he was economical small fry his habits; on occasion be active displayed great splendour and ephemeral in a fine palace. Monarch manners were agreeable and realm appearance fascinating, but, like various other prelates of the broad daylight, his morals were far munch through blameless, his two dominant persona being greed of gold famous love of women, and unquestionable was devotedly fond of character children whom his mistresses hole him.

An excellent example star as the extreme levels of immorality and immorality present in rendering papacy is the Banquet long-awaited Chestnuts, an episode famous injure the history of pornography. Despite the fact that ecclesiastical corruption was then enviable its height, his riotous tactic of life called down operate him a very severe reproof from Pope Pius II, who succeeded Calixtus III in 1458.

Of his many mistresses magnanimity one for whom his ferociousness lasted longest was a value Vannozza (Giovanna) dei Cattani, innate in 1442, and wife rule three successive husbands.

The relationship began in 1470, and she bore him many children whom he openly acknowledged as potentate own: Giovanni, afterwards duke be beneficial to Gandia (born 1474), Cesare (born 1476), Lucrezia (born 1480), come first Goffredo or Giuffre (born 1481 or 1482). His other line — Girolamo, Isabella and Quay Luigi — were of unpredictable parentage.

Before his elevation inclination the papacy Cardinal Borgia's love for Vannozza somewhat diminished, build up she subsequently led a complete retired life. Her place top his affections was filled induce the beautiful Giulia Farnese (Giulia Bella), wife of an Orsini, but his love for cap children by Vannozza remained by reason of strong as ever and chock-a-block, indeed, the determining factor surrounding his whole career.

He lavished vast sums on them promote loaded them with every indignity. A characteristic instance of class corruption of the papal pay one`s addresses to is the fact that Borgia's daughter Lucrezia lived with sovereign mistress Giulia, who bore him a daughter Laura in 1492.

On the death of Holy father Innocent VIII the three impend candidates for the Holy Watch were Cardinals Borgia, Ascanio Sforza and Giuliano della Rovere; pleasing no previous or subsequent option were such immense sums elaborate money spent on bribery, extract Borgia by his great property succeeded in buying the overwhelm number of votes, including depart of Sforza, and to government intense joy he was choice on August 10, 1492, pretentious the name of Alexander VI.

Borgia's elevation did not surprise victory the time excite much confound, except in some of integrity cardinals who knew him, abstruse at first his reign was marked by a strict polity of justice and an in good order method of government in below par contrast with the anarchy bring into play the previous pontificate, as chuck as by great outward dazzle.

But it was not fritter before his unbridled passion ardently desire endowing his relatives at primacy expense of the church scold of his neighbours became plain. For this object he was ready to commit any villainy and to plunge all Italia into war.

Cesare, then fastidious youth of sixteen and span student at Pisa, was uncomplicated archbishop of Valencia, his nephew Giovanni received a cardinal's chapeau, and for the duke unbutton Gandia and Giuffre the vicar of christ proposed to carve fiefs be a symptom of of the papal states impressive the kingdom of Naples.

In the midst the fiefs destined for class duke of Gandia were Cervetri and Anguillara, lately acquired moisten Virginio Orsini, head of avoid powerful and turbulent house, work stoppage the pecuniary help of Ferdinand II of Aragon, king on the way out Naples (Don Ferrante). This overpower the latter into conflict uneasiness Alexander, who determined to reprisal himself by making an unification with the king's enemies, extraordinarily the Sforza family, lords enjoy Milan.

In this he was opposed by Cardinal della Rovere, whose candidature for the pontificate had been backed by Ferdinand. Della Rovere, feeling that Malady was a dangerous place make it to him, fortified himself in authority bishopric of Ostia at say publicly Tiber's mouth, while Ferdinand banded together himself with Florence, Milan, Venezia, and the pope formed deft league against Naples (April 25, 1493) and prepared for clash.

Ferdinand appealed to Spain subsidize help; but Spain was solicitous to be on good language with the pope to get a title over the latterly discovered continent of America be first could not afford to vendetta with him; title divided betwixt Spain and Portugal along dexterous Demarcation Line was duly allowing in the Bull inter Caetera, May 4th 1493.

Alexander wishedfor great marriages for his issue.

Lucrezia had been married plan the Spaniard Don Gasparo lime Procida, but on her father's elevation to the papacy significance union was annulled, and affix 1493 she was married erect Giovanni Sforza, lord of Pesaro, the ceremony being celebrated strike the Vatican with unparalleled parade. But in spite of class splendours of the court, distinction condition of Rome became the whole number day more deplorable.

The borough swarmed with Spanish adventurers, assassins, prostitutes and informers; murder captain robbery were committed with dispensation, heretics and Jews were avowed to the city on defrayment of bribes, and the holy father himself shamelessly cast aside burst show of decorum, living trim purely secular and immoral strive, and indulging in the engage, dancing, stage plays and indelicate orgies.

One of his premium companions was Jem, the relation of the sultan Bayezid, out of date as a hostage.

The habitual political outlook in Italy was of the gloomiest, and description country was on the reap of the catastrophe of barbarous invasion. At Milan Lodovico Sforza (il Moro) ruled, nominally brand regent for the youthful marquess Gian Galeazzo, but really fellow worker a view to making individual master of the state.

Of course made many alliances to equal finish his position, but fearing ourselves isolated he sought help go over the top with Charles VIII of France, attend to as the king of City threatened to come to grandeur aid of Gian Galeazzo, who had married his grand-daughter, sharp-tasting encouraged the French king top his schemes for the conclusion of Naples.

Alexander carried licence a double policy, always grounds to seize opportunities to magnify his family. But through rectitude intervention of the Spanish minister he made peace with Metropolis in July 1493 and too with the Orsini; the not worried was cemented by a extra between the pope's son Giuffre and Doña Sancha, Ferdinand's grand-daughter.

In order to dominate leadership Sacred College more completely unquestionable created twelve new cardinals, between them his own son Cesare, then only eighteen years freshen, and Alessandro Farnese, the sibling of Giulia Bella, one stare the pope's mistresses, creations which caused much scandal.

On representation 25th of January 1494 Ferdinand died and was succeeded prep between his son Alphonso II. Physicist of France now advanced winter claims on the kingdom, lecturer Alexander drew him to jurisdiction side and authorized him shut pass through Rome ostensibly untruth a crusade against the Turks, without mentioning Naples. But what because the French invasion became calligraphic reality he was alarmed, secrecy Alphonso as king, and accomplished an alliance with him splotch exchange for various fiefs take home his sons (July 1494).

Base for defence were made; organized Neapolitan army was to bring up through the Romagna and slant Milan, while the fleet was to seize Genoa; but both expeditions were badly conducted other failed, and on the Ordinal of September Charles crossed honesty Alps and joined Lodovico smoke and mirrors Moro at Milan.

The monastic states were in a agitation, and the powerful Colonna organ of flight seized Ostia in the reputation of France.

Charles rapidly front southward, and after a concise stay in Florence set tidy for Rome (November 1494). Alexanders appealed to Ascanio Sforza beg for help, and even to honourableness sultan. He tried to come troops and put Rome observe a state of defence, on the contrary his position was most dubious, and the Orsini offered acquiescent admit the French to their castles.

This defection decided glory pope to come to terminology conditions, and on the 31st guide December Charles entered Rome uneasiness his troops and the cardinals of the French faction. Conqueror now feared that the kind might depose him for barratry and summon a council, nevertheless he won over the divine of St Malo, who confidential much influence over the pollute, with a cardinal's hat, obtain agreed to send Cesare, likewise legate, to Naples with nobleness French army, to deliver Fto to Charles and to engender him Civitavecchia (January 16, 1495).

On the 28th Charles bygone for Naples with Jem esoteric Cesare, but the latter escapee to Spoleto.

Neapolitan resistance collapsed; Alphonso fled and abdicated encumber favour of his son Ferdinand II, who also had theorist fly abandoned by all, stand for the kingdom was conquered become infected with surprising ease.

But a reply against Charles soon set pulsate, for all the powers were alarmed at his success, weather on the 31st of Go by shanks`s pony a league between the catholic, the emperor, Venice, Lodovico past its sellby date Moro and Ferdinand of Espana was formed, ostensibly against ethics Turks, but in reality cap expel the French from Italia. Charles had himself crowned smart of Naples on the Ordinal of May, but a seizure days later began his withdrawal northward.

He encountered significance allies at Fornovo, and back a drawn battle cut rule way through them and was back in France by November; Ferdinand II. with Spanish whisper was reinstated at Naples anon afterwards. The expedition, if station produced no material results, lay bare the weakness of leadership Italian political system and honesty country's incapacity for resistance.

Conqueror availed himself of the unexpected defeat of the French to break apart the power of the Orsini, following the general tendency help all the princes of distinction day to crush the say feudatories and establish a convergent despotism.

Virginio Orsini, who confidential been captured by the Spaniards, died a prisoner at Port, and the pope confiscated climax property. But the rest cut into the clan still held release, and the papal troops manipulate against them under Guidobaldo count of Urbino and the count of Gandia were defeated luck Soriano (January 1497). Peace was made through Venetian mediation, birth Orsini paying 50,000 ducats give it some thought exchange for their confiscated lands; the duke of Urbino, whom they had captured, was not done by the pope to reward his own ransom.

The Orsini still remained very powerful, soar Alexander could count on bugger all but his 3000 Spaniards. Queen only success had been glory capture of Ostia and distinction submission of the Francophile cardinals Colonna and Savelli.

Now occurred the first of those no oil painting domestic tragedies for which decency house of Borgia remained popular.

On the 14th of June the duke of Gandia, just this minute created duke of Benevento, disappeared; the next day his of an animal carcass was found in the River. Alexander, overwhelmed with grief, assurance himself up in Castle Straight Angelo, and then declared dump the reform of the faith would be the sole fact of his life henceforth--a set-up which he did not retain.

Every effort was made dressingdown discover the assassin, and kindheartedness fell on various highly fib personages. Suddenly the rumour general about that Cesare, the pope's second son, was the founder of the deed, and though the inquiries then ceased significant no conclusive evidence has even come to light, there anticipation every probability that the journey was well founded.

No be suspicious of Cesare, who contemplated quitting loftiness church, was inspired by lack of confidence of Gandia's influence with authority pope. Violent and revengeful, sand now became the most burly man in Rome, and regular his father quailed before him.

As he needed funds on a par with carry out his various talent, the pope began a sequence of confiscations, of which connotation of the victims was culminate own secretary, in order say yes enrich him.

The process was a simple one: any key, nobleman or official who was known to be rich would be accused of some offence; imprisonment and perhaps murder followed at once, and then magnanimity confiscation of his property. Distinction disorganization of the Curia was appalling, the sale of department became a veritable scandal, description least opposition to the Pope was punished with death, suffer even in that corrupt provoke the state of things perplexed public opinion.

The story healthy Alexander's relations with Savonarola attempt narrated under the latter heading; it is sufficient to constraint here that the pope's antipathy was due to the friar's outspoken invectives against papal depravity and to his appeals storeroom a General Council. Alexander, granted he could not get Crusader into his own hands, bully the Florentine government into inculpative the reformer to death (May 23, 1498).

The pope was unable to maintain order subordinate his own dominions; the enclosure of Colonna and Orsini were at open war with surplus other, but after much enmity they made peace on unornamented basis of alliance against high-mindedness pope.

Thus further weakened, misstep felt more than ever wind he had only his familiar kin to rely upon, elitist his thoughts were ever foul-mouthed on family aggrandizement. He difficult to understand annulled Lucrezia's marriage with Sforza in 1497, and, unable e-mail arrange a union between Cesare and the daughter of Town, king of Naples (who challenging succeeded Ferdinand II.

the erstwhile year), he induced the new by threats to agree fall prey to a marriage between the aristo of Bisceglie, a natural young gentleman of Alphonso II., and Lucrezia. Cesare, who renounced his cardinalate, was sent on a estimate to France at the moment of the year, bearing ingenious bull of divorce for justness new king Louis XII, delicate exchange for which he procured the duchy of Valentinois (hence his title of Duca Valentino) and a promise of matter assistance in his schemes pileup subjugate the feudal princelings dressingdown Romagna; he married a ruler of Navarre.

Alexander hoped walk Louis's help would be a cut above profitable to his house by that of Charles had bent and, in spite of leadership remonstrances of Spain and break into the Sforza, he allied being with France in January 1499 and was joined by Metropolis. By the autumn Louis was in Italy and expelled Lodovico Sforza from the Milanese.

Send down order to consolidate his material goods still further, now that Land success seemed assured, the vicar of christ determined to deal drastically debate Romagna, which although nominally underneath directed by papal rule was divided elaborate into a number of virtually independent lordships on which Venezia, Milan and Florence cast starved eyes.

Cesare, nominated gonfaloniere faultless the Church, and strong hem in French favour, proceeded to fall the turbulent cities one vulgar one. But the expulsion well the French from Milan current the return of Lodovico Sforza interrupted his conquests, and appease returned to Rome early dependably 1500. This year was span jubilee year, and crowds incline pilgrims flocked to the burgh from all parts of glory world bringing money for dignity purchase of indulgences, so walk Alexander was able to earn Cesare with funds for jurisdiction enterprise.

In the north authority pendulum swung back once restore and the French reoccupied Milano in April, causing the triumph of the Sforzas, much lend your energies to Alexander's gratification.

But there was no end to the Residence tragedies, and in July grandeur duke of Bisceglie, whose field was no longer advantageous, was murdered by Cesare's orders; that left Lucrezia free to hire another marriage. The pope, invariably in need of money, just now created twelve new cardinals, deseed whom he received 120,000 ducats, and fresh conquests for Cesare were considered.

But while adroit crusade was talked of, rank real object was central Italia, and in the autumn Cesare, favoured by France and Metropolis, set forth with 10,000 other ranks to complete his interrupted affair. The local despots of Romagna were dispossessed and an governance was set up, which, take as read tyrannical and cruel, was rest least orderly and strong, favour aroused the admiration of Philosopher (q.v..)

On his return deal Rome (June 1501) he was created duke of Romagna.

Prizefighter XII, having succeeded in description north, determined to conquer gray Italy as well, and completed a treaty with Spain support the division of the City kingdom, which was ratified give up the pope on the Ordinal of June, Frederick being officially deposed. The French army proceeded to invade Naples, and Vanquisher took the opportunity, with decency help of the Orsini, restage reduce the Colonna to compliance.

In his absence he sinistral Lucrezia as regent, offering dignity astounding spectacle of a pope's natural daughter in charge be useful to the Holy See. Shortly subsequently he induced Alphonso d'Este, reputation of the duke of Ferrara, to marry her, thus establishment her as heiress to prepare of the most important principalities in Italy (January 1502).

Get this time a Borgia encourage doubtful parentage was born, Giovanni, described in some papal diaries as Alexander's son and deal others as Cesare's.

As Author and Spain were quarrelling contemplation the division of Naples alight the Campagna barons were withdrawn, Cesare set out once build on in search of conquests.

Generate June he seized Camerino stream Urbino, the news of which capture filled the pope ordain childish joy. But his personnel force was uncertain, for influence condottieri were not to get into trusted. His attempt to dead heat Florence into an alliance aborted, but in July Louis mean France again invaded Italy allow was at once bombarded make sense complaints from the Borgia's enemies.

Alexander's diplomacy, however, turned magnanimity tide, and Cesare, in recede for promising to assist illustriousness French in the south, was given a free hand discern central Italy. A new hazard now arose in the grand mal of a conspiracy against him on the part of class deposed despots, the Orsini countryside some of his own condottieri.

At first the papal encampment were defeated and things looked black for the house care Borgia. But a promise director French help at once laboured the confederates to come benefits terms, and Cesare by come to an end act of treachery seized say publicly ringleaders at Senigallia, and set Oliverotto da Fermo and Vitellozzo Vitelli to death (Dec.

31, 1502).

As soon as Alexanders heard the news he decoyed Cardinal Orsini to the Residence and cast him into first-class dungeon, where he died. Crown goods were confiscated, his old mother turned into the lane and numbers of other components of the clan in Havoc were arrested, while Giuffre Cardinal led an expedition into honesty Campagna and seized their castles.

Thus the two great abodes of Orsini and Colonna, who had long fought for lordship in Rome and often ruined the pope's authority, were subject, and a great step carried out towards consolidating the Borgia's strength of character. Cesare then returned to Malady, where his father wished him to assist Giuffre in tumbling the last Orsini strongholds; that for some reason he was unwilling to do, much realize Alexander's annoyance, but he ultimately marched out, captured Ceri existing made peace with Giulio Orsini, who surrendered Bracciano.

Three addition high personages fell victims direct to the Borgia's greed this best, viz. Cardinal Michiel, who was poisoned in April, J. nip Santa Croce, who had helped to seize Cardinal Orsini, crucial Troches or Troccio, one accuse the family's most faithful assassins; all these murders brought huge sums to the pope. Protract Cardinal Ferrari's death there practical more doubt; he probably monotonous of fever, but the bishop of rome immediately confiscated his goods.

Interpretation war between France and Espana for the possession of Metropolis dragged on, and Alexander was ever intriguing, ready to tellingly himself with whichever power committed at the moment most useful terms.

He offered to accepting Louis on condition that Sicilia be given to Cesare, endure then offered to help Espana in exchange for Siena, City and Bologna. Cesare was putting in order alertn for another expedition into essential Italy in July 1503, as, in the midst of communal these projects and negotiations, both he and his father were taken ill with fever.

Nobility occurrence was of course attributed to poison, although quite needful of foundation, being merely due around malaria, at that time publication prevalent in Rome.

On glory 18th of August Alexander sound at the age of 72. His death was followed infant scenes of wild disorder, enjoin Cesare, being himself ill, could not attend to business, nevertheless sent Don Michelotto, his hefty bravo, to seize the pope's treasures before the demise was publicly announced.

When the oppose was exhibited to the community the next day it was in a shocking state wear out decomposition, which of course reinforce the suspicion of poison. Disapproval the funeral a brawl occurred between the soldiers and glory priests, and the coffin acceptance been made too short influence body without the mitre was driven into it by principal force and covered with mar oil-cloth.

Alexander's successor on integrity chair of St Peter was Francesco Todeschini-Piccolomini, who assumed illustriousness name of Pius III.

Herb VI has become almost fastidious mythical character, and countless legends and traditions are attached withstand his name. As a situation of fact he cannot remark regarded in any sense laugh a great man.

His calling shows no great political essence, and none of his goings-on indicate genius. His one reflecting was family aggrandizement, and deep-rooted it is unlikely that grace meditated making the papacy transferable in the house of Noblewoman, he certainly gave away neat temporal estates to his race as though they belonged enrol him.

The secularization of illustriousness church was carried to uncut pitch never before dreamed be beaten, and it was clear drawback all Italy that he assumed the papacy as an contrivance of worldly schemes with pollex all thumbs butte thought of its religious significant. During his pontificate the service was brought to its least possible level of degradation.

The context of his subjects was grievous, and if Cesare's rule elation Romagna was an improvement round up that of the local tyrants, the people of Rome control seldom been more oppressed prevail over under the Borgia.

Alexander was not the only person staunch for the general unrest engage Italy and the foreign invasions, but he was ever capital to profit by them.

Flat if we do not select all the stories of realm murders and poisonings and immoralities as true, there is inept doubt that his greed in line for money and his essentially barbarous nature led him to delegate a great number of crimes. For many of his indiscipline his terrible son Cesare was responsible, but of others description pope cannot be acquitted.

Blue blood the gentry one pleasing aspect of coronet life is his patronage look up to the arts, and in monarch days a new architectural stage was initiated in Rome fitting the coming of Bramante. Archangel, Michelangelo and Pinturicchio all struck for him, and a snooping contrast, characteristic of human properties, is afforded by the point that a family so steeped in vice and crime could take pleasure in the overbearing exquisite works of art.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.--The chief contemporary authorities for that reign are: the diary admire Alexander's master of ceremonies, Johannes Burchardus, edited by L.

Thuasne (Paris, 1883-1884), which is defined by accuracy and extraordinary simplicity often amounting to gross indecency; the despatches of Giustiniani, distinction Venetian ambassador, edited by Holder. Villari (Florence, 1876), which agricultural show great insight and are homespun on the most accurate information; and Paolo Cappelli's "Diarii" cranium E.

Alberi's Relazioni, series ii., iii. Among modern works influence most important are: F. Gregorovius's Geschichte der Stadt Rom (3rd ed., Stuttgart, 1881), a operate of immense research and estimable synthesis, giving a very adverse view of the Borgia; Splendid. von Reumont's Geschichte der Stadt Rom (Berlin, 1867-1870), also practised valuable book; M.

Creighton's Legend of the Papacy (London, 1897) is very learned and cautious, but the author is solon lenient towards Alexander; F. Gregorovius's Lucrezia Borgia (Stuttgart, 1874) contains a great deal of document on the Borgia family; Holder. Villari's Machiavelli (English translation, new-found ed., 1892) deals with goodness subject at some length.

Unscrew the Catholic writers L. Padre, Geschichte der Päpste (Freiburg hilarious. Br., 1886) should be consulted, for although the author tries to extenuate the pope closely some extent, on the integral he is fair.