ABOUT FACTS NET History

Borgia

Almost everyone is fascinated with the intrigue and politics that took place in the houses of the nobles in the middle ages and later, and where better to look for intrigue than in the homes of the Borgias and politics in the homes of the Medicis. So much went on, that even we are astounded at some of their deeds. Lets take Lucrezia Borgia for example. She was the daughter of Pope Alexander VI. That was a bad start in itself, after all what is the pope doing with a daughter? She was married to Giovanni Sforza in 1497. The marriage was annulled, and why not, she had some great contacts? She then married the illegitimate son of Alfonso II of Naples but the poor guy was killed by her brother in 1500. So much for the second marriage. She then married Alfonso d'Este and she became a duchess when he ascended to duke in 1505. Of course we all know the rumors of her poisonings but these have never been proved and are said to be false by many historians.

There is a story about Rodrigo Borgia, who was Pope Alexander VI at the time. It says that one day while he was on one of the balconies at the Vatican, he had the papal guard escort some prisoners into the center of St. Peter's Square. The were all shackled at the wrists. The pope wore black, at his side was his daughter Lucrezia and at an open window located nearby was Cesare Borgia and his servant. Everyone was dressed in black. The prisoners didn't know what to expect until a shot rang out from the location of Cesare and one of the prisoners hit the ground. Every time Cesare would shoot a prisoner his servant would hand him a freshly loaded gun until all the prisoners lay dead in the square. When the shooting was over, the story goes on to say that his father complemented him on his fine marksmanship.

Originally the Borgas were from Spain. Actually Rodrigo Borgia was born in Xafiva, Spain. His favorite son was Cesare who was illegitimate. Cesare had murdered his own brother, Juan. Sort of reminds you of the Godfather movies, doesn't it? Cesare was big in art theft and stole so much art that it would have been priceless today but even then was worth well over a million dollars. Cesare was also the captain general of the church. Some how these evil people weaseled their way into the church and rose to the top. The great grandson of of Rodrigo Borgia was canonized and became a saint, he was Francis Borgia, he wasn't born in Italy but in Spain. A cousin of Rodrigo Borga became pope on 8 April, 1455, he was Callixtus III.

A quote from Orson Welles on the Borgas was "In Italy for thirty years under the Borgias they had warfare, terror, murder and bloodshed but they produced Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and the Renaissance. In Switzerland, they had brotherly love; they had five hundred years of democracy and peace and what did that produce? The cuckoo clock."

Medici

Catherine de Medicis
Picture Source: Clipart.com

The Borgas were not the only famous family in Italy, there was another one that was almost as well known and it's name was Medici. They were native born Italians and could be traced back hundreds of years in that area, they lived in Florence. But the Medicis were not nobility. They became very rich by getting into banking and commerce, then they became very influential. By the end of the 13th century a Medici was the standard bearer for Florence. In the 14th century Salvestro de Medici led a revolt and became dictator of Florence only to be deposed and banished due to his extreme cruelty. Things weren't too good for the Medicis after that until Giovanni di Bicci de Medici became the wealthiest person in Italy. His son Cosimo became the uncrowned ruler of Florence and stayed in that position for the rest of his life.

He was extremely charitable. He lived very simply. Because of his love of the arts, he accumulated the largest library in Europe. He supported many artists such as Donatello, Brunelleschi and Ucello, among others. He turned Florence into the cultural center of Europe. His son Piero continued the tradition.

Unfortunately this tradition of kindness and enlightenment was to come to an end. His grandchildren Lorenzo and Giuliano were dictators of the worst kind. They were attacked and Giuliano was killed and Lorenzo wounded. Lorenzo called himself, Lorenzo the Magnificent. He didn't have a problem did he? The people began to despise him but Florence had now surpassed itself and had people like Boticelli, Michelangelo and other super famous people living there. After Lorenzo, another Medici ruled Florence, he was Piero Medici, son of Lorenzo. But he only lasted 2 years until the invading French forced him out. Then it happened, the Spanish beat the French and invited the Medicis back and Piero's younger brother Giuliano became a prince. The Prince's son Lorenzo was now a Duke, The Duke of Urbino and Pope Leo X was a Medici, he was the son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Pope Clement VII was the son of Giulano who was the brother of Lorenzo the Magnificent.

It was amazing how the Medicis were now in control of not only Florence but a good part of Italy and they were very powerful in the church. In 1519 one of the strongest Medicis was born, he was also named Cosimo. He became the ruler of Florence at 18 years old and consolidated all his power. He made Tuscany a nation. The language of Tuscany became the modern day Italian language. He became the Grand Duke of Tuscany also. The rule was passed along to his son, then to his younger brother Ferdinand who was a Cardinal at the age of only 15 years old. The Cardinal also became the Grand Duke.

One of the most amazing things is that this family was the dominant political family in florence for over 250 years. It is the equivalent of this country having elected the first president then still electing people from his family as president, to the present day. But of course there were no elections in Florence.

Cosimo's son Frencesco I ruled for awhile, then Ferdinand, the younger brother took over in 1587. He married Christina of Lorraine who was the grand daughter of Catherine de Medici, Queen of France. Ferdinand appointed Galileo as a professor of mathematics at the university in Pisa. Galileo wrote his famous letter on science to Catherine de Medici. Ferdinand had 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls. In 1609 Ferdinand died and his oldest son, Cosimo II took the throne. He offered his math tutor, Galileo a position at the court in 1610. Cosimo's son, Ferdinand II became Grand Duke at 10 years old. In later years Galileo was sought by the Inquisition and Ferdanand II was too weak to protect him.

Guan-Gastone never had a male heir and she was the last of the Medicis. Medicis had married some of the most famous monarchs in Europe including Henry II, King of France, Henry IV, King of France, and some became queens in Spain and England.

More Medicis became the rulers of Florence and Tuscany but the economies were slipping in both places.

Caterina Maria Romola di Lorenzo de' Medici became the Queen of France and was famous for her skills at poisoning. She became known as Catherine de Medicis. She was the daughter of Lorenzo II de Medici.