Syphilis, sex and fear how the french disease conquered the. Lucrezia borgia duchess of ferrara died on tuesday, june 24, 1519. The facts about lucrezia s scandalous life as the bastard daughter of pope alexander vi are welldocumented. Lucrezia borgia was the third child of cardinal rodrigo borgia and his favourite mistress, vannozza dei cattanei.
Lucrezia borgia was the daughter of pope alexander vi and vannozza dei cattanei. Lucrezia borgia, born april 18, 1480, romedied june 24, 1519, ferrara, papal states, italian noblewoman and a central figure of the. She died ten days after delivering her eighth child, isabella maria deste on june 14, 1519. The origins of the borgia incest myth the borgia bull.
She died after giving birth to her last child, who was a stillborn girl, on 14th june, 1519. Lucrezia borgia april 18, 1480june 24, 1519 was the illegitimate daughter of pope alexander vi rodrigo borgia by one of his mistresses. Lucrezias new husband was initially hesitant because of the borgia reputation. However, it seems that logic says something different although. Lucrezia borgia was born on 18 april 1480 at subiaco, near rome. Francis borgia 15101572, a greatgrandson of rodrigo, was canonized. The illegitimate daughter of a pope and his mistress, lucrezia borgia was a famous beauty, notorious for the suspicious deaths and political intrigue that swirled around her and her family. Her brothers included cesare borgia, giovanni borgia, and gioffre borgia. At her birth, her father consulted an astrologer who foretold of a remarkable future. Lucrezia borgia and her scintillating sex scandals the.
Cantarella was the poison of choice for the borgia family. Daughter of pope alexander vi and sister of cesare, she is often accused of sharing in their many crimes and excesses but was more likely just an instrument for their ambitious projects. The news of his death also spreads to the ears of della rovere, alessandro, vannozza, and giulia. Biography of lucrezia borgia, italian noblewoman thoughtco. Jean dalbret demanded that the body of his commander and brotherinlaw to be taken to the church of santa maria of viana and put in a tomb in the front of the high altar. J meyer has presented some very interesting arguments over the paternity of cesare, lucrezia and juan borgia. Lucrezia borgia biography life, family, children, history, mother.
Lucrezia borgia, duchess of ferrara, was the daughter of alexander vi, the future pope and she had married thrice into famous families that helped her own family to have a flourishing political career. Regardless, lucrezia borgia had overcome many scandals and survived the fall of the borgia family that occurred with alexander vis death in august 1503. Lucrezia borgia biography life, family, children, history. He married sancha of aragon, daughter of alfonso ii of naples, obtaining as her dowry both the principality of squillace 1494 and the duchy of alvito 1497. The illegitimate daughter of a pope and his mistress, lucrezia borgia was a. Lucrezias body thickened as the years passed by as she aged prematurely. Jun 01, 2019 lucrezia borgia was the third child of cardinal rodrigo borgia and his favourite mistress, vannozza dei cattanei. Lucrezia borgia facts, bio, family, life, info sticky.
The borgias concluded with the prince, but did it leave you. At the age of, her father arranged a marriage between her and giovanni sforza, who cheated on her on a regular basis. Heres a post i wrote a while ago, and am now reposting, about his downfall and death. The family produced many other persons of lesser importance. When alexander vi died in 1503, lucrezia ceased to play a political role and led a more normal life at the brilliant court of ferrara, which became a centre for the arts and letters of the italian renaissance. Mar 12, 2016 today in 1507, cesare borgia died outside the walls of viana in spain.
The poisonous exploits of lucrezia borgia were mythologized by french author victor hugo in his 1833 play lucrezia borgia. This was slander on the part of the many people who didnt like the way pope alexander vi was running the catholic church. She was respected, and her court was filled with poets and artists. In 1503, pope alexander died again suspicion was never far away. He was considered the handsomest man in italy, there were inevitably rumours of incest with his sister lucrezia and he had syphilis from his early twenties. Another betrayal whose victim was cesare borgia in august 1504, the former captain general of the church left the italian soil for good. Charles viii was king of france, and the leader of one of the most powerful armies in europe. The death of pope alexander vi, 1503 eyewitness to history. Slowly, the rumors about lucrezia ceased, and she went on to have eight children with her husband, sadly, only four reached adulthood. Lucrezia had two older brothers, giovanni juan and cesare. Born as rodrigo borgia in spain in 1431, he was elected pope in 1492, an event that spawned rumors that he had spent a considerable fortune bribing the appropriate cardinals to assure his success. Lucrezia borgia was born and raised in a monastery within the vatican, where she acquired considerable knowledge about art and literature. Many of the allegedly poisoned cardinals were not alexanders enemies but. Cesare borgia, if indeed the bones do belong to him, was reburied in front of the main door of the church of santa maria.
Lucrezia borgia died on june 24, 1519 at the age of 39. Dec 03, 2019 lucrezia borgia was an italian noblewoman and daughter of pope alexander vi. In the summer of 1497, he was a 22yearold cardinal, sent as. The borgias were widely condemned and vilified in renaissance italy because of their spanish heritage. Apr 14, 2020 lucrezia borgia, italian noblewoman and a central figure of the infamous borgia family of the italian renaissance. The borgia myth is still very powerful to this day.
The renaissance political figure died on 12 march 1507. Lucrezia borgia simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. A portrait of the bloody dynasty that spawned a pope, alexander vi, as well as the role model for machiavellis the prince, his son cesare borgia, and a legend of femme duplicity, daughter lucrezia borgia. The downfall and the death of cesare borgia els borja. Lucrezia borgia died after complications with giving birth to her eighth child for the duke of ferra. Apr 29, 20 in last nights episode of the showtime series the borgias, characters and siblings cesare and lucrezia borgia give into desire and take their special kind of brothersister love to a dangerous. King louis xii of france gave him the title duke of valentinois. The borgia family gained great amounts of land in the papal states, which were now concentrated in the hands of one family more than ever before, and lucrezia was packed off to marry alfonso deste to secure a flank of cesares conquests. Lucrezia is a beautiful, intelligent young lady, with a sharp mind and charming personality. She had three political marriages, arranged for her familys advantage, and likely had several adulterous alliances. Lucrezia borgia, duchess of ferrara, earned a reputation as a political schemer. Painting by john collier, a glass of wine with caesar borgia, from left.
The details about lucrezia as a woman, however, are left out of the history books. Lucrezia 14801519 with whom the pope was reputed to have slept was cast not only as a whore, but also as a poisoner, a murderer, and a witch. In last nights episode of the showtime series the borgias, characters and siblings cesare and lucrezia borgia give into desire and take their special kind of brothersister love to a dangerous. In the first, he was recognized as cesares child from an affair before his. Lucrezia borgia, duchess of ferrara 1480 1519 genealogy. Alleged portrait of cesare borgia by altobello melone. Lucrezia borgia was a spanishitalian noblewoman of the house of borgia who was the. She was born into one of the most wellknown families in world history. She was likely poisoned by her husband, the duke of ferrara. Recently i have come across more and more people shipping cesare and lucrezia borgia. Gioffre borgia 14821516, son of pope alexander vi and younger brother of cesare borgia and lucrezia borgia. The borgias concluded with the prince, but did it leave.
It has long been accepted that rodrigo borgia, pope alexander vi, was their father and legitimised them after he became pope. King of france and commander of one of the most feared armies in europe, he claimed the throne of naples, and was enticed by cardinal della rovere to pursue those claims, in return for deposing pope alexander. He was made archbishop of valencia 1492 and cardinal 1493. Cesare and lucrezia borgia, a play by robert lalonde. To do so, she seduces any influential man with the help of her perverse circle and lead them in a spiral of lust and scheme.
Lucrezia borgia was born during italys renaissance period 201520, a time when artists, architects, and scientists rose to world appreciation. What was the borgias contribution to renaissance italy. Lucrezia borgia died in ferrara on 24 june 1519 from complications after giving birth to her eighth child. A notorious reputation precedes her, and she is inextricably, and perhaps unfairly, linked to the crimes and debauchery. Jun 14, 2018 born on april 18 1480, lucrezia borgia was the daugher of cardinal rodrigo borgia and his mistress, vannozza giovanna dei cattani. Christened cesare, which would give him the welcome opportunity to take aut caesar aut nihil either caesar or nothing as his motto, he was one of the illegitimate sons of pope alexander vi by vanozza catanei. Lucrezia is the third child and only daughter of rodrigo borgia and vanozza cattaneo. Insecure about his height, looks and faith, he was charmed by lucrezia borgia on his way to. Lucrezias family was typical of the ruthless machiavellian politics and sexual corruption of the. He was an aggressive and calculating italian military leader, illegitimate son of pope alexander vi, and brother of lucrezia borgia, gioffre borgia and giovanni borgia. Thats fine, do whatever you want but when these people insist that they ship these characters because its historically accurate. Its entertaining to watch, but hard for lucrezias reputation to come back from. Sep 10, 2019 when alexander went south to oversee the division of land, lucrezia was left behind in rome as regent. Mar 17, 2015 the borgia men already wanted to cut out a chunk of italy for their own dynasty.
Did cesare borgia and lucrezia borgia have an affair. The borgia men already wanted to cut out a chunk of italy for their own dynasty. Through strategy and deception, the borgias convinced charles the best course was to bypass rome and return to france. The fourth member has become a metaphor for feminine evil. While still in naples, charles made alliance with the popes enemies, the sforzas, and marched on rome seeking revenge against the borgias. In 1501, two papal bulls were issued concerning the child, giovanni borgia. However, lucreiza knew that paolo was illiterate, thus proving that he was murdered. Born in 1480, her name and that of her family would be vilified down the centuries. The couple soon moved out of rome to ferrara, escaping the endless scheming of her father and brother.
Her father doted on his children but had a special bond with his only daughter. The painting represents the popular view of the treacherous nature of the borgias the implication being that the young man cannot be sure that the wine is not poisoned. She is the sister of cesare borgia, juan borgia and. Vinci were innovating their way into history, the borgia legacy, conversely. However, when he gets there he is killed by lucrezias brother juan. Lucrezia s family was typical of the ruthless machiavellian politics and. She is the sister of cesare borgia, juan borgia and joffre borgia, and the mother of giovanni borgia. Lucrezia borgia died in 1519, at the age of 39, after a difficult childbirth. He recieves a catholic funeral and lucrezia is able to say goodbye.
She is portrayed by holliday grainger, and makes her debut in the series premiere. If you wanted to be pope or stay pope in the 1400s, there was only one way to do it. She is a sister to cesare borgia, juan borgia, and joffre borgia, and, later on, the mother of giovanni borgia. Lucrezia borgia was born into the renaissance world of italy.
Another, cesare borgia, was, for a time, a cardinal, elevated to that position by his acknowledged father, alexander vi, and later, after leaving holy orders, a murderous and ruthless duke. H istory doesnt recount who gave cesare borgia syphilis, but we do know when and where he got it. There is zero evidence to indicate cesare and lucrezia borgia had an incestuous relationship. In 1505 her husband became a duke and lucrezia a duchess.
Lucrezia borgia was a coldhearted bitch, according to author john faunce. Lucrezia borgia biography childhood, life achievements. There were whispers that he had been poisoned accidentally by cesare as. She suffered from a strange fever that took much of her strength and finally took her last breath at the age of 39, ten days later. After alfonsos death, lucrezias father arranged for her to be married to alfonso deste, duke of ferrara, in early 1502. Lucrezia borgia, duchess of ferrara facts biography. Cesare borgia, lucrezia, pope alexander, and a young man holding an empty glass. Lucrezia borgia facts, bio, family, life, info sticky facts.
Lust, jealousy, poison, and murder posted on november 10, 2014 february 6, 2017 by kim seabrook to the french novelist victor hugo she was the most hideous, the most repulsive, and the most complete moral deformity, and lucrezia borgia remains even to this day one of the most vilified women in history. Lucrezia borgia was an italian noblewoman and daughter of pope. This text depicts lucrezia as a powerhungry woman who schemes, strangles, and even poisons communion wafers on her bloody path to glory. The borgias came from spain originally and the most famous of them died there, killed at the age of 31 in a minor skirmish by attackers who did not even know who he was. This is seen in the bestknown female borgia, lucrezia, often portrayed as a vicious poisoner and schemer, but she was nothing like her image. In 1503, rodrigo died, along with many of cesares plans. On june 14, 1519, while giving birth to a stillborn girl dead upon birth, she developed a fever that caused her to lose much of her strength. May 17, 20 h istory doesnt recount who gave cesare borgia syphilis, but we do know when and where he got it. Lucrezia borgia 18 april 1480 24 june 1519 was the daughter of pope alexander vi, and his longterm mistress vannozza dei cattanei. Lucrezia borgia is the only daughter to rodrigo borgia and vanozza dei cattenei. Syphilis, sex and fear how the french disease conquered. Aug 08, 2017 perhaps you know it, perhaps you dont, but im a huge fan of the borgias too, and i wanted to do a little video about lucrezia who is my fav character, i love the way she show how badass she can.
Who were the suspects in the murder of giovanni juan borgia. Rodrigo, as pope alexander vi, threatened to depose ercole if he did not consent to the marriage. This portrait, by bartolomeo veneto, is believed to have been painted in 1520 after lucrezia died. In the summer of 1497, he was a 22yearold cardinal, sent as papal legate by his father, pope. Cesare borgia had died on spanish ground, at thirtyone years old. Agapito visits lucrezia to tell her of her brothers unfortunate fate. Juan tried to make the death look like a suicide with a suicide note. For about a month her symptoms had been fever, severe weight loss, constant coughing and a permanently bleeding nose. Who were the suspects in the murder of giovanni juan. He sired at least twelve children through a number of mistresses. After the death of her husband, countess lucrezia borgia seeks to become the first lady of the kingdom. Lucrezia borgia, italian noblewoman and a central figure of the infamous borgia family of the italian renaissance. Lucrezia borgia is a main character in the first, second and third seasons.
Lucrezia borgia was the illegitimate daughter of pope alexander vi. Borgia was born into a greedy and vicious family and many believe she was equally ambitious and ruthless. She turned to religion in her last years and died at the age of 39. After his brothers murder 1497, he took command of the papal armies. Many historians view lucrezia borgia as a political pawn whose marriages were used for her familys political gains. Lucrezia borgia simple english wikipedia, the free. Above his grave lies a simple slab reading cesar borgia, generalisimo of the navarrese and pontifical armies died in the fields of viana 12 march 1507. He was under the command of ferdinand of spain, popes ally.
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