WeRead Powered by ReaderPub
Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume 1 (of 3) / Illustrating the Arms, Arts, and Literature of Italy, from 1440 To 1630. cover

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

Chapter 20: CHAPTER VII
Open in WeRead

About This Book

A detailed, well-researched narrative chronicles the dukes and courts of Urbino, blending political events, personal anecdotes, and art-historical investigation to portray regional life and patronage. The author traces ruling families, military episodes, diplomatic maneuvers, and courtly society while documenting the assemblage and taste of painters, collectors, and men of letters. Drawing on archival sources, the work alternates between measured historical reportage and discursive, literary digressions, offering portraits of individuals and institutions and an account of how arms, arts, and literature interacted to shape the cultural identity of a central Italian principality.

CHAPTER V

1444.July 22.Federigo accepted as successor of Duke Oddantonio in Urbino85
 Conditions imposed by the people86
 The state of Central Italy87
 Contemporary sketch of Federigo88
 Spite of Sigismondo Pandolfo89
 Sale of Pesaro and Fossombrone90
1445.March 16.Marriage of Alessandro Sforza, who becomes Lord of Pesaro91
 Mistakes of Sismondi91
 Francesco Sforza's breach with Filippo Maria Visconti and Sigismondo Malatesta91
June 22.He is supported by Federigo, and visits Urbino92
1446. His position at La Marca, which he loses92
April.Federigo excommunicated by Eugenius for adhering to Sforza93
 The fortune of war changes93
1447. Sforza is reconciled with the Duke of Milan94
Sept. 3.Sigismondo attacks Fossombrone95
Feb. 23.Death and character of Eugenius IV.95
 Death of the Duke of Milan96
1450. Succeeded by Francesco Sforza97
1447. Designs of Alfonso of Naples upon Tuscany97
1448.March.Opposed by Federigo for the Florentines98
 Sigismondo tricks Alfonso, and attacks Fossombrone98
Sept.Alfonso and Federigo return home99
1449. Sigismondo attempts to dupe Federigo, but is foiled99
1450. Federigo made Captain-general by the Duke of Milan100
June 29.Peace between Naples and Florence100
 Loses his eye in a tournament101

CHAPTER VI

1450. The peace of Italy threatened by new combinations102
 Federigo quits the service of Milan for that of Naples103
 The King employs him without exacting sureties103
1451. The Emperor Frederick III. comes to Italy, and is crowned at Rome103
1452. The Neapolitan campaign in Tuscany under Federigo and the Duke of Calabria103
1452-1453. Federigo goes to Naples, and returns in the spring104
1453. Attacked by malaria fever104
July 26.His letter to the Priors of Siena104
 Uninteresting conclusion of the war105
May 29.Fall of the Greek empire, and taking of Constantinople106
1454. Efforts of Nicholas V. for a general league against the Turks107
April 9.The peace of Lodi107
1455.Mar. 24.The death and character of Nicholas V.107
1454. Federigo's friendly visit to the King of Naples108
1455.Jan. 26.The King ratifies the league with an unfortunate reservation109
1457. Federigo takes measures for humbling Sigismondo109
April.Visits Florence, Bologna, Milan, and Mantua109
 His fruitless interview with Sigismondo at Modena110
June.He goes to Naples for assistance; many intrigues there110
 Death of his Countess Gentile111
Nov. 7.Asks a mortar-founder from Siena111
 He attacks Sigismondo112
1458.May 2.His despatch to the Priors of Siena112
July 1.Death of Alfonso of Naples113
Aug. 6.Death of Calixtus III.113
 Ambitious intrigues of Giacomo Piccinino, who seizes on part of the ecclesiastical territory114
 Federigo continued as Captain-general by Ferdinand of Naples115
 New disputes for the crown of Naples115
1459.May 27.Pius II. summons a European congress at Mantua116
 His mediation between Malatesta and the Count of Urbino116
June 21.His letter to Federigo117
 His award in favour of Federigo119

CHAPTER VII

  Federigo's domestic life120
1454. His sons Buonconte and Antonio legitimated120
1458.Oct.Buonconte dies at Naples of plague120
 Death of another son, Bernardino120
1459. Count Federigo's marriage to Battista Sforza proposed121
 Errors of Sismondi regarding her (note)121
 Her education and accomplishments121
Nov.Her betrothal at Pesaro122
1460.Feb. 10.Her marriage celebrated at Urbino122
 Giovanni Sanzi's description of her122
1459. New wars in Italy interrupt the long-proposed Turkish crusade123
 Unpopularity of Ferdinand of Naples123
 State of the Angevine claimants to that crown123
1458.May 11.Jean Duke of Calabria made Seigneur of Genoa123
1459. Supported in his designs upon Naples by France, Genoa, and Florence124
 Opposed by Pius II. and the Duke of Milan, who adhere to the Italian league124
Oct. 4.The Duke of Calabria sails from Genoa to invade Naples124
1460. Venice and Florence become neutral124
 Giacopo Piccinino deserts to the Angevines125
Mar. 30.Evades Federigo and reaches the Abruzzi125
April.The confederates follow him thither125
July 7.Ferdinand is beaten at Sarno125
 Armies of the League and of Piccinino meet at San Fabbiano126
 Tournament before the battle126
 Accident to the Count of Urbino126
July 22.Battle of San Fabbiano127
Mistakes as to the date of it (note)127
Aug. 2.The confederates retreat128
 Anecdote of Count Federigo129
 Ferdinand saved by his Queen's intercession130
 Count Federigo re-engaged by Pius II.130
Oct.Rome threatened by Piccinino130
Dec.Count Federigo goes to Rome for Christmas131
1461. Sigismondo Malatesta put on trial131
1462.Apr. 14.Burned and excommunicated132
1461.June.Count Federigo crosses the Apennines132
July.His conversation with Pius II. on ancient history133
Oct.He reduces Aquila and Sora133
Is complimented by Pius II.134
1461-1462. Visits Rome and Naples134
1461.Mar.Angevine prepossessions of the Genoese changed by a revolution135
July 17.Total defeat of King René there135
 George Scanderbeg supports Ferdinand135
1462. Sigismondo Malatesta's force augmented135
Aug.Count Federigo hurries into La Marca to meet him136
12.Overthrows him at the Cesano, near Sinigaglia137
Rejects his offers of friendship137
Oct. 6.His conduct approved by Pius II.138
Nov. 3.Made lieutenant-general of the ecclesiastical forces139
Sept. 20.Mondavio capitulates to him; the miseries of war139
Oct. 22Giovanni Malatesta taken prisoner at Montefiori, and liberated by him140
31.He obtains Verucchio by a dishonourable trick, and winters there140
Aug. 18.Piccinino defeated at Troia141
Sept. 13.The Prince of Tarento deserts the Angevines141
1463.Aug.Piccinino follows his example141
1464. The Duke of Calabria finally quits Italy141
1463.July.Fano besieged by Count Federigo142
Sept. 28.It is surrendered by Roberto Malatesta143
His generosity to Sigismondo's family143
The satisfaction of Pius143
Oct. 5-25.Sinigaglia and Gradara surrender to Federigo144
Venice mediates in behalf of Sigismondo144
He humbles himself to the Pope, and is absolved145
Nov. 1.Peace with the Malatesta, giving the Count an accession of territory146

CHAPTER VIII

1463-1464. The home administration of Federigo147
 Scantily illustrated by his biographers147
 His court and establishment150
 Its hospitalities152
1454. A new palace begun at Urbino154
1463-1464. Its appearance154
 Designed by Luziano Lauranna155
 Federigo's patent in his favour156
 And continued by Baccio Pontelli157
 Who makes a plan of it for Lorenzo de' Medici157
 Fallacy regarding Francesco di Giorgio158
 His frieze of trophies and pompous inscription158
 Description of the palace, and view from it159
 Its decorations in stone and intarsia160
 Fallacy as to its museum of art161
 The saloons for books and manuscripts162
 State of bibliography at this period163
 Federigo a collector of manuscripts164
 Attested by Sanzi and Vespasiano164
 Regulations of his library167
 Notice of its librarians168
 Its extent and cost168
 The stable-range built by Francesco di Giorgio169
 Cost of the palace170
 Anecdote of its foundation170
 Churches founded by Federigo171
 Description of his palace at Gubbio171
 His other residences174
 The extent and resources of his state175

CHAPTER IX

1464.Aug.The projected crusade abandoned177
14.Death of Pius II.; succeeded by Paul II.177
Sanzi's lines on his death178
Sept. 28.Count Federigo made Gonfaloniere of the Church179
Explanation of that title (note)179
Oct. 24.Returns to Urbino after visiting Naples179
1465.July.His expedition against Anguillera179
Nov. 20.Death of Malatesta Novello of Cesena180
1466.Jan.His state annexed to the Church by Count Federigo180
Mar. 8.Death of Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan180
Count Federigo goes to Milan181
June 6.Is reappointed captain-general by Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza181
Returns home181
 The protracted tranquillity and glory of Italy182
1465.July 12.Murder of Giacomo Piccinino at Naples183
1464.Aug. 1.Death of Cosimo de' Medici, Pater patriæ184
1464-1466. State of parties in Florence184
1466-1467. The exiles engage Colleoni to invade Tuscany185
1467.May 15.Federigo's honourable condotta by the League185
July 25.Battle of La Molinella in the Bolognese, where field artillery was first used187
Giovanni della Rovere distinguishes himself187
1468. Federigo visits the Duke of Milan190
June.Sent by him to meet his bride at Genoa190
July.Returns home190
Sept.Recalled to Milan190
Oct.Presented by him with a palace in that city190
Nov.Reduces Brisella190
1469.Jan.Commissioned by him to wait upon the Emperor190
March 1.Returns home190
1468.Oct. 9.Death of Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta191
 His character and tastes191
 His service in the Morea194
 Pretensions of his son Roberto on Rimini195
 The Pontiff outwitted by him195
1469. Rimini besieged by Alessandro Sforza196
Aug. 30.Great victory of Federigo near Rimini199
His generosity200
Nov.Roberto regains his father's state201
1470. Federigo in high favour with Galeazzo Maria200
 Rupture of the League from foolish jealousies200
1469.Dec. 3.Death of Pietro de' Medici201
1470.Dec. 22.The League renewed201
July 7.Federigo's letters to the Signory of Siena201
1471. 28.Death of Paul II.202
 Roberto Malatesta invested with Rimini203
1472.Mar. 28.Marries Princess Elisabetta of Urbino203
April.Note as to his title of Magnificent203
1471. Federigo attends the coronation of Sixtus IV.203
 Entertains the Persian envoys at Urbino204
1472. Entertains Cardinal Pietro Riario at Gubbio205

CHAPTER X

1472.Jan. 24.His son Guidobaldo born at Gubbio207
June 18.Captures Volterra; its sack211
Misstatements regarding his great MS. Hebrew Bible212
His triumphant welcome at Florence212
His fortunate position213
July 6.The death of his Countess Battista214
His letters on that event214
Notice of her life and character216
Her portrait218
Aug. 17.Her obsequies219
1472-1474. Federigo at home219
1474.Aug. 20.He goes to Rome220
21.Is invested with the ducal dignity220
And is made Gonfaloniere of the Church221
Obtains the Golden Rose221
The marriage of his daughters Giovanna and Agnesina222
Sept. 11.Is invested with the order of the Ermine at Naples223
And with that of the Garter at Grottoferrata224
 Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere sent against Città di Castello225
Nov. 2.A new league225
 Federigo's patronage of learned men225
1475. Books dedicated to him227
 Curious letter to him from the Priors of Arezzo228
 Testimony of Vespasiano231
 And of Giovanni Sanzi231

CHAPTER XI

1476.Dec. 26.Assassination of Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza234
 His character by Sanzi235
1477.Jan.Federigo prepares to march upon Milan, but attacks Montone236
1473. Count Girolamo Riario invested with Forlì and Imola236
 He is betrothed to Caterina Sforza236
 Her education and character237
1477. Their marriage237
 The friendship of Sixtus for Lorenzo de' Medici soon interrupted237
 Revolutions in Florence usually sprang from family feuds239
 Origin of the Pazzi conspiracy239
1478.April 26.It explodes; Giuliano assassinated240
 Italian conspiracies and politics241
 The Pope is compromised242
 Lorenzo appeals to his fellow citizens243
 The parties to a new war in Tuscany243
 The Duke's letter to an astrologer244
 The campaign narrated by Federigo245
 He breaks his leg247
Dec. 23.He goes to the baths of Petriolo247
1479.May 23.He leaves Petriolo247
 Defection of Roberto Malatesta247
 The Florentines successful at Thrasimene, but worsted in the Val d'Elsa247
Nov. 12.Colle surrenders248
Its siege painted on a bicherna (note)248
 State of the Italian artillery248
 Notices of it by Duke Federigo249
Nov. 20.He goes to Siena and receives a donative251
27.A truce for three months251
 The unfortunate position of Florence, and disorganisation of its army251
Dec. 6.Lorenzo de' Medici goes to Naples to negotiate a treaty252
1480.Mar. 25.Peace proclaimed252
Dec.Humiliation of the Florentines before Sixtus253
1479-1480. Intrigues of the Duke of Calabria at Siena253
 Federigo winters at the baths of Viterbo253
 He receives the Sword and Hat253
1480.May 19.His letter to the magistrates at Siena254
 He returns home254
 Count Girolamo takes possession of Forlì254
 Description of his Countess255
1474-1479. Progress of the Turks in Europe256
1480.Aug. 11.They take Otranto by concert with the Venetians257
 Consequent panic in Italy, and new combinations of its powers257
 Federigo summoned by Ferdinand, but detained by Sixtus257
1481.May 3.Death of Sultan Mahomet257
Aug. 10.Otranto recovered from the Turks257