studies by the Pope; who being moved with the ambition of rising under
his Uncles Pontificat, came to _Rome_ without order; but the Pope no
sooner had notice of it, but he commanded (without being prevail’d upon
to see him) that he should instantly be carried back again upon a hackney
Horse; giving order to his Confessor, to tutor him sharply for being so
bold; and bidding him remember to take from his Uncle, an example of
modesty and temperance, and apply himself strongly to his study, and the
practise of vertue, which would advance him without help of his kindred,
or at least very little.
Many others of his kindred, even his Nephews, came from _Germany_ to
_Rome_, with a design to enrich their fortunes, as other Popes Relations
had done; but they soon found they had abus’d themselves, for the Pope,
angry at their journey, sent them all back, with no other Present, then
each of them a woollen Sute, and just as much money as would suffice to
bear their charges. Nay, even to one, who out of necessity was come a
foot, he refused to give any more then would just defray his expences on
foot back again. ’Tis true, that some Cardinals were very Noble to them.
This Pope was continually blaming the Prodigality of those who had
bestowed such great riches upon the Church. In the year that this Pope
liv’d, _Rome_ was so afflicted and visited with Warre, Famine, and
Plague, that it cannot be remembred without tears, and the people very
unjustly laid all the fault upon the Pope, all mouths being open to
clamour against him, and sing the Latin Verse:
_Semper de Sextis diruta Roma fuit_.
To _Adrian_ succeeded _Clement_ the Seventh of the Family of the
_Medici_, who conserving the wonted ambition of this Family encreased
their revenues and power with all his industry, insomuch that after he
had been imprison’d and extraordinarily ill us’d by the Emperour
_Charles_ the Fifth, he nevertheless entred into a confederacy with him,
upon condition that he should give his bastard Daughter _Margaret_ in
Marriage to _Alexander_ of _Medici_, _Lawrens_ his Son, and by force of
Arms oblige the _Florentines_ to acknowledge him for their Lawful Prince.
All this was accordingly executed, the Emperor having sent the Prince of
_Orange_ with a very great Army to settle the _Medici_ in their new
principality.
And _Clement_ not content with this; as soon as the Emperour was gone
into _Spain_, made a new league with _Francis_ the First of _France_, and
to strengthen it, _Henry_ the Second, the Daulphin of _France_, married
_Catharina_ of _Medicis_ Daughter to _Laurens_; the wedding was kept at
_Marseillis_, where the King and the Pope were both present.
The Pope having thus happily setled his family, returned to _Rome_, and
there died: In _September_ 1534. and in the same year, in the Month of
_October_, _Paul_ the Third was chosen to fill his place, with great joy
and applause of the people of _Rome_. He was _Alexander Farnese_
Cardinal, and one who shewed himself worthy of so eminent a dignity.
His first work was to find out means to advance his Family; and therefore
in _December_ following he created two of his Nephews Cardinals; one
_Alexander Fernese_, Son to _Pietro luigi Farnese_ his own Son, for the
Pope had been married before he was Cardinal; and the other _Guido
ascanso Forza Costanza_ his daughters Son. _Alexander_ being suddenly
dead, the Cardinal _Hippolito Medici_ was made Vice-Chancellour of the
Church, and Vice-Chamberlain after the death of Cardinal _Spinola_. Thus
from day to day, as places and offices became vacant, the Popes Nephews
were sure to have them.
_Paul_ was very desirous to procure a meeting between the Emperour and
the King of _France_, where he desir’d to be present in person also;
which thing being carried on by his Legat, Cardinal _Carpi_ was well
accepted and agreed of by both _Princes_, the Town of _Nizza_ in
_Provence_, but belonging to the Duke of _Savoy_: was chosen for the
place of meeting, as being conveniently situated upon the Sea side.
The Pope, though old, was the first that came to the place appointed,
having endured very great inconveniencies in his journey; and yet he was
disappointed at last of his desires; for these two Princes having
penetrated into the Popes design, found that it was not out of any love
to Christendome, but only out of a fond affection to his family that he
had desir’d their company. So they refused to see one another in his
presence, but came separatly, and kiss’d the Popes feet with no small
mortification to his Holiness, being thus deluded and almost derided.
And indeed this interparly was not desired nor procur’d by the Pope,
either with a design of appeasing the differences in Religion, or of
making a League betwixt the Christian Princes against the Turk, though
this were the pretext, but with a purpose to get _Margaret_ of _Austria_,
the widdow of _Alexander Medici_, for _Octavio Farneze_ his Grandchild;
and following the example of _Clement_ the Seventh, give _Victoria_,
afterwards married to _Guido Ubaldo_ Duke of _Urbin_, his Neece, to some
Prince of the blood of _France_, having chosen out the Duke of
_Vendosme_, who was a young Prince of great merit and hopes: but for this
time the Pope was forced to return to _Rome_ without having effected his
designs, as the King of _France_ went to his own Kingdome, and the
Emperour to _Marseilles_, where he visited the _French_ King.
Some time after the Pope obtained from the Emperour the City of _Novarre_
for his Son _Pietro Luigi_, and made up the match between his Grandchild
_Octavio_ and the Princess _Margaret_ Daughter to the Emperour, and
widdow of _Alexander Medici_; this done, the Pope undertook the recovery
of the City of _Lamerino_, which he pretended to be devoted to the Church
by the death of _Giovani Maria Varrano_, who had receiv’d the investiture
of that place from _Leo_ the Tenth, and dyed without any male children,
and upon this Title made warre against the young _Guido Ubaldo da
Feltro_, who by the Womens side pretended a right to it, but not being
able to maintain it, was fain to fly and leave the place to the Pope, who
having taken it, presently gave the investiture to his Grand-child
_Octavio Farneze_, making him Duke of _Camerino_, and Receivour General
of the Church, having before made him Prefect of _Rome_ in the place of
the Duke of _Urbin_.
But this Popes ambition swell’d much higher, for he went about to buy the
Dutchy of _Millan_ of the Emperour with the Churches money, and make an
unalienable Patrimony of the Family of the _Farnezes_. But the Emperour,
though very necessitous and extreamly sollicited by the Pope with a vast
summe of ready mony, was nevertheless so prudent as not to dismember from
his Empire so considerable a part of it.
Besides this the Pope gave to his Son _Pietro Luigi_, against the consent
of almost all the Cardinals, the noble Cities of _Parma_ and _Placentia_
in _Lombardy_, which were Fiefs of the Church. The said _Pietro Luigi_
was murdered by the principal Citizens of _Placentia_ in a conjuration
layed and carried on by the Emperours order; who all along refused to
confirm _Pietro Luigi_ in this new Principality, the Pope pretending that
the Emperour should acknowledge him for lawful Lord and Master of these
Cities; which he was so far from doing, that he endeavour’d to take them
from him; whereupon the Pope was forced, that he might support his Son,
to side with the _French_, who failed not to settle his Grand-child
_Octavio_, though with this condition that he should renounce _Camerino_,
and restore it to the Church, and be content with _Parma_ and
_Placentia_, for which he should pay every year seven thousand Crowns to
the Apostolick Chamber.
Thus the Nipotismo was in great credit and Authority in _Pauls_ time: for
this Pope spared nothing to make them great, alienating the Churches
Lands, and maintaining them in the possession of their acquisitions with
the Churches Mony, which stirr’d the indignation of all Christendome, and
made the Hereticks, who by this time were multiplied like Grashoppers,
take from them an occasion to deny the Popes authority and primacy.
_Julius_ the third, who succeeded _Paul_, preserv’d his Nipotismo in a
handsome condition and rank, but was not so furiously transported with
Ambition to settle them in Dukedomes and Principalities. His humour was
gay and merry, a good companion, and one that lov’d to eat and drink well
with his friends.
And yet though this jovial inclination of his made him little enclin’d to
warlike attempts, he nevertheless sent great Succours to the Duke of
_Florence_, _Cosino_, in his Warre against the _Sienezes_: and this
because the said Duke had promis’d him to make his Brother _Baldwin_
Marquis of _Monte san Sabino_; which thing was not only executed, but
besides, the Dukes Daughter was promised in Marriage to _Fabian de monti
Baldovin_ his Son; she was afterwards married to _Alfonse_ Duke of
_Ferrara_.
_Giulio_ made also five of his Nephews Cardinals, to wit, _Christopher di
Monte_, _Fulvio de la Corgna_, _Innocentia de Monte_, _Geronimo
Simoncello_, and _Roberto de Monte pulcrano_. To these he was very
liberal, but to say true, not prodigal, as his Predecessors had been.
’Tis true, he did what he could, to make his Brother _Baldwin_ Duke of
_Camerino_, and deprive the Church of so good a State, but the Cardinals
oppos’d him so vigorously, that he was fain to desist from his design.
_Julius_ being dead, the very name of the Nipotismo dyed with him, for in
the year 1555 _Marcelius_ the Second was made Pope; who would never
endure, that any of his kindred should come neer _Rome_, no not his own
Brother. Nay more, he would never suffer that two Nephewes of his, who
before his Election liv’d with him, following their Studies in _Rome_
under his care, should receive any visits as his Nephews; and he forbid
him to stir out of doors, least in going to School they should be owned
in the streets, and receive the Complements of persons of quality.
They that knew much of his mind while he was Cardinal, said after his
death, That his intention was altogether bent to apply some remedy to the
ambition of the Popes; and that he had particularly resolved to give to
his Brother and Kindred but just as much as would maintain them like
ordinary Gentlemen; but not so much as a simple Barony, much less
Dukedomes and Principalities; and to this he would have the advice and
consent of the whole Colledge of Cardinals, having a firme purpose of
making most secure decrees, by which the Popes should be bound, and
kindred from giving any thing to their Kindred without the consent of all
the Cardinals.
But while he was intent upon so good a work, he was surprized by death
twenty dayes after his election; so that in so short a time he did
neither good nor harme to the Church.
To him succeeded _Paul_ the Fourth, of the House and Family of _Caraffa_
in the same year 1555. This Pope was one of the most fantasticall ill
humour’d men that all the World could afford. He presently made his
Brothers Son _Carlo Caraffa_ Cardinal; and to him he gave so much
Authority, that it seemed that the Popes Will depended upon his pleasure.
He excommunicated _Mark Antonia Colomna_, _and Ascanio_ his Son, under
divers pretexts, but indeed only to take from them those offices and
honours which they had in _Rome_, and to seize upon all their Revenues
within the Territories of the Church; which was severely executed; the
Pope at the same time giving the investiture of all their estates to
_Giovani_, Count of _Montorio_ his Brothers Son, giving him the Title of
Duke of _Paliano_, which place he immediatly went about to fortifie, that
it might hold out against the forces the Colonesses were raising to
recover their lands, as at last they did.
A little after he made _Antonio Caraffa_ the Earles brother, Marquess of
_Montebello_, a place which he had deprived the right owner, the Earl of
_Bagno_, of, as being contumacious, and for having, as the Pope said,
ingrossed that money which the King of _France_ had sent for the War in
_Italy_.
The Nephewes of this Pope became at last so insolent by their Uncles
indulgence, that they did rob, spoyl, ravish, kill, and in a word commit
all sorts of crimes with impunity; Exercising so many cheats and frauds
upon the poor people, that not only they made all the World cry out
against them, but at last moved the indignation of their own Uncle, and
provoked him to be severe to them, driving them away out of _Rome_, and
depriving them of all honour and dignity.
* * * * *
_Pius_ the Fourth of _Milan_, of the Family of the _Medici_, but of that
branch that was then setled in _Milan_, was chosen _Pauls_ Successor; and
no sooner had he taken possession of the Popedome, but he fell to frame a
process and impeachment against the Nipotismo of his Predecessor, with a
design to punish them severely; which he executed, but with an affront to
the holy Character of a Pope, for he made as if he had pardon’d them all
their misdemeanours, which he confirmed with an Oath; to which the
_Caraffas_ trusting, came to _Rome_, but no sooner were they there, but
by the Popes order, they were clap’d up in prison, and having undergone a
new tryal, were all condemned to die. The Cardinal _Carlo Caraffa_ was
strangled, the Earls of _Montorio_ and of _Alife_, and _Leonardo di
Cardine_ were beheaded. Thus the City was as it were purged of these
abominations which this Nipotismo had defiled it with.
After this the good Pope _Pius_, that he might not come short of the
Piety of his Predecessors, introduced a new Nipotismo; for above five and
twenty Nephewes, brothers and sisters children, came in upon him, of whom
he refus’d none, but raised as high as it was possible for him to do,
making them all rich, and allying them with great families; but his
kindness did particularly extend to _Giovani Antonio Sarbellone_ his
Nephew, who seemed to be born to heap riches together.
* * * * *
But _Pius_ the Fifth, who succeeded _Pius_ the Fourth, was not at all of
this Humour, for he was absolutely averse from any such unjust wayes of
advancing his kindred, having hardly condescended to make _Michael
Bonello_ his Sisters son Cardinal; and certainly he had never done it, if
all the Cardinals unanimously had not raised in him a Scruple of
Conscience, by saying, That he refused to promote one who was most worthy
of that Honour. Therefore at last, and as it were by force, he declar’d
him Cardinal, but with a strict Order not to meddle with state affairs
without Commission.
* * * * *
_Gregory_ the Thirteenth of the Family of the _Buon Compagni_, who was
chosen Pope after the death of _Pius_ in the year 1572. followed not so
good a path, but declin’d to a great indulgence for his Relations.
First, he presently made _Philippo Buoncompagno_ his Nephew Cardinal, to
whom he gave many Abbyes which were vacant in his Predecessors time.
Besides he call’d about him all his Nephewes, and Cozens, to whom he gave
Offices, Dignities, Governments and Lordships, enough to make him great.
’Tis true, he shewed no great ambition of making them great Princes,
because he saw little posibility of a good success, but he heaped Abbies
and Prelatures upon them as many as they pleased.
* * * * *
He dyed 1585 the tenth of _April_, and had for Successor upon the 24th of
the same Month _Sixtus_ the Fifth of the poor family of the _Peretti_
having been a Monk of that conventual Order, of which _Sixtus_ the fourth
who lov’d his kindred so well was.
In his first beginning he seem’d a little averse from his kindred, not
that he despised them, but he shewed no desire of making them Princes;
but they that made any foundation upon this exteriour were much deceiv’d,
for there never was a Pope that had a greater love for his relations then
this; and all well considered, we shall find, that _Sixtus_ the fifth
gave away much more to his Nipotismo, then _Sixtus_ the Fourth; for his
Family of _La Rovere_, was very Noble, and liv’d splendidly before his
assumption to the pontificat, whereas the Family of _Peretti_ was so
poor, that they had not bread to eat, being fain to beg here and there.
One of _Sixtus_ the Fifth his Sisters was a Laundress in _Escoli_, and
come to see her Brother in _Rome_ upon an Ass, which was led by a Halter
by her eldest Son, and with all this he left him all rich and great. He
lov’d this Sister of his _Camila_ most tenderly, insomuch that he could
never see her enough; and for her sake in the first month of his
Popedome, he made one of her Sons Cardinal, giving him his own Cardinals
Cap, and calling him by the name of Cardinal _Moncealto_, though he was
but one and twenty years old. To him _Sixtus_ gave in Abbyes and
Church-lands above five and thirty thousand Duckats a year, which was no
small revenue, in the hands of one, who lov’d much to be thrifty.
To the other brother, who had led the Asse, he gave the chiefest offices
and places of _Rome_, and married him with great pomp and solemnity, to a
rich Roman Lady.
He assigned 20 thousand Crowns a year to his said sister _Camilla_, who
drawing allwayes before her Eyes, her ancient poor condition, could never
be brought to lead a great Ladyes life, but liv’d allwayes like a country
Woman.
Her two Daughters were both married, one to _Virginio Urtino_, and the
other to the high Constable of the Kingdome of _Naples_; _Colonna_, to
one of which he gave for portion, a hundred thousand Crowns, and made a
Cardinal of the family of the _Colonna_, together with great Offices and
Revenues.
Besides this, he made _Alexander Beretto_ his brothers Son Cardinal, and
assign’d him a revenue of twenty thousand Duckats in Offices within
_Rome_, and in the Popes Territories, in which he had great number of
Benefices.
In a word, _Sixtus_ when he dyed left to his Family the sum of a hundred
and fifty thousand Duckats yearly revenue, besides money in specie, and
the wonder of this was, that it was all done without any prejudice to the
Church, but so much to the contrary; for he surpassed in the stateliness
of his edifices in _Rome_, the ancient Romans, and yet left behind him
five millions of Crowns to the Church, to the astonishment of all
Christendome.
* * * * *
There is little or nothing to be said of _Urban_ the seventh, who
succeeded _Sixtus_ in the year 1590, because he liv’d but 13 dayes after
his election: But his kindred of the house of _Castagna_, in _Genoa_,
having suddenly heard the news of his elevation, hastened to _Rome_; but
three dayes journey from _Genoa_, they receiv’d the newes of his death:
Whereupon they were forced to return home, and keep close for a great
while, to avoyd the derision and mocking of their Enemies. And this was,
because that they had gone out of the City in great pompe and state;
beginning allready to carry themselves like so many Princes: but their
pretensions vanishd with the Popes death.
Nevertheless the Pope in so short a time shewed himself kind, for he left
them some considerable Legacies, having given away to the company of the
Nuntiata, whose Protector he had been, all that was in his power to
distribute.
* * * * *
But that which _Urban_ could not compass in thirteen dayes, _Gregory_ the
fourteenth his Successor did in ten months. This Pope was of the family
_Sfondrata_ of _Milan_, and very desirous of adding to the greatness of
his family. And because that _Paulo Emilio Sfondrato_ was at the time of
his creation in _Milan_, the Pope refus’d to dispatch any business before
his coming to Rome, where presently he was made Cardinal, and had twelve
thousand Crowns a year assigned him the same day, besides a great number
of Abbies and Offices which his Uncle gave him a little after.
The Pope was used to pass most part of his time with this Cardinal; no
business passing, but what was sifted between them; the Pope often saying
to him, Nephew, make a good purse before I die: And the Nephew, who
understood the means did not fail to obey him, and out of every hundred
take ninety for himself; the rest he left to the Church, and that was
alwayes the worst money.
Two moneths after, he made the Count _Sfondrati_, another of his Nephews,
General of the holy Church, and sent him to the Wars of _France_, having
first married him with the daughter of the Prince of _Massa_, and made
him Duke of _Monte Marciano_, which Dutchy the Pope pretended to be
devolved to the Church, ever since the death of _Alfonso Picolomini_,
Duke of the said place, whom the great Duke of Florence put to death; and
the Pope immediately confiscated all that he enjoyed in the Territories
of the Church, pretending, that the said _Alfonso_ was a Rebel to the
Church: Whereupon he gave his Nephew the investiture of the Dutchy.
* * * * *
_Innocentius_ the ninth succeeded to _Gregory_ the fourteenth, in the
year 1509. who lived but two months, and by consequence was not in a
capacity of leaving much to his Relations; many of them nevertheless were
already come from _Bologne_, the Popes native Country; amongst whom he
made one Cardinal, and that was _Antonio Fachinetti_; but he gave him no
other Office, then that of a Referendary, there being no other of any
consideration vacant. ’Tis true, I believe, that he thought not of dying
so soon, for else he would have provided more largely for this Cardinal,
and the rest of his kindred; His death was very unwelcome to them, all
having begun already to build Castles in the air; but particularly to one
of them, who pretended to be General of the Churches Forces, to marry a
Princess, and be revenged of all his Enemies; but he came so far short of
all, that instead of the equipage of a Gentleman, that he came to _Rome_
in, he returned in a poor plight to _Bologna_.
* * * * *
A month after, _Clement_ the eighth, of the House of _Aldobrandino_ of
_Florenee_, was chosen Pope, with an incredible joy of all the people of
_Rome_: He himself was born in the City of _Fano_.
This Pope found his Family full of noble and ancient Blood, but as empty
of Riches; therefore calling them to him, he began, by his Predecessours
example, to give them Offices, Places, and Dignities, but with a certain
moderation, and not precipitating his Favours, as the others had done,
but giving to day one thing, and to morrow another, he contented them all
without scandal.
In his first promotion of Cardinals, he created two of his Nephews, _viz.
Pietro Aldobrandino_, his Brothers Son, and _Cintbio Passero di
Sinigaglia_, his Sisters Son; and with the help of these two, the Pope
did govern all the Church Affairs, desiring every thing should pass by
their hands, particularly through Cardinal _Pietro Aldobrandino_, whom he
lov’d most cordially, calling him, _the Idol of his heart_; and often,
for fear of contradicting him, he would let him do as he listed.
The charge of General of the Church, was given to _Giovanni Francesco
Aldobrandino_, another of his Nephews; in which place he enjoyed, not
only all of the Prerogatives and Priviledges that had been granted to the
other Nephews of Popes, but besides, his Holiness encreased his pay by
two thousand Crowns a year, and invented new priviledges for him.
In the year 1595. he bought the Marquisat of _Meldola_, which he bestowed
upon _Octavio Aldobrandino_, another of his Nephews, declaring him
absolute Soveraign of the said place; but yet made him stay in _Rome_,
that he might be at hand, & lose no occasions of getting something else
from him: at last _Alfonso d’ Este_, last Duke of Ferrara, happening to
dye in the year 1597. the Pope thought to take this Principality for
himself, as being devolv’d to the Church, and resolv’d to give the
investiture to his Nephew _Octavio_; so having held a publick Consistory,
in which he declared, that the Dutchy of _Ferrara_ was become the
Churches patrimony; and immediately ordered Cardinal _Aldobrandino_ to
raise a powerful Army, and put himself in possession of the said Dutchy,
by driving out _Cesar_ of _Este_, who was Heir by the Will of the late
Duke, and was actually in possession: But the Pope pretended, that he
being a Bastard, was incapable of inheriting.