DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42863#0132
CHAPTER XXVIII
1514—1516
Isabella’s visit to Rome—Her reception by Cardinal Bibbiena and
Giuliano dei Medici—Fetes in her honour—Representation
of “ La Calandria ” in the Vatican—Her visit to Naples—
Leo X. keeps her in Rome for the carnival—Her return to
Mantua and regrets for Rome—Francis I. attacks Milan—
Victory of Marignano—Abdication of Maximilian Sforza—
Federico Gonzaga at the French Court—Death of Giuliano—
Conquest of Urbino by Lorenzo dei Medici—Flight of the
Duke and Duchesses to Mantua.
In the autumn of 1514, one of Isabella’s most cherished
and long-delayed wishes was at length fulfilled, and
for the first time in her life she went to Rome. Since
the accession of Leo X. she had received pressing
invitations from her friends, Cardinal Bibbiena and
Pietro Bembo, but had been compelled to defer her
visit owing to Francesco’s ill-health. During that
summer, however, his condition showed some signs
of improvement, while the alarming rumours which
came from Rome of the Pope’s designs against
Ferrara and Urbino increased Isabella’s anxiety to
cultivate the Pontiffs friendship. Accordingly she
started for Rome early in October, and was met at
Bolsena by Giuliano dei Medici, Cardinal Bibbiena,
and l’Unico Aretino. Since his brother Pietro
Accolti’s elevation to the Cardinalate, the vanity of
this popular improvisatore knew no bounds. He
spoke openly of that prelate as the next Pope, and
1514—1516
Isabella’s visit to Rome—Her reception by Cardinal Bibbiena and
Giuliano dei Medici—Fetes in her honour—Representation
of “ La Calandria ” in the Vatican—Her visit to Naples—
Leo X. keeps her in Rome for the carnival—Her return to
Mantua and regrets for Rome—Francis I. attacks Milan—
Victory of Marignano—Abdication of Maximilian Sforza—
Federico Gonzaga at the French Court—Death of Giuliano—
Conquest of Urbino by Lorenzo dei Medici—Flight of the
Duke and Duchesses to Mantua.
In the autumn of 1514, one of Isabella’s most cherished
and long-delayed wishes was at length fulfilled, and
for the first time in her life she went to Rome. Since
the accession of Leo X. she had received pressing
invitations from her friends, Cardinal Bibbiena and
Pietro Bembo, but had been compelled to defer her
visit owing to Francesco’s ill-health. During that
summer, however, his condition showed some signs
of improvement, while the alarming rumours which
came from Rome of the Pope’s designs against
Ferrara and Urbino increased Isabella’s anxiety to
cultivate the Pontiffs friendship. Accordingly she
started for Rome early in October, and was met at
Bolsena by Giuliano dei Medici, Cardinal Bibbiena,
and l’Unico Aretino. Since his brother Pietro
Accolti’s elevation to the Cardinalate, the vanity of
this popular improvisatore knew no bounds. He
spoke openly of that prelate as the next Pope, and