DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.42863#0365
WEDDING FfiTES
335
was ill in bed. "And so great was the crowd,”
writes the Mantuan secretary, “at the doors of her
bedroom, that I, who had gone in with my Signor,
found it quite impossible to get out again.” A
magnificent suite of apartments, the first hung
with gold brocade and green velvet, the second
with silver brocade, tan-coloured velvet and tur-
quoise satin, and the third with gold and silver
brocade, had been prepared for the Duke of
Mantua, close to the Princess Margherita’s rooms.
Federico, however, insisted that his cousin, the
Duke of Milan, must occupy these apartments,
and the door which led into the bride’s chamber
was hastily sealed up. But Francesco, not to be
outdone in courtesy, quite refused to occupy the
bridegroom’s rooms, declaring that he had come to
the wedding uninvited, simply out of affection for
his cousin.
The wedding took place that same evening in
the Marchesa’s bedroom. Antonio de Leyva was
carried in by his servants, and quickly followed
by the bridegroom, who had changed his riding
boots and dusty travelling dress for a splendid suit
of gold brocade. Federico was supported by the
Duke of Milan and attended by as many of the
nobles and courtiers as the little room could hold.
As soon as the Marchesa saw him she held out her
arms, and with tears in her eyes embraced him.
“ Your Excellency,” wrote Isabella’s correspondent,
“may imagine how tenderly she kissed him.” Then
the bride entered, clad in white satin embroidered
with silver, with a high collar and sleeves sown with
pearls, a jewelled girdle round her waist, and a white
satin cap studded with diamonds. The Bishop of
335
was ill in bed. "And so great was the crowd,”
writes the Mantuan secretary, “at the doors of her
bedroom, that I, who had gone in with my Signor,
found it quite impossible to get out again.” A
magnificent suite of apartments, the first hung
with gold brocade and green velvet, the second
with silver brocade, tan-coloured velvet and tur-
quoise satin, and the third with gold and silver
brocade, had been prepared for the Duke of
Mantua, close to the Princess Margherita’s rooms.
Federico, however, insisted that his cousin, the
Duke of Milan, must occupy these apartments,
and the door which led into the bride’s chamber
was hastily sealed up. But Francesco, not to be
outdone in courtesy, quite refused to occupy the
bridegroom’s rooms, declaring that he had come to
the wedding uninvited, simply out of affection for
his cousin.
The wedding took place that same evening in
the Marchesa’s bedroom. Antonio de Leyva was
carried in by his servants, and quickly followed
by the bridegroom, who had changed his riding
boots and dusty travelling dress for a splendid suit
of gold brocade. Federico was supported by the
Duke of Milan and attended by as many of the
nobles and courtiers as the little room could hold.
As soon as the Marchesa saw him she held out her
arms, and with tears in her eyes embraced him.
“ Your Excellency,” wrote Isabella’s correspondent,
“may imagine how tenderly she kissed him.” Then
the bride entered, clad in white satin embroidered
with silver, with a high collar and sleeves sown with
pearls, a jewelled girdle round her waist, and a white
satin cap studded with diamonds. The Bishop of