DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0094
52 COUNT BALDASSARE CASTIGLIONE
This narrow strip of hill-country, only sixty miles
long, lying between Umbria, the March of Ancona,
and the Adriatic Sea, had during the last half-
century become famous as the seat of a model
court, upon which the eyes of all Italy were fixed.
Here during forty years the good Federico had
reigned over a loyal and contented people, who still
kept his memory alive in their hearts. A wise and
able ruler as well as a brave captain, this great Monte-
feltro prince was foremost among his peers both in
the arts of war and peace. The best record of his
career is given in the Uatin inscription which his son
Guidobaldo placed above the arcades in the court of
the ducal palace :
' Federico, Duke of Urbino, Count of Montefeltro
and of Castel Durante, Gonfaloniere of the Holy
Roman Church and Captain of the Italian Confedera-
tion, built this house from its foundations for his own
glory and the good of posterity. He fought many
battles, went out six times to war, defeated his enemy
eight times, and, having been victorious in all his cam-
paigns, extended the borders of his dominions. His
justice, clemency, liberality and religion in time of
peace equalled and adorned his conquests/
' In his days/ says Castiglione, ' Duke Federico of
glorious memory was the light of Italy, nor is there
any lack of truthful witnesses still living, who can
bear testimony to his prudence, humanity, justice,
liberality, unconquered courage, and military skill.
His great qualities were further proved by his many
victories and swift and sudden campaigns, by the
capture of impregnable fortresses, and the repeated
occasions on which he put numerous and powerful
foes to Right, without ever losing a single battle. So
This narrow strip of hill-country, only sixty miles
long, lying between Umbria, the March of Ancona,
and the Adriatic Sea, had during the last half-
century become famous as the seat of a model
court, upon which the eyes of all Italy were fixed.
Here during forty years the good Federico had
reigned over a loyal and contented people, who still
kept his memory alive in their hearts. A wise and
able ruler as well as a brave captain, this great Monte-
feltro prince was foremost among his peers both in
the arts of war and peace. The best record of his
career is given in the Uatin inscription which his son
Guidobaldo placed above the arcades in the court of
the ducal palace :
' Federico, Duke of Urbino, Count of Montefeltro
and of Castel Durante, Gonfaloniere of the Holy
Roman Church and Captain of the Italian Confedera-
tion, built this house from its foundations for his own
glory and the good of posterity. He fought many
battles, went out six times to war, defeated his enemy
eight times, and, having been victorious in all his cam-
paigns, extended the borders of his dominions. His
justice, clemency, liberality and religion in time of
peace equalled and adorned his conquests/
' In his days/ says Castiglione, ' Duke Federico of
glorious memory was the light of Italy, nor is there
any lack of truthful witnesses still living, who can
bear testimony to his prudence, humanity, justice,
liberality, unconquered courage, and military skill.
His great qualities were further proved by his many
victories and swift and sudden campaigns, by the
capture of impregnable fortresses, and the repeated
occasions on which he put numerous and powerful
foes to Right, without ever losing a single battle. So