DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36838#0393
CHAPTER XXI
1512-1518
Changes at the Court of Urbino—Federico Gonzaga visits his sister
—Death of Gaspare Pallavicino, Cesare Gonzaga, and Roberto di
Bari—Bembo and Canossa in Rome—Restoration of the Medici
—Count Rangone's daughter—Castiglione receives a grant of
the Castle of Novillara.
THE year 1512 brought many changes to the court of
Urbino. Up to this time the circle of Guidobaldo's
knights remained practically unbroken. Through the
tumult of wars that distracted Italy during the early
years of Francesco Maria's reign, we catch glimpses
of court festivities and many carnivals, which show
us that the old order was still unchanged. The
carnival of 1511 was especially gay, in spite of the
absence of the Duke and Castiglione in the campaign
of Mirandola. That February young Federico
Gonzaga, the Pope's hostage, who had accompanied
Julius to Bologna, and was the old man's pet and
plaything, paid a visit to his sister Leonora, and
remained at Urbino until April. His coming was the
signal for a round of balls, masquerades, banquets, and
concerts. Pastoral eclogues were recited, comedies
were performed, and Federico, after learning a iew
lines from Virgil every morning to satisfy his tutor,
gave himself up to amusement. In the evening he
sang and played with his sister, the young Duchess,
320
1512-1518
Changes at the Court of Urbino—Federico Gonzaga visits his sister
—Death of Gaspare Pallavicino, Cesare Gonzaga, and Roberto di
Bari—Bembo and Canossa in Rome—Restoration of the Medici
—Count Rangone's daughter—Castiglione receives a grant of
the Castle of Novillara.
THE year 1512 brought many changes to the court of
Urbino. Up to this time the circle of Guidobaldo's
knights remained practically unbroken. Through the
tumult of wars that distracted Italy during the early
years of Francesco Maria's reign, we catch glimpses
of court festivities and many carnivals, which show
us that the old order was still unchanged. The
carnival of 1511 was especially gay, in spite of the
absence of the Duke and Castiglione in the campaign
of Mirandola. That February young Federico
Gonzaga, the Pope's hostage, who had accompanied
Julius to Bologna, and was the old man's pet and
plaything, paid a visit to his sister Leonora, and
remained at Urbino until April. His coming was the
signal for a round of balls, masquerades, banquets, and
concerts. Pastoral eclogues were recited, comedies
were performed, and Federico, after learning a iew
lines from Virgil every morning to satisfy his tutor,
gave himself up to amusement. In the evening he
sang and played with his sister, the young Duchess,
320