DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70030#0047
CASTIGLIONE.
Balthazar, or Baldassare, Castiglione, was
born at Casatico, in the duchy of Mantua, on the sixth
of December, 1478. His hither was of distinguished
birth, and his mother descended from the illustrious
house of Gonzaga. He attached himself, at an early
period, to occupations that appeared but little compa-
tible. He was desirous, at the same time, to be thought
a courtier, an author, a soldier, and a politician; and
his success justified his assurance. Sent, by Duke Ur-
boni, upon an embassy, to Henry VIII. king of England,
he had the good fortune to render himself pleasing to that
ferocious monarch, and was invested by him with the
order of the Garter. Julius II. Leo X. Louis XII.
Charles V. and Clement VII. gave him, alternately,
proofs of their friendship and esteem. Leo X. conceived
the idea of decorating him with a cardinal’s hat. Cle-
ment VII. appointed him his plenipotentiary to the
court of Charles V. He was afterwards named, by the
emperor, Bishop of Avila. Charles had, previously, placed
unlimited confidence in Castiglione, by declaring that he
should have chosen him for his second, had his duel with
Francis L taken place. It maybe, however, doubted,
whether this fortunate adversary of the king of France
had seriously formed the intention of fighting him en
champ clos; but this anecdote proves, at leasfy that Cas-
tiglione had acquired considerable reputation in the use
of arms.
152
Balthazar, or Baldassare, Castiglione, was
born at Casatico, in the duchy of Mantua, on the sixth
of December, 1478. His hither was of distinguished
birth, and his mother descended from the illustrious
house of Gonzaga. He attached himself, at an early
period, to occupations that appeared but little compa-
tible. He was desirous, at the same time, to be thought
a courtier, an author, a soldier, and a politician; and
his success justified his assurance. Sent, by Duke Ur-
boni, upon an embassy, to Henry VIII. king of England,
he had the good fortune to render himself pleasing to that
ferocious monarch, and was invested by him with the
order of the Garter. Julius II. Leo X. Louis XII.
Charles V. and Clement VII. gave him, alternately,
proofs of their friendship and esteem. Leo X. conceived
the idea of decorating him with a cardinal’s hat. Cle-
ment VII. appointed him his plenipotentiary to the
court of Charles V. He was afterwards named, by the
emperor, Bishop of Avila. Charles had, previously, placed
unlimited confidence in Castiglione, by declaring that he
should have chosen him for his second, had his duel with
Francis L taken place. It maybe, however, doubted,
whether this fortunate adversary of the king of France
had seriously formed the intention of fighting him en
champ clos; but this anecdote proves, at leasfy that Cas-
tiglione had acquired considerable reputation in the use
of arms.
152