#holy daughter » Lucrezia Borgia

[prideandprejudice]

“Lucrezia Borgia was the daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, the powerful Renaissance figure who later became Pope Alexander VI, and Vannozza dei Cattanei. Her brothers included Cesare Borgia, Juan Borgia, and Gioffre Borgia. She served for a time as de facto ruler of the Holy See during her father's absence. The fall of the power of the Borgias followed with her father's death in 1503 despite Cesare's immense capabilities. Cesare, gravely ill, was planning the conquest of Tuscany, but could do nothing without continued papal patronage. The new pope, Pius III, supported him, but his reign was short and was followed with the accession of the Borgias' deadly enemy, Julius II. While moving to Romagna to quell a revolt, Cesare was seized and imprisoned near Perugia. All Borgia lands were subsequently acquired by the Papal States. After exile to Spain, in 1504, followed by imprisonment and escape, Cesare joined his brother-in-law, King John III of Navarre; dying in his service during a military campaign in 1507. Meanwhile, Lucrezia, no longer needing to play a major political role at the court of Ferrara — which became a center for the arts and letters of the Italian Renaissance —was able to live a more normal life and turned to religion in her final years. She died on June 24, 1519 at the age of 39, due to complications occurring during the birth of her eighth child.”

[anadiomena]

Painting titled "Lucretia Borgia Reigns in the Vatican in the Absence of Pope Alexander VI" (1908–14) by Frank Cadogan Cowper (1877–1958); crafted using oil paint on canvas backed with wood. The dimensions are 2210 × 1537 mm.

This is a re-creation of an obscure and scandalous incident from the history of the Popes. In 1501 the illegitimate daughter of Pope Alexander VI, Lucrezia Borgia, took his place at a meeting. Frank Cowper has invented this suggestive moment in which two noblemen part Lucrezia’s dress so that a Francisan friar can kiss her shoe.The room in the Vatican in which Lucrezia Borgia appeared still exists. It was decorated by the Italian Renaissance artist Pinturrichio. Cowper went there to copy it and painted the faces of the Cardinals from their original portraits.

The picture was begun in Rome in the Borgia Apartments of the Vatican. These had been occupied by Cardinal Merry del Val, the Papal Secretary of State, and were not open to the public, but had been vacated just before the artist first came to Rome in 1908, so he was able to paint there. The rooms were decorated by Pinturicchio and the frescoes of the Annunication and the Nativity appear on either side of the throne. The subject was suggested by the Diary of John Burchard, Bishop of Orta, Papal Master of the Ceremonies, 27 July 1501, and the following quotation was printed in the R.A. catalogue: ‘Before his Holiness, our Master, left the city, he turned over the palace and all business affairs to his daughter Lucrezia, giving her full power to open all letters which arrive.’

The Cardinals around Lucrezia were painted from contemporary portraits: the one writing on the right is Cardinal Giovanni de Medici, afterwards Leo X, the one on the left holding back her robe is Cardinal Farnese, afterwards Paul III, and the one standing on the right is the Cardinal of Lisbon who had to advise Lucrezia on her official duties. (Letters from the artist 18 and 23 January 1956).

Published in: Mary Chamot, Dennis Farr and Martin Butlin, The Modern British Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, London 1964, I.

[redbelles]

aemond, dany, and lucrezia for the ask game 💜

AEMOND TARGARYEN

general opinion: lmao well! he's knockoff daemon but i do still enjoy him. gotta love an impulsive targ war criminal, you know?

romantic ships: aemond/helaena is the big one, but i also love a good canon-divergent au, so to that end i really dig rhaena/aemond and aemond/visenya*

non-romantic otp: aemond + vhagar, obvs. i love grandma war crimes and the overly ambitious idiot along for the ride

unpopular opinion: the aemond girlies are Insufferable and all the shit they knock daemon for is stuff they ignore in their own fave and it drives me absolutely fucking nuts! aemond wants to be daemon soooooooo badly and yet they're out here like "i can't read suddenly" about it and i! fucking! hate it!

one thing i wish would happen/had happened: i am desperately interested in an au where he didn't actually manage to claim vhagar! me @ me finish the fic you have to that effect

*daughter of daemon and rhaenyra. @ targs please stop reusing the same five names i am begging

DAENERYS TARGARYEN

general opinion: she is an incredibly interesting character, and i'm frothing at the mouth waiting for more of her arc romantic ships: i would have loved to see dany/drogo on more equal footing, but that's about it for canon. in fic though i'm all about dany/robb non-romantic otp: dany + her dragons! and also her silver! what can i say, i'm a horse girl at heart unpopular opinion: i don't think she's a wonderful perfect flawless girlboss who will save the world or a caricature of every awful evil mad conqueror ever. nuance, my guys. one thing i wish would happen/had happened: lmao i want to see how her arc ends. stop fucking around with the elden ring tv adaptation or whatever and cough it up, old man!!!!!!!!!

LUCREZIA BORGIA

general opinion: your honor she is perfect i would kill and die for her romantic ships: cesare/lucrezia, obvs non-romantic otp: lucrezia + personal agency unpopular opinion: do i have an unpopular opinion about her? lmao i'm not sure that i do one thing i wish would happen/had happened: it would absolutely devastate me but holy shit i so wish we could have seen lucrezia post-viana

send me a character to dissect

[hxlyjewel-blog]

❝ A boy of clay to mold into a man of my liking.❞

[thelostpocket]

Finally gotten around to watching The Borgias (and I haven't finished it yet so this Longpost could all mean nothing) but currently ruminating on the way Lucrezia and her illigitimate son, Giovanni, are treated by her family. Like she tells Cesare she's pregnant and, oops, her husband isn't the father and... no anger, no screams of whoredom, no threats of punishment. Cesare's instant reaction is concern for her health/welfare and to find her somewhere safe, with full medical support (for the time), to get through the pregnancy. Although this is before Cesare and Lucrezia get very VERY chummy, it's clear their love for and dedication to one another is something apart - but Cesare looks at Paolo (lucrezia's baby daddy) and, no matter what he might be feeling, treats him not as an enemy, but with respect as someone Lucrezia loves. The same with baby Giovanni - Cesare adores the baby and cares deeply for it because it's a part of Lucrezia, whom Cesare loves more than anything else in his life. In a time where I, at least, was expecting wild jealously towards paolo and cold indifference to the child of another man, Cesare looks first for what he loves: Lucrezia.

And as far as we see, it's the same with lucrezia's father, Rodrigo - no matter what might have happened 'behind the scenes', what we DO see is: Rodrigo helping Lucrezia get an annulment from her great steaming turd of a husband (on the grounds of impotence, even though we can plainly see that she is pregnant at the time of the trial, suggesting that Rodrigo knew that the baby wasn't the product of a borgia-sforza union); Rodrigo eagerly and lovingly welcoming the birth of his first grandchild, and in fact attending when comments from his family suggest he wasn't supposed to; Rodrigo taking an active and joyful role in the care of the baby, including carrying it to his papal throne (bearing in mind the child's humble parentage on the father's side); AND, when Cesare says something very like "you married her to a brute who misused her and pushed her into the arms of a stable boy for affection", Rodrigo not only does not disagree or try to defend that decision, but he allows it to persuade him to break a Big Catholic Rule (giving a suicide a Christian burial), all for the sake of his daughter and grandson's wellbeing.

Like, say what you will about them (although, again, I haven't finished it, so who's to say if this will change), but that's actually really kind of admirable. There are families about today who wouldn't behave so amicably and open-mindedly in such a situation.

I don't really know where I'm going with this, but I just kept expecting someone to come down like a ton of bricks on her (I mean I guess juan did but he's fucked off to Spain and hasn't come back yet and as far as I'm concerned he can stay there) - like expecting some jealous row with Cesare. But no, he says your new Borgia baby? OUR Borgia baby, sis. Or expecting Reprimands and Off To A Nunnery hypocrisy from the holy daddy. But no, he's just happy the family is growing and, hey, you know what, while myself and all my holy boyz are off on tour dealing with this mess with France, I'm going to leave Lucrezia, the only person we can wholeheartedly trust, in my place as pope in loco parents while I'm gone. Oh, sorry, what's that, she's a woman and I can't do that? Too late, already done, and I'm already out the door, so I guess you can take your complaints to God or his right-hand-woman, sitting on that golden throne right in front of you, k bye. Giulia Farnese, la Bella Farnese, the Other Powerful Woman in the show and Lucrezia's life? Surely she'll make a move, try to use her absence or most recent mistake to manipulate her into something? But no. She helps Lucrezia escape her cruel husband the second she works out lucrezia's pregnant, encourages lucrezia's political aptitude, and seeks her out as a co-conspirator (alongside the pope's former mistress, lucrezia's mother, whom Giulia replaced) in her schemes to Keep The Cardinals Under Control Honest.

Like, there's an awful lot about this show and this family that's. . . Dicey. . .and I know there's more (and worse) to come. . . But this, right in these longer-than-i'd-expected paragraphs above? I can really respect that.

[dwellordream]

“Medieval and Renaissance popes were actively involved in politics and other worldly affairs. Beginning in the 750s, the pope ruled Rome and the surrounding area, a region of central Italy known as the Papal States. Some popes were not above scheming or even going to war to increase this territory. For example, in the late fifteenth century the Republic of Venice was expanding south to the border of the Papal States. 

In 1508 Pope Julius II formed an alliance with France, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire to destroy the Venetian state. In addition, the pope excommunicated Venice, decreeing that no one in the city might take part in any of the seven sacraments. (Most Renaissance people dreaded the punishment of excommunication, which they believed endangered their souls. The independent-minded Venetians, however, simply ignored the pope’s order and continued to worship as usual.)

Many Renaissance popes cultivated a princely lifestyle. This was both a matter of personal taste and an effort to show the Church’s power. One result was that the popes became enthusiastic patrons of the arts. Some of Italy’s greatest artists and architects, among them Michelangelo and Raphael, worked on various papal projects in Rome. Both artists were involved in the construction of Saint Peter’s basilica, the huge church at the heart of the papal court.

A few popes seriously abused their power for personal ends. The most notoriously corrupt pope was Alexander VI (pope from 1492 to 1503). he used his daughter Lucrezia to help him gain more power in Italy by marrying her first to one Italian ruler, and then dissolving her marriage so that she could marry another Italian ruler. 

He also supported his son Cesare Borgia’s conquests of several central Italian cities. Alexander and Cesare developed a murderous reputation for poisoning those who opposed them, including bishops, cardinals, members of Rome’s leading families, and Lucrezia’s second husband.

Some cardinals, too, seem to have cared very little for their own souls or anyone else’s, but most were probably sincere in their religious beliefs. Nevertheless, cardinals tended to be much more worldly during the Renaissance than now. Many patronized artists and writers, lived in luxuriously furnished palaces, and enjoyed hosting lavish parties. 

Cardinals were often very worldly men, and sometimes ambition for greater power tempted them into corruption. In 1518, for example, a group of cardinals plotted to kill Pope Leo X. Their plans were discovered; Leo forgave some of the cardinals after they made public confessions and paid him large fines, but the ringleaders were stripped of their rank and then executed.

The plots and abuses of power that went on in the papal court and among the cardinals upset many Christians. At lower levels of the Church hierarchy, too, there were practices that caused growing concern. Many bishops were appointed for personal or political reasons and never even visited their dioceses. There were also priests who seldom set foot in parishes, but gave the care of their churches and congregations to others. 

Many priests were unqualified for their positions in the first place - for example, they were too young, or were not well educated in the Church’s teachings. Priests of all ranks often had unofficial wives and fathered children, even though Church law prohibited priests from having relationships with women. Such inconsistences fueled a growing dissatisfaction with the Church.”

- Kathryn Hinds, Life in the Renaissance: The Church

[eolewyn1010]

2, 4, 7,19, 24? Love me some historical nerdery!

That might become a long one, I'm babbly.

2. Historical figure you love to hate: Karl Marx. As someone who's flirted with socialism a couple times, I have a… complicated relationship with a book-smart guy who thought he knew so much about how working people function when he had to have himself and his family literally kept alive only by virtue of sugardaddy Engels. I hate this acting like a know-it-all on someone who’s probably never in his life spoken to a proletarian, much less worked for his livelihood! Get off your high horse, Karl! And also, every single real-life attempt on communism sucked ass, so… attitudes, man.

4. Historical figure everyone should collectively stop talking about: Lucrezia Borgia. Because up to this fucking day, even people who I thought were intelligent and actually consult sources still just go with: Oh yeah, incest with both father and brother! Which is in all likelihood a nasty rumor that somehow made it through the centuries, and yet, whenever the name is spoken, everyone around turns into gossip-y hens, and I just… I don’t care about her. She was just some noble chick, and some people didn’t like her family, but I can’t find anything interesting about her, and nothing that warrants to slander the poor woman fucking 500 years after her death. Can we get over those old tabloid newspapers?

7. Favorite primary source: Oh, okay, there’s an obscure one, but it has one particular thing about it that warms my heart. Cambridge University has this “Fragment of the Month” thing in which they publish the translations of fragments of all sorts of papers found in the Genizah of Kairo (because that’s a big-ass Genizah and translating all of it takes its sweet time), and I fucking love it. It tells so much about a Judeo-Arabic melting pot in the Middle Ages, poetry, trade routes, family interactions, looks into the law, tons of philosophy between the cultures. And my fave tidbit from this tidbit is some Rabbi’s report on two men falling in love with each other during a pilgrimage and being, like, a teensy bit too overt with their affection. No details on what they did, but considering morals of the time, I’mma assume they were holding hands or something equally offensive. Boys, keep it down, you’re gonna make people blush. (Also, because the report mentions indignation but no punishment, I'll feel free to assume they got away with it. Fight me.)

19. Which historical kingmaker / hand behind the throne kinda person would you gladly be a puppet of? Empress Theophanu. She was not the bride that Otto II (Holy Roman Empire) should have gotten as a prince, as she was not “born in the purple” – meaning, not the daughter of the ruling Byzantine emperor but basically a second-class substitute. Also, depictions and mentions in documents tend to mention her on equal terms with her husband, she was already a co-empress when her father-in-law Otto I was still alive and pushed both his son and Theophanu to become competent and accepted rulers soon, and from 985 on, when her husband died prematurely, she’d rule as empress in place of her underage son, a very capable and influential one at that, and although she and her mother-in-law Adelheid didn’t get along all that well, they worked together as empresses in their own right – successfully so. Anyway. Theophanu. She can step on me.

24. What made you fall in love with history? See previous answer here as that's not a question I can answer differently twice.

[ravenlox]

Crumble to Dust

           “Cesare?”

Cesare froze in his tracks as the foreign tone of his wife’s voice shattered his thoughts while the image of his encumbered love shattered his world. Lucrezia is… with child?

Lucrezia felt as if she had seen a ghost. Had it not been for the unwelcome sight of her sister-in-law she would have been sure she was dreaming but alas the moment that had been long awaited and long overdue was here and yet everything felt wrong. Charlotte should not be here and Cesare should not have learned of Lucrezia’s condition like this. Despite the situation laid before them, the younger Borgia knew that a front must be displayed for the sake of their guest, as well as their love to which her brother’s wife was not privy.

            “Sister! How joyous an event to receive you. Shame on my brother for not announcing your arrival, had I known I would have been properly dressed.” Charlotte stood in utter bewilderment at the sight before her. As Lucrezia Borgia effortlessly crossed the room to fetch herself a dressing gown she felt herself grow red with foolish shame and envy. The woman before her was a vision. La Bella herself even in her fecund state. The glow of her pregnancy shone brightly on her smooth alabaster skin.

            “I am sorry to intrude Holy Daughter. We did not mean to disturb your peace. My husband ran off with such vigor he did not give word as to where we should go.”

           “Nonsense Charlotte, call me Lucrezia. We are family after all. I was just trying on my new dress. The dressmaker has fashioned me a lighter ware for these dreadful Roman summers. I trust France is much kinder.” Lucrezia kindly dismissed the dressmaker as she secured her robe closed.

           “Our weather fares well my Lady-eh Lucrezia.” His younger half smiled warmly at the French woman but Cesare cringed inwardly at the saccharin expression. His love was livid, at his wife, at the situation, at him. An intruder in her den, Lucrezia Borgia was not to be treaded on. Cesare was displease with his rash decision, his poor planning and his unwanted company but nothing displeased him more than the sight of the man who entered his Love’s chamber, uninvited and circled her in his embrace along with his entitlement. Who was this man who dared lay his hands on his heart’s desire?

           “Ah My lovely betrothed! I see they have arrived, rumors have proven to be true once again.” The young duke winked at Lucrezia as she caught on to its double meaning and lightly placed a hand on her stomach, as she stayed complacent in Alfonso’s arms.            “It is good to finally put face to name Lord Borgia.” The son of Ferrara extended his hand for Cesare’s but the older Borgia could not pry his eyes and the look of betrayal they held within away from Lucrezia’s. Her heart crumbled to dust at the pointed accusation. She had not left him. She had not found another and started life anew. No, this had been thrust upon her. Much like every other decision Lucrezia held dear in life and yet somehow Cesare Borgia felt dignified in his righteous indignation.

           “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage.” Cesare captured Alfonso’s hand in firm validation and false acceptance. Neither lost on Lucrezia’s future husband. How jealously makes men unravel.

           “Alfonso D’Este, Lord Borgia. Duke of Ferrara.” The very name that had passed through Alfonso’s lips had left cold blood in Cesare’s veins and absent words on Cesare’s tongue. This was the man Cesare had chosen for his love. Once thought of as nothing more than prospective ally had now turned into inevitable brother-in-law. A task he had not thought to occur thrice in his lifetime. How easily dreams shattered in the face of reality.

           “Please to make your acquaintance Lord D’Este. Allow me to introduce my wife, Charlotte Borgia of Albret.  

           “My dear, your pulchritude is disarming, such beauty can only be rivaled by my betrothed.”

           “As your charm rivals my husband Lord D’Este-”

           “Alfonso.”

           “…Alfonso, you are too kind my beauty pales in comparison to Lucrezia Borgia.”

           “A sentiment I cannot deny. Perhaps my men could help escort you and your lovely daughter to your rooms.”

           “I’m sure my husband can assist in that task.”

           “I have no doubt my Lady however since we are soon to all be family I don’t see why he should object?” Cesare had not bothered to take note of the trivial banter between the two as he was having a different conversation entirely with the light of his life. Her eyes held such sorrow for him, such remorse. Trapped like a prisoner in her soon to be husband’s arms he felt his stomach tighten. He could not pull his eyes away from her stomach and the hand that tenderly held it. Was this his child? Had she already bore a child for this insufferable man and his cool temperament? How long had he been away?

           “Cesare?”

           “Yes?” Cesare looked up at the expectant eyes of his wife and soon to be brother-in-law.

           “Do you object?” Alfonso flashed a disarming smile that only left discourse in the older Borgia’s stomach.

           “No, of course not.” He wished he had made some effort to listen as the disappointed look on Charlotte’s face told him he had made the wrong choice. Once escorted out of Lucrezia’s chambers all that was left was the older and younger Borgia.

 The heavy chamber doors echoed throughout the lavish room and yet neither moved, afraid of the other.

           “Cesar-”

           “Is the child his?” Cesare stood stoic and cold as his spine rigid itself in preparation to resist his desire for her. What he didn’t prepare for was the abrupt sting of Lucrezia’s hand coming across his face and leaving a red mark in its wake.

           “How dare you! Come in here with you’re accusations!” Lucrezia went to swing twice when her beloved caught her arm and she relished in his embrace. Heavens, how sorely she missed his touch.

           “What would you have me think?”

           “How long have you shared my bed?” Lucrezia’s words cut Cesare as the stark realization dawned upon him.

           “You mean…?”

           “The child is yours my love.” A single tear rolled down the apple of her cheek as it disappeared into the crease of her lips.

           “My god!” Capturing his love’s face in his hands, the older Borgia crushed his lips to hers. They melded perfectly to his and he couldn’t even begin to wonder how he ever survived those months without her. How he left her and his child to survive on their own in the grips of Rome.

           “Why did you not send for me sooner?”

           “What could I possibly say? The world believes this child to be my late husband’s.”

           “The hell it is!”

           “Cesare please.” Lucrezia pulled her brother further into the room away from prying ears that surely rest on the Vatican’s doors and walls.

           “Does your soon to be husband think this?”

           “He…does not.”

           “What does he think?”

           “He knows.”

Cesare searched Lucrezia’s eyes for a deeper meaning and was dismayed when he landed upon truth.

           “How?”

           “I know not. This man is unlike anyone I’ve ever met.”

           “Does he mean you harm?”

           “No, I think he wants something from me but doesn’t say…at least not what he means.”

           “It was foolish of me to even suggest this to father. I will go and correct my mistake.”

           “Cesare!” Lucrezia pulled on her older half’s arm, preventing further moment. “Do not be daft, the arrangement has already been made. We cannot let him leave with this knowledge free to leverage it to whomever he wishes.”

Cesare pulled his arm away from his love as he huffed and paced back and forth frustrated with the situation. He had gotten cocky. His bravado and arrogance had threatened them greatly and what was worse was it put Lucrezia in the crossfire. Now they had no choice but to work with the indelible duke.

           “Peace brother,” Lucrezia reached out and cloaked her presence around Cesare’s biceps. “Focus on the joyous occasion. You are home and we are with child. Nothing else matters.”

           He wanted to believe that, by god he did. However he couldn’t remove the dread from his stomach much like pitch from hellfire. How would he fix this? How could he save them? The dreams of their wishful fishing village seemed so perfect at this moment but it was no longer an option, trampled by his ambition and lack of foresight. Whatever the future held he did not know but steadfast they had to remain, there was no direction but forward.

           “I am more concerned with other pressing issues.” Now it was Lucrezia’s turn to correct her posture as a cold chill filled the room matching her demeanor.

           “What issue my love?” Cesare followed her across the room as a scolded child would now afraid at her lack of affection.

           “Your wife.”

Cesare grimaced at the answer and knew it to be too hopeful that Lucrezia would let her arrival be quietly accepted.

           “I’m sorry-”    

           “No.”

           “What?” Cesare’s apology was cut short as Lucrezia’s temper grew in its place.

           “You will not apologize to me. I do not accept that. You will however fix it. We cannot fight two fronts of unwanted company both at your behest mind you. What were you thinking?”

The older Borgia felt foolish for letting this careless blunder grow out of hand as he knew Lucrezia was right. It was bad enough having to be careful of Alfonso but to add Charlotte to the mix, an even more precarious situation as her presence was one to grant the protection of Rome.

           “I let love blind me. I did not think I only acted and for that please forgive me. Had I known the entirety of the situation I would have been more careful.”

           “You should have been regardless of the situation Cesare. Send her home.

           “I can’t do that. Charlotte’s demands were to be brought here in my return.”

           The wife who makes no demands?” Lucrezia’s words were curt and scathing. This is not the reunion Cesare wanted at all. He was supposed to hold his beloved in his arms all while he ravished her. She was cold and distant.

           “Lucrezia, I came back for you.”

           “You left for her. And now you won’t send her away. The only way I can see to fix this is to leave for Ferrara once the child is born.”

           “You will not take my child from me.”

           “No I can’t, but Holy father can.” Cesare’s eyes filled with rage at Lucrezia’s threat. What exactly was her intent in enraging him? Had his apologies not been enough? Did she want him to beg?

           “What would you have me do?” Cesare stepped behind his love and held their child gently desperately wishing her warm embrace would return.

           “Fix it.” The chilling air remained as Lucrezia walked away from him and opened the doors to her chambers to let her maids in to help her get dressed. Cesare could no longer muster any further conversation with prying ears and instead was left to leave the room that felt as if it could crumble to dust. Before the doors shut once more behind him he heard her voice ring out, “You have until its birth.”

[thetudorforum]

Available Characters in Italy

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Caspar Ottaviano de' Medici-Ambassador Michelangelo-Artist Petyr Baelish-lord Giovanni Montpensier-2nd Baron Montpensier of Calabria Giralamo de Treviso- also known as Girolamo di Tommaso da Treviso the Younger and Girolamo Trevigi, was an Italian Renaissance painter. Stylistically, Girolamo is associated with Giorgionismo and the continuation of Giorgione’s style, and, while working in Bologna during the 1520s, the influence of Raphael’s St. Cecilia.Besides working in Bologna, which included sculptural decoration on the portal of San Petronio and grisaille paintings inside, he also worked in Genoa, Faenza, Trent, and at the Palazzo del Te in Mantua. Giorgio Vasari, in his Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects, writes that Girolamo traveled to England to work as a military engineer for Henry VIII.He also worked as a painter there,A Protestant Allegory in the Royal Collection shows the Pope on the ground being pelted with large stones by various figures.Girolamo was working as an engineer for Henry when killed by a cannon shot during the siege of Boulogne-sur-Mer in 1544. Tate Langdon- courtier at Italian court. He is a fictional character, his story is all yours to make. Pier Paolo Vergerio- the Younger, was an Italian religious reformer. Although Vergerio achieved little in the way of his appointed task, which was to induce the Protestants to send delegates to the council, Pope Paul III twice dispatched him across the Alps; and meanwhile rewarded him, first with the bishopric of Modruš in Croatia. In the year 1540, Vergerio again entered active diplomatic service; he was at Worms at the religious conference as commissioner for King Francis I of France. It was in memory of the council that he dedicated the tract De unitate et pace ecclesiae. Like Cardinal Contarini, beside whom he also appeared at the religious conference of Regensburg in 1541, he was charged with having conceded too much to the Protestants. Bernardo Tasso-born in Venezia, was an Italian courtier and poet. He was, for many years, secretary in the service of the King of Italy, and he was a childhood friend to a King. Valerie Rocksford-lady in waiting at Italian court. She is a fictional character, hers story is all yours to make. Girolamo Riario- best friend to Caspian de'Noli and Captain-general of the Holy Roman Church. He is a fictional character, his story is all yours to make. Clemencia Huerta- lady in waiting to  Juana of Aragon Lorenzo de Mauro-Soldier and loyal to Juana of Aragon Joanna d'Aragona - daughter of Gerome Dudley and Juana of Aragon Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara- He was the eldest son of Alfonso I d'Este and Lucrezia Borgia.In April 1528, he married Renée of France, the second daughter of Louis XII, King of France, and Anne of Brittany. Renée received from Francis I of France an ample dowry and annuity. Thus the court she assembled about her in Ferrara corresponded to the tradition which the cultivation of science and art implicitly required, including scholars like Bernardo Tasso and Fulvio Pellegrini Morato. Anna d'Este- was an important princess with considerable influence at the court of France and a central figure in the French Wars of Religion. In her first marriage she was Duchess of Aumale, then of Guise, in her second marriage Duchess of Nemours and Genevois. Alfonso II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara-He was the elder son of Ercole II d'Este and Renée de France, the daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne of Brittany and was the fifth and last Duke of Ferrara. Lucrezia d'Este-was a Ferrarese noblewoman and duchess of Urbino from 1570 to 1578. She was the third daughter of Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara and his wife Renée of France, the second daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne of Brittany. She was notable as a patron of the arts - she and her younger sister Eleonora d'Este were the dedicatees of Torquato Tasso's poem O figlie di Renata (O daughters of Renata). Eleonora d'Este-was a Ferrarese noblewoman. She was the fourth daughter of Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara and his wife Renée of France, the second daughter of Louis XII of France and Anne of Brittany. She and her elder sister Lucrezia d'Este were the dedicatees of Torquato Tasso's poem O figlie di Renata (O daughters of Renata). Luigi d'Este-was an Italian Catholic cardinal, the second of the five children of Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Modena and Ferrara, and Renée, daughter of Louis XII of France. Rodrigo de Puebla- royal advisor to Juana of Aragon Juliet Capulet- lady in waiting and best friend to Juana of Aragon Costanza Farnese- best friend to Anastasia of Aragon Giacomo Boncompagni- future husband to Anastasia of Aragon Catalina Alberici- governess to Isabella de Aleramici Paris da Mula - Count of Visu and husband of Juliet Capuletti Sister Lucy Brocadelli - nun. Fictioonal Lucrezia Borgia - Duchess of Ferrara; wife of Alfonso d'Este Francesca Salviatii - a lady of Florence Isabella of Taranto-Dowager Queen of Taranto Piero Strozzi Italian military leader Adelaide of Taranto - daughter of Juana Aragon Emma of Taranto - daughter of Juana Aragon Ercole II d'Este - brother of Juana Aragon Costanza d'Avalos-Duchess of Francavilla Joanna d'Aragona-Countess of Lecce and Brienne Cosimo d'Aragona  -  King of Lombardy; son of Juana of Aragon & Caspar de Medici Luca Garcia  -  Prince of Italy; brother of Cesare, Giovanni & Lucrezia Gianna Moretti -  maid; fictional ; her story is yours to make Louise Borgia  -  Duchess of the Romagna Francesca Garcia -  Princess of Italy; sister of Francesco & Madeline Maria Schenk  -  Queen of Italy Lucrezia Garcia  -  Princess of Italy Giulia Amalfi -  lady in waiting

[monik911hsm]

I Am The Holy Daughter

[catherinesvalois]

And tell me, dear brother --

What, sis?

What must I call myself? Holy Daughter?

You are still Lucrezia Borgia, my love. You will only change your name when you marry.

[radi-17171]

‘What things, Lucrezia?’ Cesare, who notices everything that is going on around, makes his voice light and normal now. 'It is just Roman banter, sis,’ he says theatrically and as she looks up he gives her his most charming public smile. 'You have been away so long you have forgotten how we do it’. He takes her hand and brings it to his lips. 'But we will not have you leave again. You’re far too precious for that.’ And he pulls her towards him and kisses her fondly on both cheeks. As his lips brush close to her ear he whispers, 'You don’t need to be afraid. Whatever happens, I will always love you’. x

Hearts may yet be broken, but not yours.

She needs mask then to hide her true feelings.

Cesare Borgia about Lucrezia

[valyrianflame-archived]

@idiosynchronics

         the divested cardinal robes had allowed him to don an armour, but the sacerdotal vows he’d renounced had only set him free for so long. if a man didn’t marry the church, he ought to marry a woman, to produce heirs and to leave an inheritance. cesare’s eyes had finally rested on france where his chances stood best - for an army, for a bride, for an alliance he could secure with fewer perils than with other countries all too eager to seize back rome. for it seemed that even now, he wouldn’t be without those shackles binding him to the papacy.

and daenerys needed the holy see, just as he needed her claim to a throne her brother had hungered for. the untimely, and seemingly accidental, death of the targaryen male had been all he’d needed to snatch her along with her army. part of her reminded cesare of himself, part of her reminded him of his sister; and he couldn’t reconcile whether it would make for a fruitful marriage. how droll, to think he had once prophesied weeping at his own wedding. if not happiness, at least satisfaction, was engraved upon his face. he danced, he drank, he partook with much less reluctance than perhaps she had expected.  “are you content, my lady?”  

[ ♕ ] THE UNTIMELY DEATH OF HER BROTHER brought not only grief upon her but it was also the beginning of a race. With Viserys alive and engaged to Henry’s daughter, there was little use of Daenerys, for the promise of her brother having heirs male would eventually dispose her to a low rank at the succession line. Yet suddenly, it took only one hunting accident to turn her from princess to queen, assuming all the responsibilities that came with the title. Suitors arrived often, alas the most likely candidate was the DAUPHIN himself. The King was eager to expand his rule and although her kingdom did not impose a cardinal role in international affairs, its location served as the perfect stepping stone to one day invade England. And thus when ROME’s candidate arrived, his displeasure was obvious, for he dared not deny the holy see. No one did. And no one stopped Cesare Borgia, dressed in all his glorious Italian fabrics and garments, from snatching such a chest piece away from France’s open grasp.

        Daenerys had little to say on the matter as well. The POPE’s support was required to Kings and Queens, alike to fresh air on a man’s lungs, And she knew, should she deny the Borgia, her chance of marrying a Catholic ruler would be eliminated as well.  However, when her engagement to the holy see was sealed, Dany did not weep for France, but for losing the man that came along with it. Her heart was heavy as she donned her snow-white gown and her ladies put on her CROWN. Rumors had spread around the court the Dauphin and the newly-anointed queen were more than childhood friends. Likewise how gossip traveled about the Borgia siblings sharing more than just a name. And although Lucrezia Borgia was not present at the blessing of their union ( spared from judging eyes), Francis was, and the anger in his orbs did not pass unnoticed. At her husband’s inquiry, Dany averted her eyes from the dancing figures to his face which appeared to be glowing. This was God’s blessing indeed. Her heart might belong to another but this was often the matter with young, naive girls, and she could not be ungrateful, not blind. Cesare was tall and handsome, moreover, he did not strike her as a cruel man. Was there more she could ask for? 

           “ I am, my lord. There are certainly worse fates than being blessed with such a comely husband.” She mused while raising her goblet, wetting her lips with the wine. “ How about you? Is this union to your liking? Who could possible guess after our encounter in Rome that we’d eventually find ourselves into wedlock? ” And it did amuse her to toy with the idea of their ignorant past selves, staying foolishly unaware of the political plots carefully executed behind such a romantic event. 

[fictionalplacesjunkie]

The Borgias 1x01

[His Holiness, Pope Alexander Sixtus]

Lucrezia: That is so many titles, Cesare. What will his family call him now?

Cesare: Holy Father.

Lucrezia: Holy Father. - That’s easy. Even I can remember that. And tell me, dear brother. Cesare:  What, sis?

Lucrezia: What must I call myself? Holy Daughter?

Cesare: You are still Lucrezia Borgia, my love. You will only change your name when you marry.

Lucrezia: And when will I marry?

Cesare: Never, if I can help it.

Lucrezia: But surely it is good to marry, Cesare?

Cesare: As the pope’s daughter, you will have every prince of Europe vying for your hand. They may care very little for your heart.

Lucrezia: Perhaps I should do as you have done, brother– take Holy Orders. Give my heart to God.

Cesare:  That might be the safer option, my love.

Do I see a smile while Cesares imagining his sister taking the Holy Orders ;-)

This scene was such a delight! If you haven’t been in love with Lucrezia before you fell for her right here.

So many feelings. Sigh. I was questioning myself because I really started routing for them (as couple!) in this scene. Brother and sister. Unbelievable.

12/15

[simultest]

disclaimer:  while I do not have a canon faust, I am also not actively looking for one. not just because the chances of finding one in the rpc is slim ( hell  -- finding 16th century muses set in germany is like finding the arc of the covenant at this point so I suspect I will get to write Gretchen about as often as I willingly go clothes shopping )  ... so not only that!  but also because I have a particular view of him, and their relationship, that would likely not jive with any interpretations I do manage to find. however I am always willing to be proven wrong & if some one had the mad desire to make a faust to suffer with me in 16th century obscure media I welcome the attempt. hit me up. I’ll make us edits. we’ll cry. it’ll be a great time.

Name: Margarete Maria Lehann. Nicknames: Gretchen, Maria (family) Faceclaim:  Holliday Granger as Lucrezia Borgia Age:  15 Birthday: July 14th 1576. Birth Place: Staufen, Germany Current Residence: a small parish house in Staufen. Religion: Reformist Protestant Christian. Ethnicity:  Germanic. Nationality:  German. Languages:  German, a small amount of English.

FAMILY

Father: Guenther von Lehann (deceased) Mother: Ida Henrietta Lehann nee Schneider Brother: Valentin Lehann Sister: Zelma Lehann (deceased)

PHYSICAL

Body: 5'1" (155 cm). Doll like, with arms and torso that gives to  the touch. Her hands are covered in calluses from house labor assisting her aging mother while Valentin is away. Still there is something fragile to her, thin & wraith like, as if she could disappear in an instant. Face: Round, young, with wide eyes and long lashes. Her mouth is heavily bowed & small with bright coral lips, to match a small nose & low cheeks. Her skin is free of pocks thanks to her summers spent milking her uncle’s cows and she takes great pride in the statuesque qualities she has heard people praise such as her long neck & strong jaw. Hair: Long & with a natural wave, it is a strawberry blonde in the  winter which lightens to a honey blonde in summer sun. Often kept in simple braids beneath her hair covering at home Gretchen is especially vain about her locks, a fact her mother has chided her for as she is known to spend hours on it’s brushing & care. Wardrobe: a working girl in a home she has had to run since a young age Gretchen’s wardrobe is deeply practical, with few extravagances save her church best. a lover of embroidery she has worked on several wedding dresses for her friends, though her mother has forbade her to attend any weddings to make sure her daughter is not taken advantage of by a suitor.  still her embroidery has worked well to keep the family afloat between Valentin’s military pay & has granted her a few embellishments to catch the light amongst the church candelabras.

HISTORY

Born in Staufen she expected her life to always be the same. She would grow up, find a nice boy, marry him, have children, and die. Being buried in the same town in which she had always lived. But it seemed life had made a few change of plans. While she would never leave Staufen, the boy she would meet would not be a boy but a man. And while she would know his touch they would never marry. And while she would have a child, he would not live as she drowned him to save him. And while she would die - it would be very young.

These are the events of Goethe’s Faust. Where a young girl grows up with a dream in her heart of saving some one as she never managed to save her baby sister. Where she would fall in love with a man who wanted nothing more than Death, and when it proved illusive took power instead.  Where a young girl would accidentally kill her mother, and drown her baby, while her lover would kill her brother in the street without her ever knowing.

Where she would be abandoned to die, only to be lifted to heaven.  Where she would save a man’s soul for the promise of trying, knowing that some darkness can never be cast away but it can become holy in it’s own right And where a serpent in the shape of a girl would win a bet for impossible deities before disappearing back into the ether from whence she came.

CONNECTIONS

REDEEMER :  faust [unclaimed] / tag DECEIVER: mephistopheles [unclaimed] / tag

[professorsnortwort]

Cryptexes through the ages

My friends, your favorite professor/explorer is taking a break from studies on Blackbeard’s eastern US escapades to learn more about cryptex boxes and the European royalty that used them. As I stated, cryptex boxes are hand-held combination safes that were used to store jewels, coins and other valuables. They were especially valuable for nobles when traveling because they were portable and generally safe. The thief may get the cryptex, but he would soon get flummoxed by the unknown code combination and not be able to get in to steal the valuables. In 1520, the Marquis of Greenwood’s carriage was robbed by some highway men called the Redbrands. The thieves made off with all of the Marquis’s valuables, which had been locked away in a cryptex (in this case, the code word was “SATYR”). The villains, however, were unable to crack the code, got frustrated, and tossed the cryptex in a ditch. The cryptex had done its job beautifully. The Marquis happened to be continuing on his journey when he say something familiar lying in a puddle, it was his valuables, cryptex unopened and generally unscathed!

As I mentioned previously, many nobles in Renaissance Europe used these cryptex boxes to store and transport valuable items. As is the way with history, some of these items have been lost through the ages. Nobles, being nobles, may have mourned this loss when it happened, but likely just moved on with their lives and the lost cryptex boxes became less than a footnote. However, some of these ARE footnotes, and it is the footnotes of history where I search.

A fan from Needham, MA who asked to remain anonymous claims to know of a cryptex that once belonged to the Spanish/Italian noble Lucrezia Borgia. Lucrezia Borgia is the daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, Spanish noble and Catholic Pope (known as Alexander VI). I am not going to write an exhaustive history of the Borgia family for two reasons: (i) many exhaustive histories have already been written, and (ii) there is fierce debate on the accuracy of many of these histories. The Borgia are portrayed in the entertainment industry as power-hungry and sadistic. They may or may not have been this, but it seems likely that the Borgia were actually a very private family. The patriarch, Rodrigo, was content to do his business and never made any attempt to quash ugly rumors about him and his family, of which there were many (politics hasn’t changed!). And thus, this is where the perception of the Borgia family may well have come from, a bunch of ugly rumors from ill-meaning rivals. Anyway, Lucrezia had in her possession many cryptex boxes for valuable items, some holy relics, some important documents, and some jewelry. One of these was actually reported as lost and indeed has apparently turned up in antique shops and family records (wills, and such) over the course of the past 500 years. This particular one made it across the Atlantic Ocean to the USA. This is the one I am after! I plan to leave for the Boston area to self-quarantine for 2 weeks before beginning my search. More later!