Beatrice D'este, Duchess of Milan, 1475-1497

CHAPTER III. 1482-1490

1482-1490

Wars of Venice and Ferrara--Invasion of Ferrara--Lodovico Sforza and Alfonso of Calabria come to the help of Ercole d'Este--Peace of Bagnolo--Prosperity of Ferrara, and cultivation of art and learning at Ercole's court--Guarino and Aldo Manuzio--Strozzi and Boiardo-- Architecture and painting--The frescoes of the Schifanoia--Music and the drama--Education of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este 27

CHAPTER IV. 1485-1490

1485-1490

Isabella d'Este--Lodovico Sforza delays his wedding--Plot against his life--Submission of Genoa--Duke Gian Galeazzo--The Sanseverini brothers--Messer Galeazzo made Captain-General of the Milanese armies--His marriage to Bianca Sforza--Marriage of Gian Galeazzo to Isabella of Aragon--Wedding festivities at Milan--Lodovico draws up his marriage contract with Beatrice d'Este 40

CHAPTER V. 1490-1491

1490-1491

Marriage of Isabella d'Este--Lodovico puts off his wedding--Cecilia Gallerani--Her portrait by Leonardo da Vinci--Mission of Galeazzo Visconti to Ferrara--Preparations for Beatrice's wedding--Cristoforo Romano's bust--Duchess Leonora and her daughters travel to Piacenza and Pavia--Their reception at Pavia by Lodovico 50

CHAPTER VI. 1491

1491

City and University of Pavia--Duomo and Castello--The library of the Castello--Wedding of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, and Beatrice d'Este, in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia--Galeazzo di San Severino and Orlando--Reception of the bride in Milan--Tournaments and festivities at the Castello--Visit of Duchess Leonora to the Certosa of Pavia 60

CHAPTER VII. 1491

1491

Beatrice Duchess of Bari--Her popularity at the court of Milan-- Giangaleazzo and Isabella of Aragon--Lodovico's first impressions-- His growing affection for his wife--His letters to Isabella d'Este --Hunting and fishing parties--Cussago and Vigevano--Controversy on Orlando and Rinaldo--Bellincioni's sonnets 75

CHAPTER VIII. 1491

1491

Relations between Lodovico and Beatrice--Cecilia Gallerani--Birth of her son Cesare--Her marriage to Count Bergamini--Beatrice at Villa Nova and Vigevano--The Sforzesca and Pecorara--Lodovico's system of irrigation in the Lomellina--Leonardo at Vigevano--Hunting-parties and country life--Letters to Isabella d'Este 88

CHAPTER IX. 1491-1492

1491-1492

Isabella of Aragon and Beatrice d'Este--Ambrogio Borgognone and Giovanni Antonio Amadeo--Cristoforo Romano and his works at Pavia and Cremona--The Certosa of Pavia--Illness of Beatrice--Her journey to Genoa--Correspondence between Isabella and Lodovico Sforza--Visit of the Marquis of Mantua to Milan 99

CHAPTER X. 1491

1491

Claims of Charles VIII. to Naples--Of the Duke of Orleans to Milan --Intrigues of the Venetian Senate, of Pope Innocent VIII., and of Ferrante and Alfonso of Naples--Visit of the French ambassadors to Milan--Treasures of the Castello--Jewels of Lodovico Sforza--Isabella of Aragon and her father--An embassy to the French court proposed-- Secret instructions of the Count of Caiazzo--Fête at Vigevano --Tournament of Pavia 112

CHAPTER XI. 1492

1492

Intellectual and artistic revival in Lombardy--Lodovico and his secretaries--Building of the new University of Pavia--Reforms and extension of the University--The library of the Castello remodelled --Poliziano and Merula--Lodovico founds new schools at Milan-- Equestrian statue of Francesco Sforza--Leonardo's paintings at Milan--Lodovico as a patron of art and learning 125

CHAPTER XII. 1492

1492

Beatrice d'Este as a patron of learning and poetry--Vincenzo Calmeta, her secretary--Serafino d'Aquila--Rivalry of Lombard and Tuscan poets--Gaspare Visconti's works--Poetic jousts with Bramante --Niccolo da Correggio and other poets--Dramatic art and music at the court of Milan--Gaffuri and Testagrossa--Lorenzo Gusnasco of Pavia 141

CHAPTER XIII. 1492

1492

Visit of Duke Ercole to Milan, and of Isabella d'Este--Election of Pope Alexander VI.--Bribery of the Cardinals--Influence of Ascanio Sforza over the new Pope, and satisfaction of Lodovico--Hunting- parties at Pavia and Vigevano--Fêtes at Milan--Visit of Isabella to Genoa--Lodovico's letters--Piero de Medici--King Ferrante's jealousy of the alliance between Rome and Milan 155

CHAPTER XIV. 1493

1493

Birth of Beatrice's first-born son--The Duchess of Ferrara at Milan --Fêtes and rejoicings at court and in the Castello--The court moves to Vigevano--Beatrice's wardrobe--Her son's portrait--Letters to her mother and sister--Lodovico's plans for a visit to Ferrara and Venice 166

CHAPTER XV. 1493

1493

Lodovico's ambitious designs--Isabella of Aragon appeals to her father--Breach between Naples and Milan--Alliance between the Pope, Venice, and Milan proclaimed--Mission of Erasmo Brasca to the king of the Romans--Journey of Lodovico and Beatrice to Ferrara--Fêtes and tournaments--Visit to Belriguardo, and return of Lodovico to Milan--Arrival of Belgiojoso from France 176

CHAPTER XVI. 1493

1493

Visit of Beatrice and her mother to Venice--Letters of Lodovico to his wife--Reception of the duchesses by the doge at S. Clemente-- Their triumphal entry--Procession and fêtes in the Grand Canal-- Letter of Beatrice to her husband--The palace of the Dukes of Ferrara in Venice 185

CHAPTER XVII. 1493

1493

Fêtes at Venice in honour of the Duchess of Ferrara and Duchess of Bari--Beatrice d'Este has an audience with the doge and Signory-- Explains Lodovico's position and his treaties with France and Germany--Visit to St. Mark's and the Treasury--Fête in the ducal palace--The Duchess visits the Great Council--Takes leave of the doge--Return to Ferrara 195

CHAPTER XVIII. 1493

1493

Return of Beatrice to Milan--Visit of Duke Ercole and Alfonso to Pavia--Death of Duchess Leonora--Beatrice's camora and Niccolo da Correggio's fantasia dei vinci--Marriage of Bianca Maria Sforza to Maximilian, King of the Romans, celebrated at Milan --Letter of Beatrice to Isabella d'Este--Wedding fêtes and journey of the bride to Innsbrück--Maximilian's relations with his wife-- Bianca's future life 205

CHAPTER XIX. 1493-1494

1493-1494

State of political affairs in Italy--Vacillating policy of Lodovico Sforza--Death of King Ferrante of Naples--Alliance between his successor Alfonso and Pope Alexander VI.--Lodovico urges Charles VIII. to invade Naples--Sends Galeazzo di Sanseverino to Lyons-- Cardinal della Rovere's flight from Rome--Alfonso of Naples declares war--Beatrice of Vigevano--The Gonzagas and the Moro--Duchess Isabella and her husband at Pavia 221

CHAPTER XX. 1494

1494

Arrival of the Duke of Orleans at Asti--The Neapolitan fleet sent against Genoa--The forces of Naples repulsed at Rapallo--Charles VIII. at Asti--Beatrice d'Este entertains him at Annona--The king's illness--His visit to Vigevano and Pavia--His interview with the Duke and Duchess of Milan--Last illness and death of Giangaleazzo Sforza--Lodovico proclaimed Duke at Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to Maximilian 231

CHAPTER XXI. 1494

1494

Lodovico joins Charles VIII. at Sarzana--Suspicious rumours as to the late duke's death--Piero de' Medici surrenders the six fortresses of Tuscany to Charles VIII.--Lodovico retires in disgust from the camp --Congratulations of all the Italian States on his accession--Grief of Duchess Isabella--Her return to Milan--Mission of Maffeo Pirovano to Antwerp--His interviews with Maximilian and Bianca--Letter to Lodovico to the Bishop of Brixen--Charles VIII. enters Rome--His treaty with Alexander VI. and departure for Naples 246

CHAPTER XXII. 1495

1495

Visit of Isabella d'Este to Milan--Birth of Beatrice's son, Francesco Sforza--Fêtes and comedies at the Milanese Court--Works of Leonardo and of Lorenzo di Pavia--Mission of Caradosso to Florence and Rome in search of antiques--Fall of Naples--Entry of King Charles VIII. and flight of Ferrante II.--Consternation in Milan--Departure of Isabella d'Este 258

CHAPTER XXIII. 1495

1495

Proclamation of the new league against France at Venice--Charles VIII. at Naples--Demoralization of the victors--Charles leaves Naples and returns to Rome--The Duke of Orleans refuses to give up Asti--Arrival of the imperial ambassadors at Milan--Lodovico presented with the ducal insignia--Fêtes in the Castello-- The Duke of Orleans seizes Novara--Terror of Lodovico--Battle of Fornovo--Victory claimed by both parties--The French reach Asti-- Isabella's trophies restored by Beatrice 266

CHAPTER XXIV. 1495

1495

Ferrante II. recovers Naples--Siege of Novara by the army of the League--Review of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan--Charles VIII. visits Turin and comes to Vercelli--Negotiations for peace-- Lodovico and Beatrice at the camp--Treaty of Vercelli concluded between France and Milan--Jealousy of the other powers--Commines at Vigevano--Zenale's altar-piece in the Brera 277

CHAPTER XXV. 1496

1496

The war of Pisa--Venice defends the liberties of Pisa against Florence--Lodovico invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succour the Pisans--The Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperor at Bormio--Maximilian crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano--His interview with the Venetian envoys--His expedition to Pisa 287

CHAPTER XXVI. 1496

1496

Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples--Works of Bramante and Leonardo in the Castello of Milan--The Cenacolo--Lodovico sends for Perugino--His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli--Grief of Beatrice-- Death of Bianca Sforza--The Emperor Maximilian at Pisa--The Duke and Duchess return to Milan--Last days and sudden death of Beatrice d'Este 298

CHAPTER XXVII. 1497

1497

Grief of the Duke of Milan--His letters to Mantua and Pavia-- Interview with Costabili--Funeral of Duchess Beatrice--Mourning of her husband--Letters of the Emperor Maximilian and Chiara Gonzaga-- Tomb of Beatrice in Santa Maria delle Grazie--Leonardo's Cenacolo, and portraits of the duke and duchess--Lucrezia Crivelli 307

CHAPTER XXVIII. 1497-1498

1497-1498

The Marquis of Mantua dismissed by the Venetians--He incurs Duke Lodovico's displeasure by his intrigues--Isabella d'Este's correspondence with the Duke of Milan--Leonardo in the Castello-- Death of Charles VIII.--Visit of Lodovico to Mantua--Francesco Gonzaga appointed captain of the imperial forces--Isabella of Aragon and Isabella d'Este--Chiara Gonzaga and Caterina Sforza-- Lodovico's will 322

CHAPTER XXIX. 1499

1499

Treaty of Blois--Alliance between France, Venice, and the Borgias-- Lodovico appeals to Maximilian--His gift to Leonardo and letter to the Certosa--The French and the Venetians invade the Milanese-- Desertion of Gonzaga and treachery of Milanese captains--Loss of Alessandria--Panic and flight of Duke Lodovico--Surrender of Pavia and Milan to the French--Treachery of Bernardino da Corte and surrender of the Castello--Triumphal entry of Louis XII 337

CHAPTER XXX. 1499-1500

1499-1500

Louis XII. in Milan--Hatred of the French rule--Return of Duke Lodovico--His march to Como and triumphal entry into Milan--Trivulzio and the French retire to Mortara--Surrender of the Castello of Milan, of Pavia and Novara, to the Moro--His want of men and money--Arrival of La Trémouille's army--Lodovico besieged in Novara and betrayed to the French king by the Swiss--Rejoicings at Rome and Venice--Triumph of the Borgias--Sufferings of the Milanese--Leonardo's letter 352

CHAPTER XXXI. 1500-1508

1500-1508

Lodovico Sforza enters Lyons as a captive--His imprisonment at Pierre-Encise and Lys Saint-Georges--Laments over Il Moro in the popular poetry of France and Italy--Efforts of the Emperor Maximilian to obtain his release--Ascanio and Ermes Sforza released--Lodovico removed to Loches--Paolo Giovio's account of his captivity--His attempt to escape--Dungeon at Loches--Death of Lodovico Sforza--His burial in S. Maria delle Grazie 367

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