|
Lucrezia Borgia is a name that has become synonymous with the evil in women.
There are two historical sides to this Italian femme fatale. The first labels her a pious wife, a loving mother to five children, and a victim of her family's greed. The second historical side of the story is infamous. As part of the Borgia family (also known as the first crime family), Lucrezia was said to be a beautiful cold-blooded incestuous murderess with equally ruthless relatives, namely her father and brother.
To get on the bad side of the Borgias was to put yourself in jeopardy of death by poisoning, swords, daggers or garroting. And heaven help you if for any reason you stood between any of them and material or political gain. Almost every one of Lucrezia's husbands and lovers died or mysteriously disappeared.
 Lucrezia was the daughter of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia and his mistress, Vannozza de Cattanei. By her 11th birthday, Lucrezia had been betrothed twice, but neither came to fruition. But at the ripe old age of 13, Rodrigo handed her over to be married to a Spanish nobleman named Giovanni Sforza, the Count of Pesare.
It wasn't long before dad realized he might've passed her off too quickly, because Lucrezia could've gained them a much better alliance with the more powerful house of Aragorn. Rather than murder Giovanni outright, they accused him of impotence and demanded a divorce. The only way he could save the marriage was to "sleep with Lucrezia while observed by members of the Borgia and Sforza families." Of course Giovanni refused, so the divorce was granted.
Lucrezia, who openly disliked Giovanni and called him a "bore," was relieved. And while Giovanni openly cursed and hated the Borgias for branding him impotent, he was one of the lucky ones that got away…alive.
By 1498, Lucrezia was sent to live in a convent as rumors flew that she was pregnant. The father was rumored to be Pedro Calderon. Lucrezia's brother, Cesare, was said to be furious and, after running him through non-fatally with his sword, had Pedro thrown into prison. Days later, Pedro was found floating in the river. Even more curious, when Lucrezia's baby was born, she referred to the baby boy as "little brother."
When this got out, Rodrigo Borgia announced that the baby, Giovanni, was the result of a liaison between Cesare and "one of his mistresses." This only further fanned the flames of the rumors that Lucrezia had indeed had regular incestuous relations with her father and brother. Giovanni died half a century later in relative obscurity and without title.
But now the way was ready to make an alliance with the house of Aragorn, and Lucrezia married the 17 year old nephew of the King of Naples, Alfonso. It didn't last very long. When Cesare realized Lucrezia actually might love her new husband, his jealousy caused him to have Alfonso attacked by a band of thugs. They didn't quite finish the job, and Alfonso managed to make his way home and began to recover. When it looked like Alfonso might just pull through, Cesare sent henchman to his room to strangle him in his bed.
Husband number three came in the form of Afonso d'Esta, who of course wanted no part in the family or of the notorious widow, Lucrezia, especially after hearing rumors of how she amused herself while supposedly still in mourning. Cesare's lurid Roman orgies were well-renowned, but Cesare insisted to Alfonso that Lucrezia never attended them. That on top of a big fat dowry and Alfonso grudgingly caved in.
Lucrezia had four children with Afonso, but it was widely known that Lucrezia carried on numerous affairs. One affair in particular left Lucrezia's lover, poet Ercole Strozzi, murdered gruesomely. It was never ascertained if it was by Lucrezia's or Cesare's hand.
Lucrezia's lurid reputation began to die down over the years as she focused on artwork and displaying the best art of Rome, yet she continued to side with her brother in his various military adventures. When Cesare died, she was devastated.
The descendants of the Borgias would continue to influence European history for many years to come, but none ever gained the notoriety of Rodrigo, Cesare and Lucrezia. The Borgia triad will forever leave a bloody mark in history.
|