You Fow you The Free, sa! Add me I left, de wow D the long to enjoy thesecol ov Hoans went upstairs to i sol fr her, and I stayed downs proved Puss legm to " pe CHAPTER XXIX 1516-1519 The Duchesses of Urbino live in great poverty at Mantua— Raphael's dishes melted down-Marriage of CastiglioneFrancesco Maria tries to recover Urbino, but is forced to make terms with the Pope-Isabella's journey to ProvenceBetrothal of Federico Gonzaga to Maria di MontferratoIsabella's Latin studies-Visit of Contarini and Soranzo to the Castello-Cristoforo Solari at Mantua- Fra Francesco at Porto-Bandello the novelist-His relations with the Marchesa and pictures of her court. On the 18th of August, the Pope's nephew, Lorenzo dei Medici, was created Duke of Urbino, and at the same time Leo X. signed a convention with the Marquis of Mantua by which Francesco Maria, who is described as "formerly Duk of Urbino," and his family were allowed to reside in his father-in-law's dominions, on condition of never leaving them without the Pope's permission, or entering into any negotiations with his former subjects or with other powers.1 During the next five years the two Duchesses occupied rooms in the Corte Vecchia of the Castello, and only left Mantua to pay an Occasional visit to Venice. The Marquis made them a yearly allowance of 6000 ducats, but in spite of this generous pension the poor ladies were often reduced to great straits. Soon after their arrival they were compelled to melt down the costly silver plate which they had brought from 1 D'Arco in Arch. St. It., App. ii. 285. VOL. II. I |