ALEXANDER VI, RODRIGO-LANSOL BORGIA

The most depraved of the popes since the time of Otto. After the death of Innocent VIII received a papal robes. Talent, energy and wealth enabled him to acquire great influence. His work reveals some state power.

Rhode Borgia - a Spanish born Borja, had moved to Italy in the XV century. Family crest Borja (Borgia) - red bull - could not be more suited for them. Curb this bloodthirsty and lustful bull was not so simple.

Father Rodrigo Borja was Alonso, who later became Pope Calixto III. History of the genus Borja is closely linked to the struggle for the papal throne, when the world was immediately several popes, one of which was declared to be true, and all other false - antipopes. Spiritual Alonso career began in 1416, when he was 36 years. At that time, being a delegate Konstanskogo Cathedral, where elections took place the pope, he quickly recognized what was going on, and voted for the overthrow his benefactor antipope Benedict XIII. Acted as Alonso on secret orders from the King of Aragon, Alfonso V. King Alfonso, as a reward for his treachery has made appointments Borja bishop of the diocese of Valencia rich.

Seven years Alonso faithfully served his king, fighting against Benedict XIII, and, finally, there was something he wanted. Benedict was deposed, and Borja, brave and obedient, made by Alfonso new award - the post of Chancellor of His Majesty. Shortly Alfonso found it necessary to make friends with another antipope - Felix V, hoping to use it to sit on the throne of Naples, his natural son Ferrante. But Borja, have already realized their own importance, dreamed give cushy job in Naples, his nephew (and evil tongues claimed that his son), Pedro Luis. And as soon as possible, the Chancellor immediately betrayed his king, for which Pope Eugenius IV created him cardinal.

New Cardinal moved to Rome, where he was visited by two nephews. One of them, Pedro Luis, second, a year older than him - Rodrigo.

Mother was John Rodrigo Borgia, a woman liveth in pleasure. Therefore, when Rodrigo was born, her husband John, Gottfried Lensuoli simply did not recognize him as his legitimate son, for a long time to notice how John ran to his brother Alfonso. This denial has led to the couple separated, and the unfortunate Rodrigo, who was denied even the names Lensuoli, had called Borgia.

Thus, two young Spaniards arrived in the magnificent eternal city, noisy, more free and democratic in morals than Madrid. Nephew quickly went into the taste of Roman life. Especially it′s liking Italian, they were much more accommodating.

At first the young Rodrigo decided to specialize in law and I must say immediately excelled, became a recognized authority on the protection of any suspicious persons and deeds. However, the attorney forced to pursue more rigorous than he would like the lifestyle. For the lawyer, constantly having to deal with the law very seriously its own reputation. Therefore, after not very painful reflection and good-looking dashing Rodrigo Borgia changed the mantle of counsel at a military uniform.

Henceforth, his adventures are not only not condemned, but rather welcomed. After all, a pretty pleasing beauty for a military man - a sort of difference.

Soon Rodrigo by his uncle built the rank of Archbishop of Valencia, where he once served as the pope himself. Later, the diocese of Valencia Rodrigo gave his son Cesare, so that Valencia literally nursed this famous race.

Having a strong patron in Rome, Rodrigo did not stay at the office of archbishop. He, like Pedro Luis, cardinals hat, and vice-chancellor of the Curia, effectively becoming the second man after the Pope. Avalanche graces, came down to undetectable before the officer gave rise to the most incredible rumors, even the fact that Pope Calixtus III had for the Cardinal is not only kindred feelings.

The five sovereigns of the Vatican changed during this time, and everyone he had to please, manifest loyalty and obedience, for which he was popularly nicknamed "the servant of five popes. " But this quick-witted, and saved him, and not only saved, but also provided an opportunity to become, at last, and the Pope himself.

Cardinal Borgia was well known in Rome. And not only as a cardinal. He was rich, did not deny himself to the caprices and delight. Lovers have changed one after another, rumors of depraved lifestyle Cardinal seep into the home of the Roman nobles, but then these things was seen as perfectly natural for even the holy fathers. Cardinal Borgia did not stand out among the other top church officials. Wonder Petrarch in XIV century said: "It is enough to see Rome, to lose faith. "

Another young Rodrigo became friends with a young widow, Elena Vanotstsi suspected of murdering her husband, found her in the arms of her lover. In those days, such killings have occurred frequently and were considered a matter of ordinary. Moreover offense Helena Vanotstsi more elevated than humiliate her in the eyes of Rodrigo, for which the end justifies the means. Helen had two daughters: the eldest, very ugly, whose name is unknown, and the youngest - Rose in the full sense of the word beauty, who knew about the mother′s crime, but from time to time to keep a secret, waiting for an opportunity to avenge the death of his beloved father . . . We had to wait is not particularly long. As Elena Vanotstsi getting old and losing charm, rose with each passing day became more beautiful and voluptuous Rodrigo, comparing the two women, of course, preferred the latter. Not accustomed to restrain their desires, he once demanded that Rose had given herself to him. Nineteen beautiful, no struck by the requirements of the mother lover, enigmatically replied: "Until my mother was alive, I can not give you. "

Rodrigo saw the answer in a desirable way for Rosa, and not long thinking, he hastened to destroy the obstacle.

Photo — «Alexander Vi, Rodrigo-lansol Borgia»

The next day, Helen Vanotstsi suddenly died, poisoned by his lover, his eldest daughter immediately forcibly tonsured in one of the monasteries, and gave herself the younger poisoner as a reward for killing the mother.

This happened in 1448. For further seven years, lovers, related crime, enjoyed untroubled happiness, not troubled by a shred of conscience reproaches. A suitable pair would be hard and come up with. But in 1455, Cardinal Alfonso Borgia, Rodrigo uncle, sat on the papal throne under the name of Calixtus III and asked his nephew to his court. Before Rodrigo opened wide road to the achievement of all worldly goods in the sense that as he understood them.

He immediately went to Rome, leaving Rose in Valencia, not risking to take her with him, fearing that his uncle was negatively react to such an incestuous relation. Gradually, however, felt the solid ground beneath him, the papal nephew, receiving the rank of cardinal′s mistress moved from Valencia to Venice and all the free time spent with her, carefully concealing from his uncle of his adventures. Rose Vanotstsi lived in a magnificent palace, surrounded by the extraordinary luxury, asking feasts and arranging orgies. Rodrigo, spared nothing, just to deliver all sorts of fun ROSE. She gave her lover′s daughter Lucrezia and his three sons: Francesco, Cesare and Giovanni.

Lucretia was born in 1480. Raised by her mother, she, no doubt, from infancy absorbed all the negative qualities of the depraved Roses Vanotstsi. Having the most brilliant of that time, education, Lucretia already eleven years old she knew that she was beautiful and perfect the art of coquetry.

In 1492 an event occurred vozvedshee Borgia family to unprecedented heights. Died Pope Innocent VIII, and on the papal throne, Rodrigo sat under the name of Alexander VI.

However, he, in his sixty years, remained voluptuaries what it was in twenty, it is not kept from licentiousness nor gray, nor the tiara. Children of His Holiness were fully worthy of its parent: in Cesare, he found his faithful assistant and an accomplice in the affairs of state and love. Not content with the favorite of the most illustrious families of the nobility and spiritual father and his son drew passionate thoughts on the lovely, blond Lucretia - a daughter, a sister of another, and rapidly became the mistress of both! Rodrigo became the most gentle admirer, showering gifts lewd girl and fulfill her slightest whims and caprices. Lucretia has lived up to their calling, and lavished caresses her father, as a true courtesan, estimating their number and value offerings. Around about 1492 Rodrigo, in order to keep up appearances, to marry his daughter with the Aragonese nobleman Don Esteban. Lucretius, in a short time, replaced the three men.

At the same time, Alexander VI and Cesare hatching ingenious designs unification of Italy. Treasury depleted continuous war in Italy and orgies in the walls of the Vatican, so Alexander VI in the last two years of his life decided to expand the lucrative trade of indulgences, ranks and scarlet hat. The last article was particularly profitable, here dad, as they say, one stone killing two birds: getting the money from the new Cardinal and legally inherited the estate of his deceased predecessor.

His Holiness invited the Cardinal to their breakfast or dinner, shook hands with him or ordered otomknut door locked, and a day or two or three that went to eternal life . . . Mingled with poison in food or drink thing was simple and uncomplicated, especially for Alexandra Borgia poisoning Zizima, brother of Sultan Bayezid, at the request of the latter. But it simply, one could only get rid of the Mohammedan; to eliminate candidates for the papacy Borgia invented other ways: a handshake and otmykanie castle. For the first pope put his finger on his right hand a gold ring, from the inner side of which, in mild shaking someone else′s hands, leaving the steel hair, slightly pricked and produces a drop of poison. Exactly the same mechanism were provided with keys at the door or cabinets.

In August 1503 my father, along with his faithful Cesare decided to send it to the other world three cardinals, and to this end have invited them to dinner. Among other delicacies, prepared for the guests, were bottles of Cyprus wine. These bottles stockpiled for dessert, were placed under the supervision of a trustworthy steward . . . However, long before the dessert Pope and Cesare ordered his own wine - of course, not poisoned. After draining cast glasses, Alexander and his son were more gracious to the guests, invited them to follow their example, and at this very moment my father, changing face, frightened, lonely began groping his chest and neck.

"What′s with you, Your Holiness?" - anxiously asked one of the interlocutors.

"Nothing, nothing . . . - Replied the villain, and, turning to the Secretary, continued hurriedly: - Be so good as soon as possible to bring from my bedroom to my pectoral amulet, she must be at the lectern, the bed . . . "

Present involuntarily looked at each other. Each of them knew that Alexander VI always wore around his neck amulet, which was linked his fate. When he was still a cardinal, a kind of gypsy, giving him the amulet, predicted that he would not die as long as there is wear it around his neck . . . Consumed with thoughts of poisoning cardinals in the morning on Aug. 18, 1503, Alexander VI had forgotten to put on the neck of a fatal gift to Roma and remembered it only at night, just when should be, too absent-mindedly footman, drank a glass of poisoned wine prepared for Cardinal . Sent to the room on his return to the garden (they had supper in the open air) found in terrible disarray guests, and my father and his son Cesare in its death throes. Alexander died in cruel agony, but Cesare remained alive thanks to the hot baths of bovine blood.