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Vannozza dei Cattanei
Born into the lowest levels of
the Italian aristocracy, the beautiful and spirited Vannozza dei Cattanei was charismatic
and clever enough to run not one, but two inns, or ‘osterias’ as they are
called in Rome. It is likely there that her charms caught the attention of
Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, whom she scandalously entered into an affair
with, despite his vows of celibacy. He later became Pope Julius II.
In her inns, she lavishly entertained rich,
ambitious cardinals. Soon, the affair with Giuliano petered out and she turned
her attentions to Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, from a very wealthy Spanish family. She
soon became his favorite mistress – not bad for a guy at the highest levels of
the church who is supposed to abstain from the sin of lust.
Giuliano della Rovere
Pope Julius II
In his elder years
Rodrigo Borgia
Pope Alexander VI
When it came to Rodrigo,
she was obliging and compliant, never making demands, and always offering
helpful suggestions. He showed his appreciation by letting her use several of
his properties which she eventually managed to convince him to put solely in
her name. Oh, but that’s not all he gave her. In addition to properties, she
had full financial support and bought a vineyard, a country-house, and more
inns in highly desirable areas of Rome. As the years passed, she bore Rodrigo
four children: Juan, Cesare, Lucrezia, and Jofre.
But all good things must soon
come to an end and it was no different for this adoring couple. The Vatican soon
took note of their wayward son and his flagrant violation of the celibacy vows
that he had taken upon entering the Church. If he wanted to be in the running
to become the next pope, then poor Vanozza had to go. But how could he get rid
of his social climbing, materialistic, wealth-grabbing lover? The answer was
simple – marry her off to someone else, of course.
So Rodrigo presided over her wedding
to Domenico d'Arignano, a wealthy man who died a few short years later. With
Rodrigo’s help Vanozza married a man named Antonio da Brescia. When he died, in
order to continue to keep the mother of his children at arms’ length, and a
safe distance from Vatican eyes, Rodrigo chose another compliant husband for
his ex-mistress - Giorgio di Croce. In exchange for marrying Vanozza, Rodrigo made
him apostolic secretary. A good job, steady money, why not? So Vanozza married Giorgio
and moved into the same neighborhood as Cardinal Borgia's Palace on the Piazza
Sforza-Ceasarini.
Over the years, Vanozza continued
to be Rodrigo’s friend and confidante to many of his darkest secrets. When her
second husband died a wealthy man, Rodrigo set out yet again to find her
another suitable husband. This time, he chose a Mantuan named Carlo Canale, who
had many lucrative and useful connections. To seal the deal, Rodrigo provide a
dowry of 1000 florins and another high level job.
As Vanozza grew older, she became
a little wiser too. Establishing herself as a reformed sinner, she began donating
to charities and supporting convents. She remained in touch with her children.
When she died, she was given a
lavish funeral almost equally attended by Vatican officials as well as
citizens.
Written by Mirella Patzer
History and Women
History and Women
