Historically, Lucretia (Lucrezia) Borgia has been portrayed in literature, plays, operas, movies, television shows, video games and, apparently even a porno, as a murderous, poisoning, incestuous, wanton political whore. How lovely to be remembered thus.
In my research, however, I discovered much evidence to suggest that she was quite the opposite to how she is so often portrayed. While Lucretia was by no means a prude in the sense that she appears to have had a sex life, which was not at all uncommon during her time, the actual historical records report her to have been intelligent, thoughtful, fair-minded and virtuous in her character.
One of the most common charges against Lucretia's character is the story of incest between her and her brother, Cesare and a further idea that she even slept with her father, Pope Alexander VI.
Why would such stories be spread about someone, considered by most people who knew her during her time, to be a lovely, well-mannered and virtuous young woman?
Politics.
To understand the story of the Borgias, their reputation, the actions undertaken by Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia), his son Cesare, Duke Valentino and Duke of Romagna, one must endeavor to understand something the nature of the City of Rome circa 1500, the history of the Vatican and its financial, political and military status, the many City-States and Principalities throughout the Italian peninsula, and the larger political influences of the Kings of France, Naples, and Spain as well as the Austrian Emperor, Maximilian.
In addition to the political history, is also important to understand the social history of the time. Pope Alexander VI had a mistress (Giulia Farnese, a married woman) and apparently it was not much of a secret. He also apparently had four children by his previous mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei, who was also a married woman and is believed to have had an affair with Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere, one of Alexander's rivals who later became Pope Julius II.
Some pretty busy people, it seems. And, it appears not to have been particularly uncommon at the time. However, looking back on history, through perspectives of puritanism moralism that have arisen periodically over the last five hundred years, it is easy to forget that the people of the Renaissance were simply that; people. They lived, they loved, they fought, they died. Some were good, others less so, but they were all people.
Thus, in my own writing, which is admittedly historical fiction in the case of Lucretia, I have attempted to portray Lucretia and the people around her as human beings instead of mythical creatures or fictional archetypes, and, in doing so, have endeavored to take inspiration from the realities of personal and political life in the time period, maintaining the visceral humanity of the characters in this story.
Side note: They were also apparently making some very high-end fabrics including silk and velvet in Venice as well as several other Italian cities at the time.
In my research, however, I discovered much evidence to suggest that she was quite the opposite to how she is so often portrayed. While Lucretia was by no means a prude in the sense that she appears to have had a sex life, which was not at all uncommon during her time, the actual historical records report her to have been intelligent, thoughtful, fair-minded and virtuous in her character.
Of particular usefulness were the personal journals of Johannes Burchard Pope Alexander VI and his court: extracts from the Latin diary of Johannes Burchardus as well as numerous historians who have written on the subject.
One of the most common charges against Lucretia's character is the story of incest between her and her brother, Cesare and a further idea that she even slept with her father, Pope Alexander VI.
Why would such stories be spread about someone, considered by most people who knew her during her time, to be a lovely, well-mannered and virtuous young woman?
Politics.
To understand the story of the Borgias, their reputation, the actions undertaken by Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo Borgia), his son Cesare, Duke Valentino and Duke of Romagna, one must endeavor to understand something the nature of the City of Rome circa 1500, the history of the Vatican and its financial, political and military status, the many City-States and Principalities throughout the Italian peninsula, and the larger political influences of the Kings of France, Naples, and Spain as well as the Austrian Emperor, Maximilian.
In addition to the political history, is also important to understand the social history of the time. Pope Alexander VI had a mistress (Giulia Farnese, a married woman) and apparently it was not much of a secret. He also apparently had four children by his previous mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei, who was also a married woman and is believed to have had an affair with Cardinal Giuliano Della Rovere, one of Alexander's rivals who later became Pope Julius II.
Some pretty busy people, it seems. And, it appears not to have been particularly uncommon at the time. However, looking back on history, through perspectives of puritanism moralism that have arisen periodically over the last five hundred years, it is easy to forget that the people of the Renaissance were simply that; people. They lived, they loved, they fought, they died. Some were good, others less so, but they were all people.
Thus, in my own writing, which is admittedly historical fiction in the case of Lucretia, I have attempted to portray Lucretia and the people around her as human beings instead of mythical creatures or fictional archetypes, and, in doing so, have endeavored to take inspiration from the realities of personal and political life in the time period, maintaining the visceral humanity of the characters in this story.
Side note: They were also apparently making some very high-end fabrics including silk and velvet in Venice as well as several other Italian cities at the time.