From this Pope sprung the house of Borgia, and was by him encreas’d and advanc’d to that grandeur, whereof we have spoken in other places. It was divided into two branches, one whereof remain’d in Spain in possession of its ancient honours, and the other came into Italy; where it became so great by the many Principalities conferr’d on it by the Pope, that it seem’d likely to flourish to eternity. But on the contrary, in less than half an Age, it decayed so fast, that ’tis above fifty years since the Family of Borgia became extinct in Italy.
’Tis true, the Branch in Spain continues in some splendour, and possesses at present the Principality of Squillace, which was given by Pope Alexander to his Family. But this Principality is no great matter, Don Ferdinando Borgia, the present Possessor little caring for it, for the same reason, as some think, of being purchas’d with the money of the Church; and glorying only in his possessing what his Ancestors had got by their valour, and himself gets by the good service he performs to the Crown, which reckons him one of the chiefest men of Spain.
After the Introduction of Nipotismo, the Family of Picolomini had another Pope, to wit, Pius the third, who lived so short a time, that he was fain to leave his Kindred Picoli huomini (small men) indeed; although they have kept themselves in the rank of Nobility, by having receiv’d considerably from the Church, but only for eminent services perform’d to the same.
We have spoken sufficiently of the House of Rovere, and though Julius the second, who was of it, might induce us to speak of it here again: yet for brevities sake, we will pass to the Family of the Medici, which was indeed amplifi’d by, but not first rais’d by Popes, but rather the Popes rais’d by it.
Leo the tenth did his utmost to render his House potent, not in Rome only, but also in Florence; where it was one of the chiefest of that Commonwealth. But what this Leo could not, Clement the seventh (of the same Family) effected, having with the Emperours assistance enthralled his own Countrey to make his Nephews Princes.
This House hath maintain’d it self for above 300 years together in greatness, and I believe will so continue, because it stands not on the same foundation with other Families of Popes. First, because (as I said before) it has rather given Popes to the Church, than receiv’d Being from the Popes, without need of whom it kept it self long in grandeur. And though at first view the great height of this House may seem to be of right attributed to the force, which Clement the seventh us’d to enslave his Countrey, and render his Kindred Princes: Yet this is not pertinent to the question; for Clement took not from the Church to give to them, but only destroy’d a Republick, which was an obstacle to the eyes of all Popes, and where his Family was already in chief command. Besides, the Medici were therein as much oblig’d to the House of Austria, by whose Force and Power they undoubtedly receiv’d the Principality which they possess with so much glory. And accordingly Ferdinand the second and his Ancestors have alwayes shewed themselves most grateful for the benefit.
The Family of Farnese, which is that of Paul the third, Successor to Clement, came out of Germany into Italy, in company of the Emperours, who often made this Voyage attended by a great number of Dutch Gentlemen; here the chief of this Family gave in divers cases great proofs of their valour, and were therefore preferr’d by the chief and most Potent Princes of Italy to greater Dignities and Offices than those which they had possess’d at home, as well Civil as Military, whereof they acquitted themselves well.
The Popes especially were ambitious to have them at their service, and by their means obtain’d sundry Victories; without which ’tis likely the Church would have been in great distress. In the Papacy of Paschal the second, in the year 1100. Pietro Farnese, Captain of the Cavalry of the Church, did wonders in its service, having obtain’d a most glorious Victory against the Pope’s Enemies on the Coasts of Tuscany, restoring to Costano the name of Orbitello, a very ancient Colony, and replenishing the same with much people.
Prudentio Son of this Pietro under the Papacy of Lucius the second, and Pepone and Panuccio Sons of Prudentio, under the Papacy of Innocent the third, effected great things in defence of the Church, which was greatly afflicted with the Schism of the Emperors.
The Grandfather of Paul the third was Ramecio Farnese, who overcame, subdu’d and destroy’d all the Rebels of the Holy Church, which in great numbers molested the State Ecclesiastical, and almost all Christendom, he being Captain of the Papal Army in the time of Eugenio the fourth, who indeed was a very worthy Pope, if for nothing else, yet for the good intention he had to reward the valour of this great Captain; and I think he rewarded him abundantly by this testimony which he gave him, The Church is ours, because Farnese hath given it us.