Il nipotismo di Roma, or, The History of the Popes Nephews / from the time of Sixtus IV. to the death of the last Pope, Alexander VII

by Gregorio Leti

In this Conclave, the Barbarines had resolved to give their votes; and those of their party, rather to Cardinal Medici, then to Cardinal Pamphilio; and the sooner, because, that upon the point that the Cardinals were to go into the Conclave, there were divers Pasquins made, and amongst the others this, Quardateri di far Papa Pamphilio che vi Mandarebbe tutti in Esilio; and this other, Pamphilio Mandara le Mosche in Esilio: So that the chiefest aime of the Nipotismo was to procure the exclusion of Pamphilio, not only by means of their creatures, but also by a formal opposition from France, which the Cardinal Antonio was very earnest for in that Court; but the more he bestirred himself for this exclusion, the more prognosticks there were of a contrary success.

Innocentius being then chosen in spight of the Barbarines, began to persecute them most furiously, and with so much rage and passion, that though at first no body pittyed them, yet at last it was thought too severe a proceeding: In the mean time Rome was furnished immediately with another Nipotismo, as if it had been a perpetual custome and tradition of the Church not to be without one.

This Pope had but one Nephew, called Camillo Pamphilio; who by him was made Cardinal in the first promotion with the Title of Padrone, though he were very unfit for so weighty an Employment. But Innocent did think to instruct him by little, and shape him for business. ’Tis true, that in his Remonstrances, he would be so sharp and crabbed, following the Nature of his Temper, that the Cardinal, farre from learning any thing, was put out of conceit with business, and began to hate it extreamly; and because the Pope continued every day to reproach him with his incapacity and dulness, the poor Cardinal was often forced to feign sickness, and pretend some incommodity to avoyd giving of Audience to Ambassadours, and publick Ministers; thus would he be whole dayes without daring to appear in his Uncles presence, in which time he did nothing but contrive how he should be rid of this yoak; which though of Gold, seemed to him to be of Iron, looking upon himself as upon the greatest slave of the World.

And at last he began to think, that the precedent Popes having declar’d some one of their Nephews, Princes, and married them advantagiously, it would not be amiss that his Uncle should do as much for him. And indeed, when the newes was published, that Camillo Pamphilio was made Cardinal, most wise men wondred at it; Considering, that whereas, all the desires of the precedent Popes had been to eternize their name and family, by marriages with Princesses and persons of great quality; yet that Innocentius having but this Nephew in the World, as the only bud of the Pamphilian family, should not only condescend, but, as it were force him, be a Cardinal, and renounce Marriage; shewing therein an avidity for present honour, but little or no care for his posterity.

But Cardinal Pamphilio considered better of it, and seeing that all the Nipotismo consisted in him alone, resolved to act all the parts of it, and play sometimes the Cardinal and Politician, sometimes the Prince and the gallant, and so make up a perfect Nipotismo.

To help him in the execution of his design there happened the fairest occasion that ever was; for at that very time, the Princess of Rossana, being become a Widdow, and having the happy qualities of rich, young, and beautiful; he thought he might gain her; and indeed it succeeded accordingly: for this Lady, though she were demanded in Marriage by divers Soveraign Princes, was pleased to place all her affections upon the Cardinal Camillo, who courted her secretly with a resolution to marry her.

Neither is it to be wondred at that so accomplish’d a Lady, should encline to bestow her self upon one who was so far from being lovely: For her end in it was ambition, supposing that by this marriage, she would insinuate her self into the Popes favour, and by her beauty and taking carriage, attract his kindness, and so be mistress of the Church, the state, the Pope, and her husband.

But things fell out farre different to her expectation, for no sooner had the Pope the newes of the match, and that they were promised to one another, but he immediatly banish’d them both from Rome.

The Princess made some resistance, and refused to obey this his order; saying in her defence, That he had liberty to banish his Nephews, as much as he pleased, but not the Roman Princesses. Neither would she depart the City, the same day her Husband left it; but some time after she followed, saying, that it was not to obey the Pope, but to go to her Husband.

There was no body in Court or City, who did not pity this Ladies case, and tax the Pope not only of ingratitude towards a princess, who had refused great Princes to marry his Nephew, but also layed brutishness and dulness to his charge, as one who could not see the infinite advantages this match did bring to his family; and to say true, there was nothing in this alliance, that could with any reason move the Popes indignation against his Nephew, who was the only support of the family, and who for his natural defects and incapacity of business, ought rather to have been excused, then reproached with this so advantagious a change of condition; where the fortune, the beauty, the youth, and the parts of the Lady were incomparable qualities, which might be sufficient to make a Queen, besides fecundity, which soon after she shewed.