A few pieces of good news have surfaced, firstly my computer has returned, meaning I can now more easily access my blog and most importantly properly start my project (writing). Secondly, I've read far into Mallett's book now (I'll be further evaluating later).
Next, the second season of the TV series has started to air on W., I plan to watch the series to see if any useful information appears, but I plan to put both the first and second season in the same context due to the fact its from the same source.
I evaluated the first season of the TV series in a much earlier post including all the episodes, what occurred and so on. I'll be doing the same for this season, but perhaps in a much more brief state. I find that while the TV series depicts a decent representation of the Borgias in some areas it pales in comparison to the books, which give a much more thorough, realistic and detailed explanation/depiction. In terms of the views of Rodrigo, the series presents him as corrupt, but not overly evil. This is similar to Hibbert, in the sense that neither present him as totally good nor vindictive. However, the series does present him in a slight corrupt manner.
Lastly, my project writng has finally begun. I've started making notes about who he was and the main aim of the project. I have my main question and all subsidiary questions, which were written up in an earlier post as well.
Mallett's book is interesting, he takes his own spin on events and writes in a very informative, formal manner. Like Hibbert it seems he tries to aim for objectivity, but has a slight input from his own opinions subtly through the book's context.
My next post will concern project progress and/or developments on Mallett's book.
Sunday, 20 May 2012
Wednesday, 9 May 2012
More On Mallett
After diving deep into Mallett's book I've uncovered some interesting points. In his introduction he discusses the Borgias, the Popes and other significant historical figures/events around that time, the Italian Renaissance and his Intention, which he quotes: "It is my intention therefore in this book to present as wide a spectrum as possible of recent views about the Borgias in an attempt not to rehabilitate them but to explain them. To explain why they were so hated, so feared and so maligned; to explain what they were doing which so upset the Renaissance Italians as to bring down the whole weight of contemporary humanistic and later historical censure upon them."
However, he later writes: "It is often difficult for the historian to accept that the public image, however distorted it is, may be of more historical significance than the real, often more complex, situation.
These are some of the pitfalls which confront the Borgia historian and which can easily frighten him into the abyss of unrealistic rehabilitation on the other side of the narrow path of objective historical truth. This path is even narrower and harder to find than usual on this subject, and it would be optimistic and pretentious to imagine that this modest contribution has succeeded entirely in finding it." These quotes give us abit of insight into Mallett, he seems to want to be objective and to "explain" why the Borgias are greatly disliked, I'm quite intrigued as to how he's going to go about/manage that. The quote above also gives brief insight into how Mallett views the difficulty historians come across concerning the acceptance of the "distorted public image" over the "real, more complex situation", Mallett seems to want the objective truth, but accepts that is often difficult to find it with this subject. Mallett commenting on how historians find diffculty concerning the distorted image over the real, more complex one gives the impression that he himself believes he has uncovered that truth. As I progress more throughly in Mallett's book, more should be found, specifically what he uncovers and truly thinks/expresses.
In other news my computer has crashed, impeding my work progress, but it should be hopefully fixed within the week. Meanwhile, I've had to use this spare laptop which is painfully slow, I should cope though.
However, he later writes: "It is often difficult for the historian to accept that the public image, however distorted it is, may be of more historical significance than the real, often more complex, situation.
These are some of the pitfalls which confront the Borgia historian and which can easily frighten him into the abyss of unrealistic rehabilitation on the other side of the narrow path of objective historical truth. This path is even narrower and harder to find than usual on this subject, and it would be optimistic and pretentious to imagine that this modest contribution has succeeded entirely in finding it." These quotes give us abit of insight into Mallett, he seems to want to be objective and to "explain" why the Borgias are greatly disliked, I'm quite intrigued as to how he's going to go about/manage that. The quote above also gives brief insight into how Mallett views the difficulty historians come across concerning the acceptance of the "distorted public image" over the "real, more complex situation", Mallett seems to want the objective truth, but accepts that is often difficult to find it with this subject. Mallett commenting on how historians find diffculty concerning the distorted image over the real, more complex one gives the impression that he himself believes he has uncovered that truth. As I progress more throughly in Mallett's book, more should be found, specifically what he uncovers and truly thinks/expresses.
In other news my computer has crashed, impeding my work progress, but it should be hopefully fixed within the week. Meanwhile, I've had to use this spare laptop which is painfully slow, I should cope though.
Monday, 23 April 2012
Progress and identifying Hibbert's view
After finishing Hibbert's book I have to say it was quite an interesting read, I've now delved deep into Michael Mallett's book "The Borgia's: The rise and fall of the most infamous family in history". Marion Johnson's "The Borgia's" has also arrived and unlike the other books it takes the form of a illustrated biography, with pictures, portraits, maps, family tree's, drawings/paintings of particular events/individuals and so on.
Now on to a more important topic is Hibbert's view, Hibbert's view is difficult to identify as he writes in a very objective manner, usually using accounts from others and different sources to unravel the information he presents. The implied view is that he dismisses the vindictive and negative reputation given of the Borgia's, but accepts that at times they committed acts/made actions that would have been easily frowned upon and could be seen as crimes/deceit.
His opinion seems to me as a more neutral view of the Borgia's (or Rodrigo for that matter), where he doesn't side strongly either way.
In his bibliography its interesting to note that he focuses mostly on contemporary sources.
Now on to a more important topic is Hibbert's view, Hibbert's view is difficult to identify as he writes in a very objective manner, usually using accounts from others and different sources to unravel the information he presents. The implied view is that he dismisses the vindictive and negative reputation given of the Borgia's, but accepts that at times they committed acts/made actions that would have been easily frowned upon and could be seen as crimes/deceit.
His opinion seems to me as a more neutral view of the Borgia's (or Rodrigo for that matter), where he doesn't side strongly either way.
In his bibliography its interesting to note that he focuses mostly on contemporary sources.
Thursday, 12 April 2012
Planning
With the arrival of Michael Mallett's "The Borgias", which I will be beginning to read next week, I'm going to now start the planning of the actual writing of my project. Hopefully I'll be able to begin the early stages of writing next week/soon.
I'll begin doing further review of Hibbert's/Tuchman's views soon as well. However, upon reading Hibbert's book I haven't identified what his view actually is, he's very objective and justified with his writing and he uses sources/accounts from others to express his information. Still, I'll be further assessing the two later.
Apologies for not blogging lately as well, hopefully time frees up.
I'll begin doing further review of Hibbert's/Tuchman's views soon as well. However, upon reading Hibbert's book I haven't identified what his view actually is, he's very objective and justified with his writing and he uses sources/accounts from others to express his information. Still, I'll be further assessing the two later.
Apologies for not blogging lately as well, hopefully time frees up.
Friday, 23 March 2012
Books
Just a quick note to say that I ordered the two books and they should arrive within a week or two.
Monday, 5 March 2012
Moving On
From Sir's advice I have changed my question to "Evaluate the Papacy of Rodrigo Borgia". This seems alot more condensed from my previous question and it can easily come up with the same answers thankfully.
Anyway, after almost finishing "The Borgias and Their Enemies", I am now on the lookout for more books. Two books I have interest in (I referenced these two in my Proposal), are "The Borgias" by Marion Johnson and "The Borgias: The Rise and Fall of the Most Infamous Family in History" by Michael Mallett. I'm not so much looking for information about the lives of the Borgias anymore, I'm in fact looking for views and opinions. I have read that both these books (more so Mallett's) provide interesting opinions about Rodrigo. http://www.amazon.com/Borgias-Rise-Infamous-Family-History/product-reviews/0897332385/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
The customer reviews of the book suggest Mallett defends the Borgias extensively, which is why I have interest in looking at these two books. I will also, of course, record any new information these two books provide, but I think there will be a much bigger focus on opinion. So I will be on the lookout for these two books in the coming weeks.
One last quick note to say is that I've recorded and written down all the relevant notes/information I needed from the "March of Folly".
Anyway, after almost finishing "The Borgias and Their Enemies", I am now on the lookout for more books. Two books I have interest in (I referenced these two in my Proposal), are "The Borgias" by Marion Johnson and "The Borgias: The Rise and Fall of the Most Infamous Family in History" by Michael Mallett. I'm not so much looking for information about the lives of the Borgias anymore, I'm in fact looking for views and opinions. I have read that both these books (more so Mallett's) provide interesting opinions about Rodrigo. http://www.amazon.com/Borgias-Rise-Infamous-Family-History/product-reviews/0897332385/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
The customer reviews of the book suggest Mallett defends the Borgias extensively, which is why I have interest in looking at these two books. I will also, of course, record any new information these two books provide, but I think there will be a much bigger focus on opinion. So I will be on the lookout for these two books in the coming weeks.
One last quick note to say is that I've recorded and written down all the relevant notes/information I needed from the "March of Folly".
Sunday, 19 February 2012
The March of Folly - Part 2
*Girolamo Savonarola, a Dominican Friar, was the voice of 'religious distress' and preached to many in Florence. His impulse came from revulsion at the corruption of the Church. His prophecy concerning reform and how it would follow a period of happiness and well-being for Christendom exerted a strong appeal and he became a popular speaker. He spoke with wrath upon the sins of the people and clergy. He proved to be a strong influence on those who listened.
He became politically dangerous and even ended up hailing Charles VIII as the "instrument of reform sent by the Lord of the Church."which made people perceive him a threat and he was brought to the attention of Alexander VI.
*Alexander only took action when Savonarola's denunciations became too much to ignore, he even called for a Council to remove the Pope on grounds of Simony. Alexander at first attempted to silence him and forbade him to preach. Savonarola had a negative view of the Pope so he refused and continued on with his work. Eventually Alexander ordered Florentine authorities to silence the Dominican Friar and threatened them with the excommunicating of the whole city. Savonarola was eventually imprisoned, tortured, forced to make a confession of Heresy and hung. Public opinion at this time had obviously turned against him.
*It was around this time that the Pope had interest in conceiving marriage ties with the royal family of Naples. He anulled the marriage of his daughter to Giovanni Sforza in order for her to marry Alfonso, Neapolitan heir. Giovanni was outraged after denying the charge of 'non-consummation' and this led him to accuse the Pope of Incest (Which is interesting to note he is one individual who has accused the Pope of a crime/negative action). Tuchman then quotes:
"the tale aided the accretion of ever more lurid slanders that clustered around Alexander and gathered credibility from the vices of his son Cesare."
*In the year of Lucrezia's remarriage, Juan, Duke of Gandia and the Pope's second son (If you count Cesare being the eldest), was found stabbed to death in the Tiber. Juan was noted as having a long line of enemies, owing to papal property given to him by the Pope. No one was identified as the killer, but it was largely suspected that Cesare had done it. There was an array of reasons Cesare was suspected of murder, one reason being how Cesare felt his father favoured Juan more. However it is then quoted that: "In the bubbling stew of Rome's rumors, no depravity appeared beyond the scope of the Borgias (although historians have since absolved Cesare of the murder)."
*Alexander was deeply affected by Juan's death. He was afflicted with grief, remorse and sudden rare introspection. The Pope later announced that "the blow he suffered was God's judgment upon him for the sins and that he resolved to amend his life and reform the church".
*In 1499, Louis XII, the new French King, returned, claiming the succession to Milan. Louis seeked annulment. Against public opinion, Alexander saw this as a way towards gold, riches and valuables. He also saw it as a window of advancement for Cesare, who had recently resigned his role as Cardinal. Alexander granted Louis' annulment and Cesare was soon able to marry.
This new alliance with France, to help advance Cesare, angered many including the rulers of Naples, Sforzas and even Spain. Alexander did not change course and continued with the partnership. The Pope was now creating himself enemies.
*Cesare eventually had a full military career with France and aimed to regain control of certain Papal States. The cost of his campaigns drained Papal revenues. He eventually instilled fear into people.
Lucrezia's husband Alfonso, was attacked by five men but escaped injured. He suspected Cesare and attempted to kill him with a bow and arrow, only to fatally miss and to be killed by Cesare's guard.
Two months later, the Pope and Cesare had a banquet in the Vatican, where dinner was served for many guests and as reported by Johann Burchard (Renaissance chronicler who recorded parts of Alexander's life) "fifty courtesans danced after dinner with his guests, at first clothed, then naked".
*Alexander's expenses emptied the treasury. In the last year of his life, Alexander had many hostilities. The Orsini were fighting Cesare and the Spanish were fighting the French. Churchmen who were concerned for the faith raised the issue of a council.
In August 1503 Alexander died age 73. Originally thought to be poison was in fact natural causes. The book then quotes "Public emotion, released as if the death of a monster, exploded in ghastly tales of a black and swollen corpse with tongue protruding from a foaming mouth, so horrible that no one would touch it".
Tuchman further quotes : "The impression of his (Burchard's) toneless diary of Alexander's papacy is of continuous violence, murders in churches, bodies in the Tiber, fighting of factions, tortures and executions, combined with scandal, frivolities and continuous ceremony".
Interestingly, she then says: " Certain revisionists have taken a fancy to the Borgia Pope and worked hard to rehabilitate him by intricate arguments that dispose of the charges against him as either exaggeration or forgeries or gossip of unexplained malice"
Obviously Tuchman withheld a negative view of Alexander. This is backed up by the quotes used throughout, along with the fact that she titles the chapter "Depravity: Alexander VI, 1492-1503". While the focus of her writing seems to concentrate on a biography of the Pope, her view on him can be clearly seen through further inspection. However, her view is one that is supported by strong evidence, accounts and information. This is why both her view and analysis of Alexander VI is crucial.
He became politically dangerous and even ended up hailing Charles VIII as the "instrument of reform sent by the Lord of the Church."which made people perceive him a threat and he was brought to the attention of Alexander VI.
*Alexander only took action when Savonarola's denunciations became too much to ignore, he even called for a Council to remove the Pope on grounds of Simony. Alexander at first attempted to silence him and forbade him to preach. Savonarola had a negative view of the Pope so he refused and continued on with his work. Eventually Alexander ordered Florentine authorities to silence the Dominican Friar and threatened them with the excommunicating of the whole city. Savonarola was eventually imprisoned, tortured, forced to make a confession of Heresy and hung. Public opinion at this time had obviously turned against him.
*It was around this time that the Pope had interest in conceiving marriage ties with the royal family of Naples. He anulled the marriage of his daughter to Giovanni Sforza in order for her to marry Alfonso, Neapolitan heir. Giovanni was outraged after denying the charge of 'non-consummation' and this led him to accuse the Pope of Incest (Which is interesting to note he is one individual who has accused the Pope of a crime/negative action). Tuchman then quotes:
"the tale aided the accretion of ever more lurid slanders that clustered around Alexander and gathered credibility from the vices of his son Cesare."
*In the year of Lucrezia's remarriage, Juan, Duke of Gandia and the Pope's second son (If you count Cesare being the eldest), was found stabbed to death in the Tiber. Juan was noted as having a long line of enemies, owing to papal property given to him by the Pope. No one was identified as the killer, but it was largely suspected that Cesare had done it. There was an array of reasons Cesare was suspected of murder, one reason being how Cesare felt his father favoured Juan more. However it is then quoted that: "In the bubbling stew of Rome's rumors, no depravity appeared beyond the scope of the Borgias (although historians have since absolved Cesare of the murder)."
*Alexander was deeply affected by Juan's death. He was afflicted with grief, remorse and sudden rare introspection. The Pope later announced that "the blow he suffered was God's judgment upon him for the sins and that he resolved to amend his life and reform the church".
*In 1499, Louis XII, the new French King, returned, claiming the succession to Milan. Louis seeked annulment. Against public opinion, Alexander saw this as a way towards gold, riches and valuables. He also saw it as a window of advancement for Cesare, who had recently resigned his role as Cardinal. Alexander granted Louis' annulment and Cesare was soon able to marry.
This new alliance with France, to help advance Cesare, angered many including the rulers of Naples, Sforzas and even Spain. Alexander did not change course and continued with the partnership. The Pope was now creating himself enemies.
*Cesare eventually had a full military career with France and aimed to regain control of certain Papal States. The cost of his campaigns drained Papal revenues. He eventually instilled fear into people.
Lucrezia's husband Alfonso, was attacked by five men but escaped injured. He suspected Cesare and attempted to kill him with a bow and arrow, only to fatally miss and to be killed by Cesare's guard.
Two months later, the Pope and Cesare had a banquet in the Vatican, where dinner was served for many guests and as reported by Johann Burchard (Renaissance chronicler who recorded parts of Alexander's life) "fifty courtesans danced after dinner with his guests, at first clothed, then naked".
*Alexander's expenses emptied the treasury. In the last year of his life, Alexander had many hostilities. The Orsini were fighting Cesare and the Spanish were fighting the French. Churchmen who were concerned for the faith raised the issue of a council.
In August 1503 Alexander died age 73. Originally thought to be poison was in fact natural causes. The book then quotes "Public emotion, released as if the death of a monster, exploded in ghastly tales of a black and swollen corpse with tongue protruding from a foaming mouth, so horrible that no one would touch it".
Tuchman further quotes : "The impression of his (Burchard's) toneless diary of Alexander's papacy is of continuous violence, murders in churches, bodies in the Tiber, fighting of factions, tortures and executions, combined with scandal, frivolities and continuous ceremony".
Interestingly, she then says: " Certain revisionists have taken a fancy to the Borgia Pope and worked hard to rehabilitate him by intricate arguments that dispose of the charges against him as either exaggeration or forgeries or gossip of unexplained malice"
Obviously Tuchman withheld a negative view of Alexander. This is backed up by the quotes used throughout, along with the fact that she titles the chapter "Depravity: Alexander VI, 1492-1503". While the focus of her writing seems to concentrate on a biography of the Pope, her view on him can be clearly seen through further inspection. However, her view is one that is supported by strong evidence, accounts and information. This is why both her view and analysis of Alexander VI is crucial.
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