House of Borgia

In the year 1376, as Pope Gregory XI made the momentous decision to return the papacy to Rome, he found an unexpected ally in the House of Borgia. The Borgias, a cunning and ambitious family, saw an opportunity to strengthen their position and gain favor with the newly restored papacy.

Arms of the house of Borgia

## The house of Borgia

### Succeded by

Venetian Republic

At the center of the House of Borgia stands Juan Domingo de Borja y Doncel. He had made his fortune in Xàtiva, engaged in local commerce, particularly in the sugar trade. With his wealth and influence, Juan Domingo was determined to elevate the status of the House of Borgia and secure their place in the annals of history.

When Pope Gregory XI cautiously considered the Borgia's proposition of safe passage and protection within the walls of Rome, Juan Domingo saw this as the golden opportunity he had been waiting for. He believed that supporting the papacy's return to Rome would not only strengthen the Church but also establish a close bond between the Borgias and the Holy See.

With his strategic mind at work, Juan Domingo orchestrated a grand plan to assist the papal entourage on their journey back to Rome. The Borgia army, equipped and prepared, accompanied the papal court, ready to ensure the safety and security of Pope Gregory XI and his followers.

As they arrived in Rome, the streets were filled with jubilant crowds, rejoicing at the return of the papacy to its rightful seat. Pope Gregory XI addressed the enthusiastic onlookers, expressing his hope for unity and renewal within the Church. The support of the House of Borgia was evident to all, as they stood by the Pope's side during this historic moment.

Under Borgia rule, the papacy began its efforts to implement reforms and address the grievances of the faithful. Juan Domingo worked closely with Pope Gregory XI, using his wealth and influence to safeguard the interests of the Church and support the initiatives for change.

However, despite their initial optimism, the challenges of the times soon became apparent. The return of the papacy to Rome did not immediately erase the deep-seated divisions within the Church. Conflicting ideologies and vested interests persisted, leading to increasing tensions within the clergy and across Europe.

In the following years, the rift within the Church widened further, and the Schism emerged. the Catholic Church split in 1378 after Gregory XI died and Urban VI had been elected in Rome, a group of French cardinals declared his election invalid and elected Clement VII as pope.

Multiple rival popes claimed legitimacy, Rome became a battleground for conflicting factions vying for control. Tensions reached a boiling point. The House of Christ Society, with their own candidate for the papacy, was determined to challenge the Borgia's authority and ensure the ascension of their chosen pope.

In a dramatic turn of events, the streets of Rome became a battleground as the Borgia army clashed with the forces of the House of Christ Society. The sound of clashing swords and the cries of battle echoed through the city, threatening to plunge it into chaos.

Amidst the bloodshed and the escalating violence, John XXIII, the Pisan claimant to the papacy, recognized the need for a peaceful resolution. He understood that the survival of the Church depended on unity and reconciliation. John XXIII intervened, calling for an immediate ceasefire. His voice, infused with a determination for peace, resonated through the warring factions. Both sides reluctantly put down their weapons, their faces etched with expressions of anger and defiance.

Juan Domingo de Borja y Doncel, stood side by side before the warring armies. They appealed for calm and urged their followers to set aside their differences for the greater good of the Church.

Their words struck a chord with the weary soldiers, who had grown tired of the endless conflict. Slowly, the tension in the air dissipated, replaced by a palpable sense of hope and possibility. The battle-weary troops lowered their weapons and began to disperse, no longer driven by the thirst for victory but by the desire for peace.

With the bloodshed halted, John XXIII took a momentous step to restore the Church's unity. He called for a grand council, the Council of Constance, to be convened in an effort to bring an end to the schism once and for all.

At the Council of Constance, Martin V was elected as the new pope reigning from Rome. His election came with the support of both the House of Borgia and the House of Christ Society, marking a remarkable moment of reconciliation between the once-opposing factions.

The Council of Constance brought an end to the confusion and turmoil that had plagued Europe for years. In the aftermath of the battle in the streets of Rome, the House of Borgia emerged as influential supporters of the newly elected Pope Martin V. Their determination to secure the Church's unity and stability earned them respect and recognition among the faithful.

The House of Christ Society, though their candidate did not ascend to the papacy, found solace in the greater cause of restoring harmony to the Church. They redirected their energies towards supporting Pope Martin V's efforts to reform and renew the Catholic Church.

In the early 15th century, Italy witnessed the eruption of the War of the Bands in Florence, a fierce conflict between rival factions seeking dominance over the city. Pope Martin V, the successor to Callixtus III, condemned the violence and attempted to mediate a resolution, hoping to restore peace to the troubled region.

Amidst these tumultuous times, Rodrigo de Borja, the nephew of Pope Callixtus III, ascended to the papacy as Pope Alexander VI in 1492. His papacy was mired in controversy, as allegations of corruption and nepotism within the Borgia family surrounded his reign.

The house of christ sent women to the Borgia house to accuse them for sin, however, Pope Alexander VI solidified the Borgia family's control over the Catholic Church, establishing them as a powerful force in the ecclesiastical and political realms.

Pope Alexander VI's daughter, Lucrezia Borgia, played a significant role in the family's political alliances through strategic marriages and connections. Meanwhile, her step sister Isabella Pope Alexander VI's other daughter, a woman of rare beauty and intelligence, earned her place within the family's inner circle, and her ambitions aligned with her father's vision of securing the Borgia legacy. Alongside her, were her brothers: Girolama, Pedro-Luiz, Giovanni, Rodrigo and Bernardo.

The House of Christ, grew envious of the Borgias' influence. Led by Cardinal Julius Santelli, a cunning and ruthless man, they sought to discredit and undermine the Borgia family's standing within the church and society.

Julius Santelli, seeing Isabella as a threat to his own ambitions, devised a devious plan to tarnish her reputation. He enlisted the help of two unscrupulous traders from a distant city, persuading them to stage a scandalous encounter with Isabella in a secluded garden.

Late one night, as Isabella was taking a leisurely stroll in the gardens, she encountered the two traders. Unaware of their intentions, she engaged in polite conversation with them. Unbeknownst to her, Julius Santelli had orchestrated their meeting, ensuring that they were seen together by his spies.

The next day, whispers of the encounter spread like wildfire through the streets of Rome. Gossips and rumors painted a scandalous picture of Isabella's supposed sexual orgy with the traders. Cardinal Santelli seized upon the opportunity, declaring that he had witnessed the entire scene and that Isabella had brought shame upon her family.

Caught in a web of deceit, Isabella faced an impossible choice: to remain silent and endure the consequences or to fight back against the powerful cardinal's accusations. Aware of the stakes and her family's reputation, she decided to confront Cardinal Santelli head-on.

On 11 April 1494 In a tense and dramatic confrontation, Isabella exposed Cardinal Santelli's sinister plot, revealing how he had manipulated the traders to orchestrate her downfall. Her passionate defense and unwavering determination moved many in the Vatican, who began to doubt the cardinal's credibility.

However, The truth behind the scandalous incident were not enough, Cardinal Santelli ordered that Isabela was needed the justice of god under the walk of shame. Isabela, humiliated beyond words, spent hours walking back home naked as punishment for allowing such scoundrels to compromise herself so thoroughly. Her father, the Pope, swore revenge on behalf of the entire House of Borgia and began plotting his next move in secret counsel with his family.

Pope Alexander VI stood firmly by her side. The House of Christ's plot had him as the target. Isabella's walk of shame, had turned into a reminder of the mission of the Borgia family, to protect Rome from the House of Christ.

However, the political landscape was far from stable, In 1494, King Charles VIII of France invaded Italy, marking the beginning of the Italian Wars. The Borgia family found themselves entangled in shifting alliances and political challenges during this tumultuous period.

On 31 December, Charles VIII entered Rome with his troops, the cardinals of the French faction, and Giuliano della Rovere. Alexander now feared that Charles might depose him for simony, and that the king would summon a council to nominate a new pope. Alexander was able to win over the bishop of Saint-Malo, who had much influence over the king, by making him a cardinal.

Alexander agreed to send Cesare as legate to Naples with the French army; to deliver Cem Sultan, held as a hostage, to Charles VIII, and to give Charles Civitavecchia (16 January 1495). On 28 January Charles VIII departed for Naples with Cem and Cesare, but the latter slipped away to Spoleto. Neapolitan resistance collapsed, and Alfonso II fled and abdicated in favour of his son Ferdinand II. Ferdinand was abandoned by all and also had to escape, and the Kingdom of Naples was conquered with surprising ease.

On 31 March 1495 the Holy League was formed between the pope, the emperor, Venice, Ludovico il Moro and Ferdinand of Spain. The League was ostensibly formed against the Ottoman empire, but in reality it was made to expel the French from Italy. Charles VIII had himself crowned King of Naples on 12 May.

After the Battle of Fornovo the French had won the battle, the Peace of Vercelli were signed in Vercelli. In September 1495, the French forces invaded the Kingdom of Naples again, and this time they succeeded in occupying Naples and establishing French control over the southern part of Italy. The invasion and occupation of Naples triggered a series of alliances against France, and the Italians united against the foreign invaders.

With their combined military and political might, the League of Venice effectively expelled the French forces from Naples in 1496, marking the end of French control over southern Italy. However, this victory also heralded a period of instability and power struggles within Italy as different factions and foreign powers sought to assert their influence over the region in the wake of the French defeat.

The League of Venice, emerged triumphant in driving the French out of Naples. The end of the First Italian War gave birth to Venetian Republic.