Francesco Adiosi
Encyclopedia
Francesco Adiosi was an Italian cardinal and condottiero.
, he was the third son of Giovanni Alidosi, lord of Castel del Rio. He went to France with Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, the future Pope Julius II
, in 1494. Later, he became his secretary and main collaborator.
Alidosi was elected as bishop of Mileto
in 1504, and then transferred to the see of Pavia on March 26, 1505. He occupied the see until his death in 1511.
Though many cardinals opposed the promotion, in 1505 Alidosi was created cardinal priest of Santi Nereo e Achilleo
, although opted for the title of S. Cecilia, August 11, 1506. The cardinal served as intermediary between Michelangelo Buonarroti and Pope Julius II and in 1506 signed in the name of the pope on the contract for the ceiling frescoes of the Sistine Chapel
. Later, he did the same for the statue of the pope in Bologna
. He also served as Cardinal protector of England
within the College. He was a protector of Desiderius Erasmus
and patron of the arts.
Alidosi was known for his cruelty. After taking possession of the legation in Bologna on June 27, 1508, he ordered Alberto Castelli, Innocenzo Ringhieri, Sallustio Guidotti and Bartolomeo Magnani to be strangled. They were accused of "having supported a conspiracy to favor the Bentivoglio
", and for having worked with the Venetians
against the pope. More than thirty other persons, supporters of the Bentivoglio, were also executed. These actions unleashed a great indignation among the Bolognese. Cardinal Pietro Bembo
described him with these words: "Faith
meant nothing to him, nor religion
, nor trustworthiness, nor shame, and there was nothing in him that was holy."
On September 22, 1508, the cardinal went to Viterbo
to visit the pope
, who gave the legation in Bologna
to Cardinal Ippolito d'Este
of Ferrara
. The following November, the pope recalled Cardinal Alidosi from the legation.
Named legate in Romagna
and Marche
at the beginning of 1509, he took possession of Ravenna
on May 29, 1509 and left his brother Obizzo as governor. He was sent as envoy before the king of France
and he arrived on June 19, 1509 together with Cardinal François Guillaume de Castelnau-Clermont-Ludève
at Mantua
. The king of France nominated him as bishop of Cremona without papal approval. On January 4, 1510 the cardinal was recalled to Rome
in order to answer to Pope Julius II about the complaints of the Bolognese
.
Some theorize the pope recalled Cardinal Alidosi in order to make use of his experience to negotiate peace with Venice
. An agreement was reached on February 24, 1510. After that the pope was forced to take a more accommodating attitude towards King Louis XII of France, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I and the duke of Ferrara
for the independence of the Catholic Church
and the freedom of Italy
from foreigners.
In April 1510 many Bolognese notables were shocked to learn the pope returned the legation of Bologna
to Cardinal Alidosi. The Bolognese suspected him of dealing with the French while the fight against Venice was taking place. On October 7, 1510, while at the papal field near Modena
, Francesco Maria I della Rovere
, duke of Urbino, had the cardinal captured, handcuffed and led back to Bologna escorted by 150 horsemen. Outside the San Felice gate, twelve balestrieri removed the handcuffs and led him to a public square. Here he was accused of high treason.
The duke of Urbino
and citizens of Bologna were hoping he would be punished. Instead, the pope allowed him to defend himself, and, finding the accusations unjustified, ruled his favor. Cardinal Alidosi was named him apostolic administrator of the see of Bologna
on October 18, 1510, a post which he occupied until his death. On October 28, 1510, Cardinal Alidosi was again taken prisoner by the duke of Urbino for treason. The pope soon had him freed and given back all his honors.
On May 14, 1511, the pope moved his residence from Bologna to Ravenna
for security reasons, lodging in the Benedictine monastery of San Vitale. The supporters of the Bentivoglio
and those who opposed the power of the church revolted immediately. At about 10 p.m. on May 20, a disguised Cardinal Alidosi escaped to Castel del Rio
, taking anything of value he carry. This action prompted Francesco Maria della Rovere, at the gates of the city, to abandon the field, along with all the artillery, nearly all the provisions, and numerous flags. On May 23, Gian Giacomo Trivulzio
, head of the French
army, entered Bologna
with the Bentivoglio
.
The pope notified the cardinals of the loss, and charged the duke of Urbino and the citizens of the town of treason. He wished for the duke to be executed, but instead, Francesco Maria charged the cardinal with treason. From Castel del Rio
, the cardinal went to Ravenna to tell his version of the tale. He was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Guido Vaini, and a legatine guard of 100 horsemen. Pope Julius II was convinced that the traitor had been the duke of Urbino. On May 24, 1511, the duke had an audience with the pope. He was reproached sourly, and exited from the audience with eight of his faithfuls. He went to the lodgings of cardinal Alidosi, who was staying with Cardinal Marco Vigero, near the church of San Vitale. At the same time, Cardinal Alidosi, accompanied by his guard, was heading for the apartments of the pope, who had invited him to supper. The cardinal made a salute to the duke, and a youngster in the company of the duke, dismounted his horse angrily and advanced towards the cardinal. Taking the bridle of the mule that the cardinal was riding, he stabbed him in the side.
The cardinal fell off the mule, and once on the ground, a captain cut the cardinal's cheek and one of his ears with a dagger, while Filippo Doria gave him the mortal blow in his head. The remains of the cardinal were honored by Pope Julius II with solemn exequies in the cathedral of Ravenna
, where they were interred. When the old cathedral was demolished in 1745 Gaspare Desiderio Martinetti, a physician
, gave the cardinal's skull to the Benedictines of St. Vitale, so that it would not get mixed in with the other bones. From the Benedictines, it passed to the Classense Library and was exposed to the public. Later on, the legate, Cardinal Agostino Rivarola, had it removed and interred. From a recognition made on June 20, 1968, the traces of cleaving that he received on the head could still be noticed. In the cathedral of Imola, there is a cenotaph surmounted by the effigy of the cardinal in a bass relief, and under it, a marble plaque that remembers him and others of his family.
Biography
Born at Castel del RioCastel del Rio
Castel del Rio is a comune in the Province of Bologna in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 35 km southwest of Bologna....
, he was the third son of Giovanni Alidosi, lord of Castel del Rio. He went to France with Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, the future Pope Julius II
Pope Julius II
Pope Julius II , nicknamed "The Fearsome Pope" and "The Warrior Pope" , born Giuliano della Rovere, was Pope from 1503 to 1513...
, in 1494. Later, he became his secretary and main collaborator.
Alidosi was elected as bishop of Mileto
Mileto
Mileto is a comune in the Province of Vibo Valentia in the Italian region Calabria, located about 60 km southwest of Catanzaro and about 6 km south of Vibo Valentia.Mileto is the seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Mileto....
in 1504, and then transferred to the see of Pavia on March 26, 1505. He occupied the see until his death in 1511.
Though many cardinals opposed the promotion, in 1505 Alidosi was created cardinal priest of Santi Nereo e Achilleo
Santi Nereo e Achilleo
Santi Nereo e Achilleo is a fourth-century basilica church in Rome, Italy, located in via delle Termi di Caracalla in the rione Celio facing the main entrance to the Baths of Caracalla. The current Cardinal Priest of the Titulus Ss...
, although opted for the title of S. Cecilia, August 11, 1506. The cardinal served as intermediary between Michelangelo Buonarroti and Pope Julius II and in 1506 signed in the name of the pope on the contract for the ceiling frescoes of the Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is famous for its architecture and its decoration that was frescoed throughout by Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio...
. Later, he did the same for the statue of the pope in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. He also served as Cardinal protector of England
Cardinal protector of England
The Cardinal protector of England was an appointed crown-cardinal of England from 1492 until 1539. A cardinal protector is the representative of a Roman Catholic nation or organization within the College of Cardinals, appointed by the pope...
within the College. He was a protector of Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus , known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and a theologian....
and patron of the arts.
Alidosi was known for his cruelty. After taking possession of the legation in Bologna on June 27, 1508, he ordered Alberto Castelli, Innocenzo Ringhieri, Sallustio Guidotti and Bartolomeo Magnani to be strangled. They were accused of "having supported a conspiracy to favor the Bentivoglio
Bentivoglio
Bentivoglio was an Italian family of princely rank, long supreme in Bologna and responsible for giving the city its political autonomy during the Renaissance.-History:...
", and for having worked with the Venetians
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
against the pope. More than thirty other persons, supporters of the Bentivoglio, were also executed. These actions unleashed a great indignation among the Bolognese. Cardinal Pietro Bembo
Pietro Bembo
Pietro Bembo was an Italian scholar, poet, literary theorist, and cardinal. He was an influential figure in the development of the Italian language, specifically Tuscan, as a literary medium, and his writings assisted in the 16th-century revival of interest in the works of Petrarch...
described him with these words: "Faith
Faith
Faith is confidence or trust in a person or thing, or a belief that is not based on proof. In religion, faith is a belief in a transcendent reality, a religious teacher, a set of teachings or a Supreme Being. Generally speaking, it is offered as a means by which the truth of the proposition,...
meant nothing to him, nor religion
Religion
Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and, sometimes, to moral values. Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to...
, nor trustworthiness, nor shame, and there was nothing in him that was holy."
On September 22, 1508, the cardinal went to Viterbo
Viterbo
See also Viterbo, Texas and Viterbo UniversityViterbo is an ancient city and comune in the Lazio region of central Italy, the capital of the province of Viterbo. It is approximately 80 driving / 80 walking kilometers north of GRA on the Via Cassia, and it is surrounded by the Monti Cimini and...
to visit the pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, who gave the legation in Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
to Cardinal Ippolito d'Este
Ippolito d'Este
Ippolito d'Este was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal, and Archbishop of Esztergom. He was a member of the House of Este.-Biography:...
of Ferrara
Ferrara
Ferrara is a city and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. It is situated 50 km north-northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River, located 5 km north...
. The following November, the pope recalled Cardinal Alidosi from the legation.
Named legate in Romagna
Romagna
Romagna is an Italian historical region that approximately corresponds to the south-eastern portion of present-day Emilia-Romagna. Traditionally, it is limited by the Apennines to the south-west, the Adriatic to the east, and the rivers Reno and Sillaro to the north and west...
and Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
at the beginning of 1509, he took possession of Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
on May 29, 1509 and left his brother Obizzo as governor. He was sent as envoy before the king of France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and he arrived on June 19, 1509 together with Cardinal François Guillaume de Castelnau-Clermont-Ludève
François Guillaume de Castelnau-Clermont-Ludève
François Guillaume de Castelnau de Clermont-Ludève was a French diplomat and CardinalHe was administrator of Saint-Pons-de-Thomières ; archbishop of Narbonne from 1502; bishop of Auch in 1507; bishop of Senez, 1508-9; bishop of Valence 1523-1531, and bishop of Agde from 1531. He was created...
at Mantua
Mantua
Mantua is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province of the same name. Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, made it one of the main artistic, cultural and notably musical hubs of Northern Italy and the country as a whole...
. The king of France nominated him as bishop of Cremona without papal approval. On January 4, 1510 the cardinal was recalled to Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
in order to answer to Pope Julius II about the complaints of the Bolognese
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
.
Some theorize the pope recalled Cardinal Alidosi in order to make use of his experience to negotiate peace with Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
. An agreement was reached on February 24, 1510. After that the pope was forced to take a more accommodating attitude towards King Louis XII of France, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I and the duke of Ferrara
Ferrara
Ferrara is a city and comune in Emilia-Romagna, northern Italy, capital city of the Province of Ferrara. It is situated 50 km north-northeast of Bologna, on the Po di Volano, a branch channel of the main stream of the Po River, located 5 km north...
for the independence of the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and the freedom of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
from foreigners.
In April 1510 many Bolognese notables were shocked to learn the pope returned the legation of Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
to Cardinal Alidosi. The Bolognese suspected him of dealing with the French while the fight against Venice was taking place. On October 7, 1510, while at the papal field near Modena
Modena
Modena is a city and comune on the south side of the Po Valley, in the Province of Modena in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy....
, Francesco Maria I della Rovere
Francesco Maria I della Rovere
Francesco Maria I della Rovere was an Italian condottiero, who was Duke of Urbino from 1508 until 1538.- Biography :...
, duke of Urbino, had the cardinal captured, handcuffed and led back to Bologna escorted by 150 horsemen. Outside the San Felice gate, twelve balestrieri removed the handcuffs and led him to a public square. Here he was accused of high treason.
The duke of Urbino
Urbino
Urbino is a walled city in the Marche region of Italy, south-west of Pesaro, a World Heritage Site notable for a remarkable historical legacy of independent Renaissance culture, especially under the patronage of Federico da Montefeltro, duke of Urbino from 1444 to 1482...
and citizens of Bologna were hoping he would be punished. Instead, the pope allowed him to defend himself, and, finding the accusations unjustified, ruled his favor. Cardinal Alidosi was named him apostolic administrator of the see of Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
on October 18, 1510, a post which he occupied until his death. On October 28, 1510, Cardinal Alidosi was again taken prisoner by the duke of Urbino for treason. The pope soon had him freed and given back all his honors.
On May 14, 1511, the pope moved his residence from Bologna to Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
for security reasons, lodging in the Benedictine monastery of San Vitale. The supporters of the Bentivoglio
Bentivoglio
Bentivoglio was an Italian family of princely rank, long supreme in Bologna and responsible for giving the city its political autonomy during the Renaissance.-History:...
and those who opposed the power of the church revolted immediately. At about 10 p.m. on May 20, a disguised Cardinal Alidosi escaped to Castel del Rio
Castel del Rio
Castel del Rio is a comune in the Province of Bologna in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 35 km southwest of Bologna....
, taking anything of value he carry. This action prompted Francesco Maria della Rovere, at the gates of the city, to abandon the field, along with all the artillery, nearly all the provisions, and numerous flags. On May 23, Gian Giacomo Trivulzio
Gian Giacomo Trivulzio
Gian Giacomo Trivulzio was an Italian aristocrat and condottiero who held several military commands during the Italian Wars.-Biography:...
, head of the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
army, entered Bologna
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
with the Bentivoglio
Bentivoglio
Bentivoglio was an Italian family of princely rank, long supreme in Bologna and responsible for giving the city its political autonomy during the Renaissance.-History:...
.
The pope notified the cardinals of the loss, and charged the duke of Urbino and the citizens of the town of treason. He wished for the duke to be executed, but instead, Francesco Maria charged the cardinal with treason. From Castel del Rio
Castel del Rio
Castel del Rio is a comune in the Province of Bologna in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 35 km southwest of Bologna....
, the cardinal went to Ravenna to tell his version of the tale. He was accompanied by his brother-in-law, Guido Vaini, and a legatine guard of 100 horsemen. Pope Julius II was convinced that the traitor had been the duke of Urbino. On May 24, 1511, the duke had an audience with the pope. He was reproached sourly, and exited from the audience with eight of his faithfuls. He went to the lodgings of cardinal Alidosi, who was staying with Cardinal Marco Vigero, near the church of San Vitale. At the same time, Cardinal Alidosi, accompanied by his guard, was heading for the apartments of the pope, who had invited him to supper. The cardinal made a salute to the duke, and a youngster in the company of the duke, dismounted his horse angrily and advanced towards the cardinal. Taking the bridle of the mule that the cardinal was riding, he stabbed him in the side.
The cardinal fell off the mule, and once on the ground, a captain cut the cardinal's cheek and one of his ears with a dagger, while Filippo Doria gave him the mortal blow in his head. The remains of the cardinal were honored by Pope Julius II with solemn exequies in the cathedral of Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
, where they were interred. When the old cathedral was demolished in 1745 Gaspare Desiderio Martinetti, a physician
Physician
A physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
, gave the cardinal's skull to the Benedictines of St. Vitale, so that it would not get mixed in with the other bones. From the Benedictines, it passed to the Classense Library and was exposed to the public. Later on, the legate, Cardinal Agostino Rivarola, had it removed and interred. From a recognition made on June 20, 1968, the traces of cleaving that he received on the head could still be noticed. In the cathedral of Imola, there is a cenotaph surmounted by the effigy of the cardinal in a bass relief, and under it, a marble plaque that remembers him and others of his family.
Further reading
- Wilkie, William E. 1974. The cardinal protectors of England. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521203325.