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Giovanni Borgia (1474)
Encyclopedia
Giovanni Borgia, 2nd duke of Gandía (1474 or 1476 – 14 June 1497) was the son of Pope Alexander VI
and the brother of Cesare Borgia
, Gioffre Borgia
, and Lucrezia Borgia
. Giovanni, also known as Juan or Joan, was the second of the Pope's four children by Vanozza de' Catanei. Due to a number of papal bulls issued after his murder, it is unclear whether Giovanni was born in 1474 or 1476 and it was long thought that he was the eldest son. Modern historians however now agree that 1476 is the most likely year of his birth, that he was the second son and younger than his brother Cesare.
Giovanni Borgia was probably born in Rome to then cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (later to become Pope Alexander VI
) and his mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei
(while she was married to Domenico da Rignano). He married Maria Enriquez de Luna, the Spanish betrothed of his deceased older half-brother, Pedro Luis, in September of 1493. He was made 2nd Duke of Gandia, Duke of Sessa, Grand Constable of Naples, Governor of St. Peter's, and Gonfalonier
and Captain General of the Church
.
He was murdered the night of 14 June 1497 near what later became the Piazza della Giudecca (in the Ghetto
of Rome). It has been speculated that his own brother Cesare Borgia
had him murdered. However, there is another rumor which says that his younger brother Gioffre Borgia
murdered him due to Giovanni's relationship with his wife, Sancia
. His richly attired body was recovered from the Tiber River with 30 golden ducat
s untouched in the purse at his belt. To the immense grief of the pope, this act occasioned the heartless epigram by Sannazzaro
on the pope as "fisher of men". Borgia's only attendant was also slain, so there were no known witnesses.
Giovanni and Maria had two children: Juan de Borja y Enriquez (known as Juan Borgia), who became the 3rd duke of Gandía, and Francisca de Jesus Borja, who became a nun at a convent in Valladolid
. This Juan was the father of Saint Francis Borgia
.
The Borgias
, he is played by David Oakes
. In the 2011 series, written by Tom Fontana
, Borgia, he is played by French actor Stanley Weber.
Pope Alexander VI
Pope Alexander VI , born Roderic Llançol i Borja was Pope from 1492 until his death on 18 August 1503. He is one of the most controversial of the Renaissance popes, and his Italianized surname—Borgia—became a byword for the debased standards of the Papacy of that era, most notoriously the Banquet...
and the brother of Cesare Borgia
Cesare Borgia
Cesare Borgia , Duke of Valentinois, was an Italian condottiero, nobleman, politician, and cardinal. He was the son of Pope Alexander VI and his long-term mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. He was the brother of Lucrezia Borgia; Giovanni Borgia , Duke of Gandia; and Gioffre Borgia , Prince of Squillace...
, Gioffre Borgia
Gioffre Borgia
Gioffre de Candia Borgia, in Italian, or Jofré Borja in Valencian, was the youngest son of Pope Alexander VI and Vannozza dei Cattanei, sibling to Lucrezia Borgia, Cesare Borgia and Giovanni Borgia....
, and Lucrezia Borgia
Lucrezia Borgia
Lucrezia Borgia [luˈkrɛtsia ˈbɔrʤa] was the illegitimate daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, the powerful Renaissance Valencian who later became Pope Alexander VI, and Vannozza dei Cattanei. Her brothers included Cesare Borgia, Giovanni Borgia, and Gioffre Borgia...
. Giovanni, also known as Juan or Joan, was the second of the Pope's four children by Vanozza de' Catanei. Due to a number of papal bulls issued after his murder, it is unclear whether Giovanni was born in 1474 or 1476 and it was long thought that he was the eldest son. Modern historians however now agree that 1476 is the most likely year of his birth, that he was the second son and younger than his brother Cesare.
Giovanni Borgia was probably born in Rome to then cardinal Rodrigo Borgia (later to become Pope Alexander VI
Pope Alexander VI
Pope Alexander VI , born Roderic Llançol i Borja was Pope from 1492 until his death on 18 August 1503. He is one of the most controversial of the Renaissance popes, and his Italianized surname—Borgia—became a byword for the debased standards of the Papacy of that era, most notoriously the Banquet...
) and his mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei
Vannozza dei Cattanei
Vannozza dei Cattanei was an Italian noblewoman from the House of Candia, who was one of the many mistresses of Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia, future Pope Alexander VI. Among them, she was the one whose relationship with him lasted the longest...
(while she was married to Domenico da Rignano). He married Maria Enriquez de Luna, the Spanish betrothed of his deceased older half-brother, Pedro Luis, in September of 1493. He was made 2nd Duke of Gandia, Duke of Sessa, Grand Constable of Naples, Governor of St. Peter's, and Gonfalonier
Gonfalonier of the Church
The Gonfalonier of the Church or Papal Gonfalonier was a military and political office of the Papal States. Originating from the use of the Papal banner during combat, the office later became largely ceremonial and political...
and Captain General of the Church
Captain General of the Church
The Captain General of the Church was the de facto commander-in-chief of the papal armed forces during the Middle Ages. The post was usually conferred on an Italian noble with a professional military reputation or a relative of the pope...
.
He was murdered the night of 14 June 1497 near what later became the Piazza della Giudecca (in the Ghetto
Roman Ghetto
The Roman Ghetto was a ghetto located in the rione Sant'Angelo, in Rome, Italy, in the area surrounded by today's Via del Portico d'Ottavia, Lungotevere dei Cenci, Via del Progresso and Via di Santa Maria del Pianto close to the Tiber and the Theater of Marcellus...
of Rome). It has been speculated that his own brother Cesare Borgia
Cesare Borgia
Cesare Borgia , Duke of Valentinois, was an Italian condottiero, nobleman, politician, and cardinal. He was the son of Pope Alexander VI and his long-term mistress Vannozza dei Cattanei. He was the brother of Lucrezia Borgia; Giovanni Borgia , Duke of Gandia; and Gioffre Borgia , Prince of Squillace...
had him murdered. However, there is another rumor which says that his younger brother Gioffre Borgia
Gioffre Borgia
Gioffre de Candia Borgia, in Italian, or Jofré Borja in Valencian, was the youngest son of Pope Alexander VI and Vannozza dei Cattanei, sibling to Lucrezia Borgia, Cesare Borgia and Giovanni Borgia....
murdered him due to Giovanni's relationship with his wife, Sancia
Sancha of Aragon
Donna Sancha of Aragon , or Sancia of Aragon, was an illegitimate daughter of King Alfonso II of Naples and his mistress Trogia Gazzela. In 1494, she was married to Gioffre Borgia, the son of Pope Alexander VI. Upon her marriage she and her new husband were created Prince and Princess of Squillace,...
. His richly attired body was recovered from the Tiber River with 30 golden ducat
Ducat
The ducat is a gold coin that was used as a trade coin throughout Europe before World War I. Its weight is 3.4909 grams of .986 gold, which is 0.1107 troy ounce, actual gold weight...
s untouched in the purse at his belt. To the immense grief of the pope, this act occasioned the heartless epigram by Sannazzaro
Jacopo Sannazaro
Jacopo Sannazaro was an Italian poet, humanist and epigrammist from Naples.He wrote easily in Latin, in Italian and in Neapolitan, but is best remembered for his humanist classic Arcadia, a masterwork that illustrated the possibilities of poetical prose in Italian, and instituted the theme of...
on the pope as "fisher of men". Borgia's only attendant was also slain, so there were no known witnesses.
Giovanni and Maria had two children: Juan de Borja y Enriquez (known as Juan Borgia), who became the 3rd duke of Gandía, and Francisca de Jesus Borja, who became a nun at a convent in Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
. This Juan was the father of Saint Francis Borgia
Francis Borgia
Saint Francis Borgia, 4th duke of Gandía, 3rd Father General of the Jesuit Order, Grandee of Spain, was a Spanish Jesuit and third Superior General of the Society of Jesus. He was canonized on 20 June 1670.-Early life:He was born Francesco Borgia de Candia d'Aragon within the Duchy of Gandía,...
.
In fiction
In the 2011 miniseriesMiniseries
A miniseries , in a serial storytelling medium, is a television show production which tells a story in a limited number of episodes. The exact number is open to interpretation; however, they are usually limited to fewer than a whole season. The term "miniseries" is generally a North American term...
The Borgias
The Borgias (2011 TV series)
The Borgias is a 2011 historical fiction television series created by Neil Jordan.The series is based on the Borgia family, an Italian dynasty of Spanish origin, and stars Jeremy Irons as Pope Alexander VI with David Oakes, François Arnaud, Holliday Grainger and Aidan Alexander as Juan, Cesare,...
, he is played by David Oakes
David Oakes
David Oakes is an English film, television and theatre actor.-Early life and education:He was born in Fordingbridge, New Forest, England, the son of a Church of England canon and a professional musician....
. In the 2011 series, written by Tom Fontana
Tom Fontana
Tom Fontana is an American writer and producer.-TV career:Fontana has been a writer/producer for such series as Oz , The Jury, The Beat, The Bedford Diaries, Homicide: Life on the Street, St...
, Borgia, he is played by French actor Stanley Weber.