Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/220

206 true friends of the grand-duke, they thought, that since Bianca's coronation, their new son had given them frequent cause of discontent.

In 1512, several letters passed between the Republic and Bianca, who was offended at their intention of creating the intended wife of an inferior prince, daughter of the Republic likewise. This event, whilst it prevented the conclusion of the marriage, occasioned, at the same time, the publicity of a disaffection, which had for a long time existed.

About the same time, the good understanding which through Bianca had been established among the Medici, was again disturbed. Though the cardinal had conceived a sort of affection for her, in return for the important services she had rendered him, he could not forget, that through her artifice she had ascended the ducal throne; and, on the death of Don Filippo in 1582, he thought himself authorized to adopt measures more serious, and save his family from impending ruin, by counteracting and anticipating the intrigues he feared from Bianca. His first care was to entreat his brother, Don Pietro, to marry. But this prince lived in perpetual dissention with his brothers, and could never be prevailed upon to acquiesce in the cardinal'scardidinal's [sic] wishes. His provocation was still greater, when, in the year 1583, the Grand-duke, contrary to the advice of the ablest statesmen, publicly declared Don Antonio his legitimate son. Francesco had given him in fee many of the estates, forfeited by the subdued rebels, and had added many more by purchase: at the same time, the king of Spain had conferred upon Antonio the title of Prince of Capestrano, and appointed him his legate in Italy.

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