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Updated: June 12, 2025
It was related in Venice, in October, 1496, that the Duke of Gandia had brought a Spanish woman to his father, with whom he lived, and an account was given of a crime which is almost incredible, although it was related by the Venetian ambassador and other persons. It was not long before Donna Sancia caused herself to be freely gossiped about.
All turned to glance at this masked intruder who had the power so oddly to excite their beloved Gandia. "From the lady of the rose," Giovanni announced himself softly to the Duke. "Yes, yes," came the answer, feverishly impatient. "Well, what is your message?" "To-night her father is from home. She will expect your magnificence at midnight." Gandia drew a deep breath. "By the Host!
At ten o'clock they rose from the table, and as the air was sweet and mild they walked about a while under the magnificent pine trees that shaded the house of Rosa Vanozza, while Caesar never for an instant let his brother out of his sight. At eleven o'clock the Duke of Gandia bade good-night to his mother.
"Gandia" he cried; and looked at Giovanni with round eyes of fear and amazement. "How came he here?" "How?" With bloody hand Giovanni pointed to the open door of Antonia's chamber. "That was the lure, my lord. Taking the air outside, I saw him slinking hither, and took him for a thief, as, indeed, he was a thief of honour, like all his kind. I followed, and there he lies." "My God!" cried Pico.
The same ambassador explicitly states, as does also a Ferrarese agent, that Cæsar killed his brother Gandia; Burchard, however, utters not a word concerning the subject. Nor does he say anything about the way Cæsar despatched his brother-in-law Alfonso.
Thence he proceeded to, the pope's, as soon as he was left alone; for at the consistory they had had no speech with one another, and the father and son had a hundred things to talk about, but of these the Duke of Gandia was not one, as might have been expected.
We shall see him again there, for the last time, at the Easter festivities of 1497, when, as Alexander's son-in-law, he assumed his official place during the celebration in S. Peter's, and, standing near Cæsar and Gandia, received the Easter palm from the Pope's hand. His position in the Vatican had, however, become untenable; Alexander was anxious to dissolve his marriage with Lucretia.
Pesaro's escape did not please the Borgias. They would have preferred to have silenced this man forever; but now that he had gotten away and raised an objection, it would be necessary to dissolve the marriage by process of law, which would cause a great scandal. Shortly after Sforza's flight a terrible tragedy occurred in the house of Borgia the mysterious murder of the Duke of Gandia.
Cesare made ready for his departure upon this important mission, upon which he was to be accompanied by his brother Giovanni, Duke of Gandia. They were both to be back in Rome by September, when Gandia was to return to Spain, taking with him his sister Lucrezia.
1 St. Francisco Borgia, S.J. great-grandson of Pope Alexander VI, born at Gandia, in Spain, in 1510. To this Don Alonso de Borja is due the rise of his family to its stupendous eminence.
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