The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

FEDERIGO BORROMEO 99
means of a marriage with a member of a princely house.
The bride chosen for him, as was announced as early as the
end of February, 1560, was Virginia della Rovcre, the daughter
of Duke Guidobaldo of Urbino.- A plan was made to bestow
Camerino on him, as this was the inheritance of Virginia's
mother, Guilia Varano, and it was once more to be taken from
the Farnese family.^ The betrothal contract was signed on
May 5th in the apartments of Cardinal Borromeo. Four days
later Federigo went to Pesaro for the wedding, from whence
he was to proceed to Milan to be present at the marriage
of his sister, Camilla, to Cesare Gonzaga of GuastaJla, the
eldest son of Ferrante.* On August 31st Cesare Gonzaga
came to Rome, where the Pope received him very
^ See SusTA, Kurie, I., xxxii. G. Grandi *reports on January
17, 1560, that Federigo Borromeo is to receive the " governo di
Ancona," and then to be sent to Philip II. (State Archives,
Modena) ; but on February 10, 1560, the marriage by which
Camerino was to come into his hands was already being spoken
of. See the *Avviso di Roma of February 10, 1560. (Urb. 1039,
p. 127, Vatican Library).
- *Avviso di Roma of February 24, 1560. (Urb. 1039, p. 131,
Vatican Library).
^ An *Avviso di Roma of April 27, 1560, announces that the
matter of Camerino has been handed over to the Rota ;
^
that of the
29 is to the effect that three Cardinals are to discuss the matter.
(Urb. 1039, p. 151, 176, 218, Vatican Library). On November 23
(see the *Avviso of that date) the speedy settlement of the matter
was expected ; Pius IV. already spoke of the " duchessa di
Camerino, nostra nipote," but prematurely. The question was
not decided, in spite of the suit which had been begun. See
SusTA, Kurie, II., 401, 423, 456, 458, 553
; III., 429, 446.
* According to the *Avviso di Roma of April 27, 1560, Cardinal
della Rovere left Rome on April 25 to bring the negotiations
concerning the marriage to a close. After his return on May 5
the contract was concluded (*Avviso of May 11), whereupon
Federigo left on May 9 ; (Urb. 1039, p. 151, 156). Ibid. 143 and
*Avviso of March 30 concerning the marriage between C. Gonzaga
and Camilla Borromeo, who received valuable presents from the
Pope (Vatican Library),