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

132 HISTORY OF THE POPES.
capitulation, the Cardinals had later expressly resolved that
the new Pope should severely punish the excesses committed
during the vacancy in the Papal throne.
Although the influence of Cardinal Carlo was evident in
these decisions, there could yet be 'no doubt as to the con-
tinued activity of the former enemies of the family ;
^
should
these gain the upper hand in the conclave, then a fresh exile,
and perhaps worse, was to be feared. Fully aware of the
threatened danger. Cardinal Carlo Carafa did his utmost in
the negotiations concerning the Papal election to gain a
decisive influence in the elevation of the new head of the
Church. The manner in which he set about this shows that
he had learned nothing during his exile. With incredible
arrogance, he again displayed his consciousness of his former
power, and with utter want of consideration treated his
colleagues as if they had been his servants.^ He made use
of every possible means to make his position in the conclave
appear to be decisive, and to make use of it in the interests
of his family. It cannot, indeed, be maintained that he was
prepared to elevate one who was thoroughly incapable to
the Papal throne, for his candidates. Carpi, Pacheco, Dolera
and Gonzaga, were worthy men, but in other respects he
adopted in the conclave a pohcy merely conducive to his
own interests. Although formerly his sympathies had been
6n the side of the French, he now declared himself for the
candidate of the Spaniards, from whom alone he could expect
a great reward for his family. When Philip II., by restoring
Paliano to its former possessor, did not seem to appreciate
his services, he declared himself neutral, probably so as to
let the Spaniards feel his importance, and had, in fact, the
satisfaction of seeing both French and Spaniards alternately
flattering and wooing him, and of standing out as the arbiter
of the conclave. He again turned to the Spaniards on the
strength of the promises made to him by the Spanish ambas-
1 See Dembinski, Wybor Piusa IV., 302. Cf .
supra
p. 16.
^ See infra p. I58, n. 2, the *report of Fr. Tonind of January 15,
1 561 (Gonzaga Archives, Mantua),