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

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election.<br />

PARTY OF THE CARAFA. I5<br />

" It is not <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> least consequence," writes Giovanni<br />

Carafa to his bro<strong>the</strong>r, " who will be Pope, <strong>the</strong> only thing that<br />

is <strong>of</strong> importance is that he who is chosen should realize that<br />

he owes <strong>the</strong> dignity to <strong>the</strong> Carafa. This house does not enjoy<br />

any favour with <strong>the</strong> Spanish or French kings, and everything<br />

<strong>the</strong>refore depends on securing <strong>the</strong> favour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> future Pope, as<br />

o<strong>the</strong>rwise <strong>the</strong> ruin <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> family is assured. "^ Carlo Carafa<br />

had completely broken with <strong>the</strong> French at <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> conclave, and was inclined to favour <strong>the</strong> Spaniards. He,<br />

as well as his nephew, <strong>the</strong> Cardinal <strong>of</strong> Naples, entered <strong>the</strong><br />

conclave with <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> voting for Carpi, or, should his<br />

election prove impossible, for Gonzaga.^ As a reward for his<br />

services in <strong>the</strong> conclave Carlo Carafa expected to receive <strong>from</strong><br />

Philip II. an Italian principality, which would compensate<br />

his family for <strong>the</strong> forfeited Paliano.<br />

Carafa's chief adviser was Alessandro Farnese, who had<br />

already taken part in three conclaves, and had acquired a<br />

great deal <strong>of</strong> experience. Even before <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> Paul IV.<br />

Carafa had addressed himself to Farnese, <strong>from</strong> Civita Lavinia,<br />

his place <strong>of</strong> banishment, and placed himself and <strong>the</strong> thirteen<br />

votes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cardinals created by <strong>the</strong> late Pope at his disposal<br />

for <strong>the</strong> approaching conclave ;<br />

with <strong>the</strong>ir united efforts <strong>the</strong>y<br />

intended to elevate a Cardinal who would show himself<br />

grateful to <strong>the</strong> houses <strong>of</strong> Farnese and Carafa for his election.^<br />

Farnese did not appear to take a prominent part in <strong>the</strong> con-<br />

clave, but in spite <strong>of</strong> this, his influence as an adviser seems to<br />

have been very important, and it was especially he who<br />

" with incredible skill and trouble "^ held <strong>the</strong> Carafa party<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r at a critical moment.<br />

Among <strong>the</strong> forty e'ectors who entered <strong>the</strong> conclave on<br />

September 5th, only eleven favoured <strong>the</strong> French. <strong>The</strong> oppos-<br />

ing party <strong>the</strong>refore thought to make use <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir majority at<br />

^ Angel, Disgrace, 66 seq.<br />

" Alfonso Carafa, <strong>the</strong> Cardinal <strong>of</strong> Naples, *writes to this effect<br />

to his fa<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> Marquis <strong>of</strong> Montebello, on October 11, 1559<br />

(Gonzaga Archives, Mantua).<br />

^ Panvtnius, 576-7.<br />

* " incredibili arte et labore " ; ibid., 580.

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