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

CANDIDATURE OF GONZAGA. 2$
In reality the attempt to elevate Gonzaga showed the dis-
union of the Spanish party as well as the strong cohesion of
that of Carafa. Even the Frenchman, Reumano, who owed
his dignity of Cardinal to Paul IV., remained loyal to Carafa,
and to the threats of his indignant countrymen answered
that he would rather lose the whole of his property than break
his pledged word.^ Cardinal Vitelli made excuses to Gonzaga
for having kept in the background at the elevation of a friend,
by referring to the obligations which bound him to Carafa.
Very probab".}^ this attempt on behalf of Gonzaga was not
seriously meant by Este. According to his agreement with
Sforza, both were to take steps either for Medici or for Gonzaga.
Together with Sforza, Este decided in favour of Gonzaga
because the latter would probably have more difficulty than
Medici, and pressed for an immediate attempt for the Cardinal
of Mantua, as the candidature of the more dangerous opponent
would then be almost without any prospect of success.^
In spite of this first failure by Gonzaga, however, his
adherents remained loyal to him. The party leaders, Este
and Guise, Sforza and Madruzzo, mutually pledged themselves
to vote for no one else till all hope of his success had disappeared.
Even then they wished to keep together, and work
in common for the election of the Pope.^ Farnese and
Mantova, Mantova, Papa, Papa. Et non vi essendo il numero,
Farnese et Caraffa hebbon tempo a non lasciare svolger quelli
pochi che mancavano, et a proporre Pacheco in competentia
come fece." Guadagno to the Duke of Mantua on September 27,
1559 (Gonzaga Archives, Mantua).
^GuiDUS, 615. -Ibid., 614. 3 MuLLER, III seqq.
* Este and Guise to the French King on September 27, 1559 ;
Guise to Charles and Francis de Guise on September 27, 1559.
" *Ghisa, Ferrara, Trento et Santa
m RiBiER, II., 833, 835.
Fiore, capi di questa lega, hanno promesso et giurato di non voler
mai dar il voto loro ad altri, che hanno sottoscritto cedole di
lor mano." Guadagno to the Duke of Mantua on September 27,
1559 (Gonzaga Archives, Mantua). Also *Avviso di Roma, of
September 30, 1559 ; the four leaders have given their pledge to
Mantua, even if they should have to remain ten years in the
conclave (Urb. 1039, p. 87b, Vatican Library).
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