Chapter XLVI: Appendix: VII

(Page 224)

DUKE FEDERIGO OF URBINO A KNIGHT OF THE GARTER

Paolo Cortesio tells us that, when some sycophants, after the Volterra expedition, assured the Duke that no name was more glorious or more widely famous, he exclaimed, "How so, since no one in Spain or France ever heard of me? Think you that it has ever crossed the Alps?" Notwithstanding this modest reproof, it is certain that fame was then carrying his renown even to the

"Penitus toto divisos orbe Britannos,"

and that within about two years he was by them received into the noblest and most chivalrous company whom the world has ever seen. In supplement to the meagre notice of his election as a Knight of the Garter supplied by its records and historians, we shall here translate some unpublished letters addressed to Edward IV. and his courtiers, noticing others in the same collection,[307] and adding passages from Sanzi and Porcellio, contemporary poets, who severally mention this mead of honour in Italian and Latin verse.

[Footnote 307: Vat. Urb. MSS. No. 1198, f. 12, &c., Literæ Ducis Federici, in Latin.]

1. "To the most Serene Monarch and lofty Prince, my singular
Lord, the Lord Edward, King of England, France, and Ireland;

"By the most Reverend Father and Lord, John, and the
distinguished knight, Sir Bartholomew, your Majesty's
all-gifted ambassadors, I have received the insignia of the
Order of the Garter, wherewith you have, with singular
politeness, deigned to honour me. My most Serene Prince,
King Ferdinand [of Naples] having shortly before arrived at
Rome to wait upon the Pope, I likewise repaired hither, and
thus was already here on the arrival of Sir Bartholomew. He,
wishing me to be invested with that eminent decoration at
Grotta Ferrata, not far from this city, it took place in
presence of that monarch in his robes of the Order, and of
two reverend lords cardinals, one of them nephew of his
Holiness and my connection by marriage, the other the
vice-chancellor, several princes and the envoys of many
states being also in attendance. Thus was this eminent
dignity honoured before many distinguished personages, to my
great and signal satisfaction; for, the more marked the
compliments and distinctions paid to your Majesty, the
fuller are my joy and gratitude. In this way have I received
the distinguished gift of your Serene Highness, to whom I
would ever hold myself bound in all respect and service. I
have often looked into, and most willingly perused, the
statutes sent me by your Highness, which I shall be careful
with all diligence to obey; and I shall, to the utmost of my
power, endeavour to acquit myself of my duty to your
Majesty, and all others to whom I am indebted; so I trust
you will never regret having conferred upon me this
decoration. The matter has given pleasure to my serene
Prince, King Ferdinand, and especially to his Holiness, who
both are affectionately inclined towards your Majesty; and I
thus impart to you their respective intentions of expressing
thanks for this favour conferred upon me. The
acknowledgments which I feel and owe for that distinction to
your Majesty, and to the illustrious knights of the Order, I
indeed never can adequately express; but your singular
consideration, which has chosen to lay me under such an
obligation, will not be insensible to my devotion and good
will. As soon as it is in my power I shall send one of my
subjects to lay all my duty before your Majesty, at whose
feet I humbly commend myself." [From Rome.]

Another brief to the same monarch reiterates these acknowledgments:--

2. "Most serene Sovereign and distinguished Lord, my special
Lord,

"After humble commendation. I have received, as I already
wrote, by the hands of a famed knight, the Lord Bartholomew,
your Majesty's ambassador, that distinguished favour the
Garter, which he brought to me some months ago in name of
your Majesty. For such a gift I ought to feel many thanks,
and I do so, although unable worthily to offer them to your
Majesty. My joy, and my estimate of the honour, may best be
understood from the excellence of that dignity, worthy as it
truly is of royalty; and the remarkable munificence and
inherent liberality of your Majesty may teach me how
willingly I ought to receive it: but all this I shall cut
short in writing to your Majesty, having already fully
stated it to the Lord Bartholomew. Whom, indeed, I received
with the utmost satisfaction, and most cordially welcomed,
not only as the envoy and ambassador of your Serene
Highness, whose every least behest is to be by me observed
as an honour and a pleasure, but also on account of his own
worth and excellent manners. From the King of Sicily, to
whom he was accredited by your Majesty, he bears the most
commendatory testimonials, and was very well received by the
Pope, and altogether it would be difficult to express how
favourably I am inclined towards him. For more I refer to
him, and to that worthy soldier Sir Pietro degli Ubaldini,
who, born of a noble house, has been brought up by me, and
whom I send in my name, to lay before your Majesty my duty,
since it is not granted me to offer it in person, as I
should greatly have preferred; whom, indeed, I should have
equally sent without any obligation in the statutes of the
Garter.[308] These statutes I have often perused, and they
are impressed upon my memory, nor shall I omit whatever
seems needful to their due observance. And this I shall ever
endeavour to perform to the utmost of my poor ability, even
were it less equal to so high a favour and dignity. At all
events, as regards my faithful duty and obedience to these
statutes, your Majesty will have no cause for
dissatisfaction. For your Majesty, as for his Holiness
(whose natural servant and subject I am), and for my Lord
your brother the King of Sicily, I am ready heartily to
expose my state and person, so often as it may be desired or
required; which, indeed, I should not consider as
discharging a thousandth part of my debt to your Majesty,
before whose feet I humbly commend myself. For yourself, for
your serene consort the Queen, and for your illustrious
children, especially the Prince your eldest son, I heartily
desire all safety and happiness."

[Footnote 308: The date of this mission is indicated by a letter of 22nd August, 1475. It and another are addressed to Don Antonio and Don Guglielmo, probably English courtiers, referring to that embassy to England, offering duty to Edward, and the writer's services in his behalf at Rome and Naples.]

On the return of his envoy from England, Federigo again addressed Edward as follows:--

3. "To the most serene and invincible Monarch, and
distinguished Lord, my special Lord;

"After humble commendation. As in duty bound, I gladly sent
to your Majesty Sir Pietro degli Ubaldini, my ambassador, on
occasion of the valued gift of the Garter with which you
have condescended to decorate me; and, on his return, he has
reported to me the great politeness and consideration
wherewith your Majesty received him, and the love and favour
you so kindly exhibit towards me. Many as are these
obligations, especially from so lofty a monarch, and greatly
as I am indebted for such remarkable goodwill, I often
repeat to myself that I cannot but surpass them in my
grateful joy. I offer your Serene Highness not the thanks
which I owe, for they are too great, but those which I can
pay; yet your Majesty will deign to accept such as my heart
possesses, which, in faith and service to you will ever be
most ardent. I now send in writing to the very Reverend Lord
Bishop of Salisbury, the serene Chancellor of the Garter, a
message which Sir Pietro omitted to deliver, whose tardy
arrival your Majesty will condescend to pardon. I also write
to the very Reverend Bishop of Lyconia, Chancellor of your
kingdom, some matters which now occur to me, and which he
will relate to your Majesty, lest I should weary you by
prolonging this letter. To these, therefore, your Majesty
will please to adhibit credence; at whose feet I anxiously
and humbly recommend me and mine. Your Serene Highness, &c.
From Urbino."

On the same occasion he wrote in the following terms to the Bishop of Salisbury, Chancellor of the Garter:--

4. "Most Reverend Father in Christ, and my much honoured
Lord Father;

"Sir Pietro degli Ubaldini was sent by me last year, that he
might complete in my name all matters in regard to the
distinguished order of the Garter. I know not in what way my
clerks drew the mandate for him, but when charged with
neglect or carelessness, they plead in their own
justification that it has been always usual to send to
sovereigns and princes letters accrediting the person of the
bearer, without any more special mandate; however it
happened, it annoyed me much. I send you these present
letters, upon receiving which I shall be glad that you
acknowledge them; and also that you do your utmost to get
the King to write me that he has received and considered
them. Which, indeed, I should have despatched earlier so as
to reach you within the prescribed time, but I delayed a
little lest any letter should arrive from your Lordship,
instructing particulars as to the indulgence you wish
granted to the church of St. George, at Windsor. I shall
give all my influence to obtain your petition, and to
maintain the reputation of that distinguished Order, on
account of which I am under such obligations, nor is there
anything that I would not undertake to the utmost of my
power towards fulfilling my duty and desire in this respect;
and I wish your Lordship to be assured how much it will be
my endeavour, at all times and occasions, to demonstrate how
highly I prize that honour. I offer to your Lordship many
thanks for your kindness to my envoy, Sir Pietro, and for
your courteous reception of him: he told me how difficult it
would be to enumerate all the demonstrations of regard he
received from your Lordship, for which I am highly indebted.
I pray you to inform me of any favour that may be within my
reach, as it would be to me a great pleasure to obtain it,
from whatever quarter, for your Lordship, to whom I commend
myself. Whenever you wish to send me letters you may safely
do so by the hands of Stoldo degli Altoviti, a Florentine
merchant resident in London, a person of the highest
respectability, and bound to me by the most especial
regard."

This letter accompanied the preceding one. Another to the Chancellor of England is much more verbose, assuring him of the Duke's grateful regard for the King, and anxious readiness to be of use in forwarding his views, especially by employing at all times his influence with the Pope, to whose goodwill towards his Majesty he bears strong testimony. It also hints indistinctly at the King's taking some interest in the affairs of Spain, suffering as they then were from Turkish annoyance. A letter to the Chancellor, written some months later, goes over the same general assurances, and is expressed in the tone of one who regarded himself as specially entrusted with the English monarch's interests at the Holy See. Both abound with proffers of service to the Chancellor himself, who seems to have been a cardinal. We shall extract one more letter in which the affair of St. George's Chapel is renewed, and which is addressed to the Chancellor of the Garter.

5. "Most Reverend Father in Christ, and my much honoured
Lord Father,

"By the messenger whom I had sent some months ago I have
received your Lordship's most courteous letters, and along
with them the hounds adapted for all manner of hunting, and
I cannot tell you how acceptable and agreeable they are to
me. My son Guido also received the high-mettled ambling
colt, which has delighted him beyond measure, and made him
truly joyful, and he unites with me in thankfully
acknowledging to your Lordship his obligation, not only for
the value and beauty of the gift, but also for all your
Lordship's good wishes for his future happiness, towards
whom, as a father, he will ever during life look up with
filial affection. I have besought from the Pope that
indulgence which you desired for the chapel of the high and
excellent Order of the Garter, and his Holiness has deigned
to concede it in the way which your Lordship will find in
the accompanying bull.[309] I understand that his Holiness
has granted much more than the usual privileges, against the
opinion of almost all Roman jurisconsults, so that, in case
they should fall short of your Lordship's desires, I wish
you to be assured that I have not omitted to do my utmost to
obtain these for you; and in regard to the decoration of
that chapel for the welfare of souls, more has been conceded
in this case than in perhaps any preceding one, at once out
of consideration for your Lordship, and from his Holiness'
clemency. I should, indeed, have wished still more ample
concessions, for the exaltation of that most serene Order,
my interest in which it might seem an exaggeration in me to
state, although most desirous to testify it by all ways and
means. Along with these letters is transmitted the petitions
your Lordship begged me to sign, and a copy of the letter
which the Holy Father wrote to me. From these your Lordship
will perceive how gladly I should conform myself to your
views, which it would give me the highest gratification to
see attained. It only remains for me to beg that your
Lordship will remember with that courtesy and goodwill which
you extend to me, to commend me frequently and humbly to his
Highness my Lord the King. All prosperity attend your
Lordship, to whom I commend myself, and to whom I recommend
also Stoldo Altoviti, a citizen of Florence residing in
London, who is my intimate and valued friend, and who will
thank your Lordship in my name."[310]

[Footnote 309: Anstis refers to this as of 1476-9.]

[Footnote 310: Among the other letters in this collection relating to England, are one to the Reverend John [Morton, Master of the Rolls], counsellor to the King, with thanks for his attentions to Pietro Ubaldini; another, thanking the Lord Chancellor for a horse and hounds; another of civility to Archbishop Boutcher, Cardinal of England, presbyter of S. Ciriaco. There are three others to Edward IV. In the first he avails himself of a visit from Sir John de la Scrop, then on his return from the Holy Land, to offer the King his affectionate duty, and to express his high regard for that nobleman. In the next he alludes to Sir John, an English ambassador then at Urbino, who seems to have been accredited in order to co-operate with the Duke in obtaining a Jubilee [1475], and in recommending some one to an Irish see. In another he mentions hearing that his Majesty had crossed over to France [1475], and offers his good offices with the Pope and King of Naples.]

A volume in the British Museum (Add. MSS. No. 6298, f. 277), formerly belonging to Anstis, contains a notice of our Duke, which probably expresses those qualities which secured his admission into the Order. "Frederick Duke of Urbin was Earle of Montferrat and Durant, standard-bearer of the Church of Rome, and confederate of the Emperor. Hee founded to the glory of himself and his posterite the stately palice of Urbin; hee foughte dyvers battayles; tooke six standerds in the field; eight tymes hee overthrewe his enemyes, and in all his warres wes ever victorious, which greatly increased his riches. His justice, clemency, liberality, made hym everywhere famous, and did equalize and adorn his victories with peace. The arming sword which hee wore had this inscription, '_Son quella che difende la ragione, non ti fidar di me s'il cor ti manca_'--I am one that defends the right; rely not on me should thy heart fail thee!"

Giovanni Sanzi thus chronicles the English decoration:--

"Nor were the glories of his name confined
To narrow limits, for its lustre reached
The shelving shores of Britain's distant isle;
Which of this peopled sphere another land
We well may deem, by yon far-distant sea
Disparted,--where the slowly sinking sun
Seeks in the briny waves his evening bath.
'Twere waste of words to tell how Edward was
King of that realm, by far-sprung pedigree,
Great pomp, and grace of person eminent,
And foremost by inheritance of those
Linked in a holy brotherhood of arms,
Each candidate for which was held to prove
Rare worth and dauntless prowess, requisites
Alone entitling to election
In that exclusive Order, limited
To six-and-twenty knights, all notable
For varied martial deeds. Among whom were
King Edward's eldest son, of high exploits;
The sovereign, too, of Portugal was there;
Matthias, Hungary's admirable King,
Whose fame still loftier soars; and Ferdinand
Of Naples, emulating his renown.
He, too, of Burgundy, the petted child
Of wayward fortune, till by Alpine bands
Thrice was his banner flouted, and at last,
Dying at Nancy, he the reckoning paid
For all his God-outraging cruelties,
Of blood a very glutton: but no more
Of him. In this devout companionship
Were many nobles of that land enrolled;
Yet 'twas King Edward's fancy to include
Our Duke Federigo, deeming him most meet,
So wrote his friendly purpose in a letter,
Which from the Latin I shall here translate;
And, better to convey the courteous sanction
Of the unanimous fraternity,
Despatched with it a trusty embassy:
Its tenor this, the wonted greetings said.
'Thy worth and high achievements reached our court
By one who wandered long in distant lands
Filled with thy fame: yet who has ever ta'en
A loving heart from sites so far remote,
To bind it in a fardel fast and firm
With thy so glorious and signal deeds?[311]
On these relying fully, and inflamed
With warm affection, 'tis our only doubt
Which to desire, thy presence, or this link
Of friendly brotherhood, though both were best.
But, choosing that which seems most feasible,
And, next to death's inevitable doom,
Unchanging, be it ours a knot to bind
Indissoluble,--benefit unmatched,
Which the our children's sons will test the force
Of friendship, and a priceless jewel prove,--
Be ours the bond to clench by formal vote
Of the grave college, with a full accord
Their portals opening for thy free admission
To a companionship of charity,
Where each others' weal would willing die.'
This letter read, the noble envoy next
Set forth the object of his mission
In solemn gracious phrase, the Duke addressing
As the dear brother of his sovereign.
A precious garter then produced,
Remarking that, though fashioned with mean tools,
'Twas the exclusive guerdon of high birth,
And pregnant with fine sentiment,
In golden letters on its circle traced,
'Woe to the man whose thoughts are aught but right!'
This decoration dates from Pepin's reign,
An ancient king, whose far-descended line
And dignities I leave to other pens.
He next displayed a robe of ruddy hue
Blazing with gold brocade, a mantle round
Of regal cut that swept the ground, its tint
A lovely Alexandrian blue. The Duke
With grateful heart and kindly welcome took
From him these ensigns, and these honoured robes,
And so invested with that princely Order
Of wide-extending fame a Knight was made,
Of good St. George, upon whose festal day,
In solemn concourse met, the cavaliers
Observe with fitting rites his memory."

[Footnote 311: This passage, written probably in Norman French, has become somewhat obscure in its transmission through barbarous Latin into Sanzi's rugged rhymes.]

It only remains to quote the mention of this event made by Porcellio in his Feltria, which we extract as a specimen of its rugged style.[312]

[Footnote 312: Vat. Urb. MSS. No. 373, f. 105, 106.]

"Rex præstans animi, et claris celeberrimus armis,
Anglicus, hunc ipsum Feltrensem foedere sanctæ
Jungit amicitiæ, fraternaque munere mittit,
Quæ deceant tantum reges in pignus amoris;
Serica regales quæ nectant cingula sures
Donat habere Ducem; nitet aurea fibula, et auri
Litterule splendore micant, quibus usque notatur
Argumentum ingens veteris reverentia facti,
DISPEREANT QUI PRAVA PUTANT.
Levaque purpureo Britonis de more tyranni
Traditur hæc isdem signis, eodemque tenore,
Crebro intexta patet tyrio de murice subter
Purpura migdoneis nivibus mage candida fulget,
Et paribus capitis donatur tegminæ signis.
Misit item leges in religionis honorem,
Servandas fratrum de more et tempore certo.
Lætus erat Cæsar, non ipso munere tantum,
Sed quod erat primo regum insignitus honore:
Postquam Edwardi clarissima munera regis
Accepit, gratesque egit sic ore profatus:
Hæc me dona ligant sub religione teneri
Auxilium præstare, et duris succurrere in armis;
Sed si diva meum servet Proserpina crinem,
Et mea fatales non rumpant stamina Parcæ,
Quantum opis et quantum dederint mea fata rependam."