Memoirs of the Dukes of Urbino, Volume I (of 3)

The duchy of Urbino, how composed 3

Its characteristic features, and traditional topography 4

Origin of Italian communities 4

Rise of the Guelph and Ghibelline factions 5

Counts of the empire 6

Republics established in Italy 7

Opinions regarding their spirit 8

The seigneurs attain to sovereignty 10

Practical distinction of Guelph and Ghibelline 11

Early military system 12

Origin and influence of free companies 14

The term Republic misapplied 15

Their principle of liberty examined 16

Political divisions of Romagna and La Marca in the fifteenth century 18

Opposed to modern speculations and the aims of Young Italy 19

Mariotti's admissions regarding freedom 20

Examples of these ideas in the dynasties of Urbino 22

1160. The early Counts of Montefeltro are invested with Urbino 22

1371. Invited to Cagli 22

1384. Received at Gubbio 22

1433. Acquired Casteldurante 23

1445. Purchased Fossombrone 23

1474. Sinigaglia given to the della Rovere 23

1513. They obtained Pesaro and Gradara 23

Statistics of the state so composed 23

1160-1631. Its dynastic changes 24

Early genealogy of the Montefeltri 24

1160-1815. The Counts of Carpegna 25

1154. Antonio, first Count of Montefeltro 25

1216. Buonconte, first Count of Urbino 25

1268. Count Guido the Elder, his prowess 26

1282. Takes Forlì by stratagem 27

1289. Excommunicated as a Ghibelline 27

1296. Abdicates and becomes a friar 28

1294. Abdication of Celestine V. 28

" Succeeded by Boniface VIII. 28

1296. His feuds with the Colonna 29

" He recalls Count Guido to the world 30

" Dante's confession of the Count 30

" How far consistent with fact 32

" The Count's piety attested by Boniface 33

1298. Sept. 27. His death at Assisi 34

1300. The struggles of his successors 35

1377. Antonio Count of Urbino 36

1384. Extends his sway over Gubbio, Cagli, and Cantiano 37

1390. His mild government and literary tastes 37

1404. May 9. His death announced to the authorities of Siena by his son 38

" His children 39

" His daughter Battista, wife of Galeazzo Malatesta, Lord of Pesaro 39

" Her literary acquirements 40

" Battista takes the veil 40

" Misfortunes of her daughter Elisabetta 41

1404. Guidantonio Count of Urbino 42

1408. Made Lord of Assisi 42

1413. And Vice-general of Romagna 43

" Braccio di Montone 43

1417. Nov. 11. Election of Pope Martin V. 44

1418. Dec. Count Guidantonio made Duke of Spoleto 44

1420. Braccio reconciled to the Pope 45

1424. March 4. The Count marries Caterina Colonna 45

" His disputes with the Brancaleoni 45

1430. Sept. 3. Made Captain-general of Florence 46

1431. March 3. Election of Pope Eugenius IV. 46

1438. Oct. 9. Death of Countess Caterina 47

1442. Feb. 20. Death of Count Guidantonio 47

" His children 47

" His daughter Brigida Sueva's singular history 48

" His natural children 49

" Origin of the Ubaldini della Carda 49

" Notice of Ottaviano Ubaldino 50

1424. Birth of Count Oddantonio of Urbino 51

1443. April 26. Made Duke of Urbino 51

" His vicious career 52

1444. July 22. His assassination 53

" His intended marriage 55

1439-1443. Two original letters from him to the magistrates of Siena 56

The dukedom lapsed on his death 58