The Family - Mario Puzo [43]
Alexander would provide the French army with free passage through all the Papal States, with provisions to boot. In short, if Charles could win Naples with arms, Alexander would give him the approval of the church. To ensure this, the Pope would hand over his dearly beloved son Cesare to King Charles as a hostage. Cesare Borgia would also be given authority to crown Charles as king of Naples once the city was conquered.
Prince Djem, still held captive by the Pope, would also be handed over to Charles, but the Pope would be permitted to keep the forty thousand ducats that the sultan of Turkey paid each year to keep his brother captive. Charles would use Djem as one of the leaders of the Crusade, to blunt the vigor of the defending Infidel.
King Charles’s foremost desire was to be named by the Pope as the official commander of the Crusades. Alexander agreed, but insisted first Charles must swear obedience to him, and acknowledge him as the true Vicar of Christ.
It was agreed, with the exception that Charles would be named commander of the Crusades only after he had conquered Naples.
Charles bowed several times as was necessary, and kissed Alexander’s ring. Then he said, “I swear obedience and reverence to Your Holiness, as have all the kings of France. I acknowledge you, Holy Father, as the pontiff of all Christians, and the successor of the apostles Peter and Paul. Now I offer everything I own to the Holy See.”
Alexander rose, clasped Charles in his arms, and said, “I will grant you three favors,” as was the custom. Before a vassal swore obedience and reverence to a new lord, he had the right to ask favors. To avoid indignity to the holy office, it was understood that the favors would be negotiated beforehand and thus would not seem to be bargaining.
Charles continued. “I ask that you confirm my family in all its royal privileges, that you decree we rule by God’s will. Second, that you bless my expedition to Naples. And third, that you name three of my designees as cardinals, allowing Cardinal della Rovere to reside in France.”
Pope Alexander agreed to the terms, and so, with great joy, King Charles called from his company a tall, reed-thin man with a long face and mournful eyes. “Your Holiness, I wish to introduce my physician and astrologer, Simon of Pavia. His reading of the stars influenced my decision more than any other factor, and led me to reject the urgings of Cardinal della Rovere and to place my trust in you.”
Thus, from a position of helplessness, Alexander had negotiated a reasonable peace.
Later that evening, Alexander called Cesare into his chambers to explain the afternoon’s agreement with King Charles.
Cesare felt a quick rush of anger as he listened, but he bowed his head. He knew that, as a cardinal and the Pope’s son, he was logically an appropriate hostage. His brother Juan, who would soon become captain general of the papal army, could not be the primary hostage. Cesare’s anger had less to do with the danger of the situation than with the way the transaction reminded him that he was a pawn to be traded on the whim of others.
Alexander sat down on the beautifully carved chest at the foot of his bed, the lid intricately carved by Pinturicchio. Inside that chest were drinking goblets, many nightclothes, extra perfumes and essences—all necessary when Pope Alexander brought his mistresses to his sleeping chambers at the Borgia apartments. He preferred sitting on this chest more than on any of the chairs in his chambers.
“My son, you know I am not able to send your brother Juan to be hostage, for he is to become the captain general of the papal army. Therefore, it must be you,” Alexander told his son, acknowledging Cesare’s irritation. “Charles has also demanded Djem as a hostage, so you will have a companion. Cheer up! Naples is an enjoyable city