House of Borgia Facts for Kids

The House of Borgia (pronounced BOR-zhuh or BOR-yuh) was a powerful and important noble family from Spain that became very influential in Italy during the Italian Renaissance. They came from a town called Borja in Spain.

The Borgias became famous in the 1400s and 1500s, especially in Church and political matters. Two members of the family became popes: Alfons de Borja (who was Pope from 1455 to 1458) and Rodrigo Lanzol Borgia (who was Pope from 1492 to 1503).

During the time of Pope Alexander VI, the Borgias were known for seeking power and wealth. They made enemies with other strong families like the Medici and the Sforza. However, they were also great supporters of the arts, helping to develop Renaissance art. While they are often seen as a family full of problems, some historians now believe this view might be unfair and based on what their enemies said about them.

History of the Borgia Family
Gallery
See also

History of the Borgia Family

Early Beginnings

The Borja family was a noble house from the town of Borja in Spain. They were a respected family in the Crown of Aragon.

Pope Callixtus III

Alfons de Borja (1378–1458) was born in a town called Canals in Spain. He was a law professor at the University of Lleida and later a diplomat for the Kings of Aragon. He became a cardinal.

In 1455, when he was older, he was chosen to be Pope Callixtus III. He was Pope for only three years until he passed away in 1458.

Pope Alexander VI

Rodrigo Borgia (1431–1503) was born in Xàtiva, Spain. He studied law in Bologna. His uncle, Pope Callixtus III, made him a cardinal. In 1492, he was elected Pope and took the name Alexander VI.

While he was a cardinal, Rodrigo Borgia had four children with a woman named Vannozza dei Cattanei: Giovanni, Cesare, Lucrezia, and Gioffre. He also had other children with different women.

As Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo was known as a smart politician and diplomat. However, he was criticized for spending too much money and for giving important Church jobs to his family members, which is called nepotism. As Pope, he wanted to gain more power and wealth for himself and the Borgia family.

He made his son, Giovanni, the leader of the papal army. He also made his son, Cesare, a cardinal. Pope Alexander VI used his children's marriages to create alliances with powerful families in Italy and Spain. For example, he arranged for Lucrezia to marry Giovanni Sforza to connect with the powerful Sforza family. He also married his youngest son, Gioffre, to Sancha of Aragon from the royal family of Aragon and Naples.

Pope Alexander VI died in Rome in 1503 from a disease, likely malaria. Later popes, like Sixtus V and Urban VIII, praised him as one of the most important popes since St. Peter.

Cesare Borgia

Painting by John Collier, "A glass of wine with Caesar Borgia". From left: Cesare Borgia, Lucrezia, Pope Alexander, and a young man. This painting shows a common idea about the Borgias, suggesting they were tricky.

Cesare was the second son of Rodrigo Borgia and Vannozza dei Cattanei. His father carefully planned his education. He was taught by tutors in Rome until he was 12. Cesare grew up to be a charming man who was skilled in war and politics. He studied law and humanities at the University of Perugia and theology at the University of Pisa. After graduating, his father made him a cardinal.

Cesare left his Church position to gain more power, taking on a role as a military leader, known as a condottiero. He later married a French princess named Charlotte d'Albret.

After his father, Pope Alexander VI, died in 1503, Cesare tried to influence who would become the next Pope. He needed someone who would not stop his plans to create his own state in Central Italy. Cesare's chosen candidate, Pius III, did become Pope, but he died only a month later. Cesare then had to support Giuliano della Rovere. This cardinal promised Cesare that he could keep all his titles and honors. However, della Rovere later went against him and became his strong enemy.

Cesare died in 1507 at Viana Castle in Spain. He was killed during a battle while trying to capture the castle.

Lucrezia Borgia

Lucrezia was born in Subiaco, Italy. Her parents were Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia and Vannozza dei Catanei. Before she was 13, she was engaged to two Spanish princes. After her father became Pope, she was married to Giovanni Sforza in 1493 when she was 13. This was a political marriage to help her father gain power. However, when Pope Alexander VI no longer needed the Sforzas, the marriage was ended in 1497.

Lucrezia's second marriage was to a wealthy young prince, Alfonso of Aragon. This marriage helped the Borgias form an alliance with another powerful family. However, this alliance also did not last long. Cesare wanted to strengthen his ties with France and break away from the Kingdom of Naples. Since Alfonso's father was the ruler of Naples, Alfonso was in danger. Alfonso was later killed in his own home.

Lucrezia's third and last husband was Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. After her father died in 1503, she lived a more peaceful life in Ferrara with her husband and children. She had difficult pregnancies and lost several babies. She died in 1519, ten days after the birth and death of her last child. She was buried with her child and husband.

Lucrezia was known for her cleverness in political matters. However, some modern historians now see her in a more understanding way, suggesting she was often a victim of her family's plans.

Family Tree

The family tree of the Borgia family.

Other Important Borgia Members

Many other members of the Borgia family held important positions and made their mark on history.

Rodrigo de Borja (born 1349) was an important ancestor of Pope Alexander VI.
Pedro Luis de Borja (1432–1458) was the Duke of Spoleto.
Giovanni Borgia, 2nd Duke of Gandia (1474 or 1476 – 1497) was the 2nd Duke of Gandia.
Gioffre Borgia (1482–1516) was the youngest son of Pope Alexander VI. He became the Prince of Squillace.
Francis Borgia, 4th Duke of Gandía (1510–1572) was a great-grandson of Pope Alexander VI. He became a very important organizer for the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and was later made a saint.
Gaspar de Borja y Velasco (1580–1645) was a cardinal and held important Church positions in Spain and Italy.
Rodrigo Borja Cevallos (born 1935) was a former President of Ecuador.

Gallery

Coat of arms of the dukes of Gandía.
Coat of arms of Maria Enriquez de Luna.
Coat of arms of the dukes of Valentinois.
Coat of arms of Cesare Borgia as Duke of Romagna and Valentinois and Captain-General of the Church.
Alfons de Borja, Pope Callixtus III.
Rodrigo Borja, Pope Alexander VI.
Giovanni Borgia, 2nd Duke of Gandia.
Portrait of a Gentleman, Cesare Borgia, Duke of Valentinois.
Lucrezia Borgia, Duchess of Ferrara and Modena.
Gioffre Borgia, Prince of Squillace.
Francisco Borgia, Saint Francis Borgia, S.J., 4th Duke of Gandia.
Juan Buenaventura de Borja, President of the Real Audiencia de Santa Fe de Bogotá.
Gaspar de Borja y Velasco, Cardinal.
Francisco de Borja y Aragón, Prince of Squillace and Viceroy of Peru.