Parisina Malatesta
Parisina Malatesta , actually Laura Malatesta (* October 1404 ; † May 21, 1425 in Ferrara ) was an Italian noblewoman from the house of the Malatesta of Rimini and the second wife of Margrave Niccolò III. d'Este (born November 9, 1383 or 1384 - † December 26, 1441 ), Lord of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia . She became famous because she suffered a fate similar to that of Francesca da Rimini , sung about by Dante in the Divine Comedy (in the Inferno) . Parisina fell in love with her stepson Ugo d'Este and was executed as an adulteress with him on May 21, 1425. Their fate inspired poets and composers such as Edward Gibbon and Lord Byron , whose poem became the basis of the operas dedicated to Parisina by Gaetano Donizetti and Pietro Mascagni .
origin
Parisina came from the Italian noble family of the Malatesta, who ruled Rimini from 1295 and beyond during its heyday in large parts of Romagna . Parisina's father was the well-known Condottiere Andrea Malatesta (* 1373, † 1416), lord of the cities of Cesena (south of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region ) and Fossombrone ( province of Pesaro and Urbino ). He successfully fought for various masters and died in 1416 as captain general of Perugia . Parisina's mother was Lucrezia Ordelaffi (* 1389, † 1404), the second wife of Andrea Malatesta. She was a daughter of Cecco Ordelaffi, the Lord of Forlì (in the province of Forlì-Cesena ) and Caterina Gonzaga († 1438).
Life
childhood
Little is known about the first years of Parisina's life. She was probably born in the Rocca Malatestiana, the town castle of the Malatesta in Cesena, which still exists today and can be visited. She was the only child of her mother Lucrezia Ordelaffi, who she lost a few days after her birth, as Lucrezia is said to have been poisoned by her father Cecco Ordelaffi according to contemporary chronicles. Parisina's father married Polissena Sanseverino for the third time in 1408, who had little joy with a daughter of her predecessor, which is why Parisina left Cesena and went to Rimini with her uncle Carlo Malatesta († September 13, 1429), who lived with Elisabetta Gonzaga († 31 July 1432) was married, grew up. She therefore lived separately from her half-siblings from her father's first marriage to Rengarda Alidosi († 1401): Galeotto Malatesta (* 1395, † 1414), Elisabetta Malatesta († 1434), who married Obizzo da Polenta in 1414 and Antonia Malatesta, who was with Giovanni Maria Visconti (* 1389, † 1412), 2nd Duke of Milan (1402-1412), was married. Her father's third marriage was childless.
Margravine of Ferrara
At the age of less than fourteen, Parisina Malatesta was born in 1418 with the 35-year-old - that is, more than twice as old - Margrave Niccolò III. d'Este (born November 9, 1383 in Ferrara, † (murdered) December 26, 1441 in Milan) married who was Lord of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia. Niccolò III. was widowed since 1416 by his first wife, Gigliola da Carrara (* 1379, † 1416), a daughter of Francesco Novello da Carrara , Lord of Padua and the Taddea d'Este.
Their solemn entry into Ferrara did not take place under good omens, as the plague raged in the city . In Ferrara she lived in the Castello Estense , the gloomy city castle of the Este, where her apartment is said to have been in the Torre dei Rigobelli. In summer, however, she was able to enjoy life in the various "Delize" - the country castles of the Este - outside the city, with a particular preference for the Delizia in Consaldano and the Torre di Parisina in Gualdo, which is named after her.
Through her youth, her love of life and kindness, Parisina quickly acquired the love of her surroundings. She was a passionate animal lover and especially loved horses. She had her own racing stable and sent her horses to the Palio - the traditional city horse race - in Verona, Mantua, Modena, Bologna and Milan. Their jockey Giovanni da Rimini was victorious everywhere. Their colors - white and red - were therefore known on all racing courses.
She also loved birds and therefore had rare specimens for sale in Venice, which she kept in aviaries , as was the custom at the large courts at the time. She had expensive fabrics, jewels, fragrant oils and essences obtained in Milan and Venice. She was very popular with her "damigelle" - the maid of honor - because she gave them many presents and was always friendly towards them. She was particularly fond of Pelegrina Rubino, a daughter of Giacomo Rubino, a courtier of her husband. When Pelegrina finally married, she showered them with gifts.
Parisina had received a good upbringing and, like all women of the great world at that time, read chivalric novels such as “Tristan and Isolde” or “Girone il Cortese”. She also had a great love for music and played the lute herself with great skill. Parisina was pious, went to church regularly and had the house chaplain Fra 'Maginardo read to her from the Psalter or read her illuminated book of hours, which was bound in black velvet.
Stepchildren
For the romantic fourteen-year-old new margravine, the - exuberant - erotic needs of her husband were particularly hard to get used to. The bishop and important writer Matteo Bandello (* 1485, † 1561) called him the "Rooster of Ferrara" and wrote that there was no area in Ferrara and the surrounding area where Niccolò did not have a bastard son, so that the saying went around the people " di qua e di là dal Po son tutti figli di Niccolò ”(“ on both sides of the Po - all of Niccolò's children ”).
Niccolò had no children from his first marriage, which he entered into at the age of thirteen, but he did have a whole host of children from extramarital relationships. In Ferrara, Parisina found not only her husband's lover - Stella de 'Tolomei († July 11, 1419), but also her children, who were about the same age as herself. They were:
- Margarita d´Este (* around 1405, † 1475), who was later married to Parisina's cousin, Galeotto Roberto Malatesta (* 1411, † 1432).
- Ugo d'Este (born November 17, 1405, † May 21, 1425), who was to become her fate.
- Leonello d'Este (born September 21, 1407, † October 1, 1450), the heir of her husband, who later became the first Duke of Modena.
- Borso d'Este (* August 24, 1413, † August 20, 1471), who succeeded his brother Leonello in 1450 as the second Duke of Modena.
In addition, there were also other adult children out of wedlock, such as Meliaduse d'Este (* 1406, † 1452) from the relationship with Caterina Medici and those who had emerged from ongoing relationships - for example with Filippa della Tavola.
For her high rank as the wife of a respected prince, Parisina had to pay a high price, despite her youth. Although this was not easy, Parisina complied, gave birth to her husband only in 1419 two daughters (twins) and in 1421 with Alberto Carlo d'Este a legitimate heir to the throne, who died after a short time. The relationship with her stepchildren was not easy, as she - almost of the same age - possessed little authority, her husband loved his illegitimate children, put them on an equal footing and in particular had taken into his heart Ugo, who was chosen by him as his heir and regularly preferred and was given. He therefore saw in Parisina - as the possible mother of a legitimate heir to the throne - a danger to his own future, and therefore treated her negatively and with little respect. Instead of resignation in a dynastic marriage of convenience with mutual reservations, which largely corresponded to the habits of the time, this marriage was to end in catastrophe after seven years.
Legends of the cause of the drama
The factual background of the tragedy that was to end Parisina's life was soon overgrown by legends, as a result of which there are different versions of how this disaster came about. According to one version, the relationship with her stepson Ugo began when the plague broke out in Ferrara. In order to protect her from infection, Parisina was brought from the city to Fossadalberto Castle in safety, where she was accompanied by her stepson Ugo d'Este for protection. During this stay in the secluded castle, a love affair developed between the two.
After the work Memorie per la storia di Ferrara ( Memories of the History of Ferrara ) (1791) by the historian Antonio Frizzi, the story was somewhat different. Accordingly, between Ugo d'Este, Niccolò III's favorite illegitimate son. d´Este, and Parisina Malatesta, Niccolòs second wife, a deep mutual dislike existed. Niccolò III did this. disturbed, who wanted to enforce domestic peace by agreeing to a trip to Parisina only on the condition that she was accompanied by her stepson Ugo so that they could get to know each other better. During this trip, however, the two fell senselessly in love.
According to another version, the drama developed even differently. Accordingly, Parisina and Ugo would have known each other before and would even have been engaged. In order to get to know his future daughter-in-law, Ugo's father Niccolò traveled to Cesena, saw the lovely 15-year-old Parisina there, fell in love with her and forced his son to renounce her in order to marry her himself.
Probable formation of the relationship
According to a modern version, after the death of his first wife, perhaps also because of the plague, Niccolò went on a pilgrimage and stopped by Parisina's father, who was his friend in Cesena. There he saw Parisina, had succumbed to the charm of the nanny and, since she did not resist - perhaps blinded by Niccolò's prestige - decided to marry her. To the great astonishment of those around him, who had assumed that he would marry his long-time lover, Stella de 'Tolomei, also known as Stella dell' Assassino. Stella, who thereby lost her hope of becoming the legitimate wife of the margrave, died of grief the next year. The fact that Parisina was preferred as wife by Niccolò Ugo's mother Stella could have been another reason for Ugo's animosity towards his stepmother Parisina. Niccolò wanted to eliminate these internal tensions on the occasion of a pilgrimage Parisina to Loreto by entrusting Ugo with the management and organization of the pilgrimage. This trip could have triggered the passionate relationship between Ugo and Parisina.
Discovery of relationship and death
After Parisina's return from the trip, Niccolò was satisfied that his plan of reconciliation had worked so well. The joy soon gave way to doubts, however, as Ugo's fiancée suspected that it could be more than friendship. So Niccolo wanted certainty, watched his wife from hiding and caught her adultery. That was on May 18, 1425. Beside himself with anger, he ordered the holding of an express court order to convict the guilty under the law - which provided for the death penalty for adulterers caught in the act.
Ugo was locked in the "Lion Tower" and Parisina in the tower of the fort, which is still called "Torre Marchesana" today. Both were sentenced to death. Although close advisers to the margrave tried to prevent him from executing the sentence, given that it was his favorite son for years and his wife and mother of two daughters, there was no mercy.
On May 21st, Ugo was beheaded first. When Parisina was picked up, she asked about Ugo. When she was told that he was dead, she exclaimed that she too did not want to live anymore, took off her jewelry and covered her face to make the decapitation easier. That same night both were buried in the church of San Francesco. A friend of Ugo, Aldobrandino Rangoni, who had known about the matter without informing his master, was also executed.
Late repentance of the margrave
When the margrave was informed that the execution was going to be carried out, he was frantic with pain, cursed his decision and wept for days over the loss of his beloved son. In desperation, he found that his wife should not be punished alone, so he ordered that all women who, like Parisina, had committed marriage should suffer the same punishment. The first victim was Laudania Romei, the wife of a high dignitary at court. After their execution, the anger evaporated and Niccolò withdrew his order. Ferrara's wives could therefore sin again and Niccolò actively supported them. According to the chroniclers, he is said to have had eight hundred love affairs and at least 21 illegitimate children known by name. He was only outbid by the Abbot of Pomponesco, who was said to have over a thousand relationships.
Marriage and children
Parisina Malatesta (* 1404, † May 21, 1425 in Ferrara) was married to Margrave Niccolò III on April 2, 1418 at the age of less than fourteen . d'Este (born November 9, 1383 or 1384; † December 26, 1441), Lord of Ferrara , Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia , with whom she had three children:
- Lucia d'Este (* March 24, 1419, † June 28, 1437) ⚭ 1437 Carlo Gonzaga (* 1417, † December 21, 1456 in Ferrara), Signore di Sabbioneta , Gonzaga , San Martino, Rivarolo Mantovano , Bozzolo , Gazzuolo , Viadana, Luzzara , Suzzara e Rezolo (no children from this marriage)
- Ginevra d'Este (* March 24, 1419, † October 12, 1440), ⚭ 1436 Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta (* June 19, 1417 in Brescia, † October 9, 1468 in Rimini), Lord of Rimini , Fano and Cesena (no Children from this marriage)
- Alberto Carlo d'Este (* 1421, † 1421)
Appreciation in art
Although there are no very precise sources about Parisina's love drama, the material has found its way into literature. A hundred years later, the poet Matteo Bandello (* 1485, † 1561) used them in his novella Ugo e Parisina. In the 17th century, Lope de Vega used the novella Bandellos as a template for his tragedy El castigo sin venganza. In the 19th century the Swede Hjalmar Bergmann and Edward Gibbon took it up in his Miscellaneous Works , where Lord Byron found it and used it in his poem Parisina . The theater also took on the subject, with a play by Luigi Ciconi being performed on November 30, 1832 in the Teatro Carignano in Turin. The next year, based on a text by Felice Romani, a lyric tragedy (opera) Parisina d'Este by Gaetano Donizetti was performed in the Teatro alla Pergola in Florence . Even in the 20th century, the tragedy was unforgotten. In 1909, a mark will be film appeared Gabriele D'Annunzio wrote based on the poem by Lord Byron a libretto Pietro Mascagni to the eponymous opera Parisina , set to music, the 1913 Teatro alla Scala in Milan was first performed.
literature
- Casimir von Chledowski: The court of Ferrara. P. 24, Georg Müller Verlag, Munich 1919.
- Angelo Solerti: Ugo e Parisina. Story e leggenda secondo nuovi documenti. In: Nuova Antologia. XII, 16 giugno 1893.
- Riccardo Rimondi: Estensi. Storia e legend, personaggi e luoghi di una dinastia millenaria. Ferrara 2004.
- Giuliana Berengan (ed.): Le Dame della Corte Estense - Ferrara delle Donne - Itinerari al femminile. Editore Atelier IL PASSAGGIO, Ferrara 1998.
- Roberta Iotti: Malatesta (de Malatestis), Laura detta Parisina. In: Mario Caravale (ed.): Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani (DBI). Volume 68: Malatacca-Mangelli. Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana, Rome 2007, pp. 61-63.
Web links
- Tourism Office website - visitcesena.com (Italian) (English)
- Detailed overview of Cesena's rulers
Individual evidence
- ↑ Casimir von Chledowski: The court of Ferrara. P. 22, Georg Müller Verlag, Munich 1919.
- ↑ Giuliana Berengan (editor): Le Dame della Corte Estense - femminile Itinerari al - Ferrara delle Donne. P. 131, Editore Atelier IL PASSAGGIO, Ferrara 1998.
- ↑ Giuliana Berengan: op. Cit. P. 132
- ↑ a b Giuliana Berengan: op. Cit. P. 134
- ↑ Casimir von Chledowski: op. Cit. P. 24
- ↑ Casimir von Chledowski. Op. cit. P. 20
- ↑ For more details, see the wiki article “Parisina Malatesta” in Italian
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Malatesta, Parisina |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Malatesta, Laura (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Italian nobles from the house of the Malatesta of Rimini |
| DATE OF BIRTH | October 1404 |
| DATE OF DEATH | May 21, 1425 |
| Place of death | Ferrara |