Stella de 'Tolomei
Stella de 'Tolomei (also called Stella Tolomei or Stella dell'Assassino ; * around 1386; † July 11, 1419 in Ferrara ) was the mistress of Margrave Niccolò III. d'Este (1383–1441), Lord of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia . She bore him four children, including his future successors Leonello d'Este and Borso d'Este . Niccolo III. lived with Stella for many years and promised her marriage, but eventually married the much younger Parisina Malatesta .
origin
Stella came from the Tolomei family, who were among the oldest noble families in the city of Siena and traced their - legendary - line of tribe back to the Macedonian dynasty of the Ptolemies , who ruled Egypt for centuries as pharaohs . What is certain is that the family appeared in a document in Siena as early as 1121 and made great fortunes through long-distance trade. She was prominent enough that Dante Alighieri, in his Divine Comedy in the fifth song of the Purgatorium, tells the tragic fate of the Pia de 'Tolomei, who was thrown to her death by her husband Nello dei Pannocchieschi from the window of his castle so that he could be another woman could marry. An indication of the age and reputation of the family is also provided by the Palazzo Tolomei , which stands on the square of the same name in Siena, as this was documented as early as 1205 and is therefore the oldest private house still in Siena (today: bank). Stella's father was - according to the long poem that the poet Galeoto Marzio da Narni wrote in her honor - Giovanni Tolomei, a legal scholar who was at times Podestà of Ferrara and famous for his justice. The family in Ferrara was also called "dell'Assassino", which is attributed to the fact that Giovanni Tolomei, who had left Siena because of the internal battles between the noble families, lived temporarily in the city of Assisi in Umbria and the additional family name from a corruption the name of this city originated.
Life
youth
According to contemporary chroniclers, Stella Tolomei received extensive training in accordance with the spreading humanism of her time and at the same time a religious upbringing that corresponded to the serious character of her father. Stella was therefore interested in knowledge, cultural and religious questions, but little in social life.
Meeting with Niccolò III. d'Este
In her seventeenth year - around 1403 - the meeting with the Margrave Niccolò III , which was decisive for Stella's life, took place . d'Este . He was young - about 20 years - chivalrous, educated and at the same time, as lord of Ferrara , Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia, one of the most influential princes in northern Italy. He was married to the fifteen-year-old Gigliola da Carrara († February 25, 1416) by his guardians in 1397, ie at the age of thirteen, for political reasons. She was a daughter of Francesco Novello da Carrara (* May 19, 1359, † murdered January 19, 1406), who ruled the city of Padua and the associated areas from 1388 to 1406 as the 8th member of his family , and through her mother Taddea d 'Este (* 1365, † 1404), a daughter of Margrave Niccolò II. D'Este, Lord of Modena, and Verde della Scala from the house of the Scaliger , Lords of Verona , related to Niccolò. This marriage was unhappy because Gigliola was not only sickly and withdrawn, but also suffered from the “unforgivable” mistake for the wives of dynastics of not having given birth to children, which is why Niccolò had no legitimate heir. In contrast, Niccolò was so famous for his sprawling erotic adventures that, according to the contemporary Cronaca des Calaffino, he had 800 love affairs in the course of his life and was only surpassed - according to the chronicle - by the Abbot of Pomposa , who is said to have a thousand such relationships . The mocking verse was therefore popular among the people: "Di qua e di la del Po, tutti figli di Niccolò" (For example: On both sides of the Po, all children of Niccolò)
Relationship with Niccolò III. d'Este
Surprisingly, however, a much more lasting and loving relationship was to develop between Niccolò and Stella Tolomei. When Niccolò first met Stella, he was - as always - immediately on fire. However, he, who considered himself irresistible as a shining knight and sovereign, met with Stella for the first time a phenomenon he was not used to: beauty paired with virtue that refused to urge him. The resistance that Stella opposed his advances therefore particularly appealed to him, which prompted him to do everything in his power to win Stella.
After a long hesitation, Stella gave in, because she was fascinated by the person Niccolò and probably also impressed by the splendor of his court and the promises he made to her. He assured her that in the event of the death of his ailing wife Gigliola da Carrara, he would marry her, making the children that would result from their relationship the legitimate heirs of the margraviate.
Stella as the official lover of Niccolò III.
After Stella was convinced by Niccolò, the margrave set up a beautiful house for her in Ferrara in Via Camello in 1403, whereupon she moved from her parents' house there. Niccolo's wife resigned and accepted this semi-official relationship out of a sense of guilt, not least because it was a deep and lasting bond and Stella finally gave birth to the longed-for heir to the throne. Stella bore four children to her lover, including three sons who were chosen to become her father's line of succession: Ugo was born in 1405, Leonello in 1407 and Borso in 1413. They were treated like legitimate children, with the baptism of the first-born being celebrated with a great deal of effort, in which not only the entire court and the envoys of the befriended royal houses took part, but also the cardinal legate, who traveled specifically from Bologna.
Stella must not only have been a particularly beautiful woman, but also a very attractive one, for all of Ferrara spoke of her with admiration and regarded her as the margrave's natural partner. The fact that there was a legitimate wife was suppressed who, humiliated by her sterility, lived in ascetic solitude and devoted herself to works of charity. The peculiarity of this relationship was shown by the fact that - despite Niccolo's volatility - it lasted for fourteen years. However, this did not rule out Niccolo's occasional infidelities, as he, among other things, "incidentally" Caterine degli Albarenani, the daughter of a doctor in Ferrara, in 1405 the son Meliadus, and the married Philippa della Tavola gave birth to a total of four children. Contemporaries could not find enough words to praise Stella, and ascribed all imaginable virtues to her, such as that she was the consolation of the poor, just, prudent, decent, generous and “pudicitiae flos” - the flower of modesty.
Stella lived in her big house in Ferrara surrounded by her children, took part in the numerous festivities and undoubtedly also made use of the “delizie” available to the d'Este family, ie the country castles that were in the extensive estates of the Este and, thanks to their large gardens, served amusement and relaxation. During the reign of Niccolò d'Este, two new delicacies, Belriguardo in the Voghera area - where Pietro Bembo and Torquato Tasso were later guests - and Consandolo were rebuilt. Niccolò also had the magnificent palazzo on the Grand Canal restored, which he had received from the Republic of Venice in 1381 for military service, which remained connected with the family until the 18th century and was named " Fontego dei Turchi " (also Fondaco dei Turchi) still exists today. Stella will have used this palazzo when traveling to Venice and was probably also there when Niccolò traveled to Venice in 1415 to take part in a major tournament on St. Mark's Square with 200 knights . In the years 1400 and 1403 - that is, in Stella's time - this representative palazzo also served as accommodation for Manuel II Palaiologos, Emperor of Byzantium (1391–1425), who was in Venice .
In fashion, France set the tone for Ferrara, with numerous furnishings, linen and silver for table decorations from Paris . Niccolò had Arazzi ( picture knitting ) made with his coat of arms in Bruges and had a group of church singers come from Flanders . Since the tapestries from Flanders were very expensive, he set up a factory in Ferrara which produced them according to Flemish patterns. Niccolò did not have a very in-depth classical education, but was interested in the French culture of that time, which was cultivated at his court, which suited Stella's interests. For the large number of handwritten books, often decorated with miniatures, Niccolò had his own library set up in one of the towers in Castello Estense in Ferrara - the Torre Ringobollo - which Stella could use. From the library catalog from 1474, which has been preserved, it can be seen that the court's favorite reading apparently consisted of “Istorie francesi” - that is, French chivalric novels - which were available in large numbers. For example the story of the Holy Grail, Merlin's prophecies, Lanzilotto, the Chronique de Saint Denis etc. There were also Italian translations of the work “De mulieribus claris” (Of famous women) by Giovanni Boccaccio (* 1313, † 1375) and des Francesco Petrarch's book “De viris illustribus” (From famous men) is available in the library. These books were a regular topic of conversation because they were read from them. The fashion went so far that children were often given names of heroes in these stories, such as Meliadus, Ginevra, Rinaldo, Isotta, etc.
Stella's disappointment
While the years passed with few changes, Stella's children grew into promising youngsters. The wife of Margrave Niccolò Gigliola da Carrara had been ill for a long time and finally died of the plague on February 16, 1416, to the great sorrow of the poor in the city, whose benefactress she had proven to be. Probably less saddened was her husband and probably also Stella Tolomei, who finally saw the moment come to step out of the role of a lover in order to take on the promised role as legitimate wife and margravine. This was not just her own opinion, it was in line with general expectation, since the relationship had existed for almost fourteen years, Stella had borne the sovereign three promising sons as possible heirs and was generally popular for their dignity, education and kindness.
However, it turned out differently than expected.
Margrave Niccolò decided to take some time to make a decision. In order to gain distance from things, to broaden his horizons and to meet his sometimes severe religious needs, he loved going on pilgrimages. As early as 1413, accompanied by 50 courtiers and friends - including an Alberto della Scala and Feltrino Boiardo, whom Niccolò III had made Count of Scandiano in 1423 and who was the grandfather of the famous poet Matteo Maria Boiardo (1441, † 1494), - went on a three-month pilgrimage to the Holy Land . Even after the death of his wife, he felt the need for another pilgrimage, be it in gratitude for being released from the yoke of marriage, in gratitude for the end of the plague or in apology for his all too obvious sins. On the way he visited his friend Alberto Malatesta, famous as a condottiere, in Cesena , who was there with his third wife Polissena Sanseverino († after 1430) - a daughter of Duke Venzeslao Sanseverino of Amalfi and Margherita di Sangineto - and with his daughter from his second marriage lived with Lucrezia Ordelaffi († 1404), Parisina Malatesta (* 1404, † 1425).
Marriage of Niccolò to Parisina Malatesta
The encounter with the then only 13-year-old nanny Parisina Malatesta must have hit the now 35-year-old like lightning, because he forgot his promises to Stella Tolomei and asked Andrea Malateste for the hand of his daughter Parisina. Apart from emotional considerations, however, strategic considerations may also have played a role, because in troubled times the affinity with the House of Malatesta, which was regularly distinguished by efficient condottiere, could be of decisive importance. The wedding of Margrave Niccolò III. with Parisina Malatesta was celebrated with great pomp on April 20, 1418 in Ferrara. For Stella, however, the exuberant celebrations were a drama, as they were not for her own - long-awaited - wedding, but that of a 13-year-old rival, to whom she had to give up the place that she had considered hers for years. Neither were her sons, who were about the same age as her stepmother, and who, with good reason, feared that Parisina might give birth to a legitimate heir who would dispute her father's promised inheritance.
Stella's death
While Parisina quickly won the friendship and admiration of the court for Mantua through her youth and her charm, Stella withdrew from the court disappointed, desperate about her own fate and worried about that of her sons. She fell ill and died on July 11, 1419, as one chronicler said, of a "broken heart". She was buried in Ferrara in the Franciscan Church. Many regretted their death - including Margrave Niccolò III. - some, like the chronicler Caleffini, openly praised their qualities: “Quanto fu bella e bona! De ogni virtù la porto corona ”(For example: How beautiful and good she was! - She wore the crown of every virtue) Stella was spared the drama of the forbidden love of her son Ugo with his stepmother Parisina and the death of her son - together with that of the rival - to be experienced through the sword of the executioner on May 21, 1425. She also failed to experience the splendor of her other sons: Leonello, who succeeded his father as margrave, and Borso, who succeeded him and became the first Duke of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio. The house in Ferrara that Margrave Niccolo assigned to her as an apartment in 1403 still reminds of Stella. Despite multiple renovations, the house in Via Camello No. 15 is still known today as "Casa di Stella".
Relationship and offspring
The relationship with Niccolo resulted in three children:
- Ugo Aldobrandino d'Este (1405–1425), his father's darling and chosen heir, was executed with her as the lover of his stepmother, Parisina Malatesta, on the orders of his father.
- Leonello d'Este (1407–1450) succeeded his father in 1441 as Margrave of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia. He married his first wife in 1435 Margherita Gonzaga (1418-1439), a daughter of Gianfrancesco I Gonzaga and Paola Malatesta, and his second wife Maria d'Aragona (1425-1449), an extramarital daughter of King Alfonso V of Aragon with Giraldina Carlino.
- Borso d'Este (1413–1471) followed Leonello in 1450 as Margrave of Ferrara, Modena and Reggio nell'Emilia. He was made the first Duke of Modena and Reggio in 1452 and the first Duke of Ferrara in 1471. He remained unmarried.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Casimir von Chledowski: "Der Hof von Ferrara", p. 21; Georg Müller Verlag / Munich 1919
- ↑ Giuliana Berengan (editor): "Le Dame della Corte Estense - Ferrara delle Donne - Itinerari al femminile". Editore Atelier IL PASSAGGIO, Ferrara 1998
- ↑ Giuliana Berengan (editor): op. Cit. P. 75
- ↑ Casimir von Chledowski: op. Cit. P. 20
- ↑ Giuliana Berengan (editor): op. Cit. P. 75
- ↑ Casimir von Chledowski: op. Cit. P. 21
- ↑ Casimir von Chledowski: op. Cit. P. 28
literature
- Giuliana Berengan (editor). "Le Dame della Corte Estense - Ferrara delle Donne - Itinerari al femminile". Editore Atelier IL PASSAGGIO, Ferrara 1998.
- Casimir von Chledowski: "Der Hof von Ferrara", p. 24, Georg Müller Verlag / Munich 1919.
- Angelo Solerti, Ugo e Parisina. Storia e leggenda secondo nuovi documenti , in "Nuova Antologia", XII, 16 giugno 1893.
- Riccardo Rimondi, Estensi. Storia e leggende, personaggi e luoghi di una dinastia millenaria , Ferrara 2004.
- Conte Pompeo Litta: “Famiglie Celebri Italiane.” 1834, Milan.
- Volker Reinhardt (Ed.): The great families of Italy (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 485). Kröner, Stuttgart 1992, ISBN 3-520-48501-X .
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Tolomei, Stella de ' |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Tolomei, Stella; Dell'Assassino, Stella |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Mistress of Margrave Niccolò III. d'Este |
| DATE OF BIRTH | around 1386 |
| DATE OF DEATH | July 11, 1419 |
| Place of death | Ferrara |