The Duchess
One of the most pleasurable benefits of researching history is the eureka moments, when the reader stumbles upon a previously unknown connection to an event in history. In doing some reading about Bianca Maria Visconti, Duchess of Milan, I had one of those moments. Bianca’s father, Filippo Maria Visconti, had a first wife named Beatrice, and she had a heartbreaking and curious story.
Throughout most of history, people erroneously knew Beatrice as Beatrice Lascaris di Tenda. It was only in the 1950s when an historian, following the examination of some primary documents, discovered that Beatrice was the daughter of Ruggero Cane, a captain in the service of Bernabo and Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Milan. Her mother was Giacobina Asinari.
The Biographical Dictionary of Italians speculates Beatrice’s birthdate c. 1370 or 1372 based on sources stating she was much older than her second husband. We know nothing of her upbringing, but her family brokered a marriage for her to her relative Facino Cane c. 1395. Facino, a condottiere from Montferrat, served the Scagligeri, Carraresi families, as well as Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Milan. He then formed his own mercenary company, rejoined the service of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, and played a significant role in the capture of Bologna.
Facino conquered and occupied Alessandria, Novara, Vercelli, and Tortona. With the help of others, he moved against Milan and forced Duke Giovanni Maria to appoint him governor. He then occupied Pavia, making him the de facto ruler of Lombardy. There are a few hints in the sources about Beatrice’s life with Facino. A chronicler mentions she liberally distributed alms during the occupation of Piacenza by her husband. She also may have accompanied her husband in battle. Another chronicler references a remark made by Facino that his wife knew all the practices of the state. Apparently, Beatrice had a modicum of political influence.
Several noblemen murdered Giovanni Maria Visconti on May 16, 1412, and as luck would have it, Facino Cane died on the same day in Pavia. Beatrice inherited all Facino’s wealth, amounting to 400,000 ducats and vast territory. Filippo Maria Visconti, Count of Pavia, intimidated by the murder of his brother Giovanni, remained locked up in his castle, too weak to intervene and stake his claim to the duchy of Milan. Many advisors around him urged him to marry Beatrice. Facino’s relatives had claims to his territory, and consequently, Filippo had to act fast.
He needed Facino’s army and Beatrice’s wealth to reconquer Milan. The army may have sworn an oath to Facino and to Beatrice, showing her influence with the troops, as well as the prestige she enjoyed alongside her husband. She could not continue alone in her position. Chroniclers commented on Beatrice being much older than her intended groom, but these other factors overcame any doubts.
The marriage took place in the spring of 1412. By June 17, documents listed Beatrice as Duchess of Milan, and on July 24, both Beatrice and Filippo made their state entry into Milan after he secured control of the city. Historians know little of Beatrice’s life during her second marriage. She lived mostly in Milan in the castle of Porta Giovia with excursions to Abbiategrasso and Binasco. At least initially, the marriage seemed to be stable. Filippo certainly recognized her political abilities and owed her a debt of gratitude for his ability to restore his position as duke. Evidence shows the duke gave Vigevano, Abbiategrasso, Pontecurone, Voghera, Mortara, and Monza to her on January 2, 1414.
Certainly, Beatrice’s political influence diminished once Filippo gained more power and prominence in his position as duke. She may have insisted on maintaining her authority. Their age difference and her inability to have children certainly factored into what happened next. Certain courtiers were conspiring to get rid of Beatrice as well. They may have helped to introduce Filippo to Agnese del Maino, who became his mistress and gave birth to his only surviving daughter, Bianca Maria Visconti.
In a letter dated July 27, 1418, Beatrice complains of the deterioration of her living conditions. Because he could not publicly denounce his wife, he and some nobles devised a scheme to accuse her of adultery. One of the duchess’s servants was a young troubadour named Michele Orombello, who entertained her with his lute and song. On August 23, to prevent problems arising from the arrest of the popular duchess, Filippo ordered the closing of Milan’s gates at lunchtime and had Beatrice, Michele, and two of her ladies-in-waiting, taken prisoner to Binasco.
Someone tortured the servants. Orombello confessed to adultery with Beatrice, and the maids attested to seeing Beatrice and Orombello sitting on the bed while he played his lute. The court charged Beatrice with adultery and put her on trial. Judge Gasparino de’Grassi Castiglione found her guilty and the others complicit. Beatrice, Orombello and the two maids who testified to her guilt were all beheaded in the courtyard of Binasco on September 13, 1418.
Thomas Cromwell and Anne Boleyn
Now, for anyone familiar with Tudor history, this story may seem familiar. So, what is the connection? Thomas Cromwell, around the age of eighteen, went to Italy in 1503. At first, he mostly worked as a mercenary, traveling around the country, but later went to work for the banking house of Francesco Frescobaldi in Florence. Frescobaldi took Cromwell to various places in Italy on his business related trips. Cromwell was fluent in Italian and would have significant relationships with the Italian merchants in England when he returned.
As his biographer, Tracy Borman states, living in Italy would have a profound impact on his character, beliefs, and interests. Did Cromwell hear Beatrice’s story while in Italy? When he began his plot for the downfall of Anne Boleyn, did he recall the adultery charges against Beatrice with her musician, analogous to what eventually happened to Queen Anne and Mark Smeaton? While we will never know for sure, the similarities in the story are hard to deny.
Further reading: Entries in Treccani, the Italian Encyclopedia on Beatrice, Duchess of Milan, Facino Cane, Filippo Maria Visconti and Giovanni Maria Visconti, “Thomas Cromwell: The untold story of Henry VIII’s most faithful servant” by Tracy Borman
