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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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INFLUENTIAL CARDINALS. 73<br />

throne, for ten hours at a time.^ He earnestly impressed upon<br />

<strong>the</strong> Conservator! <strong>the</strong> duty <strong>of</strong> seeing to a regular supply <strong>of</strong><br />

provisions, and promised <strong>the</strong>m every assistance in this respect,<br />

saying that if it were necessary he was ready to give <strong>the</strong>m<br />

an audience at any time. He showed special marks <strong>of</strong><br />

honour to <strong>the</strong> Cardinals, and when <strong>the</strong>y came for an audience<br />

he made <strong>the</strong>m remain covered, and begged <strong>the</strong>m to be<br />

seated, which had not been customary in <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> Pius<br />

IV. 2<br />

At first <strong>the</strong> Cardinal who had <strong>the</strong> greatest influence was<br />

Alessandro Farnese, who had effected <strong>the</strong> election <strong>of</strong> Pius V.,<br />

and was specially experienced in political affairs. As it was<br />

precisely in this respect that Pius V. lacked knowledge, he was<br />

all <strong>the</strong> more ready at <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> his pontificate to avail<br />

himself <strong>of</strong> that <strong>of</strong> Farnese ; it was thought that <strong>the</strong> latter<br />

would in this way pave <strong>the</strong> way for himself to <strong>the</strong> supreme<br />

dignity.^<br />

Besides Farnese, Pius V. entrusted <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> political<br />

matters to Cardinals Vitelli, Rebiba and Reumano, <strong>the</strong><br />

administration <strong>of</strong> justice to Capizuchi, Niccolini and Gambara,<br />

and matters connected with benefices to Scotti, Rebiba and<br />

Reumano. Archbishop Marcantonio Maffei was appointed<br />

Datary.'* Of those who obtained positions <strong>of</strong> influence and<br />

^ Cf. <strong>the</strong> *letter <strong>of</strong> Cusano <strong>of</strong> January 26, 1566, State Archives,<br />

Vienna, and <strong>the</strong> *Avviso di Roma <strong>of</strong> February 24, 1566, Urb.<br />

1040, p. 183b, Vatican Library. See also Catena, 28.<br />

" See <strong>the</strong> *report <strong>of</strong> Cusano <strong>of</strong> January 26, 1566, State Archives,<br />

Vienna {infra, p. 152).<br />

^ <strong>The</strong> Pope, *wrote Serristori on Janu:.ry 8, 1566, hands over<br />

all memorials to Cardinal Farnese " essendo quello che adesso<br />

governa tutto " (State Archives, Florence, Medic. 3591). Farnese,<br />

reports Cusano on January 26, 1566, has a say in all important<br />

matters *" e in vero S-S-Ill*^' e quella che da la norma a tutti<br />

come meglio instrutta delle cose di governo di stati ch'ogno'altro<br />

cardinale et fino a qui tutto si e fatto con sua consulta." (State<br />

Archives, Vienna). Cf. Legaz. di Serristori, 421.<br />

* See <strong>the</strong> *Italian report <strong>of</strong> Arco <strong>of</strong> January 12, 1566, State<br />

Archives Vienna.

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