«Bone parole, ma niuna provisione». Politica e diplomazia nelle vicende della successione di Ercole I d'Este a Borso (1471)

Abstract

This paper attempts to describe the political situation in Italy in the summer of 1471, when Borso d’Este, recently promoted to duke of Ferrara, got sick, therefore the other Italian states started to organize the succession. Being difficult to obtain information about the illness of Borso, Mantua and Milan decided that they would support Niccolò d’Este as successor; he was son of a Gonzaga princess, but had only few supporters in Ferrarese. On the other hand Venice supported Ercole d’Este, brother and intimate of Borso and much stronger than the rival into the town. We can follow the development of the situation reading the letters of Niccolò Ariosti, father of the famous poet Ludovico, who was partner of both Este and Gonzaga families. When Borso finally died, on August 20th, Milan and Mantua became aware of the weakness of their candidate and Ercole easily achieved the lordship over Ferrara.