Episode 4
Alexander plays out the diplomatic chess game of matchmaking his three eligible offspring while making his fourth, Cesare, into a cardinal. Read by Robert Glenister.
Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance Sarah Dunant takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias.
The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual was crammed into that period.
Our abridgement begins in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia wins his campaign to become Pope, and describes the repercussions for his children, Cesare, Juan, Lucrezia and Jofre. Juan, the only legitimate son, will be allied in marriage to Spain, while Cesare is promised to the church - thus ensuring their legacy within the Vatican. As for Lucrezia, she is part of the price Borgia paid for his Papacy - though only 12, she must wed to shore up an uneasy alliance with the powerful Milanese Sforza family.
Episode 4:
Alexander plays out the diplomatic chess game of matchmaking his three eligible offspring, and manages to make his fourth, Cesare, a Cardinal.
Read by Robert Glenister
Written by Sarah Dunant
Abridged by Eileen Horne
Produced by Clive Brill
A Pacificus production for 大象传媒 Radio 4.
Last on
More episodes
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Producer | Clive Brill |
| Reader | Robert Glenister |
| Abridger | Eileen Horne |
| Author | Sarah Dunant |
Broadcasts
Thu 30 May 2013 22:45大象传媒 Radio 4- Thu 10 Aug 2017 14:00大象传媒 Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 11 Aug 2017 02:00大象传媒 Radio 4 Extra
Books
Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.
How many of these 100 Novels have you read?
After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.
Finding Your Story
Ten remarkable novels about identity: Which one will help you discover yourself?
Short stories to keep
The fiction podcast featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers