ABSTRACT
The previous chapter, in the episode of Enea Furlano’s murder of il Milanese, illustrated how individuals out of Francesco’s favour often turned to his wife. This chapter similarly shows courtiers attempting to use Isabella’s closeness to her husband to influence him. We consider the Gonzaga courtier-diplomats from the Brognolo family, who looked to Benedetto Capilupi, and ultimately the marchesa, for mediation to resolve their dispute with Francesco. In a contrasting example, proving that this could be a two-way process, we have the marchese’s support enlisted by the family of a donzella attacked by Isabella in a jealous rage.
