To few of the pedigrees illustrated by Sansovino is there attributed a more remote origin, or a brighter illustration, than to that of CANOSSA.[*49] A younger son of the family was COUNT LUDOVICO, who, being cousin-german of Castiglione's mother, was perhaps by this means brought to Urbino, and thence recommended to Julius II., under whose patronage he entered upon an ecclesiastical career. From Leo X. he obtained the see of Tricarico, and was sent by him as nuncio to England and France, a service which earned him promotion to the bishopric of Bajus. Adrian VI. and Clement VII. continued him in this post; and during a long residence at the French court, he entirely gained the confidence and favour of Francis I. Many of his diplomatic letters are printed in various collections; and to him is addressed Count Baldassare's curious description of the performance of the _Calandra_, at Urbino. [Footnote *49: For Canossa, cf. LUZIO E RENIER, _op. cit._, p. 87, and especially ORTI-MANARA, _Intorno alla vita ed alle gesta del Co. Lodovico di Canossa_ (Verona, 1845), and CAVATTONI, _Lettere scelte di Mons. L. di Canossa_ (Verona, 1862).] * * * * * ALESSANDRO TRIVULZIO was nephew of Gian Giacomo, the distinguished Milanese general of that name, and himself a famous captain in the service of Florence, and of Francis I. Sigismondo Riccardi, surnamed the Black, Gasparo Pallavicini, Pietro da Napoli, and Roberto da Bari,--the last of whom died in the camp of Duke Francesco Maria, in 1510,--are mentioned among the military notorieties of the Feltrian court. Giovanni Cristoforo, the sculptor, may be added to the list of its literary dilettanti; and among its musical ornaments were Pietro Monti and Terpandro, with Niccolo Frisio, a German, long resident in the land of song, whose exertions were often in request by Monti and Barletta, both dancers of note. CHAPTER XXII Emilia Pia--The _Cortegiano_--Death of Duke Guidobaldo, succeeded by Francesco Maria della Rovere. Such were the eminent men, with whom Guidobaldo is described in the _Cortegiano_ as living in easy but dignified familiarity, joining their improving and amusing conversation, or admiring their dexterity in exercises which his broken constitution no longer permitted him to share. Thus passed the days in the palace; and, when the Duke was constrained by his infirmities to seek early repose, the evenings were spent in social amusements, over which the Duchess gracefully presided, with her ladies Margherita and Costanza Fregoso, the Duke's nieces, Margherita and Ippolita Gonzaga, the Signor Raffaella, and Maria Emilia Pia. [Illustration: ELISABETTA GONZAGA, DUCHESS OF URBINO _From a lead medal by Adriano Fiorentino in the British Museum_] [Illustration: EMILIA PIA _From a medal by Adriano Fiorentino in the Vienna Museum_]