ct to ceaseless cautions and
contradictions: he was, in no sensuous or homicidal sense, his father's
son. All three stayed markedly away from Poggio a Caiano.

* * * * *

Almost the first act of the new Sovereign was the enclosure of his
father's young widow in a convent! He placed her first with the
Benedictine nuns of the Vergine dell' Annunziata delle Murate, and then
in the noble sanctuary of Santa Monica, not with her poor cousin
Eleanora degli Albizzi away at Foligno!

This certainly appears to the ordinary reader of romances a cruel and
unjustifiable act, but to the student of diplomatic expediency, it was a
foregone conclusion. The security of Francesco's rule depended entirely
upon the suppression of dynastic intrigues. The person of Ferdinando was
unassailable; as a Prince of the Church he had prerogatives which could
not be removed by any temporal sovereign. All that Francesco could do
was to forbid his presence upon Tuscan territory, and this he did.

It does not appear that the unhappy Cammilla de' Medici was harshly
used; indeed her residence within the convent was made as agreeable as
possible, and she had the privilege of receiving visitors, other than
political. Madonna Costanza de' Pazzi and eight other noble ladies were
attached to her suite, with five Gentlemen of Honour and several
domestics.

Cavaliere Antonio de' Martelli pleaded in vain his right as father of
Cammilla to take her and her child back under the parental roof. The
Grand Duke was immovable in his resolution, he counselled the father to
let the matter rest, and gave him and Madonna Fiammetta free access to
their daughter, but, on no account, was she to visit them.

As in the case of Eleanora degli Albizzi, an inventory of jewellery and
other treasures was made, and whilst Cammilla was permitted to retain
certain articles, such objects as were regarded as the property of the
reigning Grand Duchess were transferred to the _Guardaroba_ of Bianca.
Apparently Francesco determined that no action of his against his
father's widow should be construed into a menace against his Government.

Writing to the Grand Duke, on 7th August 1574, soon after Cammilla's
reception, the Very Reverend Abbess of Santa Monica humbly thanked his
Serene Highness "for the generous treatment of the young widow, and begs
remembrance of his good offices for her and for the convent generally."

Trustees were appointed, under the p