Download In the Pillory: Tale of the Borgia Pope (1927) by John Leslie Palmer - A Historical Novel that Exposes the Corruption and Scandals of the Borgia Family
In the Pillory: Tale of the Borgia Pope (1927) - A Historical Novel by John Leslie Palmer
Introduction
If you are interested in history, politics, religion, or romance, you might want to read In the Pillory: Tale of the Borgia Pope, a historical novel by John Leslie Palmer. Published in 1927, this book tells the story of Rodrigo Borgia, who became Pope Alexander VI in 1492, and his family, who were notorious for their corruption, ambition, and scandals.
In the Pillory Tale of the Borgia Pope (1927) downloadPDF, EPUB, MOBI
What is the book about?
The book is a fictionalized account of the life and times of Rodrigo Borgia, who was born in Spain in 1431 and rose to become one of the most powerful men in Europe as the head of the Catholic Church. The book covers his election as pope, his relations with other rulers and states, his wars and alliances, his reforms and policies, and his personal affairs and intrigues. The book also focuses on his children, especially Cesare and Lucrezia, who were involved in many political and romantic schemes.
Who was the Borgia Pope?
Rodrigo Borgia was a controversial figure who has been portrayed in different ways by historians and writers. Some see him as a cunning and ruthless politician who used his position to advance his family's interests and wealth. Others see him as a reformer and a patron of arts and culture who tried to bring peace and stability to Italy and Europe. He was also a lover of women and fathered several illegitimate children, some of whom he made cardinals or married off to powerful families.
Why is the book relevant today?
The book is relevant today because it explores themes that are still present in our society, such as power, corruption, morality, family, love, betrayal, ambition, violence, and faith. The book also shows how history is shaped by human actions and choices, and how those actions and choices have consequences for generations to come. The book also offers a glimpse into a fascinating period of history that witnessed the rise of new nations, the discovery of new lands, the spread of new ideas, and the clash of cultures.
Summary of the book
The setting and the characters
The book is set in Italy and other parts of Europe in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. This was a time of turmoil and change, as different states competed for territory and influence, as new technologies and discoveries transformed the world, and as new movements challenged the authority of the church. The book features many historical figures who played important roles in this era, such as King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain, King Charles VIII of France, King Henry VII of England, Sultan Bayezid II of Turkey, Savonarola of Florence, Machiavelli of Florence, and Leonardo da Vinci.
The main characters of the book are Rodrigo Borgia and his family. Rodrigo is depicted as a charismatic and ambitious man who uses his intelligence, charm, money, and influence to achieve his goals. He is also shown as a devoted father who loves his children and tries to protect them from harm. His children are Cesare, Lucrezia, Juan, Jofre, and Gioffre. Cesare is the eldest son and the most ruthless and ambitious of the siblings. He is a brilliant and charismatic leader who becomes a cardinal, a general, and a prince. He is also a violent and cruel man who kills or betrays anyone who stands in his way. Lucrezia is the eldest daughter and the most beautiful and innocent of the siblings. She is a kind and gentle woman who suffers from the machinations of her father and brother, who use her as a pawn in their political games. She is married three times, each time to a different man, and has several affairs and children. Juan is the second son and the favorite of his father. He is a handsome and charming man who enjoys life and women. He is also a proud and arrogant man who provokes enemies and rivals. He is murdered by an unknown assailant, possibly by his own brother Cesare. Jofre is the third son and the youngest of the siblings. He is a quiet and timid boy who is married off to a princess of Naples. He has little influence or involvement in his family's affairs. Gioffre is the illegitimate son of Rodrigo by his mistress Giulia Farnese. He is a young and handsome boy who resembles his father. He is also married off to a princess of Naples.
The plot and the themes
The book follows the events and adventures of Rodrigo Borgia and his family from 1492 to 1507, when Rodrigo dies as Pope Alexander VI. The book covers many historical incidents and episodes, such as the French invasion of Italy, the Pazzi conspiracy, the sack of Rome, the siege of Forli, the murder of Juan Borgia, the trial of Savonarola, the assassination attempt on Rodrigo, the conquest of Romagna by Cesare, the divorce and remarriage of Lucrezia, the death of Cesare's wife, the capture and escape of Cesare, and the death of Rodrigo.
The book explores many themes that are relevant to the characters and their times, such as power, corruption, morality, family, love, betrayal, ambition, violence, and faith. The book shows how Rodrigo Borgia uses his power as pope to benefit his family and himself, but also how he faces challenges and enemies from within and without. The book shows how his children follow his example or rebel against it, but also how they suffer from his actions or their own. The book shows how they love each other or hate each other, but also how they depend on each other or betray each other. The book shows how they pursue their ambitions or give them up, but also how they face obstacles or opportunities. The book shows how they commit violence or endure it, but also how they cause it or prevent it. The book shows how they have faith or lose it, but also how they question it or defend it.
The style and the tone
The book is written in a style that is engaging and entertaining, but also informative and accurate. The book uses a third-person omniscient narrator who tells the story from different perspectives and reveals the thoughts and feelings of the characters. The book uses dialogue that is lively and realistic, but also reflects the language and culture of the time. The book uses descriptions that are vivid and detailed, but also convey the atmosphere and mood of the scenes.
The book has a tone that is balanced and objective, but also critical and ironic. The book does not glorify or condemn Rodrigo Borgia or his family, but rather presents them as complex and flawed human beings who have strengths and weaknesses, virtues and vices, successes and failures. The book does not romanticize or sensationalize their lives or their times, but rather portrays them as realistic and dramatic events that have consequences for themselves and others. The book does not ignore or justify their crimes or sins, but rather exposes them as immoral and harmful actions that have repercussions for their souls.
Analysis of the book
The historical accuracy and the sources
The book is based on extensive research and documentation by John Leslie Palmer, who was a historian and a novelist. Palmer consulted many primary sources such as letters, diaries, chronicles, memoirs, and official records from various archives in Italy, Spain, France, England, Turkey, etc.
Palmer also used many secondary sources such as books, articles, essays, etc.
events, and personalities, although it sometimes simplifies or dramatizes them for narrative purposes. The book also incorporates some fictional elements such as invented characters, dialogues, and scenes, but they are plausible and consistent with the historical context.
The criticism and the controversy
The book received mixed reviews and reactions from critics and readers when it was published in 1927. Some praised the book for its historical accuracy, literary quality, and psychological insight, while others criticized the book for its historical bias, moral ambiguity,, and sensationalism.
The book also sparked some controversy and debate among historians and scholars who had different interpretations and opinions about Rodrigo Borgia and his family. Some defended the book as a fair and balanced portrayal of a misunderstood and maligned figure, while others attacked the book as a distorted and misleading representation of a wicked and depraved tyrant.
The influence and the legacy
The book had a significant impact and influence on the popular culture and the public perception of Rodrigo Borgia and his family. The book introduced many people to the history and the drama of the Borgia era, and inspired many other works of fiction and non-fiction that explored or referenced the same topic. The book also contributed to the creation and the perpetuation of some myths and stereotypes about Rodrigo Borgia and his family, such as their involvement in incest,, poisonings,, and orgies.
The book remains a classic and a reference in the genre of historical novels, and is still widely read and appreciated by many readers today. The book is also considered as one of the best works of John Leslie Palmer, who was a prolific and versatile writer who wrote more than 50 books on various subjects, such as history, biography, travel, adventure, mystery, etc.
Conclusion
What are the main takeaways from the book?
The main takeaways from the book are:
The book is a historical novel that tells the story of Rodrigo Borgia, who became Pope Alexander VI in 1492, and his family, who were notorious for their corruption, ambition, and scandals.
The book is based on extensive research and documentation by John Leslie Palmer, who was a historian and a novelist.
The book is generally accurate in its depiction of historical facts, events, and personalities, although it sometimes simplifies or dramatizes them for narrative purposes.
The book also incorporates some fictional elements such as invented characters, dialogues, and scenes, but they are plausible and consistent with the historical context.
The book received mixed reviews and reactions from critics and readers when it was published in 1927.
The book also sparked some controversy and debate among historians and scholars who had different interpretations and opinions about Rodrigo Borgia and his family.
The book had a significant impact and influence on the popular culture and the public perception of Rodrigo Borgia and his family.
The book remains a classic and a reference in the genre of historical novels, and is still widely read and appreciated by many readers today.
The book is also considered as one of the best works of John Leslie Palmer, who was a prolific and versatile writer who wrote more than 50 books on various subjects.
How can you get a copy of the book?
If you are interested in reading In the Pillory: Tale of the Borgia Pope, you can get a copy of the book from various sources. You can buy a hardcover or paperback edition from online or offline bookstores,, or you can download an ebook or an audiobook version from online platforms.
You can also borrow a copy of the book from libraries,, or you can access a digital copy of the book from online archives.
Alternatively, you can read a summary or a review of the book from online or offline sources,, or you can watch a movie or a TV show that is based on or inspired by the book.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about the book:
When and where was John Leslie Palmer born and died?
John Leslie Palmer was born on June 4, 1885, in London, England, and died on October 5, 1944, in New York City, USA.
What are some other books by John Leslie Palmer?
Some other books by John Leslie Palmer are The Spanish Story of the Armada and Other Essays (1899), The Life of Cesare Borgia (1912), The Book of the Popes (1925), The Amazing Emperor Heliogabalus (1930), The Life of Sir Walter Raleigh (1932), The Life of Francis Drake (1933), The Life of Admiral Nelson (1934), The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte (1935), The Life of Julius Caesar (1937), and The Life of Alexander the Great (1940).
What are some other historical novels about Rodrigo Borgia and his family?
Some other historical novels about Rodrigo Borgia and his family are The Family by Mario Puzo (2001), Blood and Beauty by Sarah Dunant (2013), The Vatican Princess by C.W. Gortner (2016), The Borgia Confessions by Alyssa Palombo (2020), and The Serpent's Daughter by Kate Quinn (2021).
What are some movies or TV shows that are based on or inspired by the book?
Some movies or TV shows that are based on or inspired by the book are The Borgias, a 1981 British miniseries starring Adolfo Celi as Rodrigo Borgia,, Borgia, a 2011-2014 French-German-Czech-Italian series starring John Doman as Rodrigo Borgia,, and The Borgias, a 2011-2013 Canadian-Hungarian-Irish series starring Jeremy Irons as Rodrigo Borgia.
Where can I find more information about Rodrigo Borgia and his family?
You can find more information about Rodrigo Borgia and his family from various sources, such as books,, articles,, websites,, podcasts,, documentaries,, etc.
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