2 8 The Considerations which determined the Alliance 



The definitive marriage-treaty was made at Westminster on 

 May 15, 1367/^ the terms being much the same as in the draft 

 (R3aner). For example, (i) is the same/^ except that Galeazzo 

 retains the overlordship of Piedmont, so that Lionel and Violante, 

 and their heirs, owe him fealty and homage; for (2) is substi- 

 tuted the transfer of a lump sum of 100,000 florins,^^ payable 



^"Barnes, Sandford, and the Diet. Nat. Biog. say that on April 25, 

 1368, the marriage-treaty was signed at Windsor, and the 100,000 (Barnes, 

 10,000) florins paid ; but by this time Lionel was well on his way to Italy. 

 "Walsingham (i. 306; so Chron. Angl., p. 62) says that Lionel was 

 to obtain half of Galeazzo's dominions. Hardyng is more extravagant 

 (pp. 332-3) : 



The duke of Milayn, hight sir Bernabo, 

 The lord Mantowe & the marques Ferrar, 

 The lord of Mountpollestrme then also, 

 The lordes of Jene, of Pyse that then were. 

 The lordes of Venis and Florence there, 

 To kyng Edward sent ambassiate, 

 By commen assent of papall senate. 



For Lionell his soonne with theim to send 

 The duke his doughter of Melayn for to wed, 

 Prornisyng then hym so to recommend 

 That of Itale the rule sholde all be led 

 By hym and his frendes of Italye bred. 

 And in short tyme to joye and here the croune 

 Of all Italye the royal region. 

 This is bombastically paraphrased and amplified by Barnes, p. 718. 

 ^^ This is confirmed by Petrus Azarius and Cron. Saluz. Corio (p. 468) 

 and Jovius say 200,000 (and Barnes 2,000,000!). Corio comments that 

 such a dowry was, so to speak, the final ruin of Galeazzo's. state, and Petrus 

 Azarius has the phrase, 'cum infinito dispendio.' Jovius {op. cit. 3. 313), 

 in deploring Galeazzo's fatal extravagance, associates the marriage of 

 Violante with that of Gian Galeazzo to Isabella of France (see below, 

 p. 49) : 



'Eo modo pace parta, et Barnaba nihilo secius pertinaci studio 

 Bononise principatum, tanquam sibi fraude ereptum, validis armis 

 repetente, Galeacius externas affinitates, decoras quidem regio fastu, 

 sed sibi et posteris damnosas et fere exitiales quaesivit, Isabella scilicet, 

 Caroli Galliae Regis sorore, Joanni Galeacio filio expetita, Leonatoque 

 Clarentio, Britanniae Regis filio, in generum adscito : huic enim ex 

 nuptiis Violantis, quum ducenta millia aureorum nummum dotis 

 nomine recepisset, Mons etiam Regalis atque Alba Pompeia urbes 

 cesserunt. Isabella autem, quae Mediolanum venerat, usque adeo 

 socero gravis fuit, ut ducentis millibus aureorum constiterit; quan- 



