cause of it; he soon learned what plots were hatching at the French court
against the kingdom of Naples, and the whole situation was explained.

Now it was his turn to impose conditions.

He demanded the completion of a marriage between Goffreda, his third son,
and Dada Sancia, Alfonso's illegitimate daughter.

He demanded that she should bring her husband as dowry the principality
of Squillace and the county of Cariati, with an income of 10,000 ducats
and the office of protonotary, one of the seven great crown offices which
are independent of royal control.

He demanded for his eldest son, whom Ferdinand the Catholic had just made
Duke of Gandia, the principality of Tricarico, the counties of
Chiaramonte, Lauria, and Carinola, an income of 12,000 ducats, and the
first of the seven great offices which should fall vacant.

He demanded that Virginio Orsini, his ambassador at the Neapolitan court,
should be given a third great office, viz. that of Constable, the most
important of them all.

Lastly, he demanded that Giuliano delta Rovere, one of the five cardinals
who had opposed his election and was now taking refuge at Ostia, where
the oak whence he took his name and bearings is still to be seen carved
on all the walls, should be driven out of that town, and the town itself
given over to him.

In exchange, he merely pledged himself never to withdraw from the house
of Aragon the investiture of the kingdom of Naples accorded by his