THE MISTRESSES OF THE POPE - PAPAL BRIDES (3/3)

THE MISTRESSES OF THE POPE - PAPAL BRIDES (3/3)

Episode Three takes us to Italy during the Renaissance, when - inconceivable by today's standards - cardinals and Popes kept mistresses and had children by them. "Papal Brides" tells the story of two mistresses of Alexander VI - alias Rodrigo Borgia. The narrative revolves around Vannozza Catanai - the mother of his notorious offspring Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia, and Giulia Farnese, who became Rodrigo/Alexander's lover late in his life. The backdrop to this story is an era of superlatives in knowledge and artistic achievement, alongside widespread prostitution and murderous intent.