family are based on malicious rumours by her opponents and sensationalist historians of the 16th century. Even the 19th century biographer Ferdinand Gregorovius would often accept these as gospel. Yet there are many contemporaries of the Borgias, whose notes and letters we should give more credence to than to those of their enemies or certain authors who only knew the Borgias from hearsay. Especially invaluable is the diary of Johann Burchard, the Master of Ceremonies of the popes. He kept detailed records of all the important events from 1483 until he died in 1506. His dispassionate and factual descriptions of the occurrences at the papal court defy many claims about the Borgias. In addition, countless letters and documents of Lucrezia herself and her relatives have survived. They depict her as a typical woman of her times, yet also as a truly remarkable individual. For wherever it involves the Borgia family, you can rest assured that the truth will be no less suspenseful than even the wildest rumours.

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