House of Borgia

The House of Borgia (/ˈbɔːrʒə/; Italian: [ˈbɔrdʒa]; Spanish: Borja [ˈborxa]; Valencian: Borja [ˈbɔɾdʒa]) family became prominent during the Renaissance in Italy. They were from Valencia, the surname being a toponymic from Borja, then in the Crown of Aragon, in Spain.

The Borgias became prominent in ecclesiastical and political affairs in the 15th and 16th centuries, producing two popes: Alfons de Borja, who ruled as Pope Callixtus III during 1455–1458, and Rodrigo Lanzol Borgia, as Pope Alexander VI, during 1492–1503.

Especially during the reign of Alexander VI, they were suspected of many crimes, including adultery, incest, simony, theft, bribery, and murder (especially murder by arsenic poisoning). Because of their grasping for power, they made enemies of the Medici, the Sforza, and the Dominican friar Savonarola, among others. They were also patrons of the arts who contributed to the Renaissance.

History

Early history

The Borja or Borgia emerged from Valencia in the Crown of Aragon, Spain. There were numerous unsubstantiated claims that the family was of Jewish origin. These underground rumours were propagated by, among others, Giuliano della Rovere, and the family was frequently described as marranos by political opponents. The rumours have persisted in popular culture for centuries, listed in the Semi-Gotha of 1912.

Borgia (TV series)

Borgia (also known as Borgia: Faith and Fear) is a French-German-Czech-Italian historical drama television series created by Tom Fontana. The show recounts the Borgia family's rise to power and subsequent domination of the Papal States during the Renaissance.

Borgia debuted in Italy via Sky Italia on 10 July 2011 and in North America via Netflix on 2 October 2011. It was since renewed for a second season, which premiered in France on Canal+ on 18 March 2013, and on Netflix on 1 May 2013. A third and last season premiered in France on Canal+ on 15 September 2014 and on Netflix on 1 November 2014. The series finale aired in France on Canal+ on 27 October 2014 as the 38th episode overall.

Production

The series is produced by Atlantique Productions, a subsidiary of Lagardère Entertainment, for French premium-pay TV Canal+ in association with EOS Entertainment, and was filmed in the Czech Republic and in Italy. Czech production was held by company Etic films. International distribution is handled by Beta Film GmbH. Season 3 was filmed between 27 May 2013 and 27 January 2014.

Borgia (horse)

Borgia (4 April 1994 – 29 March 2012) was a well-bred, much travelled and performed German-bred Thoroughbred racemare that was trained in Germany and France. She won the Deutsches Derby, Grosser Preis von Baden and Hong Kong Vase.

Background

Borgia was by Acatenango and her dam Britannia was by Tarim (GB) making her a half-sister to Boreal who also won the Deutsches (German) Derby. Bred in Germany Borgia was sent to France and trained by André Fabre in 1998.

In March 2012 she was put down because of a serious horse colic.

Racing record

Borgia was one of the few fillies who could win the Deutsches Derby. In 1997, she also won the Grosser Preis von Baden. She finished third in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and second to Chief Bearheart in the Breeders' Cup Turf, a Group One (G1) weight for age race held in North America. At five-year she won the Hong Kong Vase which is one of the four Hong Kong International Races.

Stud record

After retiring from racing career in 2000 Borgia was in the broodmare band of the stud of her owner Stud Ammerland. Firstly Borgia was mated with the European top sire Sadler's Wells. Her four-year-old daughter, Bahama Bay by Dansili finished fourth in the listed race, the Prix de Royaumont. Borgia’s colt, Mutayaser by Shamardal sold for 230,000gns to Shadwell. In 2010 she was covered by Sea The Stars at Gilltown Stud in County Kildare.