Renaissance Masculinities, Diplomacy, and Cultural Transfer

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Set against the backdrop of sixteenth-century Italy during the Italian Wars, the story of Federico and Ferrante Gonzaga explores their upbringing as diplomatic hostages in the courts of France and Spain. Their experiences shaped their political and military strategies, as they later supported Charles V in his Italian dominions and colonial ambitions. Utilizing a variety of sources, the book illustrates how their lives reflect broader elite Italian responses to global conflict and crisis during a transformative historical period.