Episodes
| Episode | First Broadcast | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | 20130527 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance Sarah Dunant takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual was crammed into that period. Our abridgement begins in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia wins his campaign to become Pope, and describes the repercussions for his children, Cesare, Juan, Lucrezia and Jofre. Juan, the only legitimate son, will be allied in marriage to Spain, while Cesare is promised to the church - thus ensuring their legacy within the Vatican. As for Lucrezia, she is part of the price Borgia paid for his Papacy - though only 12, she must wed to shore up an uneasy alliance with the powerful Milanese Sforza family. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. Brilliant politicking and silver brings Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia the prize of the papacy. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 02 | 20130528 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance Sarah Dunant takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual was crammed into that period. Our abridgement begins in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia wins his campaign to become Pope, and describes the repercussions for his children, Cesare, Juan, Lucrezia and Jofre. Juan, the only legitimate son, will be allied in marriage to Spain, while Cesare is promised to the church - thus ensuring their legacy within the Vatican. As for Lucrezia, she is part of the price Borgia paid for his Papacy - though only 12, she must wed to shore up an uneasy alliance with the powerful Milanese Sforza family. Episode 2: Pope Alexander VI begins his reign with caution, impressing the Romans while keeping his mistress and his children in check - as best he can. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. Pope Alexander VI begins his reign with caution, impressing the Romans. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 03 | 20130529 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance Sarah Dunant takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual was crammed into that period. Our abridgement begins in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia wins his campaign to become Pope, and describes the repercussions for his children, Cesare, Juan, Lucrezia and Jofre. Juan, the only legitimate son, will be allied in marriage to Spain, while Cesare is promised to the church - thus ensuring their legacy within the Vatican. As for Lucrezia, she is part of the price Borgia paid for his Papacy - though only 12, she must wed to shore up an uneasy alliance with the powerful Milanese Sforza family. Episode 3: Lucrezia frets about the strategic alliance her father is making with her marriage, and Cesare is recalled to Rome. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. Lucrezia frets about the strategic alliance her father is making with her marriage. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 04 | 20130530 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance Sarah Dunant takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual was crammed into that period. Our abridgement begins in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia wins his campaign to become Pope, and describes the repercussions for his children, Cesare, Juan, Lucrezia and Jofre. Juan, the only legitimate son, will be allied in marriage to Spain, while Cesare is promised to the church - thus ensuring their legacy within the Vatican. As for Lucrezia, she is part of the price Borgia paid for his Papacy - though only 12, she must wed to shore up an uneasy alliance with the powerful Milanese Sforza family. Episode 4: Alexander plays out the diplomatic chess game of matchmaking his three eligible offspring, and manages to make his fourth, Cesare, a Cardinal. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. Alexander plays out a diplomatic chess game of matchmaking. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 05 | 20130531 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance Sarah Dunant takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual was crammed into that period. Our abridgement begins in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia wins his campaign to become Pope, and describes the repercussions for his children, Cesare, Juan, Lucrezia and Jofre. Juan, the only legitimate son, will be allied in marriage to Spain, while Cesare is promised to the church - thus ensuring their legacy within the Vatican. As for Lucrezia, she is part of the price Borgia paid for his Papacy - though only 12, she must wed to shore up an uneasy alliance with the powerful Milanese Sforza family. Episode 5: Alexander's difficulties with his enemies are complicated by his children's marital problems. As the French prepare to invade Italy, his Papacy hangs in the balance. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. Alexander's difficulties with enemies are complicated by his children's marital problems. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 06 | 20130603 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance, Sarah Dunant, takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual, was crammed into that period. Our abridgement began last week in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia won his campaign to become Pope. This week, we move on to the next four years of his reign. The problems seeded in the first year are blossoming into crises at every turn, as Italy explodes into war against the invading French. Rising above this challenge through a series of canny political manoeuvres, Alexander proves less able in his ability to control his children. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. The invading army arrives at the gates of Rome, aided by Lucrezia's traitorous husband. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 07 | 20130604 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance, Sarah Dunant, takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual, was crammed into that period. Our abridgement began last week in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia won his campaign to become Pope. This week, we move on to the next four years of his reign. The problems seeded in the first year are blossoming into crises at every turn, as Italy explodes into war against the invading French. Rising above this challenge through a series of canny political manoeuvres, Alexander proves less able in his ability to control his children. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. Alexander and Cesare adopt a devious strategy against the French King and his vast army. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 08 | 20130605 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance, Sarah Dunant, takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual, was crammed into that period. Our abridgement began last week in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia won his campaign to become Pope. This week, we move on to the next four years of his reign. The problems seeded in the first year are blossoming into crises at every turn, as Italy explodes into war against the invading French. Rising above this challenge through a series of canny political manoeuvres, Alexander proves less able in his ability to control his children. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. Now that the war is over, the Borgia family intrigues take centre stage. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 09 | 20130606 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance, Sarah Dunant, takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual, was crammed into that period. Our abridgement began last week in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia won his campaign to become Pope. This week, we move on to the next four years of his reign. The problems seeded in the first year are blossoming into crises at every turn, as Italy explodes into war against the invading French. Rising above this challenge through a series of canny political manoeuvres, Alexander proves less able in his ability to control his children. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. While Lucrezia's marriage is forced to end, the Duke of Gandia plays soldier. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |
| 10 | 20130607 | Acclaimed novelist of the Italian Renaissance, Sarah Dunant, takes on the era's most infamous family - the Borgias. The story of the Borgia Pope is not long - Roderigo Borgia, Alexander VI, was the Head of the Church for barely a decade - but an enormous amount of activity, social, political and sexual, was crammed into that period. Our abridgement began last week in August 1492 when Roderigo Borgia won his campaign to become Pope. This week, we move on to the next four years of his reign. The problems seeded in the first year are blossoming into crises at every turn, as Italy explodes into war against the invading French. Rising above this challenge through a series of canny political manoeuvres, Alexander proves less able in his ability to control his children. Read by Robert Glenister Written by Sarah Dunant Abridged by Eileen Horne Produced by Clive Brill A Pacificus production for BBC Radio 4. Juan's arrogance causes mayhem, and Cesare tries to comfort his sister. Readings from modern classics, new works by leading writers and world literature |