Alessandra Grazia della Scalla

The persona story of Alessandra Grazia della Scala

My name is Alessandra Grazia della Scala and this is my story.

I was born in luxury in Florence in the year of our lord 1540.

My mother Pasqualina, youngest daughter of condottiere Pasqual Manolosso, spent many a year within the court of Florence. Blessed with the talent to weave silver and gold, she was a price citizen of La Serenissima. Word of her skill reached the ears of the Florentine family of Medici. It was 'Il Moro' Alessandro de Medici personally requested her presence in Florence. She remained there studying with the weaver's guild learning and perfecting her trade while in the house of Medici. When the Duke was murdered, she returned to Venice.

When the strong Cosimo I came into power my grandfather was summoned to the golden city. Upon arrival he met with the new Duke and was asked to take a place within his council. Pascqual had fought alongside Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, Cosimo's own father and had earned himself a reputation that exceeded even the neglected father's own standing. It was then that the family was moved to Florence, my mother returning for a second time.

Upon the blessed marriage of Cosimo I to the gracious and beautiful Eleonora di Toledo, my mother was given the coveted position as one of Eleonora's personal weavers. It was by her hands that some of her Mistress's most beautiful gowns were decorated.

A young but worthy condottiere had been injured in a battle and had been travelling home to Venice when he stopped in to see my grandfather. Giuseppi della Scala limped into the palazzo a different man than the aging Pasquale remembered had served him in battle for so many years. A skirmish had brought the blade of a sword through his left thigh and caused an infection that left him with a permanant limp and an odd gait. He had earned a fair sum while a condottiere and was heading into a comfortable early retirement.

Manolosso spent a fort night visiting with the younger man before suggesting the marriage of his daughter to Guiseppe. For Pasqual, the marriage would be a beneficial one as Guiseppe was from a good and noble family with a strong lineage and a healthy wealth. For Guiseppe, the marriage provided a comely and skilled wife that would produce handsome children. That night the bargain was struck and the plans for the wedding were started.

While my mother believed her own mistress had a hand in it, shortly after their union, my father Guiseppe della Scala became one of the Duke's mathematicians, and due to his background as a condottiere, his knowledge in military strategy earned him a coveted position as one of the Duke's personal advisors.

It was at this time that my mother was elevated to the Head of Eleonor di Toledo's personal weavers. It seemed as though our family was doing rather well.

Shortly after Yule 1540 the brave Pasquale Manolosso died in Florence. Having lost his only wife in childbirth, his only daughter went into mourning alone.

Eleonore di Toledo and my mother were both pregnant during the year 1540. I was born months after Maria and lived a completely different life than the child of the family we lived with. While she was sent off to live with her Grandmother, I remained close to my mother at all times. As a young girl I remember Eleonore, obviously missing her own children, doting on me. Always generous and kind my mother's Mistress.

Cosimo I promoted my father to Chief Mathematician and kept him for for many years. We were as family. I was still young when the great Duke's daughter Bia passed. His love for her was evident and when dear Isabella was born we celebrated as only the Medici can. I remember as a child the loving Duke playing games with me when he had the time.

It was a glorious and fantastical world to be in. These great people, powerful yet as close as family, and I have oft questioned if we knew them at all. The wonderful thing about political intrigue is that the pawns never know what the nobility are working towards. This being said, shortly after Francesco Donato was elected Doge in Venice in 1545, my Father was rewarded for his years of loyal service to the Duke and was given land in one of the most prized republics of all of Italy, Venice. My dear Father thrilled at the news he was to return to his home lands. He was sent with his credentials and came highly recommended to the Doge by the Duke. My mother was heartbroken to leave her Mistress but the will of the Duke was more important than her wishes.

We moved to Venice in the Autumn of 1545. I was a young girl and I remember those first few days in our new city with affection. The journey was horrible and long and I was more than pleased to arrive.

We lived just down from the Rialto. I remember I would oft look out the window at the sea of people and just watch the activity for hours. The canals and their gondoliers softly floating by were always a thing to see. If only I'd been warned how much my little world would change in the coming years.

In 1548 Cosimo I had his relative Lorenzino, the last Medici claimant to Florence, assassinated in Venice. Gossip and lies spread like wildfire. Spies were seen to be everywhere and no one could be trusted.

That was the beginning of the end for my happy little family. My father was accused of being a spy for Cosimo. I even heard whispers that my father had been a part of his murder and held the murder weapon. It was wholly untrue but the masses saw what they wished. My father's patron, the Doge, protected us. He and my father had become fast friends while he served the holy man and it was at this time that we relied on that friendship.

That year we moved to the Doge's Palace. Our family home rented and left to the care of a young doctor, a man from Verona. The spectacular new chambers we had. What wonders were contained within. While there I have learned many wondrous things. I have been taught Astronomy, Bookkeeping, Maths, and biblical tales. I have often spent the afternoon with the Doge conversing in the languages of German, Spanish, French and even in English! He has even taught me to read from the bible in Latin. How fantastic is that?

Doge Donato has suffered a few bouts of severe illness. It has caused a bed fever that has kept him indoors and away from his mistress. In the summer of 1552 my father had been sitting with the Doge for many long weeks, keeping him company while the great holy man lay in bed, ill. It was as though Guiseppe took the illness from the Doge into himself. The physician said it was his love for the Doge that took him from us.

My father had spent most of his earned fortune over the years to ensure I had tutors and fine dresses. While I wasn't born in Venice, my parents were both proud Venetians and I was given everything to live as a proper nobleman's daughter. Sadly, all this extravagance had depleted his savings and while we weren't destitute, my mother explained that we would need to seek options. Despite her age she said we could return to Florence and she could attempt to become a weaver again. We'd been living within the Doge's palace for so long I couldn't remember what life was like in Florence and returning to it without Papa scared me.

Being that I was an only child and my father died without producing a male heir, my mother and I were facing poverty and possible ruin. I sought out the Doge for his advice.

I knew that there were two paths a young woman's life could take, Marriage or the Nunery. Neither seemed appealing for what man would want an educated woman for his wife? And the stories I'd heard of the nuneries from the visiting nuns and our travels with the Doge made it all that more unappealing.

He brushed a strand of my blonde hair from my eyes and suggested the life of a courtesan for me. He honored me by saying that I was too wise and talented to be reduced to marriage and too lovely and precocious to be sent off to the nuns.

It was discussed with Mama. She said it seemed as though I had been groomed for the role. After all, I had been at the parties in the palace and had been raised in a good fashion. I had education, good contacts and a fast wit. The Doge's mistress, my mother and the good Doge Donato himself all contributed to my education as a Courtesan.

The dear Doge Donato, whom had secured our fortune and safekeeping for so many years passed away in the year 1553 but not before providing us with a lasting security and connections. Upon his passing he requested that the new Doge protect and secure our standing. I mourned Doge Donato as much as that of my own father.

Since then we have seen the rise and passing of Marcantonio Trivisan, Francesco Venier, and now we have the wise and generous Lorenzo Priuli. His brother is a lout but Doge Lorenzo is a comfort.

I am well on my way to being one of the most desired courtesans in Venice. My patrons provide me with a healthy sum to keep my mother and I and our home.

While the palazzo of the Doge was wonderous and immense, mother and I have returned to the family home given to us by Duke Cosimo, but we have made some changes. The young doctor that was renting the home is now my employee. I have taken him on as my personal physician. It also helps circumvent the law to have a handsome man about to play the role of older brother, suitor or husband. He is kind and affectionate and has been a blessing on more than one occasion. He has become like a brother to me.

As for my mother, she keeps the house and staff. We have also taken on a cook, a few maids, a musician and a dressmaker (Although mother still insists on being the embroiderer and weaver when we use Silver or Gold). For myself I have spoiled myself with luxurious furnishings and tapestries. My gowns are the newest fashions and the envy of all the noblewomen. I have been given many gifts over the last few years by my patrons but I am most proud of my beautiful peafowl and the couple dogs I own.

When I am not signing, reciting poetry, or entertaining my patrons, I can often be found at the window in my sitting room, looking out at the ships off in the distance. I find I often look back at the course of my life and am amazed at how it has changed.

From my noble birth in Florence to my lavish life in Venice. Its been a fantastic journey and I'm excited to see what else occurs.