The History of the Borgias: MC09

This nine-unit course examines the history of the infamous Borgia family, from their humble beginnings in Spain to their meteoric rise during the reign of Pope Alexander VI. The family have been the victims of hatred and baseless rumour from their own time right up to the present day, whispers of incest and murder attaching to the name of the family which has proven incredibly difficult to shake off. This course will examine the lives of the members of the Borgia family and examine the legacy of the family which has filtered down to the modern day.

Note: This is an online course of downloadable or streaming video and audio lectures (plus transcripts) which can be done in your own time and you have lifetime access to the course once you have signed up and paid. There is no set start or end date, you can do it at your own pace. It is open internationally.

Click on "Full Description" to find out more and click on the "Buy Now" tab to sign up and purchase.

Full Description

Course Units:

  • Lesson 1 - Introduction and Italy during the Renaissance - In this lesson, Samantha briefly introduces how Italy was as a country during the Italian Renaissance and explains how the country was split up into states ruled by their own princes.
  • Lesson 2 - The Rise of the Borgias - In this lesson, Samantha examines the humble beginnings of the Borgia family and the rise of Alfonso de Borja (Borgia) from the bottom of the Church ladder through to his becoming a Cardinal and Pope.
  • Lesson 3 - Rodrigo Borgia as Cardinal - In lesson 3, Samantha explains Rodrigo Borgia's role in the Roman Catholic Church as Papal Vice Chancellor. In this lesson we will also see the introduction of Rodrigo Borgia's famous children alongside his wheeling and dealing in the Papal Conclaves.
  • Lesson 4 - Cesare in the Church - Samantha examines Cesare Borgia's early, and unwanted, career in the Roman Catholic Church.
  • Lesson 5 - Cesare the Soldier - In this lesson, Samantha examines how Cesare Borgia became the first cardinal to resign from the College of Cardinals following the death of his brother and how he rose to nobility in the French Court. We will examine his marriage and how he began his campaign to take the Papal States by military force.
  • Lesson 6 - Cesare's Downfall - Cesare Borgia's downfall was swift following the death of his father. This lesson examines his downfall and his lonely death outside a small town in Navarre.
  • Lesson 7 - Lucrezia as Duchess of Ferrara - Samantha examines Lucrezia Borgia's life at the Este Court in Ferrara following her third marriage to Alfonso d'Este.
  • Lesson 8 - The Borgia Murders - Murder is a topic constantly linked to the Borgia family. This lesson concentrates on three particular case studies of murders linked with Cesare Borgia and aims to come to a conclusion as to whether or not he was guilty of these murders.
  • Lesson 9 - The Borgia Legacy - In this final module, Samantha examines the legacy of the Borgia family and how the rumours of incest, devil worship and murder developed into something seen in modern day adaptations of their story.

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($20 is approximately £15.70/€18.40/30.50AUD)

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  • 100 minutes (1 hour 40 minutes) of video lectures.
  • 9 video lessons - streaming video plus downloadable audio mp3 files
  • Downloadable PDF transcripts of each lesson.
  • End of unit quizzes.
  • A further reading list.
  • End of course certificate.

Samantha Morris studied archaeology at the University of Winchester where her interest in the history of the Italian Renaissance began. Since graduating University, her interest in the Borgia family has grown to such an extent that she is always looking for new information on the subject as well as fighting against the age-old rumours that haunt them. Samantha describes herself as an accountant by day, historian and author by night.
Her first published book, Cesare Borgia in a Nutshell, is a brief biography which aims to dispel the myths surrounding a key member of the Borgia family. Samantha also runs the popular Borgia website https://theborgiabull.com/.
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Charlotte

I absolutely loved it!!! Honestly it was so informative and I loved reading about the Borgias. They're a family that have always fascinated me. So! :). Another amazing course, I can't wait to do more :).Read More →

Charlotte June 30, 2017

Is there a guarantee?
Yes, see our Guarantees page.
Do I need to do the quizzes to complete the course?
No, they're optional but they're a good way of ensuring that you've taken in the information and they're also fun too.
How long does the course take?
You can do the course in your own time. Each lecture is between 15 and 30 minutes in length and you watch or listen to them at your convenience, so you can set your own pace. You have lifetime access to the course.
Do I need to buy any books or extra materials?
No, the audio lectures and transcripts are all you need. There is a list of further reading material if you want to read more about the subject, but this is optional.
When does the course start?
Our courses are online and you can start at any time and complete the course in your own time.
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Module 1 Introduction and Italy during the Renaissance
In this lesson, Samantha briefly introduces how Italy was as a country during the Italian Renaissance and explains how the country was split up into states ruled by their own princes.
Unit 1 Introduction and Italy during the Renaissance  
Module 2 The Rise of the Borgias
In this lesson, Samantha examines the humble beginnings of the Borgia family and the rise of Alfonso de Borja (Borgia) from the bottom of the Church ladder through to his becoming a Cardinal and Pope.
Unit 1 The Rise of the Borgias  
Module 3 Rodrigo Borgia as Cardinal
In lesson 3, Samantha explains Rodrigo Borgia's role in the Roman Catholic Church as Papal Vice Chancellor. In this lesson, we will also see the introduction of Rodrigo Borgia's famous children alongside his wheeling and dealing in the Papal Conclaves.
Unit 1 Rodrigo as Cardinal  
Module 4 Cesare in the Church
Samantha examines Cesare Borgia's early, and unwanted, career in the Roman Catholic Church.
Unit 1 Cesare in the church  
Module 5 Cesare the Soldier
In this lesson, Samantha examines how Cesare Borgia became the first cardinal to resign from the College of Cardinals following the death of his brother and how he rose to nobility in the French Court. We will examine his marriage and how he began his campaign to take the Papal States by military force.
Unit 1 Cesare the soldier  
Module 6 Cesare's Downfall
Cesare Borgia's downfall was swift following the death of his father. This lesson examines his downfall and his lonely death outside a small town in Navarre.
Unit 1 Cesare's downfall  
Module 7 Lucrezia as Duchess of Ferrara
Samantha examines Lucrezia Borgia's life at the Este Court in Ferrara following her third marriage to Alfonso d'Este.
Unit 1 Lucrezia as Duchess of Ferrara  
Module 8 The Borgia Murders
Murder is a topic constantly linked to the Borgia family. This lesson concentrates on three particular case studies of murders linked with Cesare Borgia and aims to come to a conclusion as to whether or not he was guilty of these murders.
Unit 1 The Borgia Murders  
Module 9 The Borgia Legacy
In this final module Samantha examines the legacy of the Borgia family and how the rumours of incest, devil worship and murder developed into something seen in modern day adaptations of their story.
Unit 1 The Borgia Legacy