French in Naples, Prince Djem Dies: late February, 1495

News had reached Rome that the French had indeed entered Naples and assumed control. Late in January, the pope had learned that King Alfonso had fled Naples and his son, the Duke of Calabria assumed control of  the city. The French arrived before the end of February and the young Duke in turn, fled for Sicily. The French assumed control but their lines of communication were stretched thin.

Communications between the other powers in Italy (like Venice, Rome and even Milan), and beyond (like Spain and the Emperor), had begun in earnest, and by the end of March they had signed an agreement to protect each other against the French. The French would leave Naples by May 20 and head back north again.

Amidst all this turbulence, a note from Master of Ceremonies Johann Burchard in Rome tells the story of the curious end to the Ottoman sultan's brother placed in the protection of French king Charles VIII as part of the deal with Rome.

"We learned later on February 25th that Prince Djem had died in the Castel Capuana in Naples, through eating or drinking something unsuitable for him. In response to the urgent requests of the Sultan Bajazet, Djem's body and all his household were sent to him. It was said that he paid handsomely for the safe delivery of the corpse, and rejoiced at the return of Djem's servants."

Our editor and translator for Burchard tell us that,

"Burchard was quite non-committal in his report of Djem's death, but other writers were more explicit in accusing the Borgias of having poisoned him. No conclusive proof of such a deed by the pope or Cesare remains, and suggestions that they used a slow-working poison are not convincing. It seems most valid to conclude thaat Djem died naturally, much as Burchard described." p 120.
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quotes and pagination from Johann Burchard: At The Court of the Borgia translated for english, with introduction by Geoffrey Parker, The Folio Society, Ltd, 1963