All the Cardinals, with the exception of Roderigo Borgia,[1] were the creatures of Sixtus or of Innocent.

Having bought their hats with gold, they were now disposed to sell their votes to the highest bidder.

The Borgia was the richest, strongest, wisest, and most worldly of them all.

He ascertained exactly what the price of each suffrage would be, and laid his plans accordingly.

The Cardinal Ascanio Sforza, brother of the Duke of Milan, would accept the lucrative post of Vice-Chancellor.