La nobiltà di Terraferma tra Venezia e le corti europee. I Gambara nella Praga di Rodolfo II (1584-1598)

Since the early decades of the 16th century, the Gambaras of Brescia maintained habitual relationships with the Imperial court and the Spanish Lombardy in order to gain prestige and honour. In 1584 and 1596 two young brothers Scipione and Lucrezio Gambara were therefore sent to Emperor Rudolf II’s court in Prague, where they served as pages. Although their brief experiences did not lead to noteworthy careers, their stay in Prague represented their family’s interest to preserve its long-lasting Imperial allegiance. The rich family correspondence provides a detailed account of the two brothers’ life at the Imperial court, highlighting their family networks and their relationship with courtiers and ambassadors.