They that knew much of his mind while he was Cardinal, said after his death, That his intention was altogether bent to apply some remedy to the ambition of the Popes; and that he had particularly resolved to give to his Brother and Kindred but just as much as would maintain them like ordinary Gentlemen; but not so much as a simple Barony, much less Dukedomes and Principalities; and to this he would have the advice and consent of the whole Colledge of Cardinals, having a firme purpose of making most secure decrees, by which the Popes should be bound, and kindred from giving any thing to their Kindred without the consent of all the Cardinals.
But while he was intent upon so good a work, he was surprized by death twenty dayes after his election; so that in so short a time he did neither good nor harme to the Church.
To him succeeded _Paul_ the Fourth, of the House and Family of _Caraffa_ in the same year 1555. This Pope was one of the most fantasticall ill humour’d men that all the World could afford. He presently made his Brothers Son _Carlo Caraffa_ Cardinal; and to him he gave so much Authority, that it seemed that the Popes Will depended upon his pleasure. He excommunicated _Mark Antonia Colomna_, _and Ascanio_ his Son, under divers pretexts, but indeed only to take from them those offices and honours which they had in _Rome_, and to seize upon all their Revenues within the Territories of the Church; which was severely executed; the Pope at the same time giving the investiture of all their estates to _Giovani_, Count of _Montorio_ his Brothers Son, giving him the Title of Duke of _Paliano_, which place he immediatly went about to fortifie, that it might hold out against the forces the Colonesses were raising to recover their lands, as at last they did.
A little after he made _Antonio Caraffa_ the Earles brother, Marquess of _Montebello_, a place which he had deprived the right owner, the Earl of _Bagno_, of, as being contumacious, and for having, as the Pope said, ingrossed that money which the King of _France_ had sent for the War in _Italy_.
The Nephewes of this Pope became at last so insolent by their Uncles indulgence, that they did rob, spoyl, ravish, kill, and in a word commit all sorts of crimes with impunity; Exercising so many cheats and frauds upon the poor people, that not only they made all the World cry out against them, but at last moved the indignation of their own Uncle, and provoked him to be severe to them, driving them away out of _Rome_, and depriving them of all honour and dignity.