Virginio Orsini, Duke of Bracciano
Duke of Bracciano / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Virginio Orsini (11 September 1572[1] – 9 September 1615) was the second Duke of Bracciano, member of the Orsini family and knight of the order of the Golden Fleece.
| Virginio Orsini | |
|---|---|
 Virginio Orsini by unknown Florentine painter | |
| Duke of Bracciano | |
| Reign | 1585–1615 |
| Predecessor | Paolo Giordano I Orsini |
| Successor | Paolo Giordano II Orsini |
| Born | (1572-09-11)11 September 1572 |
| Died | 9 September 1615(1615-09-09) (aged 42) Rome |
| Spouse | |
| Issue Among others | Paolo Giordano II Orsini Alessandro Orsini Maria Felicia Orsini |
| House | Orsini |
| Father | Paolo Giordano I Orsini |
| Mother | Isabella de' Medici |
He was the son of Paolo Giordano I Orsini and Isabella de' Medici, and inherited his father's titles and fiefs after his death in 1585. In 1589 he married Flavia Peretti, a niece of Pope Sixtus V, by whom he had 12 children.[2] His son Paolo Giordano became a prince of the Holy Roman Empire through his marriage with Isabella Appiani, princess of Piombino.
Virginio Orsini was a supporter of the Earl of Essex and visited the English court for the Christmas revels in December 1600.[3] He was entertained by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and the play opens with the character of Duke Orsino saying the famous line "If music be the food of love, play on."[4] Queen Elizabeth danced a galliard for him to show the "vigour of her old age".[5][6]
He died in Rome in 1615.