Paolo Giordano Orsini, Duke of Bracciano, died suddenly at Salo on November 10, 1585, leaving the young and beautiful Vittoria helpless among enemies.

What was the cause of his death?
It is not possible to give a clear and certain answer.

We have seen that he suffered from a horrible and voracious disease, which after his removal from Rome seems to have made progress.

Yet though this malady may well have cut his life short, suspicion of poison was not, in the circumstances, quite unreasonable.

The Grand Duke of Tuscany, the Pope, and the Orsini family were all interested in his death.