Fosʹcari (Francis)
.Doge of Venice. He occupied the office for thirty-five years, added Brescia, Berʹgamo, Crema, and Ravenna to the Republic, greatly improved the city, and raised Venice to the pinnacle of its glory. Of his four sons only one, named Jacʹopo, survived; he was thrice tortured. Before his final banishment, the old doge, then eighty-four years of age, hobbled on crutches to the gaol where his son was confined, but would not mitigate the sentence of “The Ten.” His son, being banished to Candia, died, and Francis was deposed. As he descended the Giant Staircase he heard the bell toll for the election of his successor, and dropped down dead. (Byron: The Two Foscari.)
Jacopo Fosʹcari. Denounced by the Council of Ten for taking bribes of foreign powers. He was tried before his own father, confessed his guilt, and was banished. During his banishment a Venetian senator was murdered, and Jacopo, being suspected of complicity in the crime, was again tortured and banished. He returned to Venice, was once more brought before the council, subjected to torture, and banished to Candia, where in a few days he died.
