Editing Henry Benedict Stuart (section)

==Personal life==
[[File:Ritratto di Henry Benedict Marie Clement Edward Stuart, cardinale York.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Henry Benedict Stuart by [[Anton Raphael Mengs]] (1756)]]
Some modern historians have speculated whether Henry was [[Homosexuality|homosexual]].{{sfn |Marshall |2010}} Contemporary accounts include the writings of [[Hester Thrale|Hester Lynch Thrale]]{{sfn |Piozzi |1942 |p=[https://archive.org/details/thraliana0002unse/page/874/mode/2up 874–875] (dated 29 March 1794)}} (1741–1821), and the diplomat and writer {{ill|Giuseppe Gorani|it||fr}}{{sfn |Gorani |1793 |pp=[https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k107246c/f102.item 100–103]}} (1740–1819). Gorani admitted to having gathered evidence insufficient to confirm his suspicions either way, but drew attention to the number of handsome clerics that were to be found in Henry's palace. The historian [[Andrew Lang]] alluded to James's comment that his younger son would never marry although many marriages had been planned for him.{{sfn |Marshall |2010}}

The writer [[Gaetano Moroni]]{{sfn |Angeli |1931 |pp=98–108}} provides the lengthiest account of Henry's close attachment with his [[majordomo]] {{ill|Giovanni Lercari|it||nl}} (1722–1802), whom Henry was said to have "loved beyond measure". This led to serious tensions between the cardinal and his father James, who in 1752 tried to have Lercari dismissed from Rome. Henry reacted by attempting to secure his financial independence, and refused to return to Rome from Bologna without Lercari by his side. A public scandal was narrowly avoided by the intervention of [[Pope Benedict XIV]].{{sfn |McLynn |1991 |pp=[https://archive.org/details/charlesedwardstu0000mcly/page/468/mode/2up?q=Lercari 468–469]}} It was agreed that Lercari would leave the household, and he was later made [[Archbishop of Genoa]].

Things became easier after the death of James in 1766. From 1769 onwards Henry remained close to [[Angelo Cesarini]], a nobleman from [[Perugia]], who under Henry's protection won various honours, was made canon of the cathedral in [[Frascati]], and in 1801 became [[Milevum#Bishopric|Bishop of Milevi]]. Henry died with Cesarini at his side, as for the past 32 years. Cesarini was later buried in the church of [[Santa Maria in Vallicella]].

These relationships may have had a romantic element.{{sfn |Schofield |2002 |p=98}}