CONTENTSOFTHE FIRST VOLUME.FIRST BOOK.FLORENCE AND THE MEDICI TO THE DEATH OF COSIMO THE ELDER.CHAPTER I.THE HOUSE AND FAMILY OF THE MEDICI. DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLORENTINE DEMOCRACY.PAGEThe House of Medici—Original Dwelling-places—The first Appearance of the Medici—Commencement of the Florentine Community—The Community and the Imperial Power—Ghibellines and Guelfs—Consuls and Podestà—Government by a Citizen Guard—Captain of the People—Flourishing State of the Town in the Thirteenth Century—Party Factions in the Last Days of the Hohenstaufen—Decisive Victory over the Guelfs after King Manfred’s Death—Internal Condition—Foreign Viceroys—Growth of the Class of Citizens after the Middle of the Thirteenth Century—Beginnings of the Guild System—The Seven Great Societies—Government and Magistracy of the Priors—Democratic Reform of Giano della Bella—Limitation of the Citizens’ Share in the Government—The Ordinances of Justice against the Nobility—The Signory, or Upper Governing Department, and the Councillors—Exercise of the Municipal Franchise—Parliament—Vain Endeavours for Equality of Power among the Public Authorities3CHAPTER II.THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY. RULE OF THE ALBIZZI. GIOVANNI AND AVERARDO DE’ MEDICI.Origin and Arms of the Medici—Public Affairs in the First Half of the Fourteenth Century—Mistakes at Home and Misfortunes Abroad—The Duke ofAthens—Party Politics—Guelf Magistracy—Expulsion of the Proscribed (Ammoniti)—Salvestro de’ Medici—Rebellion of the Lower Classes (Tumulto de’ Ciompi)—Averardo de’ Medici, called Bicci—Great Authority of the Albizzi Family and their Friends—Giovanni de’ Medici, son of Averardo—Florence under the Rule of the Albizzi—Campaign against the Visconti—Plunder of Pisa—The State of Finance in Florence—Wealth and Activity of John de’ Medici—Florence and Filippo Maria Visconti—Internal Condition during the War against Milan—Rinaldo degli Albizzi—Position of the great with regard to the smaller Citizens—Public Troubles—The Estimo and Loans—Increase and Inequality of the Taxes—The Cadaster, its Framework, Operations, and Product Position of Giovanni de’ Medici with regard to the Cadaster—Death of Giovanni de’ Medici—Opinions about him20CHAPTER III.THE CITY OF FLORENCE TO THE BEGINNING OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.Situation and Origin of Florence—Roman Times and the Early Part of the Middle Ages—Florence before and in the Time of Dante—Architecture in the Thirteenth Century—Towers—Rubacon Bridge—Churches—Sta. Maria Novella and Sta. Croce—Enlargement of the Town and Third Wall—Arnolfo di Cambio, called di Lapo—St. Maria del Fiore and Palace of the Signoria—Churches, Hospitals, Castles in the Province—Building of Palaces and Houses—Style of the Churches—Tuscan Gothic—Cimabue and Giotto—Giotto and the Cathedral—Belfry of the Cathedral—Taddeo Gaddi—The Hall of Or San Michele—Enlargement of the Palace of the Podestà—Architecture of the Middle of the Fourteenth Century—Religious Institutions—St. Anne’s Chapel in Or San Michele—New Church-building—Society of Artists—Hall of the Signory (Loggia de Lanzi)—Family Residences—Sculpture—Andrea Pisano and his School—Painting—Andrea di Cione, called Arcagna—Hospitals and Monuments—Filippo Brunelleschi—Church of Sta. Maria del Fiore—The Foundling Hospital (Innocenti)—San Lorenzo—Sto. Spirito—Other Works of Brunelleschi—Dwelling Houses—Streets and Pavements—Sculpture of the Fifteenth Century—Ghiberti and Donatello—Painting—Fra Angelico of Fiesole and Masaccio—General Appearance of the Town—The Environs—Fortified Villas and Monasteries38CHAPTER IV.INDUSTRY, COMMERCE AND LIFE.The great Guilds and their Position—Guild of Woollen-weavers (Arte della Lana)—Guild of Cloth Merchants (Catimala)—Guild of Silk-weavers (Arte della Seta)—Guild of Money-changers (Cambia)—Tuscan Money-changers Abroad—Positions of Money-changers in France and England—Bankruptcyof the large Banks—Financial Distress at Home—Revival of Commerce in the Beginning of the Fifteenth Century—Customs of the Money Exchange—General Feeling of the Citizen Class—Regulations for the Beautifying and Security of the Town—Character of the Populace—Habits and Customs in the Fourteenth Century—Popular and Church Festivals—St. John’s Day—Merry-making and Pastimes of the People—The Florentines in the Beginning of the Fifteenth Century67CHAPTER V.THE ALBIZZI AND COSIMO DE’ MEDICI.Cosimo de’ Medici in his Youth—Countess of Bardi and her Family—The Medici and Pope John XXIII.—Death of John XXIII. in Florence—Public Acts of Cosimo de’ Medici—The Position of Cosimo towards the Party of Albizzi—The Albizzi in the Fourteenth Century—Piero degli Albizzi and the Magistracy of the Guelf Party—The Tumult of the Ciompi, Exile of the Albizzi—Authority of Maso degli Albizzi—Rinaldo degli Albizzi—Niccolo da Uzzano—Palla Strozzi and his Family—Flourishing Condition of the Town and Commonwealth—War against Lucca—Relation of Rinaldo to Cosimo de’ Medici—Proceedings of the Oligarchy against Cosimo—Cosimo’s Capture—Cosimo’s Banishment—Unsettled State of Things—Rinaldo’s Appeal to Arms—Cosimo is called back, and returns—Exile of the Albizzi—Cosimo’s Gonfaloniership—Review of the Albizzi Rule—Florentine Order and its Formation—The Subjection of the smaller Communes—Conditions of this Subjection—Statutes—Acquisition of Pistoja, Volterra, Prato, and Arezzo—The Accomandigia86CHAPTER VI.SUPREMACY OF COSIMO DE’ MEDICI TO THE REFORM OF LUCCA PITTI.Pope Eugene in Florence—Political Positions on Cosimo’s return Home—Antecedents of the Medici Party—Lucca Pitti—Neri Capponi—The Acciaiuoli—Agnolo and Donate Acciaiuoli—Diotisalvi Neroni—The Giugni and other Friends of the Medici, the Pandolfini, Salviati, Guicciardini—Cosimo’s Party-management—Restriction of free Voting by the Practice of Nominating to the Magistracy—Abrogation of the Law against the Nobles—Relations towards his Opponents—Palla Strozzi—Troubled Lot of Rinaldo degli Albizzi and his Family—Cosimo’s Attitude towards his own Party—Neri Capponi—Baldaccio d’Anghiari—Disunion in the Dominant Party—Termination of Extra-legal Authority—Re-introduction of the Selection of Magistrates by Vote—The Formation of the Cadaster—Progressive Scale—Taxation in the Hands of the Medici—Revision of the Cadaster in 1458—Discontent of powerful Burghers of the Medici Party—Luca Pitti, Gonfalonier—Change in the Government—New Commission for the Choice of Magistrates and for Taxation—Weakening of Cosimo’s Authority—Violence of his Adherents114CHAPTER VII.FOREIGN AFFAIRS. PEACE AND WAR. COUNCIL OF UNION.War with Milan and Naples—Filippo Maria Visconti and Alfonso of Naples—End of the Visconti—Francesco Sforza, Duke of Milan—Relations of Sforza with Florence and Cosimo de’ Medici—Alliance of Venice and Naples against Florence—War in the Valley of Chiana and in the Maremma—Peace of Lodi—The Sack of Constantinople—Triumph of the House of Aragon in Naples—Pope Eugene IV.—Contest of the Holy See with the Council of Basle—Council of Union at Florence—Reunion of the Churches of the East and West—Sojourn of Pope Eugenius IV. in Florence—Consecration of the Cathedral and of the Church of Sta. Croce—The Eugenius College—Political Complications—René of Anjou in Florence—Return of the Pope to Rome—Pope Pius II. in Florence—Death of Archbishop St. Antonine—Charlotte of Lusignan in Florence139CHAPTER VIII.LAST DAYS OF COSIMO DE MEDICI.Cosimo in Advanced Age—Death of his Brother Lorenzo—His sons Piero and Giovanni—Piero’s Marriage to Lucrezia Tornabuoni—Death of Giovanni—Piero’s Children—Cosimo’s Manner of Life—Cosimo’s Disposition and Character—Cosimo in Outward Demeanour and in Business—Cosimo’s Ecclesiastical Edifices—Churches and Monasteries, Palace and Villas—Buildings and Foundations Abroad—Cosimo’s Last Days at Careggi Villa—Piero’s Letter to his Sons—Death of Cosimo—Marsilio Ficino on Cosimo—Cosimo de’ Medici the Father of his Country153SECOND BOOK.PIERO DE’ MEDICI. FIRST YEARS OF LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT.CHAPTER I.PIERO DE’ MEDICI, HIS RELATIONS AND FRIENDS.Piero de’ Medici and his Family—Lucrezia Tornabuoni de’ Medici—Lorenzo de’ Medici—Lorenzo’s Education—Gentile de’ Becchi of Urbino—His Youthful Years and Dispositions—Giuliano de’ Medici—Bianca de’ Medici Pazzi—The Family of Pazzi—Andrea, Piero, Jacopo de’ Pazzi and their Relatives—Nannina de’ Medici Rucellai—The Rucellai—Giovanni and his Son Bernardo—The Soderini—Lorenzo Soderini and his Sons Niccolò and Tommaso167CHAPTER II.LORENZO’S YOUTH. CONSPIRACY OF DIOTISALVI NERONI AND HIS COMPANIONS.Meeting of Lorenzo de’ Medici with Federigo d’Aragona, younger Son of King Ferrante of Naples—Florence in relation to the Aragonese and to Sforza—Lorenzo in Upper Italy—The Pulci—Luigi Pulci—Lorenzo in Rome—Pope Paul II.—Death of Francesco Sforza—Piero de’ Medici and the House of Sforza—Galeazzo Maria, Duke of Milan—The Medici Party after the Death of Cosimo—Piero de’ Medici and Diotisalvi Neroni—Diotisalvi’s Designs against the Medici—His connection with Niccolò Soderini and Luca Pitti—Agnolo Acciaiuoli—The Causes of Discord—Niccolò Soderini as Gonfalonier—Neglected Opportunities of Trade—Fruitless Attempt at Compensation—Conspiracy against the Medici—Lorenzo with King Ferrante in Naples—Preparations on both Sides—The Villa of Careggi—Piero’s Illness there—Lorenzo’s Presence of Mind at an Attempt on his Father’s Life—The Medici in the City—Both Factions appeal to Arms—Indecision of the Leaders—Negotiations and Defection—Luca Pitti and the Medici—Failure of the Conspiracy and Banishment of its Leaders—End of Luca Pitti179CHAPTER III.FOREIGN AFFAIRS. FRANCE, VENICE, THE ROMAGNA. THE WAR OF COLLEONE.The Medici after the Neroni Conspiracy—King Ferrante to Lorenzo—Louis XI. of France and the Medici—The Florentine Exiles and Venice—The Relations of Venice with Florence—Bartolommeo Colleone—Colleone and the exiled Florentines—State of the Romagna—The Popes and the Dynasties—Relations of the Romagna with Venice and Florence—The Raccomandati of the Romagna—The Este Counts of Montefeltro and Urbino—The Malatesta of Rimini—The Ordelaffi of Forli—The Manfredi, Alidosi, Sforza of Pesaro—Bologna and the Bentivogli—Sante and Giovanni Bentivoglio.—Relations with Florence and the Papacy—Preparations of the Allies against Colleone—Colleone in the Romagna.—Battle at La Molinella—Galeazzo Maria Sforza and Venice—Ineffective Meeting of the Allies—Miserable Condition of the Army—Close of the War—Pope Paul II.—End of Colleone and the Florentine Exiles—Attack on Lucrezia de’ Medici197CHAPTER IV.LATTER DAYS OF PIERO DE’ MEDICI. LORENZO’S MARRIAGE.Battle near Rimini—Robert Malatesta—Finances of Florence—Purchase of Sarzano—Gay Life amid Financial Difficulties—Position and Life ofLorenzo de’ Medici—Lucrezia Donati—Lorenzo’s Tournament—Lorenzo’s Engagement—Clarice Orsini and her Relations—Lucrezia de’ Medici in Rome—Intelligence of Clarice Orsini—Conclusion of the Engagement, and Marriage Ceremony in Rome—Marriage Festival in Florence—Lorenzo’s Journey to Milan to the Christening of Gian Galeazzo Sforza—Death of Piero de’ Medici, and his Character—Piero’s Relation to his Party and to the Exiles—King Ferrante and Piero de’ Medici222CHAPTER V.EVENTS AT HOME AND ABROAD DURING THE FIRST YEARS OF LORENZO’S SUPREMACY.Nature and Form of the Medici Rule—The Heads of the Medici Party after Piero’s death—Tommaso Soderini—Council in St. Antonio—Accession of the Sons of Piero de’ Medici to the Position of their Father and Grand-father—Position of Lorenzo before the Party—Appointment of the Civic Officers—The Electors—Lorenzo assumes the Direction of Affairs—Foreign Affairs—Pope Paul II. and Naples—Alliance between Florence, Naples, and Milan—General Alliance against the Osmanli—Death of Pope Paul II244CHAPTER VI.POSITION AND RELATIONS OF THE MEDICI.Splendour of the Medici Family—Their Position at Home and their Connections Abroad—The Royal Family of Naples—Ippolita Maria, Duchess of Calabria—The Queen of Bosnia—Luigi Pulci in relation to the Medici—Pulci’s Journeys and Missions—Camerino and Naples—Unfortunate Attack against Piombino—Galeazzo Maria Sforza and his Wife, Bona of Savoy, in Florence—Visit of King Christian of Denmark—Giovanni Bentivoglio in relation to the Medici—Proceedings of King Louis XI. and Lorenzo concerning King Ferrante of Naples—The Relation of Lorenzo towards his Fellow Citizens—His Manner of Life, Residence in the Country, and Travels—Madonna Clarice in Umbria and Rome—Visit to Zoe Palæologa—Lucrezia de’ Medici in Bagno a Morba—The Death of Madonna Contessina255CHAPTER VII.LORENZO DE’ MEDICI IN ROME. PRATO AND VOLTERRA.Accession of Sixtus IV. to the Papal Chair—Congratulatory Embassy from Florence—Lorenzo accompanies it—Disposition of the new Pope—Attempted Insurrection in Prato—Bernardo Nardi—Connection of Volterra with Florence—Alum Pits of Volterra—Dispute about Leasing the Alum—Intervention of Florence—Tumult in Volterra—Various Views in Florence—Triumph of the Reigning Faction—Expedition against Volterra—Its Capture and Sack—Volterra and Florence—Misery of the Volterraneans274CHAPTER VIII.POPE SIXTUS IV., KING FERRANTE, AND THE MEDICI.Feelings of Sixtus IV. towards the Medici—Plan for obtaining the Cardinalate for Giuliano—Cardinal Pietro Riario, Archbishop of Florence—Eleanor of Aragon Este in Florence—Arrival of Cardinal-Archbishop Riario—Beginning of the Misunderstanding between Sixtus and the Medici—Dynastic Ambition of the Pope—Girolamo Riario, Lord of Imola—Affairs of the City of Castello—The Vitelli—Niccolò Vitelli in Contention with the Pope—Florence supports the Vitelli—Displeasure of Sixtus at the Policy of Florence—Federigo of Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, won by the Pope—King Ferrante in the Conflict with Venice and the Pope—Complications in the East—Alliance of Florence with Milan and Venice—Alliance of Sixtus IV. with Naples—Uncertain Policy—Second Marriage of King Ferrante284CHAPTER IX.MILAN, GENOA, AND SIENA.Cheerful Life in Florence—Tournament of Giuliano de’ Medici—Death of Galeazzo Maria Sforza—Exertions of Florence on behalf of the Duchess Bona—Roberto da Sanseverino—Parties in Milan—The Brothers Sforza—Disturbances in Genoa—Relations of Genoa with France and Milan—Revolt of the Genoese against the Domination of Milan, and its Suppression—Intrigues of the Brothers Sforza against the Duchess-Regent, and their Banishment—Rupture between the Pope and Lorenzo—Francesco Salviati, Archbishop of Pisa—Causes of the Animosity between Lorenzo and the Archbishop—Carlo Fortebraccio of Montone opposed to Siena—Equivocal Conduct of the Florentines—The Pope and Naples in Favour of Siena—Retreat of Carlo Fortebraccio—Troubled Relations between the Pope, Siena, and Florence298THIRD BOOK.CONSPIRACY OF THE PAZZI. WAR WITH ROME AND NAPLES.CHAPTER I.PAZZI CONSPIRACY.State of Affairs at Home and Abroad—Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Pazzi—Causes of Enmity—Attitude of Sixtus IV. and Girolamo Riario towardsthe Medici—The Plot against the Medici—Girolamo Riario, Francesco de’ Pazzi, and Francesco Salviati—Preparations for the Enterprise—Invitation to Lorenzo to visit Rome—Consultations in Rome—Giovanni Batista da Montesecco—Meeting of the Conspirators—The Conspirators and the Papacy—Francesco de’ Pazzi and Montesecco in Florence—Agreement with Jacopo de’ Pazzi—Francesco Salviati and Cardinal Raffael Riario—The other Participators in the Plot—The 26th April, 1478—Attempt in the Cathedral—Death of Giuliano—Rescue of Lorenzo—The Archbishop of Pisa in the Palace of the Signory—Conflict around the Palace—Deeds of Blood in the Palace and in the Streets—Executions and Murder—Lorenzo’s Address to the People—Legal Measures against the Pazzi—The Funeral of Giuliano de’ Medici—His Son Giulio313CHAPTER II.ALLIANCES AND COUNTER-ALLIANCES. PREPARATIONS FOR THE CONFLICT.Dangerous Position and Measures of Precaution—Donato Acciaiuoli in Rome—The Florentines and the Papacy—Demands of Sixtus IV.—Florentines in the Castle of St. Angelo—Cardinal Riario in Florence—His Return to Rome—Bull of Excommunication against Lorenzo de’ Medici—King Ferrante and Lorenzo—Relations of the King with Florence and Siena—The Papacy and Bologna—Sixtus IV.’s Observations on the Events at Florence—The Republic of Venice and the Florentines—Representations of Venice to the Papacy—King Louis XI. and his Relation to Florence and the Papacy—Naples and Burgundy—Mission of Philippe de Commines, Lord of Argenton—Commines in Florence and Rome—His Opinion of the States of the Church337CHAPTER III.CAMPAIGN OF 1478.Allies and Opponents of the Florentines—The Duke of Urbino on Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Political Situation of Milan and Venice—Florentine Preparations—The Papal and Neapolitan Forces—The Valley of the Chiana—Commencement of the Campaign at Montepulciano—Brief of Pope Sixtus IV. to the Florentines—Lorenzo de’ Medici before the Council—Opposition of the Clergy to the Curia—Official Vindication of the Republic—Reply of Pope Sixtus IV. to the Florentine Document—Death of Donato Acciaiuoli—Revolt in Genoa in the Interest of the Brothers Sforza and King Ferrante—War in the Valley of the Chiana—Bad Condition of the Florentine Troops—Gian Jacopo Trivulzio—Siege and Capture of Castellina in Chianti—Ercole of Este Captain-General of the Florentines—Wretched Management of the War—Loss of Monte San Savino—Unfavourable Position of the Florentines—Lukewarm Assistance from the Allies—Plans for the Second Campaign356CHAPTER IV.LOUIS XI. AND SIXTUS IV. SECOND YEAR OF THE WAR.Philip de Commines on the Condition of Florence—His Second Residence in Florence and Milan—Louis XI. and Italian Affairs—French Embassy to Rome—The Envoys and Sixtus IV.—The Pope’s Stipulations for Peace—Answer of the Florentines—Ineffectual Negotiations—Departure of the Envoys from Rome—State of Affairs in Naples and the Papal Court—Disorder in Milan—Conspiracy of Roberto da Sanseverino and the Brothers Sforza against the Duchess-Regent—Seizure of Pisa—Recommencement of the Conflict in the Valley of the Chiana—War in Perugia—Discord in Florence—Enterprise of Sanseverino and Ludovico Sforza against Milan—Ludovico Sforza il Moro Governor-General in Milan—Blowing up of the Florentine Head-quarters at Poggibonzi in the Valley of the Elsa—Cessation of Hostilities371CHAPTER V.FLORENCE AND HER ALLIES. LODOVICO IL MORO.Unfavourable Condition of Florence—Lorenzo’s Position—King Louis XI. and Italian Intrigues—Negotiations between King and Pope—Necessity, for Lorenzo, of an Agreement—Diplomatic Transaction with Lodovico il Moro—Lodovico’s Character and Position—Lodovico il Moro as Governor—Lodovico on the Condition of the Florentines—Advice for an Arrangement with Naples—Filippo Strozzi’s Mission to Naples—Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Resolve on a Journey to Naples—Departure for Pisa and Bada386CHAPTER VI.LORENZO DE’ MEDICI IN NAPLES. PEACE WITH KING AND POPE.Lorenzo’s Arrival in Naples—Lorenzo and King Ferrante—Impression produced in Florence by his Decision and the Variety of Opinions—Uncertainty in Florence and in the Romagna—Sixtus IV. and the Peace Negotiations—Sixtus IV. on the Management of the Dispute—Lorenzo’s insecure Position—The Dynasties of the Romagna—Diomede Carafa, Count of Maddalini—Lorenzo’s Connections in Naples—The Royal Family—The Duchess of Calabria—Lorenzo’s Return Home—Proclamation and Conditions of Peace—Insecure Relations with Sixtus IV.—Difficulties of the Affairs of Romagna—The Ordelaffi—Forli in Possession of Girolamo Riario—The Condition of Siena—The Duke of Calabria and the Sienese—Political Agitation in Siena in Favour of the Nobility, at the Instigation of the Duke of Calabria—Conquest of Otranto by the Turks—Retirement of the Duke of Calabria from Siena—Florentine Embassy to Sixtus IV.—Reconciliation and Peace401FOURTH BOOK.THE MEDICI IN RELATION TO LITERATURE AND ART.First Part.HUMANIST AND POPULAR LITERATURE TO THE SECOND HALF OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.CHAPTER I.BEGINNINGS OF HUMANISM. COLUCCIO SALUTATI AND POGGIO BRACCIOLINI. THE BOOK TRADE.Contrast between Mediæval Culture and Humanism—Character and Significance of Humanism—Florentine Education—Lapo da Castiglionichio and Luigi Marsigli—The University—Greek Studies—Manuel Chrysoloras—Early Study of Greek Learning in Florence—Poggio Bracciolini and his Discoveries—The Manuscript Business of the Fourteenth Century—Ancient Book Trade—Copyists in the Universities and Monasteries—Scarcity of Books and their High Prices—Increase of the Trade in Manuscripts—Paper Manufacture425CHAPTER II.LEONARDO BRUNI AND THE FLORENTINE HUMANISTS. FRANCESCO FILELFO. COSIMO DE’ MEDICI.Leonardo Bruni Aretino—Ambrogio Traversari—The Camaldula Convent of the Angeli—Niccolò Niccoli—Niccoli’s Collection of Books—Carlo Marsuppini Aretino—Beginning of the Translation of the Iliad—Giannozzo Manetti—Higher Education and the Universities—Jurisprudence and Statute Law—Palla Strozzi and the University—Rinaldo degli Albizzi, and his Political Writings—Francesco Filelfo of Tolentino in Florence—Filelfo as Teacher and Politician—The Brothers Cosimo and Lorenzo de’ Medici in the World of Letters—Their Connection with Poggio Bracciolini—Cosimo as a Collector—Ciriaco Pizzicolli of Ancona—Roman Want of Culture—Enoch of Ascoli and Antonio of Todi440CHAPTER III.THE COUNCIL OF UNION AND PLATONISM. COSIMO DE’ MEDICI’S LATER YEARS.Pope Eugene IV. and the Papal Court in Florence—The Greeks in Florence—Gemisto’s Plethon—Origin of the Platonic Academy—Youth of MarsilioFicino—John Argyropulos—Philosophical Studies—Cristoforo Landino Saint Antoninus Archbishop of Florence—Orlando Bonarli as Archbishop—Epistolaries and Dedications—Hermaphroditus—Literature and Life—Agnolo Pandolfini—Villa Life—Franco Sachetti—Poggio Bracciolini’s Country Life—Learned Connections of Florence with Foreign Countries—William Grey, Earl of Worcester, and others—The Humanists during the Last Years of Cosimo de’ Medici—Erudition and the Vernacular457CHAPTER IV.LIBRARIES AND THE BOOK TRADE. VESPASIANO DA BISTICCI.Cosimo de’ Medici’s Library Establishments—San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice—Library of the San Marco Convent—The Niccolo Manuscripts—Library of the Abbey of Fiesole—Inscriptions of the Codices—The Duke of Urbino and Vespasiano da Bisticci—The Copyists of the Fifteenth Century—The Material Perfection of the Copies—Prices—Manuscripts and Printed Matter472CHAPTER V.LITERATURE OF THE VULGAR TONGUE. POPULAR AND SACRED POETRY OF THE PEOPLE.The Italian Language and Literature at the Beginning of the Fifteenth Century—Fra Giovanni de’ Medici’s Book on Domestic Life—Leon Batista Alberti and the Vulgar Tongue—Poetical Competition in the Cathedral—Corruption of the Language in the Hands of the Learned—The Vulgar Tongue—Caterina of Siena Letters—Religious Sentiment among the People and in their Literature—Sacred Poetry of the People—The Fraternities and their Hymns—The Jesuits and their Poetry—Substance and Melody of the Hymns—Feo Belcari; his Poems and Prose Writings—Girolamo Benivieni—Lucrezia Tornabuoni de’ Medici as a Sacred Poetess—Historical Writings in the Vulgar Tongue—Gino Capponi—Buonaccorso Pitti—Jacopo Salviati—Neri Capponi—Domenico Buoninsegni—Goro Dati—Giovanni Cavalcanti482

THE FIRST VOLUME.

FIRST BOOK.

FLORENCE AND THE MEDICI TO THE DEATH OF COSIMO THE ELDER.

SECOND BOOK.

PIERO DE’ MEDICI. FIRST YEARS OF LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT.

THIRD BOOK.

CONSPIRACY OF THE PAZZI. WAR WITH ROME AND NAPLES.

FOURTH BOOK.

THE MEDICI IN RELATION TO LITERATURE AND ART.

First Part.

HUMANIST AND POPULAR LITERATURE TO THE SECOND HALF OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

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