Issue 31.Pages
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I RACCONTI DI ZIO (ZIO’S NEWS), Pallavicino Family: Issue 31, May 1494 News from Genoa. The port of Genoa is always rife with news and rumor, but never more so than since the return of Paolo di Battista I Fregoso (right), its controversial Cardinal Archbishop. Most Italians remember how Fregoso, who had served several terms as Doge, was forced from office in 1488 by a popular rebellion, which called in the Regent of Milan, Ludovico Maria (il Moro) Sforza. Under il Moro, Milan took an active role in governing Genoa. Fregoso was forced into exile, since his abrasive personality had alienated both his people and the Regent. During the last month, Fregoso has reappeared in Genoa. After a gap of six years, he claims to be Doge, although no election has been held. The young Sforza Duke, Gian Galeazzo, who has recently taken the reins of power in Milan, has apparently reversed his uncle’s policy towards Genoa and seems inclined to accept Fregoso’s grab for control. Fregoso is an interesting figure, part of the extended family of Campofregoso who have contributed many Doges to the Genoese Republic. He first served in 1462, but was ousted after 15 days. The following year after a feud with his cousin, Doge Lodovico Campofregoso, he again became Doge. He imprisoned Lodovico and attacked the Adorno family. A year later the Council of the Elders deposed him, accepting the protection of the House of Sforza, which lasted until 1477. In 1480 he was named cardinal, and served as the Pope’s admiral against the Turks. Finally, he was Doge from 1483 to 1488, when he was again deposed in favor of the Sforzas. During his turbulent career, Fregoso has been a pirate, ravaging the seas between Spain and Italy. Politically he has been anti-French and anti-Sforza. The recent warming of relations with Milan has puzzled many Genoese. They are further confused by his exclusion of several important Genoese families (who might have become his allies), and his invitation to powerful merchants and armourers from Milan to take control of Genoa’s land trade. For example, he has befriended the Adda, who as recently as last fall destroyed the grain markets of much of Northern Italy, and who were severely rebuked by the Holy Father for unfair trade practices. View of Genoa. Observers have asked what Italy might expect from Fregoso as he claims to be Doge for the fourth time. Paolo Fregoso is known to be uncouth, given to drink, and short tempered. His recent public statements have shocked readers with their edge of brutality, braggadocio, and total lack of diplomacy, warmth, or humility. One Genoese commented “He is certainly not a statesman; actually he’s rather a bully.” We might take this as an exaggeration, but noting the Adda presence in his court, we are reminded of the adage “Birds of a feather flock together.” It will be interesting to see how long it takes for these erstwhile allies to fall out, and when Fregoso will realize that he and the citizens of Genoa have been taken for fools. New Town Strategy to Control Corruption. Townspeople often complain of the greed of their public officials. Recently a new practice has swept Northern Italy to help cities limit the gluttony of their magistrates. In Parma, when the next magistrate is sworn in, he is to be weighed publicly. When he leaves office or his term is renewed, he will be weighed again. If he has gained weight, all will know of his indulgence, and an investigation will follow to find out how he got fat as a public servant. In Milan, citizens are wondering about their very stout magistrate. They say fat mayors are corrupt. Do you agree? The Battle Of Corneto. This small city of 4,000 north of Civitavecchia (once called Tarquinia) has long been a Papal possession, rich in grain, foodstuffs, and cattle. Last Friday night, Juan Borgia, Papal Marshal, assaulted the walls of Corneto eliminating the garrison there. The citizens of Corneto seemed to approve; there had been many complaints of graft and abuse of office by garrison troops. A dispatch from Rome tells us that “a withering fire in support of the Marshal's well trained foot soldiers quickly crushed the 390 strong garrison who were either drunk or sleeping it off. The Marshal's force suffered few casualities (two from falling off ladders). After restoring order, the Marshal selected elite troops to replace the garrison. Later Borgia provided a feast of beef to the grateful citizens of the town. Three Donations, One Hundred Wars. Three important historical documents are used to justify claims of sovereignty and independence in Italy. They provide insight into the grievances, cherished birth- rights, and local traditions that cause conflicts. All rulers need to know about them. The Donation of Constantine (No, it’s not what you imagined). In late antiquity the Roman Emperor Constantine, grateful for his conversion to Christianity and losing control of the West is said to have given sovereignty over half his empire to the Bishop of Rome. Since the 9th century, Popes have used the Donation to justify their supremacy over all the princes of Europe. Popes claim to overrule and depose kings and dukes, and impose Christ’s Kingdom on earth through military force, interdict, and excom- munication. The high point of Papal power was the humbling of Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV at Canossa in 1077 (right). In 1440, Lorenzo Valla proved that the Donation of Constantine is a forgery. Though most modern theologians and cardinals think it’s a fake, His Holiness does not agree. The Donation of Pepin. When the Pope crowned Pepin as Roman Emperor in the late 8th century, the grandfather of Charlemagne rewarded the Pope for his alliance against the Lombards. His gift was title to a diagonal stripe across Italy, from Ravenna and Bologna to Rome, now called the Papal States. Over the centuries, the Pope had difficulty enforcing his claims of sovereignty, and Central Italy became a mass of Duchies, Marquisates, Counties, and Lordships. All were to some degree “under” the Pope, but practically they were independent (unless a very strong Pope managed to overcome them). Today, His Holiness claims sovereignty over Bologna, Faenza, Forli, Imola, Ravenna, Rimini, Pesaro, Urbino, all of the southern Marche, Perugia, all of Umbria, Sabina, and the so-called Patrimony of St. Peter, from Orvieto to Terracina south of Rome. Ferrara has recently signed a treaty with the Pope releasing it from the Papal States. When the popes throw their weight around in the Romagna, blame it on Pepin. The Gift of Imperial Fiefdom. A ruler’s arms often bear a crowned black eagle on a yellow field. It means he claims to hold his lands by Imperial gift. From the 12th century onwards, Italian nobles were repeatedly granted their fiefs by the Holy Roman Emperor. Since the gift ought to be renewed with each new heir, families regularly seek to pay homage to the Emperor. The Sforza recently renewed their fidelity and are negotiating with the Emperor for a great ceremony if he comes to Italy. An Imperial fief holder owes direct allegiance to the Emperor, with no intervening overlord. In theory the Pallavicino, whose status as Imperial vassals was confirmed by the Duke of Milan in 1481, claim sovereignty and obey only the Holy Roman Emperor. In practice (since the Pallavicino are too weak to defend their independence), the Sforza are their overlords. Italy sees many revolts by Imperial fief holders against local suzerains. Many think the Holy Roman Emperor is far preferable as a sovereign; he is almost always far away. The Gazetteer. CORTICELLE (N 45.25, E 10.06). A month ago, the Marchese of Mantua seized this village from its Venetian overlords. He installed Galeazzo Pallavicino, who holds a strongpoint there, as feudatory. The town sells cattle, horses, and grain. Roads lead to BAGNOLO MELLA 25 leagues, N 45.26, E 10.11; QUINZANO 45 leagues, N 45.19, E 10.00; and RONCADELLE 45 leagues, N 45.32, E 10.09. The small Pallavicino strongpoint at Corticelle Tell us about it. Zio Pepato, Editor, and long-time retainer of the Pallavicino Family, seeks news, rumors, anecdotes, and town sheets from readers. Email him at [email protected]..