THE NE W MEDIEVAL LIBRARI'

ATELAINE OF VERGI TH E CH . Translatedfrom theMiddle- French

- by An a : Knur Wn c u. Intro duction by P rof. L. Bu n o w.

TH E BOOK OF TH E DUKE OF L R T t TRUE OVE S. ransla ed from the Middle- French with In troduction and Notes, hy Au cn - Ke mp Win es .

OF TH E TUM BLER OF OUR L Y Trans ate fr m t e AD . l d o h Mi e-French with Intro uction ddl , d and Notes, b y An a : Kmar

Wc n.

’ THE BABEES BOOK : Medieval Manners for the Youn In : mo ern En ish from Dr g‘ unm d gl . ' VA LL S texts. With I

' and Notes by Emma t xn r.

TH E BOOK O F THE D IVINE CONSOLATION OF SAI NT ANGELA DA FOLIGNO. Translated from the Italian b y MA RY G. Sr n oum m. With In

troduction b y Aunt: Tuonow .

Others in preparation.

The portrait initial in the en rave o v t is g d title, n re erse of h

page, is taken from the Latin M S Le ends reserv at S n . g , p ed a Gimi nano The ette R in g . l r [ the M S inside whic it is .] h framed is b u n artis , y an nk own t of the early T recen to (p rob ab ly 1 00 C A endix ll 3 ] . pp ., note I. T H E LEGEN D O F T H E H O LY FINA VIRGIN O F , SA NTO GIM IGNA N O NO W FIRST TRANSLATED FRO M T H E T RECEN T O I TA LI A N O F

FRA GIO VANNI DI CO P PO ; W ITH INTRO DUCTIO N AND NOTES BY

M . M ANSFIELD

N W Y RK DU FFIEL D 65 CO . E O LONDON CH ATTO AND WINDUS

1 9 0 8

CO N T E N T S

I NTRODUCTION

LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA

LA “GGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA

ILLUSTRAT IONS

THE HOLY FINA F7 01:tispiece

' Fr eero b Benoz zo Goz zole 1 20— 1 6 y , 4 49 , in the Church of San Agoetiao at San G n n imig a o. PAGE FACSIMILE OF THE TITLE- P AGE OF LA T R VITA ET M O RTE DI SANTA HIS O IA, , FINA DA SAN GIMIGNANO (1 59 8)

T HE HOLY FINA To face 3

' ' Freeeo b L t o M m em Siena 1 1 y pp of , 3 7 in the P alazzo Com nale an O) , of S

GR G R FO RETELLS TH E R F 8 . E O Y HOU O H ER DEATH TO THE HOLY FINA

Fr eeeo b Ghirlanda o 1 — 1 in the y i , 449 49 4, Col iate Church Sare Gm wauo leg , ig .

T HE SOUL OF THE HOLY FINA BORNE BY ANGELS INTO H EAVEN

F eo b Ghir tanda o 1 - 1 in he m y j , 449 49 4, t Colle iate Chureh San Gian nano g , lg . ALTAR TOMB OF THE HOLY FINA

B Benedetto da M aiano in y , the Colle iate Church o! Gimi aano g , S g . IX ' Non on THE Wooncm TITLE- P AGE

Rt raonucsn O n osrrs

The W oodcut here reproduced forms the title page of a sixteenth century i talian adaptation of the Le end of Santa Fina b J aco o M anducci of g , y p i a fi r t h in P isa. Th s w s s pub lis ed in Florence 1 575 ; the copy used for the rep roduction is at San Gimi nano i n the Lib rar o the Colle iate g , y f g

Church .

‘ ' ' l l l s

INT RO D U CT IO N

RA A COPPO the chronicler whose GIOV NNI DI , 1 Legend of the Holy Fina of Santa Giminiano ( ) is here offered to readers appreciative more of the poetry of past days than of the mere dry bones of his r l s r s t o Fra a of to y, pithi y Ob e ve Goccio, the W rden 3 H s al hi s — a b e the o pit , ( ) friend, th t to remembered,

i s s ul set In la s and th ng ho d be down p in word briefly.

F ll s u s l re o owing thi co n e Of perfection the fore, might not s s— u and a three hort word birth, fr ition , ch nge serve as the most concise definition of those pages and a t s li - s San a i ch p er in the fe tory of Gimign no, wh ch appear t o reach their natural conclusion as the centuries s as us x l ma of weep p t in the ine orab e rch time. The

t a l or adi u s bir h of egend tr tion occ r , how we know ’ not a s dim and u s a s so it , in f ncy n c nned region ; even

1 F r t h notes t o th s an s se u nt e s o e i , d ub q e r ferences, ee

a s et se p ge 8 : q.

INTRODUCTION xv

of legend dead and gone ; the faint echo of a never

u as ev ts and m s els at a ret rning p t, r ived by poe in tr

l oar l a of s too prince y b d, for the de ect tion mind highly ’ cultured to lend an ear of childlike faith to the poet s

s x song of bygone days. The i teenth century has hardly ’ reached man s estate when we note already the change

has o ld of l s and of art of which come ver the wor etter , — h u and a io . r a s ldi t o ght of ct n None f i r or o er, knight or fair lady— hold unquestioningly the beliefs that had ’ ennobled their forefathers lives ; or understand any more the symbolism that had comforted their hours

s . a l ss of he s of de pondency C re e the morrow, t ir ta te in art reflects the hollowness of their life ; and as

l k l ns and s a s as genera now edge wide pre d , they ce e to regard the allegories that had influenced the earlier wt an stages of their gro h, with ything more than

n ff and s a l l m amused i di erence c rce y vei ed conte pt . Thus to the votary of artistic sincerity the Cinque

o ou a l a see is al a s c Cent , if yet tw rd y f ir to , re dy tri ken, the canker of decay gnawing at its Vitals ; whilst the

o- and s ll - s an Quattr Cento, ti more the Tre Cento, t d

s a l s au and u b efore u a d zz ing vi ion of be ty of yo th, of c hildren gambolling in the spring -time and forenoon

us as el a and s . e als was of enth i m, b ief, f ncy, de ire Th n o 6 xvi INTRODUCTION it given to us to witness in that fruitful land the birth Of those wondrous exemplars of renunciation and austerity combined with true enjoyment of the loveli ’ ss of s a k and ildl k ne God h ndiwor , ch i e faith in the reality of the visions that peopled the heavens and the

a a s and la and a s n e rth . Fr nci C re their forebe r a d suc cessors a a of a s are ula in the Umbri n g rden S int , em ted 3 by their less well - known Tuscan brethren Bartolo ( ) 4 5 and al a and H l a Viv do, ( ) Peter M rtyr, ( ) the o y Fin , whose name alone suffices to strike a chord of a singular

and s e ss o r s ls harmony w etne in u ou . Travelling away southwards and west wards from ’ Ar s s l s a s s w s no i ver tre k, from the teep here the pine ” ’ s a sl s k s a u e of t nd eeping, the mind eye evo e pict r

a a as a all l all s Of remoteness nd Arcadi n e e . The p r e v ey

the sa lsa and Era a s and Pe , E , (fit n me for the nymph dryad dwellers in their glades) are enclosed betwixt

an u an so far as ma a wa s r ge pon r ge, eye y re ch to rd the

a sea a n w k of l un ula i ac dre my , in et or gent y d t ng

clivities H ll and al are s l . i d e dotted with the entine

ss o s a wa n fi n o a s ea cypre , who p int rni g ger t w rd h ven, secure that with him no man shall move hi s neigh ’ u s la a k or a a n s a ds ua ass bo r ndm r ; yet g i t n g rd , m ed in

s an s a un s lus of ru as ss erried r k ro d the ec ion ined f tne , INTRODUCTION xv ii and a asa and a s al as l the pe ce of pe nt home nce tr c t e.

H u lla a s s - ere, too, the mbre pine r i e her red brown s a w ral l a u a h ft crowned ith eme d circ et, q een mong

s and at run and a l tree , her feet vine m p e entwined in

l s a l a i a nal u s c o e embr ce, e d ng the d nce of ver ho r

a a the m un a s . The a s of lu thw rt o t in ide tmo phere b e,

and a l and s - a is a green, pe r ro e grey h ze cre ted by ’ heaven s own palette with the olive verdure veiling

a as a s l s and al s a t the e rth with i very mi t , the mond c t er

- l - l il s us a s u s . ing her now white, b h tipped pet pon the o

A la n and s ull s s and p ce of wi d flower , f of weet tree ” lou la ass is la of San co r of g d gr . Such the nd

m a Gi ign no .

o ula a sa s l a hi s a of P p r v nity, y the e rned tori n the 7 towered city— Canonico Pecori ( ) — has ever sought to ’ invest a man s personality and his possessions with the attributes and glamour of an ancient and glorious

s x as n s ance try. Need we therefore e perience to i hment if the inhabitants of San Gimignano ought to estab lish their claim to Roman ancestors in a land whose cities and sons alike always counted the inmates of the Ark and the warriors of Troy among their direct

a s a o is s a s forebe r . The worthy C n n omewh t weeping and contemptuous in his criticism of a very human xviii INTRODUCTION

s n for hi s oul s instan r in ti ct, w ch we h d in thi ce ather be

a ful as u as su u s San mi gr te , in m ch it rro nd Gi gnano with just that atmosphere of poetic legend that difi eren ’ tiates Saint Fina s town of the Beautiful Towers

e al alia mm l s from other m diev It n Co onwea th . We should seek in vain otherwise for any charact eristic 3 ul a to s - s a al - r a pec i r thi city t te ( ) one, in the oft epe ted tale oflong- drawn - out struggles for freedom hampered

ua els a am l u s nl by q rr , thw rted by f i y fe d , to end o y in

- s But s o l soul destroying ervitude . even in the e tr ub ous

s the vi al of el us u con time , whenever re v r igio fervo r sequent upon visitations of a pestilence or the appre h nsion ul u a u a m m a e of foreign r e, bro ght bo t o ent ry uc anif s a s ma A tr e, we find m e t tion , in the do in of rt , ’ s a t al of the citizen p triotic pride in heir commonwe th . ’ These were the opportunities for the painter s brush ’ and s ul r s s l art sa and a to the c pto chi e , in cred prof ne, vie with one another in commemorating triumphant

l r l And achievement or de ive y from mortal peri . though similar characteristics are displayed in greater or less degree by all the medieval Italian Free Cities in the course of the brilliant if often brief period of

a x s a s s a ul a their sep rate e i tence, en e of the ch rm pec i r to San Gimignano invites us to believe that the INTRODUCTION xix classic spirit was actually present at the birth of the ” 9 a all a s f ir town, c ed of the f ir tower . ( ) Rome has often been taxed with indifi erence to wards the gentler arts ; the Roman temperament

ma Of s stufl ual being de terner , better q ified for the

on u s and ul su a es But s c q e t r e of bject r c . the ode in praise of rural life and the complacency with which

H a lls u l asu s of w s or ce dwe pon the p e re o ner hip, s a a a and Salernum l ss s of hew th t B i e , the tide e hore

a a s and ro s of u the Tyrrheni n w ter , the g ve Tib r, laid their spell equally upon all whose lines were

ast l su a a u m l and alr c in ei re, p rt from the t r oi riv y Of

a - la an m rket p ce d forum .

su uls ul a s Some ch imp e too, we wo d f ncy, be ide

s n s l - s r va ll a u l Of the in ti ct of e f pre e tion, compe ed co p e

a c a u s l and u a to l a p tri i n yo th , Si vio M zio by n me, e ve the walls of Rome in search of such security as the lone valleys and trackless woods Of Southern Etruria could

aff . s a as a l s s a ord Con tr ined, ccomp ice in the con pir cy of a ili t o li s a C t ne, flee for their ve , they took the p th

a led a s hau s m an and a th t f rthe t from the nt of , fter a u us and ar a s ak and l rd o we y w ndering in br e g en,

a h vall o lsa sa they re c ed the ey f the E in fety. The s so u u u l a and u u the ight of m ch ntro b ed pe ce q iet de, xx INTRODUCTION

r l lls us m m to c r ch onic er te , deter ined the pit h thei tents and build themselves each one a castle side

s e u s of a a ll ks A by id pon the cre t two dj cent hi oc .

l as u t i s su and a has p e ing pict re h to be re, one th t

u s l b a - u the a flo ri hed ike the green y tree, nder h nd of

al a s s us and a u mediev rti t with the br h pen, e ch pro der than his fellow of the flowers of fancy either could work into the attractive theme Of celebrating ancient

ss a a our es prowe . Some ver th t hero fled from Rome in a s il s x s fe r of the pe t ence, other deny the e i tence of

la u and ll s a a s a u the p g e, te in te d, how con pir cy nder

Au us us had la t l s a and g t p ced heir ive in jeop rdy ; , whilst more sober- minded hi storians regard Silvio as the leader of the band of Roman settlers who founded the colony and erected a mountain fastness to over

al s l l a the e s s come the riv trongho d Vo terr , po t ing of ’ Silvio s fabulous descent from the Tarquin kings of ’ a a u s s s Rome . M tti de L pi de cribe in heroic ver e

ss lvi and his dw d ebater u the progre of Si o fi , M zio , who after many journeyings at length reach the pro mised all H u a a l v ey. ere they enco nter vener b e a a ua s th a hi s of ncient, who cq int them wi the c evement

ll s la and u es u m the former dwe er in the nd rg pon the ,

u l of as l s l and u for the b i ding their c t e Si vio M cchio, INTRODUCTION u i

li h Volterran the need to conci ate .t e favour of their

als s o lls am l s all riv . The age f rete how the n e Si vio h a d a San a be ch nge to th t of Gimign no, how in cen tut ies to come Charlemagne the Emperor shall ride into the land and grant to the inhabitants thereof ma us a s and vil es and a t ny precio gr ce pri eg ; here f er , centuries of freedom shall elapse until the hour when the inhabitants voluntarily resign their liberties into

s — l the hand of their powerful neighbour F orence . No authoritative record exists of the earliest date at which the ancient name of Castrum Silva was ex l imi changed forthemedieva appellationof San G gnano . Chroniclers relate that a Public Ordinance was pro mulgated about the year of grace four hundred and ” a a l s fifty, in remembr nce of the prodigy ccomp i hed

a l s a by Gimign no the ho y Bi hop of Moden , who by appearing suddenly in the heavens above one of the castle gates blinded the execrable Attila with hi s

a a ls an a l a l m s s r di nce , whi t impenetr b e m nt e of i t ’ k the a s s s ll s overtoo inv der ho t , compe ing their peedy

s A hi s call and ignominiou flight . not more tori y au a s is a u a thorit tive ver ion, the ttrib tion of the n me to a ses l u a al of m r N r , the ie ten nt in It y the E pe or

s ia u se aus s c u a s Ju tin n, nder who pice the ity bo nd rie

INTRODUCTION xxiii

a l s e n el te e a a of Ch r e , b i g ec d Emp ror fter the de th

an the Third summonedto himself e Const tine , the entir company of hi s barons ; among their number being the uke a o K l ta and K D N m , ing So omon of Bre gne ing

aux K Gort eb us r s a and Ki John of Borde , ing of F i i ng

u a a la rm a D ro of Bohemi , Bern rd of C i ont, Mor ndo di

Riveri era a A uentino a u ss , Ogier the D ne, q , the M rq e

a and a m us of a Ber nger, m ny ore of the ho e M yence and a free pardon had Charles already granted to them all and earnestly had he sought to make peace with

a F a ta et all a o a u Ger rd of r t , y in v in ; wheref re tr ce for the space of five years was agreed upon between

lus t arl s a them . On the conc ion hereof, Ch e dep rted

a s w usa k s him from P ri ith thirty tho nd night , together wi the l s a d a s a sa He th ord n potent te fore id . de scended upon Italy in the years of Our Lord Jesus

h s s u and se - a s C ri t even h ndred venty nine , tr ver ing ma and a and khi s l Ger ny Lomb rdy, betoo m e f to Rome , where he abode for the space of forty days and received

l of But a l s ul not a the tit e Emperor. Ch r e wo d t ke

a u e hi s a s the crown, for he yet h rbo r d in he rt the de ire

and nt to . a a a i ent overcome Ger rd of Fr tt , wherefore e a m u a he d p rted from Ro e to ret rn to Fr nce . The first stage of their journey from Rome brought them xxiv INTRODUCTION

t he of Su i l a u s s a and to town tri, e ght e g e di t nt, in the

a s ss a a l s K a night ickne overc me Ch r e the ing. Where t his physicians decreed that he should take a medicine to

s him and s l a a s u six re tore , they re o ved to m ke ojo rn of ’ a s a a sa A Ki d y dur tion in the fore id city. nd the ng and his train were encamped within and without the precincts of the town of Sutri Charles the King held his court therein and after some days had

la s ur a s u us a Lom e p ed he jo neyed onw rd thro gh T c ny,

a and nin Al s and at l s b rdy, the Pen e p , ength ighted

la a us s and s s the nd of Fr nce, when jo t fe tivitie were commanded to be held at the glad tidings of the ’ King s return and the safe homecoming of Bertha and ” la Or ndo .

Alas u s u ha a , however, for the pict re q e c r cter of

ula is al u l and a al s pop r h tory, the t e nfo ded by poet nn i t proves b ut a broken reed for the historian to lean upon ; although we may yet cherish the fabric woven

a a ha a a s our by tr dition, with the ten city t t tt che to ’ C l s asu u a hi dhood tre red memories. No doc ment ry evidence of any authority whatsoever exists to sub stantiate ual l and as l the individ ityof Si vio, the town c t e

u l and u l b i der p tative parent of the Roman co ony.

a l too o s all wa t es Prob bi ity, , p int the other y ; the mo iv INTRODUCTION m ass n him do no a xami a l a l s ig ed to t be r e n tion . Vo terr ie too far distant from San Gimignano to be overawed by a s l nd l al h s was trongho d erected there ; a the oc ity c o en , a a too a la to afi ord sa and g in, ne r to the tter fety con cealmen u ls us t to a f gitive . Whi t therefore we m t per force resign ourselves to commit Silvio to the ’ l a a s l - l u can a l imbo of n tion fo k ore, no do bt prev i , a a e l s s ni fter the work of modern rch o ogi t , concer ng

m f a s at the Ro an origin o the city. Tr ce the foot of all and a a s a di a w , town , rchw y te tify to the h n cr ft

a u l s al and of Rom n b i der moreover, mediev other 13 writers ( ) describe finds of Roman and Etruscan

s hi nd rt ve tiges in religious and sepulchral arc tec ture a a .

u s a a u The circ m t nce , too , th t no doc ment prior to the commencement of the fourteenth century men tions the town of San Gimignano under the name of

l ul a a u u s Si vio, wo d w ken f rther do bt concerning the an s a l a lla are tiquity of thi e r ier ppe tion. Nor the chroniclers of the miraculous appearance over the ’ city of Modena s holy bishop more fortunate in their

lus s. A la to bistorical a set conc ion tti never, cert inty, hi s u us a s l and u a foot pon T c n oi ; if , pon the f ith of 15 a n llani are to l e a la Giov n i Vi , ( ) we be i ve th t Toti de stroyed all the townships of Lombardy save Modona xxvi INTRODUCTION

[sic] through the merits of Gimignano their bishop ; in that whereas he was about to march upon the city ’ his s s was s a l l with ho t , it by God mir c e withhe d from hi s s and a rs u l and ight , he tr ve ed the town nwitting y , perceived it not until he had passed the boundaries thereof wherefore by vi rtue of the prodigy afore sa the was sa and s a m id city ved, he p red her fro destruction no direct evidence obtains to show

a a a n lo assaul la s th t , fter c rryi g F rence by t, Toti in per on

l a s s actually invaded the peaceful valley of the E sa. N r e

a o la 2 and a ni la his did indeed defe t T ti in 55 , n hi te a b ut a of a s and rmy, the pr ctice n ming town entire districts after their protecting saints did not obtain in

us a s u and are un T c ny prior to the eventh cent ry, we able to follow the writers who would connect hi s name alike with the extension of the city boundaries and

o s the appellation of San Gimignano . Neither d e the history of the Lombard kings further any better the claims put forward by San Gimignano to the dignity

l hi s ss s a al s . s of roy re idence De iderio, ike predece or ,

l hi s u at a a is u a he d co rt P vi , whence, it tr e, he r ided the Tuscan cities which professed obedience t o the

u the a s x 8 b ut Pope, d ring ye r e tending from 75 to 773

al s o a ss Grimvaldo the Decret of De ideri ddre ed to , INTRODUCTION

ou hi ns the as l s San C nt of Viterbo, w ch mentio c t e of Gimignano and San Miniato among the strongholds

is s u ous u hi s a . f rther fortified by h nd, p ri

s sus a l us o t a how The con en of f ir y tr tw r hy tr dition,

e a s l s all s u a ever, p rh p end to the eged ojo rn of Ch r lemagne at San Gimignano more probability than the picturesqueness of the popular story would lead us to

s He ma a on of a sign to it . y h ve been there either two occasions— when he lay encamped with hi s army at 17 lla a a a l a as u Vi m gn ne r Vo terr , ( ) or when, the chro i 13 d er The K s a a rs a l a n of ing of Fr nce ( ) ve , Ch r em g e ” s t u us a journeyed onward hro gh T cany. The gr nt

al l s u hos of imperi privi ege , however, in ret rn for the pitab le reception of the Emperor and his train upon

a of a a s ul a a the p rt the inh bit nt , wo d ppe r to be con

t rovert ed a a al asc al . o n by P p brief of P h II , enj i ing upon the clergy and laity of San Gimignano sub mission to the j urisdiction exercised over them by the 1 9 o o see ( ) f V lterra. But whilst tradition must yield some ground to

l s u v ma s en ightened critici m, eno gh e idence yet re in t o justify the undoubted claim of San Gimignano to a

a s r l pedigree of ncient de cent . The enown of the ho y Bishop of Modena had spread far and wide in the sixth INTRODUCTION

u and x ma m l s his cent ry, e tended ny i e beyond own

s o all s u us a dioce e, ver the remote v ey of So thern T c ny,

s al hu s hi s da a his a where ever c rche to t y be r n me . His providential blinding of Totila had earned for him the allegiance of countless votaries in the unprotected hamlets and townships open t o the aggression of their s e u s and a efi ort a trong r neighbo r , no gre t of the im gi nation is necessary to picture to ourselves the growth into a fortified borough between the seventh and ’ u s lla s us s lus eighth cent rie , of the vi ger ho e c tering

u the m u ll al m ro nd other ch rch, we conce ed fro view and secure from attack amid the impenetrable thicket

oak and s u s of m al Tus of , beech, che tn t wood ediev

H o a . no u can c ny ere d bt we detect, in the origin

the a Castrum Silver of n me , the birth of the Legend

l o a u t of Si vi , the Rom n fo nder of the ci y . The uncertainty that clothes the traditional history ’ of the city s birth and adolescence with the golden a s of a li tmo phere poetry, dmitting of the peop ng of the land with the shapes that best please a classic or

a a ases nl l e u rom ntic f ncy, ce o y with the e ev nth cent ry, and not until a hundred years later do we find their sep arate existence recognised in the person of their first

P s ss a na Malavolti a ode ta , Me er M ghi rdo of Sien , in INTRODUCTION xxix

‘ 1 1 - 1 2 1 A u a s of a u s l ss 99 0 . fter pw rd cent ry of re t e

a u als of n l us st pe ce, interr pted by interv i g orio rife

h i u l a al us San with t eir ne ghbo r Vo terr , je o of Gimi ’ nano s s n s a the l had a uall g ri i g t r , peop e been gr d y winning their way to self- government b ut whilst

uall t l ss u virt y independent , they never he e contin ed for s l l s see ome time onger indirect y ubject to that .

a l k sol a u Me nwhi e, the wor of con id tion of their m ni ci al s u s o nu l p in tit tion c nti ed, of which they , ike the

alia e uni s had the other It n fre comm tie , inherited

l s o o . suls u princip e fr m R me Con , three or fo r in

u l a h a to s n mber , were e ected e c ye r repre ent the Executive power in their dealings with their neigh

ou s to ak war and lu a the a b r , m e to conc de pe ce in n me

n r ass s a k o of the Commu e . They we e i ted by ind f

isla u s s a l ss ou l Leg t re , con i ting of e er c nci of fifty

s and a a ass la o member gre ter emb ge, who met h wever

l u b a s l in time of need on y, the o t re k of pe ti ence,

s l s &c o u l the ho ti itie , . m re freq ent y within mother

u olli of a ll as ou ch rch to the t ng the gre t be , th gh Religion with solemn tones should call the citizens t o ” 21 her sa ua act for o al. nct ry to , the c mmon we ( ) The

u a s s was a J dici ry , in the per on of the Pode ta , ppointed

su ll a a d s s six o s onl u a y for one ye r n ometime for m nth y.

INTRODUCTION xxxi distant expeditions and the local wars incident upon their never- ending struggle for mastery with Volterra conflicts in which Siena and Florence would take sides

a l a amil s with one or the other mong the e ding f ie , who intrigued and fought over the spoils of office to the las i of a v ting detr ment their n ti e town .

k l San mi a ar the u s Li e F orence, Gi gn no , we y of fe d

an all- ul l a a m in of powerf o ig rchy , tte pted the thir teenth century t o establish a more democratic form of

r . u m au s a of gove nment S pre e thority, in te d being

l as hi suls was s wie ded therto by the Con , ve ted in a “ a s a s l l r Ca M gi tr cy ty ed The Twe ve of Gove nment, p ” a s and s l two a a s n t in Rector of the Peop e, C pt in a d one ec n l a a s R tor bei g e ected for e ch of the city w rd , assisted by a Council of sixty members A Magis

a ad b ar E x u t ll tr cy, , the ight of E pendit re , con ro ed

u l u s and P s had a s al ou l the p b ic p r e , the ode ta peci c nci

of s x s rs ss to him But a s i t een advi e a igned . the ye r in which these reforms were introduced were just those

hi s a s s a u in w ch the trife of f ction grew mo t c te . In

u 1 2 1 u l s s a l ex J ne 5 the G e f ro e, he ded by the Twe ve ,

elled ell s and a s l s p the Ghib ine Pode ta , m de them e ve

mas s w 12 2 ter of the to n . Then in September 5 , the

hi ll s r u a l u G be ine in thei t rn , he ded by Miche e B on C INTRODUCTION

fi lioli a ack ss s u l s a g , tt ed their oppre or . The G e f m de their stand at the houses of the Cini and Cici in the

ua San a a a s a a l q rter of M tteo, where , fter de per te b tt e, the Podestavainly spreading the red and yellow banner of the Comm une and calling upon the combatants to lay down their arms under a penalty of a fine of one

u li ll s ot u an h ndred re, the Ghibe ine g the pper h d, h i ” 22 assa r t e r0 onents and sa us s. m c ed pp , cked theirho e ( )

A u ll ws u n i u l s re brief tr ce fo o , d ri g wh ch the G e f ,

so ar l s as covering me p t of their o t cendency, invite

a s o - l ol a a R nieri , the Bi h p e ect of V terr , into the city ; call to which he responds with alacrity as a means of asserting alike the power of his see and wiping out the

e o as a ani su s m m ry of p t defe ts. R eri mmon the Com

u to la au and la his m ne y down their thority , p ce in

a s a s ra o the la h nd the dmini t ti n of nd , for the better ” of the sa a a to hi government me, dem nd w ch they

are lu a l t o a . o s a re ct nt y forced ccede The t wer , g te

uses and os s a il are a ho , p tern of the city me nwh e g rri soned his ls sum of u l by men, whi t the one h ndred ire is voted to the bishop in compensation for the time ” ha s a na o s he d pent in S n Gimig no . The P de ta in

rval a a s ula u of and the inte ret ined im cr m power, imposed penalties in the shape of fines of twenty- five INTRODUCTION lire for every angry word or ribald gibe exchanged

l n ll us a is a bet ween Gue f a d Ghibe ine . Th pe ce gain

s b ut u su a l a uar re tored, pon the rf ce on y ; for in J n y of the following year 1 253 the Ghib elline partisans once

r ol a a ns r u l ss s and more ev ted g i t thei G e f oppre or , the battle in street and lane raged loud and furious many

s s r a l t s alls tower were de t oyed, gre t eng h of the city w l ll the u hils a lo eve ed to gro nd, w t the Signori of F rence a ss ns a s to mmu summ ddre ed remo tr nce the Co ne, oning them to appear before them to render an account of

a s and San a was ll to their ct , Gimign no compe ed despatch an humble embassy to defend her sovereign

s as o fus San a o right . To incre e c n ion, the men of Mini t

s al a s and ak s s interpo ed between the riv f ction , , t ing ide w u l s the l a i ll s ith the G e f , drove e ding Gh be ine into x l 33 e i e . ( ) The woeful picture of b loodshed and desolation is somewhat relieved for us by the glimpse of a silver lining to the thunder- clouds overshadowing the for

u s l l a s s t ne of the itt e town t thi period of her tory . A scene of almost idyllic quietude is reflected from ’ Fra an i s s l and u a s as re Giov n imp e to ching p ge , he lates how the holy Fina dwelt in the seclusion of her

m ssu t l a ser ho e, i ing forth herefrom on y to ttend the INTRODUCTION vices of the Church ; and not through the aspect of 3 her fairness ( 4) to gratify t he admiring glances of the

alla s the . is a u ul ld u g nt of city It t rb ent wor , pon ’ a a s s 1 2 8 l to which Fin de Ci rdi open her eye in 3 , on y close them fifteen years later in weariness and sufi er

l is k her a ts t ing. Litt e nown of p ren beyond heir

am s and a al u l sce n e , th t, tho gh of nob e de nt, they were

l s f s l poor y provided with the good o thi wor d . Ghir ’ landajo s graphi c representation of the holy maiden in

las u s a les us b e e to at m sa r her t ho r , en b tt r f ho the c i fi ce of her youth and beauty throughout the five long years of weeks and days spent motionless upon a bare

lank a s a l - u n s u Fra p in th t c nti y f r i hed pper chamber . Giovanni describes how trembling with apprehension she a a so u las las he rd the fe r me echo of tr mpet b t, c h of a s and u ul a o s l ss to u ll rm , t m t of ngry v ice ; power e q e ,

u her a us s the afi ra t w thro gh gr cio pre ence, y be een u l and hi ll un G e f G be ine, in which her mother, the f u a Im eriera l s l ls s a a ort n te p , o t her ife, whi t t nding, ha ml ss l at t sh l her r e on ooker, the hre o d of home in

el ass s wll a a d . the Contr d S o Re igned to the i of God, a b ut a ai a a Fin did not repine, w ted, p ttern of forti

u u of li a l so t de, the ho r de ver nce foreto d to her, the l e uns the l of the u ch eg nd r , by ho y Doctor Ch r , INTRODUCTION

o ar s m she had al a s l an es c al Greg ry, tow d who w y fe t pe i 25 T ni l s to ell us how devotion. ( ) he chro c er goe on t from the board whereon rested those maiden limbs there grew flowers of wondrous fragrance and loveli 23 s s l ss m nes . ( ) Wherefore even as the flower b o o ed

s of ma d and om s in te timony her idenhoo , fr the ore stricken limbs of the holy virgin Fina there issued a

a ll us s a a 37 so u ass m rve o weet fr gr nce, ( ) pon the p ing of her soul in the odour of her merits and her sanctity al l u l a t a into etern ife, her corr ptib e body g ve for h s ula l s sm 23 are m re ing r y weet ( ) We , o over assu u s a m au red, pon the t te ent of the d ghter of

‘ a ul u s Beldl a a a ul us t her f ithf n r e , th t mir c o grow h of these self- same flowers appeared upon the walls of the house ; in testimony whereof she had plucked and k l ss 29 ept the b o oms. ( )

a 1 2 1 2 a l ss s ul x e On M rch , 53, th t b e ed o e pir d,

s an al s and o s and write the n i t, the dem n in envy rage filled the air with such whirlwinds that poor

als s ru A a s m the mort were t ck with horror . g in t the s u lls San a o nd of the be of Gimign no, moved by the

s b l a ds a ls o ss the sa t invi i e h n of nge , b re witne to ncti y of

a and s a t wa aus t s s ms and l Fin , tr igh y c ed ho e tor whir winds to cease. INTRODUCTION

The scene of her burial in the parish church has aflorded a fitting Opport unity for Ghirlandajo to re present with almost photographic fidelity the men and

hi s a s a women of d yin San Gimignano. Records t te “ ” a she was la s alavello li e a th t id to re t in gn o, bove

u xa s u al- la the gro nd . The e ct pot of her b ri p ce, now

l s sa st la at a a c o e to the door of the cri y, y th t time in s all l s a a to r and m c oi ter, dj cent the cemete y, the Com mune in 1 325 sanctioned the erection of an altar within the church to contain the sacred relics direct

o an an ual a a ing, more ver, n p yment to be m de for the 3 wax a l s u n o 1 ra a c nd e b rni g there n. ( ) The vene tion th t ’ had su u a a l us rro nded Fin de Ci rdi in her ifetime, th an a h u grew in depth d intensity fter her death . T ro gh the a di s a l a her a f me of the pro gie d i y en cted in n me, whi ch caused her aid to be invoked in the ever

u n u aks of s l she a b e rec rri g o tbre pe ti ence, c me to ’ considered the city s advocate in Heaven together with

ol a and an a But their h y p tron protector S Gimign no.

u s and u alu was of the tmo t end ring v e for the city, the building and endowment of a hospital for the indigent s ck al s a a l to l i , with the m th t flowed r pid y the ho y ’ ma s s nst u han s the iden hrine. The co r ction, t k to oflerin s r a and c munifi cence o eeded g of p iv te ivic , pr c INTRODUCTION with commendable speed— three years only elap sed ’ between the city s resolution and the Opening ; and in the chapel attached to the building there is pre served religiously to this day the board which was ” a l sl s 33 mir cu ou y full of flower . ( ) If successive visitations of the plague from 1 348 a s a la k a had c a onw rd , the ye r of the B c De th, de im ted

o ula l ss ul was a o the town p p tion, not e woef the h v c wrought in the land of San Gimignano by the raids ” la s c m a nia s ra et ua of the free nce , the o p g pe tife iniq , the terror of all peaceful citizens whilst the disastrous little wars waged incessantly with their neighbours eflectively checked the power if not the will of the inhabitants to make good to posterity their resolu tion of honouring the memory of their holy advo ’ care u l 1 the c s s to . Not therefore nti 457 did ity de ire provide a beautiful and honourable sepulture for

l a in a a l i a to her nam the ho y Fin , ch pe ded c ted e,

k al s 5 a l l ta e materi hape. ( ) Me nwhi e the dec ine in the u es hi b a the ur fort n of the city, w ch eg n in fo teenth c u u a a s and e a s ent ry, contin ed p ce, de pite, p rh p even

on a u of its u i n l . cco nt n o with F orence Indeed, it ma sa t o a a l a e the y be id h ve been cce er ted th reby, for price of the Florentine bickerings with the other City

INTRODUCTION

ra m a u l ul to ther to confir , the rendering of p b ic c t

r ec ss T a their p ot tre . he ctive intervention of the

a al a ss Ridolfi ll P p Secret ry, Me er Lodovico , their fe ow

sma affo m sa s a town n, rded pro pt ti f ction to their peti

and a al ass was la tion, the P p ent proc imed, in the form of a ull ssu in 1 8 1 B i ed on October 4 by the Pope,

xtus . u l a and Si IV , permitting the p b ic invoc tion veneration of the holy Fina as one of the Saints of u the Ch rch . Work upon the beautiful and honourable chapel sa d 1 b ut sl l nctione in 457 proceeded ow y, owing to the political vicissitudes and the apprehensions for the

u l al u l 1 68 ul a da a a is p b ic he th ; nti , in 4 , Gi i no M j no sum m l and u s a moned fro F orence, ordered to f rni h design which shall fitly perpetuate alike the gratitude of t he Commune and the zeal and devout munificence f n a 33 at of the citizens o Sa Gimign no. ( ) The decor ion

sa uar alls a la of the nct y w , perfect gem of ter fifteenth ” ur art is us la a s a cent y , entr ted to Ghir nd jo, who e m gic brush endows the creations of his fancy— b e they l a s a s a a a egend ry heroe , ctor in the S cred Dr m , or the grave men and sad- eyed women whom he shows us busily intent upon the daily actions of their lives— with suc a rous rs al a al so nse a h vigo pe on ity, re ity inte , th t we xl INTRODUCTION

ul a clam la shi th s l m wo d f in i re tion p with e e fo k, fro whose every gesture heart and soul speak to us in un

a s u ss s the s a erring ccent , tr e witne e of prodigie en cted

s A di a a s before their eye . ccor ng to tr dition, which ver that Ghirlandajo painted the Santa Fina Cycle prior

his s u ul a u a to ojo rn in Rome, it wo d be bo t the ye r 1475 that he made room for Benedetto da Majano in ’ the task of carrying out hi s brother Giuliano s design aworkin which the former gives material expression to

u s a a u ful sa the virt e th t dorned the yo th int, in con ceiving for her remains a shrine of pure white and ” ’ ol s ul and a s art g d, in which the c ptor the p inter unite in a very symphony of perfect unison and har ’ monious eflect 39 las a sma s . ( ) The t echo of the cr ft n chisel has not yet died away— indeed records tell us that so late as 1 49 0—9 3 Benedetto had not yet com pleted hi s handiwork ; b ut the city would wait no l a da a s ul al u onger for the gre t y th t ho d, tho gh they

set a u a acl knew it not, their f me for ever pon pinn e ’ beyond the reach of time s invidious grasp ; and the

s s a u th da 1 88 Bi hop of Pi toi pon the 4 y of October 4 , journeys in state from Volterra to consecrate the Chapel open henceforth to the veneration of the holy ’ F a s u m and for l b ut in co ntry en ; not them on y, the INTRODUCTION xii goal for all time also of the Passionate Pilgrim of A w rt . ( ) But the century- long call to action had proved too

a s a u n s of the l l w gre t a tr in po the energie itt e to n, and e r s n s u r a u th i tre gth could re pond no f rthe . N t re seemed to demand a respite from incessant p

u . A l s ill to c f ll s d ction b e t onceive, they e hort in

eal sa t ir c s for now as the r i tion of he con ept , , the

u - n s s the a v s of the Cinq e Ce to how , cre ti e pirit was no l e s sea an ong r pre ent . The ch ge from maturity to decay is at hand— a new art aspires to new d als ls old r e la i e , whi t the o d r giveth p ce

to new.

As the w l of l s so a of art r m in or d po itic , in th t , f o

T - ent d wn ar s t he as e of the a s the re C o o w d , p ct S int , too unde o s a a e the m r ce not , rg e ch ng ; ti id reve en u n e t a ns n nti g d wi h pprehe ion, with which in a other a e h had e r ar lds t o t g t ey be n eg ded, yie the poe ic con ce tions Fra An el a a of n p of g ico, the p ge ntry Be ozzo 41 Gozzoli lli a Fra li and the , ( ) the idy c gr ce of Fi ppo,

a i l a s o la l n do gr ph c de ine tion f Ghir ndajo . No o ger the Saints look down with a kind of serene aloofness u st u l n u a r m llumi a a es pon r gg i g h m nity, f o the i n ted p g or the gilded panels of missal and tryptych ; the xlii INTRODUCTION intermediaries bet ween man and his Maker appear

us al u s a m um s m before in tered g i e, ore h an enti ent pervades the relationship between man and his advo

a s ns nl s l c te with the U een . Motio es no onger in their s a a to a ula can tr itened g rb , which no p rtic r epoch be ass a s s igned, the S int tep down from the niche to mingle freely in all the most varied pursuits and a a o s u a ant - a alk n a a voc ti n of the h m n he p , w i g bro d

amil a l l and ell s and f i r y, iving moving with their f ow , s a n s s and s a h ri g their orrow their joy . The S int of the Quattro- Cento converses and acts as a man should ; he shows his fellow by his example how so to shape his l a ma s l l ife, th t he y hort y join in the wor d beyond the

lu and s a aul a s s l a b e t rry v t the rti t oved to p int, the la a s g d throng of those that had gone before. P tron and Protectors of corporations and individuals wield

l l x a s a hammer and chise ike the e pert cr ft m n. Their

a s s la s u s a . vot rie , the cho r , nder t nd S Jerome to be one

s l s us at his sk a l a and el of them e ve , b y de in f mi i r hom y surroundings like their own housewives take example l A and . l a u su an from S . nne S E iz beth p r ing their wom y

all s a r a u al the s c ing ; every b refoot f i r, tr dging ong du ty

a la a sun s re ro d in the g re of the midd y , meet in the p

n f a s b u a l l sentme t o S . Fr nci t nother itt e brother INTRODUCTION xliii and Frate Sole ; whilst the daughters of knight and

u ss as ll a s e o u es of b rge , they te their be d b f re the pict r ’ a s snflerin s and m a u m S . Fin g , edit te pon her co peer ’ - . sula s li s r u su s a S Ur fe to y, reflect witho t rpri e th t the ’ heroines of the painter s fancy are potentially the

sam k and kin e ith . Not the least among the claims of the Quattro Cento upon our gratitude consists in having given to

l two a is s l hi la a and a a i the wor d rt t ike G r nd jo C rp cc o,

u l s sa t mi ss to set tr e be iever in the nctity of heir ion,

’ down ad perpetuam ref m morzam the intimate con

nection so s to u o sr u e the , oon nderg di ption, betw en

s l s a s l inhabitant of our two wor d . The gr nd ty e of

h a ssa in h c sa s a t e Ren i nce w i h henceforth the int flo t,

m s nal and m can l th s i per o re ote, on y bring for being the

a u us x ss os ou a s and v c o e pre ion of wh e c nten nce , their

a l ss u m ass o a u s x lu an me ning e tho gh i p i ned ttit de , e c de y idea of a familiar or personal relationship between

and a k and us c s t ul them m n ind, m t perfor e trip heir c t 42 s u a n us a of any pirit al te chi g . C tom ( ) yet dr ws

shi s the sa ua aul . a s wor pper to nct ry, Pope P III ccord

l s o a s l a indu gence t the vot rie of the ho y Fin , prodigies still occur in her name ; nor does she lack panegyrists 43 to weave verses in her praise ; ( ) and Grand- Ducal xliv INTRODUCTION

Florence of the later Medici fails not to make up in condescension to t heir spectab iles amici of San Gimignano for the reality that is henceforth lacking

r l s b ut s ul has a m in thei ive ; the o dep rted fro the body, and a a a s t o , with it, the c p city of the rti t render truly the emotions no longer firmly rooted in his

s conviction .

s l ssal and ul The wor hip of the co o , the c t of the l a t u a l l San m a mere y pretty, h ve for n te y eft Gi ign no ” u u . No astl us a nto ched other town or c e in T c ny, writes Gino Capponi in his Storia della Republica ” di a s m the dl A s and Firenze, ret in ore of Mid e ge , was less invaded by the ages that followed in those towns and in the churches and in the houses of massive s s ll a s s hi a a tone, there ti rem in omet ng th t c nnot be overlaid by the fragile veneer of modern times ancient ” s k l and oss ss u memorie eep their ho d p e ion pon it .

And ll is us x la a we indeed it for , we e c im, th t the tide of political intrigue in the sixteenth and seventeenth

u s San a in a cent rie ebbed from Gimign no time, th t the fevered stress of modern industrialism has left her on

s she ul a r asu m ss one ide, or too wo d h ve to n nder her o grown girdle of wall and bastion and razed the Torre

sa and s s s to the u s u Rogno her i ter gro nd, etting p in INTRODUCTION xlv

s a s r s u u their tead core of facto y chimney . The q iet de

a l a a s s s a a l us of egend ry tmo phere reign in te d, en b ing

l s us all s - alls to peop e her my terio ey , the grey brown w ” and s w s s of al as tower , ith the gho t immemori p t cen turies can lis a a , where we ten in pe ce to the c dence of ’ a ls and a u has ass s a nge feet, n t re erted her w y once ’ more over the hillsides crown where the wild hills ” and k l lo s ll- brighten, ind y ivy c the the we worn, weather- beaten stones loosened by earthquake and the

l F na has s a hand of time . The ho y i c ttered her flowers with a lavish hand over the Sleeping Beauty ’ of a ne er returning past in the enchanted spot where

ar to t he fair south - westward li tens f gh , G d ed and sandalled and lumed with flower i r l p s.

o v - t lands A t sunset over the l e li ,

’ n of t utiful o r Sai nt Fi a s town he Bea T we s, H ailing t he sun with a h undred hands (44)

- s a s a la a k a a and a . t nd ; nd m r , be con, hope

A M . M NSFIELD .

Fi n a nce 1 08 . , 9

HERE BEGINNETH THE LEGEND OF THE BLESSED FINA OF SANTO GIM INIANO WRIT BY FRA GIOVANNI THE SON OF MESSER COPPO OF THE SAID LAND— A BROTHER OF THE ORD OF A R A H ER FRI RS P E C ERS, A OCTO OF H AND D R DIVINE T EOLOGY, A PREACHER OEWIDE RENOWN AS THEWORK OF HIS PEN H H I S OWET . HE LIVED N THE YEAR 1 300

LEGEND OF THE H OLY FINA

HERE BEGINNETH TH E EPISTLE DEDICATORY or FRA GIOVAN NI DA SANTO GIMINIANO OF TH E ORDER OE FR ARS R AC RS TH E R CL R OF THE G D I P E HE , CH ONI E LE EN or THE HOLY FINA

reli ions r s r o O the g in Ch i t, B other G ccio, Warden of the Hospital of the Holy Fina of

a Giminiano I oanni of sam S nto ; , Brother J , the e c of of ac s an u w onvent the Order Pre her , yet n orthy

si al and a al a brother, de re he th, th t he ever w k f itht

t e o s s Of a s in h fo t tep the S int .

A s al a a u sh ul while ince it be re dy th t tho , wor ipf

t e as a a s l t o set w and bro h r, h t pr yed me e rne t y me do n write in worthy language of the legend of the most

l ss ina a a our m s u t ul la b e ed F , the m iden th t o t fr i f nd ’ hath grown as a sweet- savoured apple in the Lord s sight ; and that I should gather in one book as many Of the acts of her life as are vouched for by the word of m u of ustw rt el s t o th tr o hy der , toge her with the 3 4. LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA story of her prodigies writ in certain annals and upon

s lls a chm . asmu as m cro of p r ent In ch, however, I dee m s l u su a ask rt l ss s all y e f nworthy of ch t , neve he e h I , setting my trust in the aid of this holy maiden and m a s r h a i l a s with y h nd t engt ened by her m n fo d gr ce ,

ain u a s a ns Obt ed thro gh the pr yer of thy ch rity, co ent willingly to satisfy thy devout wishes ; and I do here

t of la a te d ee the u has wi h .g d he rt n er th work tho t as of l la ua al la ked me, briefly to d, in ng ge beit p in yet

ul set Y a u s a i s tr y forth . et for sm ch a h ppen ng that be set down in order are more readily learned and better

so ha ak to la as remembered , ve I t en heed proc im succinctly as may b e under separate headings in divers

a s the u s a a l ch pter virt e th t dorned her in her ifetime, and the i s a in a a a prod gie en cted her n me fter her de th .

ha at a s e m asur of m I ve been p in mor over, in the e e y

a s l ala u a the us of me n , to ho d the b nce tr e th t r ticity

s s all mar t e l ac s nor my word h not h nobi ity Of the t , su u us am n u of u perfl o orn ent enge der do bt their tr th . Verily do I here bear witness for such as read that all the things herein set down by me in this chronicle Of the blessed Fina have been examined with due dili

and s al a s are uc ed for th gence, the ever ct vo h by e faithful testimony worthy of all credence of such as LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 5

either have seen with their eyes or at least have heard with their ears from those that could speak with know

led e. ra hee he fo e m s wo shi ul r t er g I p y t t re r , o t r pf b o h

so ear un me ou a a s d to , that th ccept wh t thou ha t asked of me ; wherefore the dwellers in this our land

s all a s and ks llow the h with pr i e revere, in their wor fo ,

l ss s ous of hris the ol na hose er s b e ed p e C t h y Fi , w m it have shone forth in union with Him in the prodigies and ensam l s a m l sh in His o to p e cco p i ed h nour, the

lor of O ur esus h s Who at ll d His G y Lord J C ri t , h h fi e

Sa n w b lessir s and cro e e l i t ith g , wned her with t rna

ewa in H a n - Here conclu eth s le r rd e ve d the Epi t .

CHAPTER I

TREATING OF THE NAME AND PARENTAGE OF T HE BLESSED FINA

IN the time when t he sun of eternal justice our Lord

esus r s s e His ra s u n our a and ta J Ch i t h d y po e rth , , king

u on H ms l uma m u sa ell a p i e f h n for , vo ch fed to dw mong sinn rs ldi er u s t u lif to e , ho ng int co r e wi h them , he p ted wards Himself through His grace the weakness of our

LEGEND OF THE HO LY FINA 7

for Im eriera to b e ra ail and seeme to her as p in t v , it d though her womb carried some prodigy of great

ma l lo ! she was l a emale c l and rve , de ivered of f hi d, taking counsel with her lawful husband Cambio in the matter of the name that in baptism they should

es u rm s b tow pon her, they dete ined, by God in pired,

a she am F na th t be n ed i .

l a l s s a a ss The e rned phi o opher h ve it, th t the finene

x ee rs ee b e eem “s a -fine which e c deth the fi t degr d ed p ,

as mu as is ol is sa to b e of n t ca ats for ch th g d id tw y r ,

so e is old e h s ol ind ed it fine g . Mor over t i h y Virgin ’ should e en rightfully b e named Fina because in her self she encompasseth the superlative degree of all

the ues m s es ec all of x virt , o t p i y the flower e ceeding chastity : wherefore such as who like unto her live

is s li e s all alk s a h a the th orry f , they h w tr ig tw y into angelic state ; which in so much excels the married

s a as a els of erni xc l a . A a t te the ng et ty e e m nkind g in , to define in her person as it were the perfect ending of our s s to a llin s wo l of de ire , wit ; th t, dwe g in thi r d s s she s t u a of a c orrow , ro e hro gh the pr ctice p tien e by su ss st s l i m ue o cce ive ep ever higher, c imb ng fro virt t

t ue until u of al ssolu e vir the ho r her fin di tion, ven 8 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA unto the ultimat e goal of everlasting bliss in the sight

ace to a of ous esser su sto f f ce her Sp e M Ge Cri .

CHAPTER II

HOW FINA LIVED IN SECLUSION IN H ER HOME WITH HER MOTHER AND DID PENANCE

THIs spouse of Christ having from her earliest child hood resolved to eschew those temptations that de stroy the soul and cast the shadow of darkness over the hea s si ners she ul a u her foo s s rt of n , wo d f in g ide t tep

l and a of H l S ls by the ight gr ce the o y pirit. Whi t yet a l t tle a r she r ers lf m i m iden, therefo e, withd ew h e fro all c se a ul im ril her s ul rsw a onver th t co d pe o , fo e ring those pleasures in which her like often indulged such as to a l and l and suc - l k l s and g mbo fro ic , h i e frivo itie

l asa s and the se n as of ea s and p e ntrie , tti g f t their h rt

nds on fine a men and o ldl s Ra In mi r i t w r y joy . ther stead did she set her heart and mind upon keeping her s ul unsullie ear n u b as e as o d, b i g p rity in her re t ev n the ru s r f it of her pi it. In this wise the holy maiden continued all the days of her l fe to well se lus er m x n i d in c ion in h ho e , e cepti g LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 9 when she would go forth to at tend the holy ofi ces Of

She a all r l us m s and the Church. voided f ivo o co ing

o s as e a mful a Of m and g ing b ing h r to her pe ce ind, if

a ur she al a a she s a a per dvent e w ked bro d, fir t m de tre ty

t s a s ul l al a s u wi h her eye , th t they ho d ook w y pon her feet ; lest by their vain outward glances they should

r l l ss s ls l as God tempt he gui e e pirit . And whi t it p e ed

a she s ul ss ss a ai u na c all th t ho d po e f r co nte n e, be Of t statur and all hi s w l ro o e, t ng in her ere good y p p rtioned ;

in no as ul sh a a e ll yet f hion wo d e dorn her f c , wi ing only to please God and not to gratify the sight of

men. A l st ei d l a l u ur nd e , b ng e ic te y n rt ed, the s rva s ul s t o as to wit l s the e nt ho d eek be m ter , e t flesh overcome the spirit ; this holy maiden would

as as and lik u ch ten her body with f ting, , e nto the

l us . il a s w g orio virgin S Cec i , mortify her fle h ith the ha s i An d she un l ir h rt. worked remitting y with her hands in the calling of women- folk ; b ut all these ac s she ul a she t wo d perform, not for the gre t need

b ut s dl ss hi H l were in, to e chew i ene , w ch the o y ’ r u sa is a s a f r o s Sc ipt re ith, n re o the feet of the L rd

s a s. se not a she la u erv nt Likewi when in pr yer, bo red s adfastl ll n us s s of our te y, fo owi g th in the foot tep Mother the Virgin Mary : as of her it is spoken in the 10 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA

s les of . a she a a da the epi t S Jerome, th t e rned e ch y w al for sus a of where ith the ten nce her body.

CHAPTER III

HOW THE BLESSED FINA LAY FO R THE SPACE OF FIVE YEARS UPON AN OAKEN BOARD

As ss San a l la s r is Me er P o o dec reth, the t ength which

of s hr u snfi erin ax the pirit t o gh g w eth perfect . Where

a s l s ul a su fore, th t thi ho y virgin ho d chieve preme

l as our as esus s at perfection it p e ed M ter J Chri t, the time when in human eyes she appeared fairest and

m s l to la u a a s ss o t good y, y pon her he vy ickne , whereby the strengt h of her limb s perished saving in her head

nl she was als all and s ul o y ; p ied over, in no wi e co d she s u a ri e from her co ch, nor yet move h nd or foot . And as God willed that she should be thus afl icted she would not that her body rest upon any soft and

i l a r la she s l sl y e ding thing, r the y her e f down to eep upon a plank of oaken wood ; and because one side of her body was afllicted with the sickness and wearied

a l she sl u and u the her gre t y, ept pon the other ; d ring s a a s she so lie u a s p ce of five ye r did pon th t ide, neither would she allow any one to move her or yet change LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 1 1

a F r so ma a l da la s l her r iment . o ny ong y y thi ho y

u one s l a s e am virgin pon her ide on y, th t the fle h b c e corrupted and the plank begat vermin which devoured

s . e aus u i s her fle h Mor over, bec e Of the corr pt on of the e things the rats gathered together and devoured her

s an lk t s da ho s fle h . M y fo there be o thi y w witnes ed

s n s and f the e thi g testi y thereto.

l a a us and xc ll t u art Beho d wh t wondro e e ent gif tho ,

0 a i a shinest us l P t ence, th t forth th bright y in the

a l and i l i al a u as one s fr i y e d ng fem e n t re . Where in ide of her body thi s holy virgin was thus grievously amicted and ot she was na a s and , in the her g wed by r t

rmi — l ss u la n al a s ve n neverthe e ncomp i ing w y , nor yet u r s un m u b ut a ful tte ing o d of o rning, keeping ever joy

u nks let all co ntenance and rendering tha unto God. So Christian men who forsooth dare not show patience in

s all s amictions and infi rmities s a and their m e t , be h med a xa l h l F a t ke e mp e from the o y in .

CHAPTER IV

HOW SHE WAS PATIENT IN H ER POVERTY

Howsom a this holy virgin Fina dwelled in the last sta of o ul she let no ears u te p verty, yet wo d f occ py her 1 2 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA min b ut liv d lesse seem n l i all wo l l d , e b d i g y wth r d y

oo s the n l tha esus r s ha ro g d , in k ow edge t J Ch i t th p mised the kingdom of eternal life to the poor in will and ras u as a man en ure o r the deed. Fo m ch d p ve ty mor wll r a r is his a of l r in e i ingly, the g e te rew rd g o y l fe ve las in a e And w ens r the alms i e r t g here ft r. h oeve brought to this maiden by pious folk were copious she

ul e b ut r sca er un nanc wo d we p, if they p oved nt h co te e eam o Nor n ould she kee an b ed with j y. i deed w p y

t he e b ut for her suttenance b ut she a e por ion t r of , g v away all to the poor in ob edience to the precept Of the gospel which commandeth Ye shall take no ” u for the m rro tho ght o w.

CHAPTER V

How THE ADVERSARY OE THE ALMIGHTY UNDID THE ’ HOLY EINA s MOT HER WHILE RETURNING rRou CHURCH

THE enemy of mankind had watched thi s holy virgin

r u and ex di u ul ss and con g ow in virt e cee ng fr itf ne ,

iv i He ermined ce ed thereat a prodig ous envy. det the re to dece her e as he had dece ed our refo ive , ev n iv LEGEND O F THE HOLY FINA 1 3

first mother Eve ; and his poisonous spell being

owerless o er the ol Fi a he cas ver her p v h y n , t it o

mot as shall e ea t la . da b e her, we h r f er re te One y it

ell a Im eri era as she was tu n n mewa s f , th t p , re r i g ho rd , was stayed upon her threshold suddenly by one who accos v l in su s a she ell ted her with io ence, ch wi e th t f

to the ro a d la m onl ss as a sto nor g und n y oti e ne, by

an ea s c ul she s a a to A the y m n o d ri e g in her feet. nd

l a who la the u am e ea her ho y Fin , y in pper ch b r, h ring mother cry aloud and also the clash of arms and a

rea turm il l fte u her and all to a o g t o , i d p voice, c ed g od

oman a tu a nam who had se e her for w , Bon ven r by e, rv d the love of God during the space of many years and sou alms for A she t a da in the ght her. nd being h t y

ouse a a fo the l na ee h , ppe red be re ho y Fi in her n d, who ehold her sai ra e m sis for b ing d, I p y the , y ter, the l ve of r s esu su cou m m t and o Ch i t J , go c r y o her ” lea the so s sh su f is rn re tress e f ereth. Wherefore th wort ma a a ful s rva L d s hy wo n, f ith e nt of the or , ped down the stair to see what ailed her ; and finding

Im eriera u s tc e u u she e p o t tre h d pon the gro nd, w pt

alou a li Woe is me woe is me a th d, w i ng, , , Fin , y mother lyeth dead upon thy threshold and the holy

F na hearin this lament aise her e es wa s the i g , r d y to rd

LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 1 5 dis sa had u pen tion permitted the ndoing Of her mother,

a she anks u God did where t rendered th nto , neither she sorrow nor weep over that death b ut possessed

sel a her f with p tience.

CHAPTER VI

H OW SAINT GREGORY APPEARED UNTO HER AND FORE TOLD TO HER THE HOUR WHEN SHE SHOULD DIE

WHENSO EvER a person hath striven manfully in battle with his sins and his vices in all the manifold and s a s h s li ss su s orry d y of t i fe, Me er Je Cri to doth even ,

a s l a rnal a when it p rteth from thi coi , gr nt ete rew rd

his s ul All as a l n s s a to o . re on b e bei g , notwith t nding, yet desire to know the day when the soul shall depart

r b a . ma s l s f om the ody, th t they y gird them e ve with a u a s he l s l An s rmo r gain t t wi e of the Evi One . d uch also was the prayer O f David the Prophet when he sang in the Psalter Notum fac Domine finem

um a is to sa u and a me th t y, Lord Show nto me te ch me da of m ndi a ma the da the y ine e ng, th t I y know y

s when the spirit shall cast Off the fle h . Now it was granted to the holy Fina through her prayers and ” x x 37 3 1 ) OF THE HOLY FINA'

M t e i M o; to lear n t h day when her soul ant b ody

a An h i c s t o s e ar r t t am . a s p t . d us p that t h J

r i f l i m v Ch urc h G e or t owards wh m she felt , g y, o i devo t ion a eared n he : Si ht fi ht zi ss : , pp g g

" nc r in ‘ v i k her loath an d t is is on s e in. o n to , po

" l c " a l au hter ma e t h ea it h a n ins ist as g , y p e w J , ’ l ' i a lst t he b e i nnin for it s o rru ins t hat on g g,

r H name and ” ival Km m l: u y , p

' f l' m who accm zim ( w ard a nd gig s} fo r " and pe nane - s “b iz ii a endured as f t his li e And the handmaiden f f i t hese words was ‘ e r. fort ec at z ai rin , f g m . m i e y es u t o the Lord a e H L . Si n ular p , g g

’ ‘ 3 l ‘ n ! t hi n s Ed } l Tl} z 0 Lo w. ast g , g , , h

” J e sus to summon T hv unworth v. ham im aidc n t nt o l t ho se most excel ent nuptials whizh are glo w wit hout l ain oriousnc a and o for c a I n ime everlast v }, , j y t ing

The l s b si e And in the and me n wi t eat y Tny d . sam e instan t b owi n her h e ad t o the am b assado r , g

h r l o h m and t he Gre or s e ommended herse f unt a . g y, a a i i a s d This her isio n was told b v the p p r t on v ni he . v same hol ina t o sev eral amo v r st her siswn in y F .

Chr s lavin it ho wev r s lemnl u on the m t hat i t s e o y p , w hile she lived they should reveal nothing t o no

I6 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA exercises t o learn the day when her soul and body sh ul a A us am to ass hat oc o d p rt . nd th it c e p t the d tor of H l u c r war s wh m she el a o y Ch r h, Grego y, to d o f t s ula a a her s e a s ing r devotion, ppe red in ight ight d y

e a h and his is s u her : b fore her de t , in t v ion poke he nto

a au ak a sus s as De r d ghter, m e thy pe ce with Je Chri t,

u a s e nn for is a a on tho h d t in the b gi ing, it ord ined, th t

da m na e and st al u s al u the y of y m fe iv , tho h t give p the spirit to Him who accordeth reward and glory for the weariness and penances which are endured and ” o n s l A a dma of b r e with in thi ife . nd the h n iden

s hea se s was m and li Chri t , ring the word , co forted , , fting her han s and s u to a Hi s ula d eye p the Lord , g ve m ing r than s for all hi s sa u L as k t ng , ying Tho , O ord, h t deigned to summon Thy unworthy handmaiden unto those most excellent nuptials which are glory without

a l us ss and for er t e las v ing orio ne , joy ev in ime ev r ting, ” l sea s in and me Thou wi t t by Thy ide . And the sam s a i a to the am assa e in t nt , bow ng her he d b dor

she mm sel un and the Gregory, co ended her f to him,

an s Th s her s was ol the appariti on v i hed . i vi ion t d by same holy Fina to several amongst her sist ers in

hr s la eve sol mnl u em ha C i t ; ying it how r e y pon th , t t while she lived they should reveal nothing to no

LEGEND or THE HOLY FINA 1 7

An d t r her t the rs ns aforesaid t man . af e dea h pe o , aking t r oath ea s r ll cl r t r true hei ch one and eve a y, de a ed hei k l s t r now edge and te timony he eof.

CHAPTER VII

H O W SHE KNEW THE DAY THAT SHE SHOULD DIE WAS ’ SAINT GREGORY S DAY THE 1 2TH DAY OF MARCH

FROM t at t r s as t l the h ime onwa d , we have o d , when ’ eyes of the Lord s handmaiden t he holy Fina had been gladdened by the celestial vision and foreknow l of her 10 the st r t her edge ending, eng h of body lessened and waned even to swooning ; yet withal she sufi ered t her And exceeding pain wi hin head . a

‘ w rt l i s r the l o hy woman named Be d , who had e ved ho y Fina in many days of her life for t he love of spiritual

r t s the s us r st ur su rt l cha i y, eeing po e of Ch i end e ch mo a

t her su rt her t her s pain wi hin head, did ppo wi h hand

for so l l th t the s elt and ong a whi e, a aid woman f a great numbness come over t hem as though t hey were

l An h h l pa sied . d t e day of t e festiva of t he holy

ct r r r at u her Do o G ego y being hand, pon which

l ss s ul s ul r t o the r se r b e ed o ho d, acco ding p omi f om LELw ND OF T li ll HO LY FINA

’ ” c an u de a rt {mm t h hold! o f i o se c r st s s u . , p e h p

n “ ’ l ‘ T « l he : m i t b f x lL l l l f l m o t h . t l. d u

sit i ! s s o t " a s . ng H i um m n s t o he t elest ial 1- 11

" " 1 fl ! i s T d r mt t h . fi ru ent V i l a p ,

” I f o i i o a b . 5 e ) ( 1 s t

i s h re u t e r a: m e d e t ed m. h h , I p

1 t o “ a n “b urg h w , ,

t Ve rm rab lc Sat r xm e i i t o f t he li !

l l w d a w ! fi I- l with c i . y r. ‘ }

“ W zl t . 1 t h an n havin in . . A d g

“ t; i t h u i t h c c t h in 3 a z s a al e r i e ageu azt v at 5p

“ ‘ s r o s h o w o t s m t tl and m . y h u c f s iri t o d 1nd t fl . h p t o G ;

' " “ ! t L lfl r m le lc s: so l l to her Maker ! b ,

o ~ . t t o t us r d two hundre d and n h threc t e a ne h a y 1 ‘ 1 f the 1310 11 4 1 o M arc h U o n t h e dav m 5 . G re , p g

‘ o c t r t Church An d in t hat self- sam e uo vr D o .

“ whir l t he so d an ad fro m t he b od the Erwi n ! t y, m a n ki nd efl uxin t h at m e t he r he had no ower , r g p

‘ urzmi onion b e d di sn a and an er i n a whirm . j , y g and st o rm o f rain f e ndi n t he air Wi t h fur to , g y ,

“ s e i n t b c e d g te ar and rem li ng o i t he itizens.

“ 13 ‘ hold t he io v t hat c om et “ over sinless souls as t in de art fro m t his xils b xiv in t he knowled e t hat p . g

1 8 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA

’ H rt r t he d hr st s s us she eaven, depa f om bo y of C i po e,

t r her st t s r t utl in Him ga he ed mo obedien pi i devo y ,

t His su s to th l s l ls awai ing mmon e ce e tia nuptia . In order t herefore t hat this most prudent virgin Fina should in t he hour of severance of body and soul be full r r she r r the rst ur y gi ded and a med, p epa ed in fi ho

t s to ak r l n ss r u she of ma in m e a gene a co fe ion, whe e pon devoutly took the Venerable Sacrament of t he Body

our r r st tl t r t of Lo d, and p ayed in an y and wi h g ea

r ur for r t s fe vo ext eme unction . And having in his wi e s uar her s ul the t t t her us afeg ded o , in expec ancy ha Spo e s ul she st stl l - rt ho d come , , eadfa y and in who e hea ed

r s t her s r t to thus o i on , commende h pi i God and s i i t u her u l l ss s ul t o her k r peak ng g ve h p g i e e o Ma e , in the ar t usa t wo u r fift - t hr in ye one ho nd h nd ed and y ee ,

the t r u o the . r or mon h of Ma ch , p n day of S G eg y,

ct r the ur And t t s l - s ur Do o of Ch ch. in ha e f ame ho in

hi the s ul rt r the d the w ch o pa ed f om bo y, Enemy of

r that r her r or mankind, pe ceiving ove he had no powe

ur s t ism n r rl j i dic ion, fled in d ay and a ge in a whi wind

st r r re t he air t fur to the and o m of ain , nding wi h y ,

s exceeding fear and t rembling of t he citizen . Behold the joy that cometh over sinless souls as t hey

rt r thi s l the l t t the depa f om vi e body, in know edge ha

LEGEND or THE HOLY FINA 1 9

Tempter hath no power over them any longer ! Behold all the angels rejoicing and t he demons scat tered in dismay ! Wherefore let all men t ake heed

t th l o l l s ser the r t ha ey ead g d y ive and ve Lo d . The saintly flesh that for the love of Jesus Christ had been t us r usl str n was ni t st to the r h g ievo y icke , k fa boa d

r for so t s li s l for whe eon many a day ho e mb had ain, even

the .s ace arl rs as r t t the r l r p of ne y five yea , w i e h ch onic e ;

so r l was the s n t t t he r t t and fi m y fle h k i wi h boa d, ha

r ul t r e it l u l t in no manne co d hey emov who e, and p if

t s s t l s. this s t r r ls ul he e ain ed imb In wi e, he efo e, a o wo d the holy Fina follow her Spouse Jesus Christ foras much as being nailed in grievous torment to the tree

the H l r ss He His ir t to th of o y C o , commended Sp i e

t r t us u the s ul rt r the Fa he ; h , pon o pa ing f om body,

is s r s was k t t the ll R H ac ed fle h ni wi h ha owed ood . In t s w s s t the r ni l r the l en hi i e, ai h ch o c e , ho y Fina, by

ur r ll us afi iction her s d ing exceeding and ma ve o in fle h, l her rru t l u the aying co p ib e body pon wood, joined her s r t utl to t t her ak r rt pi i devo y ha of M e , and , mo ify

her rru t s lt u t t r s t ing co p fle h dwe pon ha boa d, a ha h

b e t l . And for so l a t she t us lie en o d ong ime did h , t t the s mi n t t th r t the ha fle h beco ng k i oge e wi h wood,

she her s ul u to her a er . reo r ul gave o p M k Mo ve , I wo d

LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 2!

CHAP TER VIII

T LL T H OW S T E L D F AS D ALL E E H , A H B ESSE INA P SE AWAY, THE BELLS IN THE CITY WERE RUNG BY THE HANDS OF ANGELS

’ To LD be unseemly to leave unrecorded here the marvel of great magnitude t hat made known unto the

l the ur her ss lut the r ts peop e in ho of di o ion, me i of he s s r st the l or no s r t pou e of Ch i ho y Fina . F oone

her s ul rt r the t the lls had o pa ed f om body, han be , each

se r ll all the ur s t one and ve a y, of ch che of San o

Giminiano not ull s rt l , being p ed by hand of mo a men ,

s l were set to ring with weetest unison and me ody .

the ll rs the astl t Giminiano And dwe e in C e of San o , u r thi s r us s all st to pon hea ing wond o ign, made ha e the us r the l in t ho e whe e ho y F a had died , and wi h great solemnity t hey carried her body to the mother

ur the s astl And i the ur r ch ch of aid c e . n ch ch afo e s the r r st for l aid, bie emained anding many a ong day, so great was t he love and reverence that t he people

r l s And r the t bo e to these ho y remain . du ing ime in which the body t here lay in the church without sepul 22 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA t ur r l s r r r as the ull e, many mi ac e we e pe fo med ; f and trust rt s n wo hy te timony of ma y witnesses proveth .

‘ s r - to the l Beldt The e ving woman ho y maiden, Monna ,

ere this s k n r l of whom we have po e , had one hand c ipp ed

su s t t she ul l r use it r r in ch wi e ha co d no onge ; whe efo e , sta at the o t the r t the t r nding f o of bie , wi hin mo he

hur she r r stl t o the r t t He c ch, p ayed ea ne y Lo d ha s ul l her t r u t he t r ss the ho d hea hand, h o gh in e ce ion of

r l the l t t la vi gin Fina , and beho d, ho y Fina , ha y dead u the r l t her arm as t u she r et pon bie , if ed ho gh we e y

u k r s the Beldl her q ic , and, g a ping hand of Monna s r - l r t r the t r t e ving woman, he d one finge af e o he wi h

rs she was l r r l e her ffl t . Al th he , and de ive ed f om a ic ion great multitude were struck with astonishment at the s t so r t r l t ks to the r igh of g ea a ma ve , and gave han Lo d

- Al i t . And t t s l s s m gh y on ha e f ame day, a maiden who e name was Mellina di Guido Aldi had by misadventure hurt her knee in such grievous fashion t hat she suflered i l l a exceed ng pain and wa ked with ha ting g it . They led her t w r s the r t he l o a d bie of ho y maiden Fina, and ,

t u her l it u the str k k aking p hand, aid pon ic en nee, and

lo ! it was l made who e . LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 2 3

CHAPTER IX

TREATING OF THE MIRACLES OF THE BLESSED FINA

AND it came to pass in those days that a worthy elder named Salanduccio had an habitual infirmity in his

rl us r t r r r body which waxed pa o g ea , whe efo e each yea it were needful t o cut it off and whenever they did so s r it the la at the t t t r u the eve , man y poin of dea h h o gh

ul str ss ur r r r the painf e he end ed . Whe efo e, hea ing of

ni l rs the l ma fo d wonde done by ho y Fina , he made a

t t t r u her nt r ss r l vow ha if, h o gh i e ce ion, he we e hea ed, he would spend the vigil of her festival in fast and

u r r t r l penance pon fa e of b ead and wa e a one, and in visiting her shr ine each year he would set it round with

l s r l s a rowof cand e of vi gin wax . The man accomp i hed

is l was l rt t h w . vow , and beho d he hea ed fo h i h

CHAPTER X

’ HOW T E L D F DE D D G H B ESSE INA S A BO Y, UPON BEIN BURIED WITHIN THE PARISH CHURCH OF SANTO GIM INIANO RK D M F LD D R , WO E ANI O WON E S

AFT R s asse the r st o E many dayhad p d , and bie had o d without sepulture in the parish church of Santo Gimi 24 LEGEND or TH E HOLY FINA niano it was r r r tl t o ur l u the , bo ne eve en y b ia pon s ul rs the r st rs the s t it the ho de of cho i e , in igh and w h

r t th t s he s stl it vene a ion of e ci izen of t aid ca e . And befell that from the castles and townships and the

ll s us t r k ult t u s vi age of T cany he e floc ed m i de , men and

- l to r r the ll r l s st women fo k, eve e ha owed e ic ; and among them some brought tapestries of cloth of gold and

t rs rr l s r t o the s r t us o he ca ied cand e of vi gin wax h ine, h ’ ur the l s r st - la hono ing ho y maiden Fina e ing p ce, Whereat through the st rength of the Lord and her

t r ss the t u the l r l s in e ce ion, and o ch of ho y e ic , many

r l s r r r rt t s r s mi ac e we e pe fo med . Ce ain among he e vota ie

r r l ls r l we e c ipp ed and pa ied, and we e made who e ; and the halt and the tongue - tied and those possessed of devils were delivered through the strengt h of the ’ r s And t r t r r la Lo d hand . o he men he e we e who y in

ur rs rt s the u t r d ance in dive e pa of co n y, and commend in t s l s to the l r t r set at g hem e ve ho y vi gin Fina, hey we e liberty ; also those who had gone down to the sea in

t r s s r r l r ll u hei hip , and we e in pe i of d owning , ca ed pon

her h vi l he st r s An in t e o ence of t tempe and we e aved . d

s ll was fire k the l the one who e dwe ing on , invo ed he p of

l hi s oo s att ls r s t ho y Fina, and g d and ch e we e na ched

r the urni uns t s ral wer f om b ng ca hed ; eve , who e LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 25 s ll h s l ut t o r we ed wit h t e pe ti ence and abo die, we e made whole ; and others stricken unt o death by vio ’ lence were freed t hrough the holy maiden s int erces s the t r ult tu s r tur to ion . Even dead in hei m i de e ned

l for all the lls t t the s is r to the ife , and i ha fle h hei ,

r s l r as vi gin Fina worked a pecia wonde . Even

t u r r s lt r the se u l to t s ho , eade , ha hea , in q e hi

hr l c onic e .

MIRACLES

Of tbe Miracle of a Woman of M onte Valterano in the Land of Siena

It ll t t t Valterano befe one day ha a woman of Mon e ,

tt was str k t ls Benfa a by name, ic en wi h a pa y in hand

t so t t s l ofi ce ul she r r t and foo , ha no ing e co d pe fo m wi h

t t t is t o sa t r ul she l rs l hem ha y, nei he co d wa k by he e f

nor l ur t her s And rr r abo wi h hand . being ca ied befo e the shrine of the holy Fina she prayed earnestly t o the

r her lo ! she was l t t . Lo d in need, and made who e ha day

t r afl icted t the l st r Ano he man , wi h ike di empe in

t was l u u ass rr hand and foo , aid bo nd pon an , and ca ied ’ e r the l r i s t r r was b fo e ho y vi g n omb , whe e p aying he

t r l a h l so t at ill was in him en i e y m de w o e, h no hence 26 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA

rth as t u r afl icted. And fo , ho gh he had neve been the man went hi s way rejoicing and rendering grace u t the r the l t nks n o Lo d and ho y Fina , and gave ha to the the astl t Giminiano r men of C e of San o , whe e the maiden Fina was born and had lived her virtu ous and hallowed life even unto the wort hy ending

r the eof.

OF OTHER MIRACLES

A youth that had been crippled of an arm from

rt su s t t t r ul l t it nor er bi h, in ch wi e ha nei he co d he if p

r act t r t t s l r r to the fo m any he ewi h , be ook him e f in p aye

ll s r ask for alt was ha owed h ine , and ing he h he made l who e .

t r rt tt Ano he man , Be ino by name, had been bi en in the arm s s us st r t he arm by ome poi ono bea , whe eby had withered and was for all purposes worthless lo by in voking the name of the virgin Fina he was delivered

r r f om his distempe .

us r the u tr - s isa Again , a h bandman f om co n y ide of P ,

Benaflare the ll is lle Al z dera one , of vi age which ca d g ,

s ls in s t t u - t being ick of a pa y hand and fee , and ong e ied LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 27 wt al was rr his k s r s to the i h , ca ied by in men and f iend t the l i Fina where his k s lk omb of ho yma den , he and in fo petitioned humbly for his deliverance ; and from that t r r t r r rs r lt was ime fo wa d, hei p aye being hea d , hea h r st r to e o ed him .

A Gal anuccio was lt man , g by name , who ha and u l s to al u ss st b ut ul nab e by any mean w k na i ed, wo d

o rut s or rr t s l g on c che be ca ied, be ook him e f in

ut t r t to the s r the l and devo en ea y h ine of ho y Fina ,

as l w hea ed.

A l ttl l t t was st ll su kl i e chi d ha i c ing, being one day

l s its t r was urt the ll so c ean ed by mo he , h in be y grievously that the entrails gushed out and the mother beholding her infant in such woeful plight

her r t to the l the commended g ea need ho y Fina, and

t t r the was l rt pe i ion being hea d , babe made who e fo h wit h . And yet another man t hat was a paralytic and could not st u hi s own t b ut ust s su and pon fee , m need be p

rt l st u l t t o hi s l s ul po ed, e pon being ef m e f he ho d straightway fall to the ground ; upon being told of the

r t rs r u t the r a r g ea wonde w o gh by vi gin Fin , p ayed

l u to her his f t vis t her s r lo a o d in a flic ion, and i ing h ine,

LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 29

e rt s t t it t is l s t th t d pa hence, eeing ha do h d p ea e hee a I dwell in thi s place and those t hat heard t hese words uttered by the Fiend retort ed : And by what sign ’ shalt thou make known t o us thy issue from thi s man s ” “ body ! Andthe Enemyof mankind answered : Verily will I take the cap from one of these men here within

the ur rt r his s ll ch ch, and in going fo h f om body ha

t u s l th s ur r k it I ex ing i h a amp in i ch ch , b ea ing ” t ut And the rti r wi ho flaw. Fiend in depa ng f om the man he had vexed caused the sign he had thus

u l l r t l to ur t h t ls was p b ic y fo e o d occ , and a man a o

l r de ive ed.

I ll l s t t al t befe ikewi e hat a woman of S . Minia o Tedesco having for a long time past been possessed by

the she was led r t he r l s the l Fiend, befo e e ic of ho y virgin Fina ; and the sign being made by the Enemy of

k t t u ssu r her ul r man ind, ha pon i ing f om he wo d b eak

l rt t t act the a was a amp, he depa ed in ha , and wom n

set r f ee . Another prodigy of like nature occurred in the Fort

. t u l u l the l r of S Vi o di P g iano in P g ia in and of Ba i . It befell t hat a fair and vvinsome maiden had j ust

ta to rsel us the was ru ll ken he f a h band , and Fiend c e y

torme tin her r t her t r her ther n g ; whe ea fa he and mo , 30 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA together with her kinsfolk were greatly distressed and s not to s k the us t ll addened, pea of h band , who wen we ni r t r so was the l r gh c azed wi h g ief, deep ove he bo e her And it a to ss t t w rt l r . c me pa ha a o hy e de named

the l t Giminiano Cino, of peop e of San o , being a

r r l at t t s rt ma ine , anded by chance ha eapo , and , st u the s r his to the s epping pon ho e, made way aid

A t r u the irl t us bbey of San Vi o, whe e he fo nd g h

r usl the su r her g ievo y vexed by Fiend, and ch we e

r s t t th stur the t his ks c ie ha ey di bed abbo and mon , besides the dwellers within and near the abbey pre cincts l hi s t r r l k , exceeding y. T Cino he efo e oo ed on in

t for the rl the ns l t her pi y gi and ki fo k who wa ched , and knowing full well how many prodigies of like kind the r t l s t Giminiano vi gin Fina ha h accomp i hed in San o ,

st the s l nl l rl he acco ed demoniac , aying p ai y and c ea y

ur t t t t u vexest thi s l I conj e hee , Fiend , in ha ho chi d ,

the Al t the r all t s in name of God migh y , Make of hing

s l s l r the r ts the vi ib e and invi ib e, and in p oof of me i of

l r us r the l t Giminiano in g o io vi gin ho y Fina of San o ,

t tl t o rt r t he t s rl con inen y depa f om body of hi gi , and to betake thyself to such a place as that whence thou ” s r l s t l r st And can t neve more mo e t any fai hfu Ch i ian . hearing these words the Fiend with a loud voice cried LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 3 1

out Dost thou pretend to cast me forth from this

ll - l ll ff r all hi r my dwe ing p ace indeed wi I o e nd ance, that t hou drivest me not from thence And the

rt s r t ll wo hy man , who e name we have w i above, ca ed upon the Fiend even a second time in the like words

the l t u his s r s and Fiend if ed p voice c eaming , and aid

r t b ut r s r t and ll G an me a b ief pace , I p ay hee, I wi

ril rt r her s ll see s est ve y depa f om , and ye ha a ign manif ” to all l t he rl s ll l r peop e how gi ha be de ive ed . And upon these words being spoken the girl fell to the

r u la r as t u she r b e g o nd and y p one ho gh we e dead, and

l t he l r t rt r her ho d, Evi Spi i came fo h f om body and

r k l his ss l t his b o e a amp in pa ing, in acknow edgmen of

t . Yet r 0 r r t o t s urt r or defea hea ken, eade , hi f he p tentons sign t hat the oil that was within the lamp being spilled upon the ground collected into a small s k s l asit r rt r l k as l pec eeming y we e ea h, and g ew b ac coa , neither caused it stain nor any greasiness as is the

s l u s An he rl l r manner of uch iq id . d t gi being de ive ed gave thanks heartily unto God Almighty and the holy

lk r t r r s utl the tst s Fina , wa ing eve af e wa d devo y in foo ep

her r It e ll l s t t the t the of pat on . b fe ikewi e ha abbo of

st r ldi so r t r us the mona e y , in beho ng g ea a p odigy , ca ed image of the blessed Fina to be painted in his church 32 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA

r t r r u t all the l in memo y he eof, whe e n o peop e flocked in

l l r u r us t r r l t ho y pi g image . N me o o he mi ac es here be

the l t Giminiano hi do of ho y maiden of San o , w ch I not r s tl set n et w ul t ll t r r p e en y dow ; y I o d e hee, eade , how multiform and numerous indeed were the marks of t heir thanksgiving shown by wort hy and respectable folk for their bodily deliverance from t he assault s of

the m t r. r l t t r l Te p e Many, being f eed, ef hei good y raiment behind in guerdon of gratit ude at t he shrine and the womenkind and maidens gave the tresses of t heir hair from their heads and others oflered up

us ul t r o waxen images. Th wo d hey each acco ding t his means and to the measure of his need and devo t t t the r us t r ss r the ion, ha g acio in e ce ion and powe of virgin Fina for her votaries became speedily known

o t all men .

It e ll urt r r t t ur la ur b fe f he mo e ha fo men y in d ance, bound hand and foot and with t heir nether limbs

the st ks ll l udl u t he r chained in oc , and ca ing o y pon Lo d

t r st r ss and t r t the l n r tl in hei di e en ea ing ho y Fi a fe ven y, lo by divine dispensation t heir shackles fell from them

r r ss r u and they were f eed from du e . Whe e pon t hese

t k s l s ste to her s r r r men be oo them e ve in ha h ine, ende ing thanks to God and praise to the holy maiden for

U l‘ ” l l: HO LY U NA

' n r whe reu nto all t he ee floc i e , p p d in

‘ r i ‘ l : z m Ne u t ro ns o ther miracles im rc o t

i A m ai de n o f SJ G mi ia o n n , which 1 do

4 0 11t se t do wn e t 1 would tell t ee reader h , , l s m ult ifo rm a no t o us indeed were t he marks

I r s e o t 1 t h r it:. nl ivtt sh wn b o t h . t y w r y and respect able l h foi : {o r t e ir b odily de liverance from t he assaults o f “ 1 M an b ein fr e ed left their o o dl ) , g , g y

3 l ' " - i t n z crt lt n O f gratit ude at the shr ne

wm ne nkit l and maidens gave t he t resses

i Ir ha r fro m t he ir hc a is and O thers o ffered up

7 s hus o ul c o n m . T w d t hey each a c rdi g t o an d t o t he m e asure of his need and devo

' r " i t o M M g racio us nt ercession and power of t he i v fo r he r v o taries b ecame speedily known t o all me n

It efell fu rtherm o re t hat four men la In dur nce b y a ,

n bo und h i n d am l [ o an d with t he ir nether limb s c l ainc d m t he n o and calli ng lo udly upo n the Lo rd

r in t heir di srrt and. e n t e at n t he ol Fina fer ent l i g h y v y,

o i' inc tlis c-n o n t heir shackles fell fro h l l b y d . p m t e m l e re It s 21 fro m ur ess Wltere u o n t he an t h v we d . P se

men b et ook t emselves in aste t o her shrine render h h , ing t hanks to God and praise t o the holy m aiden fo r

LEGEND or THE HOLY FINA 33 the r s ur st d u t test wond ou favo be owe pon hem, in imony whereof they laid upon her tomb the chains wherewit h they had been bound and the stocks wherein they had lain And t he t s to t he r st . name of ho e who flocked e ing place of the holy Fina was legion they bore with t the r s t r l r ff r u hem ma k of hei de ive ance, and by o e ing p in perpetual memory thereof the bonds that had held

t ur st t e t r hem in d ance, many among hem hav he ein left perfect witness t o their deliverance from dark

l e s and dead y dung on .

M macmrs

It e ll one da t t r t ut to r b fe y ha a me chan , being abo fo d a river that had risen in mighty and turgid flood

t r u the r s ll t r h o gh heavy ain which had fa en, and en e ing

the r r at the r out t the st ive fo d, he waded in o mid , in

the l s s u r ss l be ief of a afe and o nd c o ing . Beho d, when

had r ss the r l - mi ss his t he c o ed fo d ha f way, he ed foo ing, and slipping into the deep waters was sucked onwards

the s nk r l r w r by flood, and a in pe i of d o ning . Whe e upon he remembered the gracious power of the holy

her r di s ll l u l u her Fina and p o gie , and, ca ing o d y pon ,

tr te her r tl for l so r r l hi s en ea d fe ven y he p in di e a pe i . T

r r n utt r lt a r s he p aye bei g e ed, he fe a h nd g a p him by t c 34 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA

a r the r w r r h i of head, d a ing him fo t h f om the water and

r the r ls the s f om pe i of deep . In uch wise therefore was thi s merchant saved t hrough the act of the holy Fina

rt s s u r the r rs and depa ing afe and o nd f om ive ide, he went upon a pilgrimage of thanksgiving to t he hal l s r rr t l r i s owed h ine, ca ying wi h him manifo d and p ec ou

ifts c l r the t r ri g whi h he aid befo e omb, and ende ng

r se the hil to the l A r p ai w e God and ho y Fina . nothe

t Giminiano Lottarin o ut man of San o , g by name, had p out to sea his s at t r t o ust in hip even ide acco ding c om, when a furious t empest overtook him and his ship

t s t r rk was ni un r t ss ma e , and hei ba gh to b eaking, o ed hither and thither by the frowardness of the winds and

r dl ur the t rs he r t the unb i ed f y of wa e . And t me chan and those that were with him verily thought they would of a surety perish in the waves Whereat

Lottarin o r that his l st ur was at he g , fea ing a ho hand, thought himself of the miracles wrought by the holy

for her t r s his s Fina vo a ie , and commended afety earnestly to her keeping ; and lo ! upon ut tering his

r r l k r ss the s r t rs p aye , he oo ed ac o pace of ang y wa e , and perceived a light flash as of flame floating close t o his

ss l. l l t tl h l the t st was st ll ve e Beho d in a i e w i e empe i , the wi s s r t l ll u t h nd cea ed and a g ea ca m fe pon e deep . LEGEND or THE HOLY FINA 35

The mariners one and all sank upon their knees and rendered praise and thanksgiving t o God and to t he

l t r u s t r ss t ho y Fina , h o gh who e in e ce ion hey had been s r the s t Yet natched f om jaw of dea h . another prodigy

l k tur ll I r l t as it was t l t of i e na e, wi e a e o d me . Tha a goodly company of worthy men had set sail in t heir s t t ill s st r ss t r hip, mee ing wi h wind and e of wea he in

l s t r ss l s ru l k l r many p ace , hei ve e p ng a ea and hee ed ove ’ unt il twas thought every soul on board would of a

r s And rs s cert ainty pe i h . among t he marine wa one who had heard t ell of the manifold prodigies aecom plished by the Lord Almighty t hrough the merits of

the l ss . r r li t u his b e ed Fina Whe efo e he f ed p voice, and t hus spake he to his shipmates My brethren and

ll- l ni s l t he ul l t we be oved compa on , beho d woef p igh we are l st the st the t stu us sea in, o in mid of empe o , and if so be t hat through the intercession of any one the

r not s us ust r us Lo d do ave , we m indeed eve y man of bitt erly perish in these cruel waters yet oft en have I

r it t l that within the stl t Giminian hea d o d, Ca e of San o o

the l us t r ll l r in and of T cany, he e dwe ed a ho y vi gin

rk t r l s for su as named Fina , who wo e h many mi ac e ch earnestly ent reat her ; I pray ye t herefore for t he

r l l it l se thi s our ir r l to gene a wea , and p ea ye, in d e pe i

LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 37 so r t l t t the ll rs t r l l st all g ea a vio ence, ha vi age emb ed e t r s tt ls sur l su hei good and cha e be e y con med . The r t r t he ll ur t r the l ec o of vi age ch ch, a vo a y of ho y Fina,

ni her t u saw the d r l and ow ng a piece of nic, excee ing pe i t r s i rod u t r t the s hey we e in, and eiz ng a , bo nd he e o aid piece of linen t unic wherewith t aking heart of grace

it t l her r str ldl w h confiden be ief in powe , he ode bo y t r s the fi re ! t he l s s t w r s owa d . Lo f ame wep back a d upon t hemselves as t hough t hey might be a living creature t hat fleeth in sight of the enemy ; and in a brief space the power of t he flames was miraculously

u . t s r 0 r r s lt t u rk q enched In hi p odigy, eade , ha ho ma the r l the r l the l A t s enewa of mi ac e of ho y ga ha, who e veil upon being borne aloft against the onslaught of the r s ll t t r u t he r fie y flame , compe ed hem h o gh g ace of

God to tur r s t o to u t n backwa d and come na gh . A certain citizen of Santo Giminiano had sickened of

ul r t t str ss l h sio an ce ha di e ed him exceeding y, and p y

l not to ur his st r was l t w t avai ing c e di empe , he ef i h an issue from hi s body that cruelly vexed and molested him Yet r stl l r the t r s . by ea ne y imp o ing in e ce sion of the l was rt it l his s ss ho y Fina, he fo hw h hea ed of ickne . Here it seemet h t o me fit to relate the mighty and

o r us s r lik tur to the r w nd o ign of g ace , e in na e fo egoing, 38 LEGEND or THE HOLY FINA t t was r u t ll t ur ha w o gh in a woman ca ed Bonaven a,

u t r to t t urs t he l ss da gh e ha n e of b e ed Fina , named

‘ Beldt s r l t s her l t , of whom eve a ime in egend men ion has s rt t been made . Thi wo hy body was affli c ed

t l t s s k ss her r st wi h a oa h ome ic ne in b ea , and having taken counsel severally with diverse physicians t hey made it known unto her t hat in no wise could she hope t o regain her health save through more grievous pain

to wit t t t ust r r s r it . And r , ha hey m pe fo ce eve fea overtook her at t he suffering she should endure in the s r her r st r r t rs l to eve ance of b ea whe efo e, aking he e f the r st l her st r- s st r the l she e ing p ace of fo e i e ho y Fina,

l her s rr st t r her st utl ll p eaded o y a e befo e mo devo y, ca ing upon her for help in her distressful plight and the holy Fina li st ened to t he supplication of her foster s st r her l t ut l i e , and made who e wi ho need of bodi y

s re r l r r t rust rt phy ic . Mo ove have we ea ned f om wo hy witnesses that the Spouse and handmaiden of Christ

su the l not nl t s l her str t Je , ho y Fina , o y do h di p ay eng h

r r s r tur s i t and g ace in aid of ea oning c ea e , mak ng hem

l t r infirmi ties b ut she t ls est who e of hei , do h a o manif her st rengt h in the needs of the brute creation t hat hath no reason wherefore men and women- folk alike that had oxen or asses or horses t hat were sick of great LEGEND or THE HOLY FINA 39 distempers did fervently commend them to t he care

the l at li r the ttl r of ho y Fina, who once de ve ed ca e f om t r r r u su r s hei mur ain . Th o gh ch p odigie may we com prehend how t he Lord Almighty hath grant ed to t he

ma r r her ult r v rtu s the l k in ewa d of m ifo m i e , i e power that He vouchsafed to t he glorious martyr the

l l ls the lls t at t ho y Biagio, of hea ing anima of i h vex hem ; nor need it cause marvel t hat He should have con

s to r to her su r l for s she de cended acco d ch p ivi ege , ince followed t he thorny path of patience and fortitude in

Hi s t st s it b ehaved th t u t her s ul s il rl foo ep , a n o ho d im a y

u s the r l u r s rut s be vo ch afed powe of hea ing n ea oning b e . That day whereon the holy Fina passed from t his li t the st t l ss ss v rl st n it at fe in o a e of b e edne e e a i g, h h been commanded t o the people of Santo Giminiano t t t the s l - s l s r the ha hey keep e f ame ho y, and do ob e ve festival within the castle aforesaid in the manner of

t r ll the Easter Day. Now once he e dwe ed in city a

r r the l ve y poo man, one Cambio, and when ho y day

the l sse o t r was of b e d Fina came, and w od he e none

the us his w s k u t t us r in ho e, ife pa e n o him h I p ay t see t t t u st t the hee , my Cambio, ha ho goe in o wood

utt st t r l it is l and c e me a faggo , ve i y exceeding co d , ” h r t o i l and wood we ave none whe ewi h t k nd e our fire .

LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA 41

rt s at less r so l r l hilst his fo h c he f om dead y pe i , w com

s rm s not so u t t s l s panion in a , who did co n hem e ve ’ among the virgin Fina s votaries were either captured or ll ut r t t s res rt ki ed o igh . Whence hi afo aid wo hy

a t rul s t t t t so im C mbio y ai h ha no bea en man, he ” lore the l ss r e r u il. p b e ed vi gin Fina, ne d in dange q a

As Ar st tl sa eth the ult t t rr r l is i o e y , ima e e o in ife

t the soul rt t r the . So dea h, when pa e h f om body against this fearsome parting the holy Fina hat h thr u her r t s s l t st o gh me i tood many in va ian ead .

r r it ll t t t Gimini ano the Whe efo e befe ha in San o , in c t - r the H s t l t t r ll i y wa d of o pi a of San a Fina , he e dwe ed

rt the r t son a ce ain man of Lomba d na ion, who had a t t la s k u t t his s ul was rt r ha y ic n o dea h, and o pa ed f om ’ he r t he l s t r l her t body . Whe eat ad mo he beho ding s l w of t is her nl son s rr l e f idowed h o y o owed exceeding y , and r l u her rt t t the l ss weeping, c ied a o d in hea ha b e ed vi rgin Fina might assuage her grief and give back her son to his t r the l r the mo he . Lo, ho y Fina hea d ’ ’ s r r the s s r woman p aye , and dead boy eye we e opened and s k not l was l t us to he pa e, and on y ife h given him b ut l ll k ss is r as he was hea ed of a sic ne . Th p odigy w

tn ss rth l n wi e ed by many wo y fo k, men and wome , who

all r e tr a t ul t st t r have bo n ue and f i hf e imony he eto . 42 LEGEND OF THE HOLY FINA

And manifold are the prodigies that God Almighty

t rk t r u the r t s the l ha h wo ed h o gh me i of ho y Fina ,

are not r t r t t s for the which w i he e wi hin hi book, r s t t wot not t for r l r ul ea on ha I of hem, ve i y mo e wo d

so r t b ut w to the r I have w i , had I kno n, memo y and

r s l p ai e of the ho y Fina . APPENDIX I

INCOMINCIA LA LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA F R DA G INA VE GINE SANTO EMINIANO, A DAL R RE FRA O COMPOST . PAD GI VANNI MESSER COPPO D TT T RRA DI DI E A E , ’ RA R R RA DE F TI P EDICATO I, DELLA SAC TEOLOGIA DOTTORE E PREDICATORE FAMOSISSIMO COME MANIFESTANO LI SUA RI FIORi 1 LIB COMPOSTI . 30°

LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA

NC INCIA P IST DE R DRE FRA I I OM LA E OLA L . PA G O

’ ’ vANNI DA SANTO GEMIN IANO DELL ORDIN E DE FRATI

REDI T RI DE A P I ZI NE DE A EGGEND P CA O , LL COM LA O LL L A DI SANTA FINA

Al religioro in Christa irate Goeeio rettore della Orpitale

' ' dz a a Fina da ranto Geminiano rate Ioa u d l r nt , i m e

’ moderimo loco nell ordine (le redicatori rate inutile p , i ,

’ ’ ' h deridera la salute e ebe le edate de rantz eliee g , p i

'

mente imitt .

GIA nu fa la str r t er t a inst antia pezzo , vo a f a ni con da ’ ’ r r o iO m afi aticasse di rr s tt me ice c , ch compo e, o o con

t st l la ll t ss la venien e i o, Leggenda de a bea i ima Fina ;

u l rutt r s ss la t rr n str q a e, come f o p ezio i imo, e a o a pomi

r r uss et s mm r lt t t fe a , a Dio p od e, in ieme in acco e an o quelle cose che della vita sua da certi pm antichi ab occa ur raccolte u t li sua miraculi rti f no , q an o , che in ce 4s 46 LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA

t r i r s r t t un u a quin e n e carte e ano c i i . Benché ad q e

u st io sia insuflicient e ni t confidandomi q e o , en edimeno,

ll ut ss r ll r ll de o adi o di e a ve gine, e da o amo e de a

s t t r l t er le r ll mede ima inci a o, anco a inc ina o p p ece de a vo str r t a ll u l l t r s t er vo a ca i , a e q a i vo en ie i con en o p ’ s t s r st r t s desidern ll r a i fa e a vo i pie o i , ecco che a eg a ’ t offerisco l r st r t men e vi ope a che domanda i, b evemen e ’ lat u st l r ni t compi a, d no i o, benche ozzo, en edimeno

r di . r u ll s rdi si ve i co Ma pe ché q e e co e, che con o ne ’ scriveno iu l t s im arano l si r t , p faci men e p e meg io i en

r ri r ess di u lu le ru r gono, pe o, p ma p em e q a nche b iche, s tt r rt Ca ituli r s t t o o o dine de ce i p , ho comp e o an o le

rt ll u li res lendet te tr la ss u t vi u, de e q a p , men e vi e, q an o li mirac li la rt r u . mi , che doppo mo e appa ivano Son

t u t ossutO s r r el anco ingegna o, q an o ho p , di e va e mezzo, accioche la rusticit a delle parole non diminuisca la

l t a ll st r el su erfluo r t nobi i de a i o ia, e né anche p o na o

a ri sca sus ll r a i p rtu pizione a a ve it . Ben d questo certi ’ fi co u ll l o tutt u ll io st q e i che egg no, che o q e o ch ho po o

u st r ll t r ss r l in q e a ope a de a Bea a Fina ve gine, e e e di i

ent ement e s t u lu u s r r g e amina o, e q a nq e co a comp oba a dal t st l r r e imonio degno di Fede di co o o, che, O ve o ’ st li l u ll hanno vi o con occhi, o a manco di q e i ch hanno

u t ll audienti R u u la str r di o da i . iceva ad nq e vo a ca a LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 47

’ ’ r t rn ta u ll ell t tutt li f a e i q e o ch ha addomanda o, e i abitatori della nostra patria con laude reverischino e ’ l r s u t la el ss s s r st con ope e eg i ino f ici ima po a di C i o,

t 1a u l res lenduto s Bea a Fina, q a e ha p in ieme e di miraculi di s l r ll s s suo l r e e emp i ad ono de o po o , e g o ia del s r str Iesu r st el u l la t sua igno no o C i o, q a e San a ha r r t l r t remii ipieno di me i i , e in Cie o ha co ona o di p

t r Finiree la E irtola. e e ni . p

CAPITOLO I

’ DELL ORIGIN E E N OME DELLA BEATA FINA

’ POICHE l s l ll r ust i su r st si st o e de a ve a gi iz a , Ge C i o, ve i ’ di r u t r ls t rr t r ca ne mana, e co pecca o i vo e in e a abi a e e

ns rv r s lt la str u t st r l l co e a e, e a o no a mani a e i e, dando e

r rt t t t la u l g azia e vi u abbondan emen e, median e q a e

lt fiori s r t ll t rr lt u ni mo i ono appa i i ne a e a, cioé mo i omi

n s st t r d ss di di rs rt e do ne ono a e g an i ime, piene ve e vi u

ir l t el l r r s t e m abi i ; [e] median e o o vive e an o, anno ’ t tut t li r st ni s l t da o a i fede c i ia e emp o di peni enza , ’ azienzia et u ilt a fra u l s st t s t r p m , q a i ono a e an e ve gine, ’ che anno conservato i corpi loro da ogni corruzione ’ car l et l ni di ur t a u d sé na e, a modo d ange i pie p i e m n i [ ]

LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 49 s u t u st t mis r l va dirieto alla t eg i a q e a vi a e abi e, vi a

l a t t la t r t l u t li ange ic , che an o eccede vi a ma i a e, q an o g

l t t r s n s r li ni tur li angio i di vi a e e na o o op a g omi na a . ’ A r s l etimolo ia r t fu hi m t nco a, econdo g , ve amen e c a a o

u s ne assecuto é u st Fina, q a i fi , cio , che, vivendo in q e o ’ l r s e n u st er s r di t za mondo do o o o, q e o p e e cizio peni en ,

‘ ‘ rs r virt tI sen re virt II di dive i g adi di , p andando di in ’ virt u per insino alla sua fine e poi l ultimo fine della eterna beatitudine vedendo il suo sposo a faccia a

ss r s r st . faccia , Me e Ge u C i o

CAPITOLO II

COME SI RINCLUSE I N ELLA SUA CASA COLLA MADRE SUA A FARE P EN ITEN ZIA

E T s di r st l las r ni to QU S A Spo a C i o, vo endo cia e og pecca ’ ’ che uccide l anima et induce tenebre ne cuori de

t r et r er la lu lla r t a ll pecca o i , anda e p ce de ca i de o

r t s t ess ull la l s ni Spi i o an o, endo fanci a picco , a cio og con ’ ione all sua t sse u r im versaz che anima po e n oce e, non ’ pacciandosi di quelle cose ch alcuna volta le fanciulle s l r u r lascivare s r r og iono fa e, di gi ca e, e di , e di che za e, e ’ di porre ogni suo efi etto e studio ne vestimenti e D 50 LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA

l tti ni tutt suo efi ett o stu uose di e monda , ma o e dio p a

” er l ur ta ss nel suo tt cons vare a p i , e con e o avendo pe o

c virginit aa una creat ura [si ].

st u st r s m r s se uan I ava q e a ve gine e p e in ca a, non q do voleva udire el sant o ufii zio della santa chiesa ; ogni altro andare vano e vedere cat tivo fuggiva siccome ’ ’ ll se s uss ut ll nocivo de anima e ca o f e addiven o, ch e a

ss d r u r di sa li su dove e an a e f o i ca , con g occhi oi avea

tt tt sen re su ss r r fa o pa o, che p i oi piedi dove e o vede e, ’ e l u r ar u r corrom accio che, [p ] vano g a d e di f o i, non ’ no la t sua ur Et pesse men a p a . avvenga a Dio ch avesse

ll uss st t ur r et ni s lei be a faccia e f e di a a g ande, og co a in

uss r r at u s sua f e bene p opo zion a, di ni na co a faccia

r s l t int endea r ado nava, ma o amen e di piace e a Dio e l none agli uomini de mondo . Et accio che el servo dilicatament e ut r t less sser s r C i n i o non vo e e e igno e, o e la r rs ll S r t u st s t r el ca ne inve o de o pi i o, q e a an a ve gine

r suo uni afi ri eva le sue r co po con digi g , memb a domava

il facea la l r s r s t con c iccio, come g o io a ve gine an a Cecilia et ancora continuamente colle sue mane

r s el st r m n l u lavo ava econdo mi e io fe i i e . E q esto faceva ’ er r ss ta ss er u r non p g ande nece i ch ave e, ma p f ggi e ’ l ozio ; che si legge nella Scrittura santa che gli e

ss s al s E r l pe ima co a ervo di dio . t anco a avorava con LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 5 1 tinuamente u r er s u t r c stu q ando non o ava , p eg i a e e o mi

ll str r r r si l lei de a no a mad e Ve gine Ma ia, che egge di

‘ nelle pistole di santo Ieronimo che ogni dt guadagnava

u ll era di s al r o suo r q e o che bi ogno co p di vive e.

CAPITOLO III

COME LA BEATA FINA STETTE CIN QUE AN N I A GIACERE IN SU UNA TAVOLA DI QUERCIA

’ I O E ss ss r s t Pa olo la r u t 6. S C M di e me e an o , che vi u, ch ’ nell anima mediante la infermita divent a perfet ta accio che questa santa vergine pervenisse alla somma per fezione el str st r s r st u r , no o mae o Ge u C i o q ando pa eva

l u uss Iu s r s le una ag i occhi mani f e p ana e f e ca, mando

r ss r ta er la u l r tutt la er g andi ima infe mi , p q a e pe de a p ’ s s l l t t ut t t t r tt er ona, a vo che capo, e diven o a a a a, e p

ssu l r si t l t t n ne no modo eva e non po eva di e o, nea co

Et i uss st i muoversi niente . avvenga Idd o che f e co n ’ r t l l r suo si r s ss s r fe ma a , non vo eva che co po ipo a e op a

s r st r s r una t l co a mo bida, anzi ava e do miva op a avo a di

r uno l t del suo r er quercia secca . E pe ché a o co po a ’ l r lt l afi aticava ll r s r pieno di do o i e mo o , e a do miva op a ’ o l t er is azio u n si r s so r l altr a e, e p p di cinq e a ni ipo o p a

LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 53

uss t utt le r del s che f e in e icchezze mondo, apendo che ’ Cristo Gesu avea promesso a poveri voluntari el reame di vita eterna E quanto la persona piu voluntaria

t é r at t r r di l r men e pove a, an o maggio e p emio g o ia in

t t r le l s u le vi a e e na . E imo ine, che omini e donne

rt u st r se ra r po avano, cioé a q e a ve gine, e no g andi

se r l tutt si r ll r piangeva , e e ano picco e a a eg ava . Non

n t lt r al suo r s r dime o nien e, o a mangia e, non e bava, ma ’ tutt r l ob servare u ll i o a pove i dava, vo endo q e o che d ce

‘ el l l t s r del dl di Vange io non vo ia e pen a e domane .

CAPITOLO V

COME IL NEMICO DI DIO AmmAzzo LA MADRE DI sANTA FINA TORNANDO DALLA CH IEsA

’ ni ll u tur u st s t EL mico de mana na a, vedendo q e a an a ’ r t t rtu s t t rutt r n eb b e r ve gine an o vi o a e an o f ife a, g ande ’ et imma inossi d in annarla s in invidia, g g , econdo che ganno 1a nostra prima madre Eva e non potendo el suo

l t r ll s t r tt r il tt ve eno con o a a an a ve gine Fine gi a e, ge o l rs a dr sua s r s tt . inve o ma e , iccome di emo di o o Uno ’ di s la r uest s t r venne ca o, che mad e di q a an a ve gine,

en di u r t r s le r v endo f o i , e o nando in ca a, pa ve che 54 LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA

ss uno l t t la li ss er si tt veni e , [e] vio en emen e pig a e p fa o ’ ll in t rr u s i t modo, ch e a cadde e a, e q a i d ven o a modo p ’ u tr l e er ssu u r d na pie a immobi e, p cagione ne na m ove e

i s nel l s t . t non po eva E an a Fine, che giaceva pa co di s r u 1a r sua r r ar et u t op a , dendo mad e amma ic e, di o avea uno r tt t n o hi g ande comba imen o inna zi, cominci a c a

r una u tur la ma e donna, che avea nome B onaven a, ’ ’ ’ u l er l r d Iddio r ten o l avea s r t q a e, p amo e , g an p e vi a ,

er lei le li s r Et s ll r e p mo ine ce cava . in ca a de a ve gine a

u st si r tr lei s t r i q e o i ovo, dicendo a an a Fina Si occh a ’ s rr er l r r st su la r mia, occo i, p amo e di C i o Ie , mia mad e, i l l’ l e s e t r ut . u st n a e ved ca o che in e ven o E q e a do na,

u l era s r rs us er r u ll q a e e va di Dio, co e gi o p vede e q e o

1a t r la rt t rr in che donna aveva e ovando mo a in e a ,

‘ r r et di r : Oimé ! ! comincio a g ida e, a e Oime Fine,

t rr u u st la tua madre é morta in e a . E dendo q e a boce s t l li rs il t tt vidde uno an a Fine, evando g occhi ve o e o, s r t ra ss sur una tr el u l era e pen e g ndi imo in ave, q a e ’ terrib ilissimo a tutti gli occhi che l avessino potuto ’ r et ll era sen lice r d tt uss uno vede e, e a, ch p , c e e e che f e s r t r s i l sse la e pen e ve o, e non vi ione d abo ica, che ave

l l s ss r mi madre ; per a qua e co a fu e mo ta . Inco ncio

r u st u t ur la ual era anco a chiama e q e a B onaven a, q e di s tt su 0 u tur r u ll fiera o o Viene , B onaven a, e ved ai q e a LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 55

ssi rt la r vi s ro pe ma che a mo o mia mad e ; i cchia mia,

el estr u li l sul t tt e chiama ma o G g e mo, che vada in e o, e ’ l u st l s ni l 5 rs rt la pig i q e o ve eno o a ma e, ch mo o e mo o

r el str u l l s mia mad e . E venendo mae o G g ie mo in ca a ’ l e r era u st s r t dimando la e vo endo v de e dov q e o e pen e,

r su u l r ra Ed ll col t l l t e . ve gine, in q a ave e a di o g ie

‘ st r i l su u ll t r mo ava, dicendo Ved , eg i e in q e a ave

ll l s s r n la ta u t . e q e o ve eno o e pen e E donna, che chiama

l ll r l s t r no . Et a avea, vedevano a o a an a ve gine Fina

t d Che era s r t r era il in en endo, non e pen e ve o, anco ’ ll u tur el u l r nemico de mana na a, q a e inganno i p imi

str r t u lla s r lla si il no i pa en i in q e pecie e fo ma, ed e fece s ll s t r sub b ito s r] : r se la egno de a an a c oce, e pa e comp e ’ s t r era st t er s s la an a ve gine, ch a o p di pen azione divina

rt ll sua r r r mo e de a mad e, e ing azio Iddio, non avendo tr st ne l r t l rt rt i izia, do o e di a e mo e, ma po ando ogni

azi n ia cosa con p e z .

CAPITOLO VI

’ COME L AFFAEVE sANTO GREGO RIO CH E LE DIssE QUANDO DOVEVA MORI RE

MESSER GEsu CEIsTo el t t t la , doppo comba imen o che ’ ’ rso vizI t uest s r it pe na fa co ] e co pecca i in q a mi e a v a ,

LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 57

’ t rv ll t hi il ll mb ascia in e a o di empo, inc nando capo a o

r r or si r lui la s dis do e G eg io, accomando a ; e vi ione

’ rn t l si la r tt r s t pa . E a e vi one p ede a ve gine an a Fine r l l u sue s r i r st in onendo l r ive o ad a c ne i occh e in C i o, p o e

u tr revelassino. che in ni no modo , men e che viveva, non

la rt sua le r t t rs E doppo mo e , p ede e pe one, facendo

s ul r ur t renderono r t st ni . ing a e gi amen o, ve a e imo anza

CAPITOLO VII

’ C E E A sEFFE I or CH E A VEV ORIRE I OM LL L LL A A A M , L Dl DI sAN'rO GREGORIO D1 1 2 DI RZ , A MA O

‘ u ll dI che la s rv r st r t t la DA q e o e a di C i o Fina, iceve e

l st al s r l ll sua rt s ce e i e vi ione e eve azione de a mo a, iccome

tt s r il r suo aviamo de o di op a, incomincio co po , a poco

c nsu ar er r l n r a po o, a co m e e p g ande debo ezza a ma ca e,

r ss l r avendo g andi imo do o e di capo . Una donna, che ’ er r t s r tual er t l aveva s r t la p ca i a pi i e p piu empi e vi a,

’ u l Beldt ll s s di r st q a e aveva nomine , vedendo a a po a C i o

a t t l r nel suo t r ll sue il Fin , an i do o i capo pa i e, co e mani t s ll t er t t s u s la er eneva o eva o, e p an o pazio, che q a i p

tt a t ess s t il de a donn nien e con e en iva . E venendo di

ll s l n té del tt r r r nel u l la san de a o e ni do o e G ego io, q a e 5s LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA tissima s la r ss l st l dal r anima, econdo p ome a ce e ia e, co po ’ partire si dovea la sposa di Cristo ; e l suo spirit o divotissimo rs Giesu t utt si r ls s t inve o di o acco e, a pe t ando da lui essere chiamata et andare alle nozze

l sti l r ela ru t ss r n na ce e a i . Impe occh p den i ima ve gi e Fi , ’ ’ accio che nell ora nella quale l anima del corpo partire si uss r t et r t r si dovea, f e appa ecchia a a ma a, in p ima con

ss r l t divotamente r s el r fe o gene a men e, e poi p e e vene a

l s r t del r del st r nore su r st bi e ac amen o co po no o Sig Ge C i o,

hi s r afi ett o l 1a e c e e con g ande divozione e con , vo endo ‘ ’ str u si l anima sua n . Et n ar t ema zione ave do co ma a , as tt lo suo s s er lei ni ss t u t pe ando po o p ve e, con in amen e l s r i o pi ito con divota orazione a Dio s raccomanda . E ’ s r l anima s ul di at al co i dicendo, ende anza mac a pecc o suo r t r nel ll u t u nt tre del s C ea o e mi e d gen o cinq a a , me e ’

r il dl s t r or tt r . Et in u ll di Ma zo, di an o G eg io do o e q e a ’ s a ora 1 dal r si rt) mede im , che anima co po pa , vedendo ’ el n ll u tur lei n u ur s emico de mana na a, che in i na i i

sta onfus art s t t dizione aveva né pode , c o p endo i con an o ’ ur nt o tur l r li f ia con ve i e con pi ve bando a ia, che g

l n e n nomin ide paese no poco t mette o. O quanto ’ piacere 6 al l anima senza peccato [quando] si parte dal suo s r r u stadi mi e o co po, dendo e vedendo, che pode nimico niente fare le pq et [6] agli angeli allegrezza LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 59

’ et a demoni turbazione e confusione ! per la qual cosa ’ n i s r ir og i creatura s ingegn di fare bene e e v e a Dio .

u ll r s r t t sost ut er Q e o co po ac o, che an e pene aveva en o p ’ l r s r st r se t ll t la amo e di Ge u C i o, ima appicca o a a avo sopra alla quale tanto tenpo era st ato et avi stato circa ’ ’ ni u s l tt t r s r er si d an cinq e, econdo che de a o e c ive e p ’ tt s r el r lla t l t er fa o modo e a co po co avo a appicca o, che p nessuno modo si poteva ispiccare intero [e] levare il

r s t u st vuolse la r el suo co po an o . In q e o ve gine Fina, ’ s s s r st s u t r che ss su l l po o Ge u C i o eg i a e , e endo in egno

ll t r con r ss r lo de a San a C oce g andi ime pene, accomando ’ s r t al r rt s l anima dal r pi i o pad e, e poi, pa endo i co po, rimase appiccato al legno della Santa Croce quello “

r r s ss . Cos! s t t e co po p ezio i imo an a Fine, pa endo p ne

r il su t nel r suo sen re lo s r t fu mi ab i, incon e e co po , p pi i o divotamente congiunto col summo criatore per ripo

s r la r ut r st sull t l tt a e ca ne p ida ava in a avo a, come de o

e s r . t t vi st tt sse la r di op a E an o e e, che e ndo ca ne ’ s col l c t r el anima al suo r in ieme egno appi ca a , end c ia

t r . A r l tu l t t r t la ar o e nco a vog io che , e o e, no i come c ne rimase insieme appiccata colla tavola non putiva e non

ne n u fiato ozzolent e ne sin ve iva ni no p , anco veniva ’ ular r di u st t l dov era la r g e odo e e q e a avo a, ca ne ’ ’ r u fiori u l n usciva r r l ve gine, nacq e de q a i odo e mi abi e ,

LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 6 1

’ s era rt s t r ss r ca a dov mo a an a Fina, e con g andi ima eve renzia la port arono alla chi esa maggiore del predett o

’ castello ; et in essa stette il corpo piu dI innanzi che si

t ss s tt rr r t t era la cheavevano po e e o e a e, an o divozione i ’ cittadini al detto corpo ! Et in quel tempo che l

r istette ll s s n ss r s llit co po ne a chie a e za e e e eppe o, fece

lt r l s r t st ne mo i mi aco i , iccome piena e ve a e imonianza

‘ ‘ fII tt n l i la ual s r . De a mon a Be d , q e nominammo di op a, ’ era uar tr ll r s t una a ch g da ice de a ve gine an a, aveva m no, che per nessun modo nolla poteva adoperare et

sse ie ll r tr ll hi s r e ndo a p de a ba a den o de a c e a maggio e, divotamente pregando Iddio che le liberasse quella

er li r t ll r ri s t mano p me i i de a ve gine Fi e ; e an a Fine,

rt ll r l il r mo a ne a ba a, e giacendo, evo b accio a modo come fusse viva dinanzi alla moltitudine delli uomini e

‘ di donne e prese la mano di monna Beldt sua guarda

tr str l le t uno uno la l ss l r ice, e ingendo e di e, a a , a o ibe a

infirmité tutt la lt tu da ogni . E a mo i dine, vedendo ’ t t r l st stu tt r r l al an o mi aco o, avano pefa i, ing aziando

‘

tissimo . u l dt s una ull Iddio E in q e mede imo, fanci a,

la ual era t ll u l er s q e chiama a Me ina di G ido a di , p ca o

a r ss un tutt u st er si ave pe co o ginocchio, o g a o p fatto

r ss l r et isciancat modo, che g andi imi do o i avea, andava a ;

fu t al r ll l r s r e mena a co po de a g o io a ve gine Fina, 62 LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA

l n la sua l s r u l c hi pig ia do mano , e ponendo a op a q e gino c o

s uast fu l r t co i g o, ibe a a .

CAPITOLO IX

’ DE MIRACOLI DI BEATA FINA

’ ANCOEA uno u r l l , omo vene abi e, ch avea nome Sa an

u c una infi rmi ti su t una rt d c io, aveva con e a, che in pa e ’ del r t t li r s era s Che ni co po an o g c e ceva, ch di bi ogno, og

n si t l ass u si t l sen re st nel an o ag i e e q ando ag iava, p ava

u t ll rt er la s t p n o de a mo e p pena . Udendo che an a

t t r l si t se er li su Fine an i mi aco i faceva, bo o, che p oi

r ti s ri l r t la l ll sua st u r me i a ibe a o, vig ia de a fe a digi ne a in

ct u et n v s t el suo s l r pane acq a, ogni an o i i ando epo c o, ’ ’ ci nendolo d intom o nt r d un filo r r i g i o no di ce a ve g ne .

tt il t fu t t l r t . E fa o bo o, incon anen e ibe a o

CAPITOLO X

’ C E ESSENDO I C RP O DI BE T FINE I N E A OM , L O A A LL FIEVE FE TI IR I , MOL M ACOL

’ OP P O iu dt ss n cl r ll s t D p , e e do co po ne a Pieve di an o Geminiano fu seppellito da chierici con gran divozione LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 63 et alta venerazione di ‘ tutto il popolo del predetto

‘ tutt le citt aI st ll ll di s castello e di e , e ca e e e vi e To cana

uo ni vi s t r u st l correvano, mi e donne, a i a e q e a nobi e r l u et l uni rt al s l r ll r n e iq ia, a c po avano epo c o de a ve gi e

et ltr r r ell ss Fine palii di drappo ; a i ce i di ce a b i ima,

‘ venerando cl santo sepolcro ; e dove per virt II di Dio

er li r t su t la s t r l u lt e p me i i oi, occando an a e iq ia, mo i

Al uni r ttr tt ur miracoli furono fatti . c e ano a a i e f ono ’ l r t ut l Z et indimoniati ur er ibe a i, e m o i e oppi e f ono p virtu di Dio liberati ; et alcuni erano in diverse pro

rc r t r s ll r s t vince inca e a i , e accomandando i a a ve gine an a divotamente ur l r t et alt ri r ss , f ono ibe a i ; con g andi ima t en esta r l rt r re p e pe ico o di mo e [che] e ano in ma , ’ ur sal t et l u cui r la s e f ono va i ad a c no [a ] a deva ca a, ’ et can l aiutorio ll r s t incon invo do de a ve gine an a Fina , tanente ogni cosa era salvato : et altri di pistolenza erano infiati e per morire e furono sanati : e alcuni

r r t rt ur t r t ll e ano fe i i a mo e, f ono, median e i me i i de a

r n li r t lt rt r su t t ve gi e, be a i e mo i mo i e ci ando a vi a e ’ u infirmita ss l atur u u st s t d og i , po ibi e a n a mana, q e a an a

r s l r l s tu l tt r ve gine Fine, pezia mi aco i fece, iccome , e o e,

r el se uente r ss r t legge ai n q p oce o chia amen e .

LEGGENDA DELL A BEATA FINA 65

r divotamente !) al s l r suo i la fa e, and epo c o , ch edendo

sanitzi fu t t s t . , e incon anen e ana o ’ u era hi t rt el suo r Uno omo, ch c ama o Be ino, b accio era st t rs uno al l s er lo u l a o mo o da anim e ve eno o, p q a e

r t era doventat o u ll r ttr tta mo dimen o di q e o b accio a a , ’ et in tutt o l avea perduto et invocando el nome della

r fu er li su r t l r t . ve gine Fine, p oi me i i ibe a o

u del ta s una ll che si Uno omo con do di Pi a , in vi a, c Al aedera t Benafi are ss d ttr tt hiama g , chiama o , e en o a a o

ll s r ut l fu rt t de e mani e da piedi , e op a di cio m o o, po a o ’ su r t al s l r ell r n da oi amici e pa en i epo c o d a ve gine Fi e, ’ e feceno r t su i s n ular c razione er la dove , i pa en i o i g e p ’ sua s t et t t tt l orazione fu er ani ade incon anen e, fa a , p f e l r ettament ibe ato .

MIRACOLO

alt r u t Gal anuccio er u Uno o omo, chiama o g , p ni no modo andare non poteva per se medesimo ; era di

s n ltr el rt ss ll ll crusce bi og o, che a o po a e, O e i co e a asse con oz al se l ro ll nd ; e, andando div ione po c de a

sant r ne r tt r tt s ta. a ve gi Fina, iceve e pe fe a ani

MIRACOLI

c ull l cl uale u ava sse uno Uno fan i o picco o, q p pp , e ndo II 66 LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA

’ di l t all r sua li si ru el tr t t ava o d a mad e , g ppe ven e an o

rr ilm t le u ell si la r si o ib en e, che b d a vedevano mad e raccomando divot ament e a santa Fine vedendo nel ’ fi liuolo t t infirmita tt l O razione fu s t g an a e, fa a , ana o el suo fi liuolo g .

MIRACOLI

’ Un alt r u era ral t t o omo, ch pa i ico, che non po eva st r s r su tural uss a e op a i oi piedi na i, ma conveniva che f e

t er s uss st t t ut t t mena o, e p co a non f e a o en o, incon anen e

t rr u ra d r l che facea la cadeva in e a, dendo i g n i mi aco i,

r divotamente lei si r s ve gine Fina, a accomando, vi i ’ t el suo s l r tt l Orazione t t ando epo c o e, fa a , incon anen e fu l r t lt alt r u di u st s ibe a o. E mo i i omini q e e mede ime infirmit a ss ss t is t el suo si olcro e endo pa iona i , v i ando p divotament e s st t l r t ll s s su , ono a i ibe a i da a po a di Ge

r st t . C i o, Fina bea a

MIRACOLO DA CANFIGLIE

B ello Can i lie del c t di ll ss n ert da p g on ado Co e, e e do

l ss dal demoni c s er xv . n cru t t u p an i de men e ve a o , i oi parenti et amici el menarono violentemente al sepolcro

ll r i s uno ll se r la de a ve g ne anta Fina e ane o, che mp e s t u sua in di t il misseno to an a avea ten to in vita o, in di LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 67

u st u Bert ello et d t er li r t di q e o omo , imme ia e p me i i

‘ ll s t u st u Bert ello u st u fII de a an a q e o omo , q e o omo

l r t . el c che é tt ibe a o Ma demoni , pieno di vende a e ’ d ini uita tr sub b ito ss lu q , in o di addo o a co i che avea ’ r st t l anello se r ss ru l t Ber p e a o , e p ima ve ava c de men e

‘ t ll lt r la sua u t a cost IIi e o, mo o piu adope ava iniq i in ; c nde fu t al s l r ell s os r st mena o epo c o d a p a di C i o Fine, ’ l c o r r : r h e demoni c mincio a g ida e, dicendo pe c e, ’ ’ daI t t ! ic mi l rtir Fina , mi an e pene ecco, ch vog io pa e, ’ che te ic st tal lu o . da poi piace, ch non i ia in e og ’ E coloro ch erano presenti alle parole che diceva cl ’ mi ll u tur di sseno : s daréi ne co de mana na a, che egno ci quando uscirai da dosso a questo uomo El denomic ripucse ic nel mic uscire caverrc la berretta a uno di

u st s ll s et is e nerc una l n q e i che ono ne a chie a , p g ampa a

u st hies r l s ll u di q e a c a , ompendo a anza fa o ni no . E us el demonic sub b ito ss lu u ll cendo da do o a co i , q e o

u l t r ss n lui fu che p b icamen e avea p ome o [avven e], e co l r t ibe a o . Una donna da Samminiato del Tedesco essendo

ss t dal ni c er iu ten i fu t lle r l ve a a demo p p p , mena a a e i quie della vergine santa Fina e dandc il segno cl nemico ’ ’ ll u tur all us r r r una de mana na a, che ci e ompe ebbe l a et us e osi e la n a r se li r amp na, c ndo, c fece, do n ima be a .

LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 69

r st Et u cl demonic u st r l c i iano . dendo q e e pa o e, con grandissima boce incomincio a gridare credi tu

r s er cert c n r s st r caccia mi di ca a mia p og i e i enza fa o,

ui u st b uc no u accio che non mi cacci di q . E q e o omo, ’ el cui tt s r un lt r lt lo nome aviamo de o di op a , a a vo a ’ scongiura sotto medesime parole ; e ldemonic comincio

r r et r un t rm si a g ida e a di e Dammi poco di e ine, e ’ n uscirc r t s st rs , e ved e e egno manife o a ogni pe ona come la ull sar l r t u s r l la fanci a a ibe a a . E dopo q e te pa o e

ull t rr standc t rr se uss fanci a cadde in e a, in e a a modo f e

’ mort a ; et incontanente el malvagio spirit o uscI da l ss all ulla ron endc una s . do o a fanci , p ampana in egno ’ Odi l tt r r s ! l l Ma , e o e g ande co a che, cadendo o io in ’ t rr era ll l si str s se e a, ch ne a ampana, in e a modo, che

uss t rr t r r f e e a , e diven o ne o a modo, di ca bone e non ti neva u s su l r s mil l r g e non ngeva, iccome o e fa e i e ico e

la ull r s divotamente r r e fanci a , imanendo ana , ing azio

i s t l sen re is eziale Idd o e an a Fina, avendo a p in p divo ’ ’ ell d a e ccsI r z . l t u ione E aba e di q a ba i , v dendo g ande mir l d r lla h s la aco o, fece ipinge e ne c ie a immagine di

r l r sa tutt il l Fina ve gine g o io , dove o popo o avea

r ss l r l l g andi ima divozione . E mo ti mi aco i ha fatti a

r s t nel st ll di s t i ve gine an a Fina ca e o an o Gemin ano, che

ne {6 er c r s l ti l r una menzione non p a, ma o o vog io di e 7c LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA

s neluscire ss le demonia all r tur co a, che da do o e c ea e r i l lt rs s e ll l r ag onevo i , mo i dive i egni fac vano ne a o o l r et ss l r t lassavanc ll ibe azione e endo ibe a i , dinanzi a a s lt lor s Altr ull ur t t . epo a i ve imen i e donne e fanci e, i

ll del l u ni r cape i capo ; a c ni faceva(no) immagi di ce a, e cos] se la ss ilita , condo po ib e devozione, facevano, accio che si vedesse quanto e gloriosa la vergine Fine a coloro ’ Che l a nno in divozione .

ss u tt r u re ione l t E endo q a o omini in p g , ega i e piedi e ’ le a cic é ne r s m ni , avendo i piedi ceppi, accomandando i

divotamente s t su t tt il t a Dio e a an a Fine, bi o, fa o bo o, furono liberati e t rat ti di pregione per operazione

Per la l r sub b ito al suo divina . qua cosa anda ono di s t s l r r r z et ll r an a epo c o, endendo g a ia a Dio a a ve gine santa Fine di tanto b enefizio che avevano ricevuto et ’ t estimonanza cic lassc ronc rr ual r in di , i fe i co q i e ano ’ ’ inferrati cie i dc v r s rr t . , e pp e ano e a i E molti altri uomini al sepolcro della santa vergine Fine [andavano] portando segni donde erano st ati l r t et er r r tu las l ibe a i , ivi p memo ia pe pe a ciando e ega ’ t u l r st t l t al u men i co q a i e ano a i ega i, dicendo c no con ’ r t st r st t l rati di ar r ve a e imonianza, ch e ano a i ibe c ce e

s ur rtal o c e e mo i . LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 7 1

MIRACOLO

Unc r t t ss un fiume cl u l er lo me ca an e, pa ando , q a e p

lt r era r s ut t t t r (it in mo o piove e c e ci o, e diven a o o bido, trando er la r t r nel r ss r p p oda, in o mezzo, c edendo pa a e

’ s c s l u fu ss t il e smarrl il an e a vo e q ando pa a o m zzo, i

u s lu r et ss g ado, icché venne in ogo p ofondo [ ] e endo ’ iu lt r t r t ll u ss r p O e i a o da acq a , incominciava a e e e afi ogatc ; e ricordandosi della preziosa santa Fina e ’ ’ suc r l divot ament e se le r de mi aco i, accomando , ado l l il ei ut t t r . tt mandando a ai o in an o pe ico o E, fa o

ot s t) una la u l il r s er li ll b o, en mano, q a e p e e p cape i , ’ traendolo fuori dell acqua e di tant o pericolo ; e cosi ’ ll ut s t fu l r rt s dal co ai o di an a Fine ibe ato . E pa endo i

fiume sa s l al s l r di no e a vo, e con divozione, ando epo c o s t rt r n al suo an a Fine, po ando g andi do i ; e dinanzi l s l r i l ss r r et s t . epo c o g a o, endendo g azie a Dio a an a Fine ’ Um alt r r t t t emi era o me ca an e da San a G niano, ch

t Lottarin o navicandc er r s chiama o g , p ma e, (e econdo) ’ le nsu t u r t t ss nc tt e ten o co e dine de me ca an i e endo di p ,

r t st rtu a r intantcché g ande empe a e fo n ebbe in ma e, ’ tutt li u ni r lui ll n si credet i g omi , ch e ano con ne a ave, t afi o are s ll ns r t cc nt rarii ono g anza fa o, co ide ando i ven i

la t st del r . r l ual s s r e empe a ma e Pe a q co a, con ide ando,

LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 73

t utt divotamente se le racc andarc no t i, m con pian i e lagrime di divozione alla vergine sant a Fine ; et in contanente il mare produsse t ranquillité e furono sal

t l r t t t r l Per la u l s va e e ibe a i di an o pe ico o . q a co a , molti di loro vennenc a Santa Geminiano a visitare il

si c lcrc ll r i s t lassandc vi una p de a ve g ne an a Fina, nave

r er r t t r l di ce a p memo ia di an o mi aco o . Ancora una mat tina furono arrecate quatt ro navi di

r al s l r ll r s t ss ce a epo c o de a ve gine an a Fina . E endo dimandati dagli uomini di santc Gemini ano [della ’ a ris ucsenc l b enefizio di salut c gione], p , che e avevano r ut r t l er r di l r icev o in ma e, e a i immagini p memo ia o o et lau ll r s t la u l di er a de de a ve gine an a Fina , q a e Id o, p li su i r t a t t salt t . ucas u u ir o me i i, [] an o e a a P i ad nq e d e di lei quello che di ceanc le turbe del suO sposo Gesu ’ Cristo : Chi é costui che i venti e l mare ubbidiscono ’ A n s una vill el u s accese ddiven e ca o, che in a f oco in una s et ss r ss t vennesi la ca a e endo g andi imo ven o,

fiamma ta t a s r li u mini ll ll n o pande e, che g o de a vi a t che s nel r t lu emevano, ogni co a p ede to ogo non

r ess . Eravi uno r tt r ll s ell lla a d e e o e de a chie a d a vi , che

v va nu c lla amic sa t in el u l a e po o de c ia di n a F e, q a e tenea con gran divozione ; e vedendo in grande peri

ol r se una rt 813 os u st lla c o, p e pe ica, e vi p e q e a pezza de 74 LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA

m et s ular s r lei rs ca icia , avendo ing e pe anza in , ando ve o ’ il fu s ur t 1fu t r se u oco ic amen e e oco o nava in , f ggendo ’ uss st t s t su come f e a a co a anima a, e che a oi inimici

u ss st un el r tt u er se f ggi e . E ando poco, p ede o f oco p

s si s s Nel u l r l t u l tt r mede imo pen e . q a e mi aco o , e o e, puoi comprendere el miracolo di sant a Agata essere r ll t el cui l t r cl u ort innove a o, ve o con o f oco p ando

‘ ’ l u fu isforzata er virt II d IddiO t r r (a c no) , , p , di o na e a rieto et infine si s s d . , pen e

Unc tt di s t nel r ci adino an o Gimignano, avendo co po ’ una r ost 1a u l lt l atterrava g an p ema, q a e mo o , e non

‘ t er virt II u r r li r s una po endo p di medicine g a i e, g ima e ’ fist ola nel r li t rm t rac co po, che g dava pene e o en i e comandcssi a s t i co t t an a Fine con d vozione, in n anen e fu l r t ibe a o . ’ Qui mi pare di porre l altc e magnificc b enefizio al

r t t s l el u l r c tt una hi t p ede o imi e, q a e i eve e donna c ama a

u tur fi liucla ll l s t si B onaven a g de a ba ia di an a Fina, che

‘ ’ BeldI la u l iu lt s e tt chiamo , q a e p vo e menzione fa o

ll s l ne a ua eggenda . Questa donna aveva una postema orribile nella ’ o et Iu Iu s l cc di ris c n p ppa, avendo p e p con ig io me ci , p

er ni unc sa ri r re te a devano, che p modo ni iceve non po v

s n s n si t l ss e za maggiore pena che era di bi og o ag ia e . LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 75

t st 1a del t l r la s E emendo co ei pena ag ia e poppa, ando s al s l r lla sua s r s t u ene epo c o de i occhia , an a Fina, e q ivi divotam ent e se le r hi d t t accomando, c e endo in an o

’ ‘ r l l aiuto suc la u l s t esaudt ren pe ico o q a e an a Fine , d sanit é s r r l endo a pieno anza medicina co po a e .

A r e u t 1a s s nco a degni di f de aviamo di o, che po a e s rv di s r st t t st r la sua e a Ge u C i o, Fina, non an o mo a

‘ virt II t ll r tur r l r e po enza ne e c ea e agionevo i , endendo l r sani té r uell us ra o o , ma anco a in q e che non ano gione

r e lt u mi nt uc impe occh mo i o ni e donne ave i chi b i , O

s lli r infirmitadi u t rac a ini e cava , di g andi occ pa i, comandandc li all r s t con divozione a ve gine an a Fina, ’ ’ ur d o ni infirmi tfi l r l r l f ono g ibe ati . Ne qua i mi aco i

ss c r r tt s t po iamo omp ende e, che Dio de e a an a Fine,

t su r t u ll tt al art r median e e oi me i i, q e o che concede e m i e

l r s santc di ur r le st é g o io o Biagio, c a e be ie e non da

r l r se t al ra le t t r elui me avig ia e, e g zia concede e, pe occh seguito nella pazienzia e nel merito adunque lo dovea s uit r ll r ur r le est inra ic nevoli eg a e ne a g azia di c a e b ie g . 11ch che la vergine sant a Fine passc di quest a vit a et ’ all t l r si é er d tt ando a bea a g o ia, , p ivozione, a ci adini di santc m t si u r nel re Geminiano co anda o, che g a di p

‘ tt st ll la sua st se ss el dI ll de o ca e o fe a , a modo che fo e de a

s u et eravi uno u ss o r cl u l Pa q a omo a ai p ve o, q a e avea

LEGGENDA DELLA BEATA FINA 77

ut la s t i s r st rt non anno av o an a in d vozione, ono ima i mo i

r il r u e e p esi . Donde diceva p edetto Cambio : ni no p r cuc tc t i la r s t eme, avendo in d vozione ve gine an a Fina . ’ il filc safo l ultima s t rr l e la Siccome dice , co a e ibi e ’ rt u l anima si rt dal r suo tr mo e, q ando pa e co po e con a

u st s t rr l la r s t a q e a co a e ibi e, ve gine an a Fine, a,

di t r t l t t r t im me an e e me i i , va en emen e adope a o ;

r e s t m ni ll t r dellc pe occh in an o Ge i ano, ne a con ada

al s t era unc u di Sped e di an a Fine, omo, nazione Lom

r cl u l uno fi liuolc er r ss ba da, q a e aveva g , e p g avi ima ‘ ’ ’ infirmitzI l anima si rt] dal r ch avea , pa co po . E, veden

s la r u st suc fi liuclo et do i mad e, vedova di q e o g , aven

r l r si b c t c lla r s t done g ande do o e e pena, a ve gine an a

n le r ss el suo fi li uclc Fi a con divozione, che ende e g . E, ’ tt il t l anima ritorncnel r fa o bo o, co po, cominciando ad aprire gli occhi e favellare e non t anto che la vergine ’ s t lo r ss r s c u in an a Fina ende e vivo, ma anco a an d og i ’ firmi ta Il u l r l Iu u n l . q a e mi aco o p omini e don e che

videnc r ut r t st . , anno end a ve a e imonianza

lt ltr r li r t E mo i a i mi aco Iddio ha ope a i, mediante i

r t s t s s r tt ui u st me i i di an a Fine, che non ono c i i q in q e o ’ ’ l r r se i u n avessi ut ib o, pe ché non n avea p av i , piu ’ n arei s r tti r comendazicne di u c i , a memo ia e q esta santa Fine .

N O T E S

N ote r Zamb ri ni I . The late Professor F ancesco of Bologna tran scribed and published this legend under the title of Leggenda di Santa Fina do San Gimignano scritta nel bacon secolo della

- lin na da Fm Giov anni di Co o della mederin a Ter ra 1111013 : I . g pp . t m t Galea i , His edition in pa phle form , limited to

- t the eighty eigh copies , is extremely scarce, and copy owned by the National Library in Florence has been used for the purpose of translation ; the transcriber having stated in his t e t t from introduction , hat he had car fully colla ed the ext

r the t - the two MSS . prese ved in collec ion above mentioned . fi the fi t t r The rst of the two MSS . dates back to f een h centu y C M a iab ecchian C e New l . . ( atalogue g oll ction , vol . iv ii iv. i t and the na ve simplici y of the style, says Professor Zamb rin i ffi , is su cient evidence of the early date of the composition . He has , however, in his edition, made a few slight corrections and emendations in order to facilitate to modern readers the comprehension of the somewhat involved sentences . M S M a liab ecchian The second . , also forming part of the g L Collection , contains, besides the egend , also the Dedicatory E t to the pis le of the author Fra Goccio , Warden of the t Hospital of Sta. Fina, an essential por ion lacking in the e r r s Zamb rini has r arlie MS . P ofe sor , however, prefe red to

8 1 F 8 2 NOTES

l rli r b ut the E t the fol ow the ea e composition , in all pis les , and th e fi rst r u t Preamble, the heading of chapte , on acco n an d of the discrepancies variants shown in the later MS. u This would induce the supposition that , if not act ally t t t u re from ano her pen, the original tex has been vir ally t fi ur writ en and dis g ed by the copyist , one Fra Jacopo , who “ writes , signing his name at the end of his work Here endeth the Legend of the Holy Fina of Sauto Giminiano R ev the written by the . Father Brother Giovanni of same

. Geminianen sis s m land ordis . pred . qua Fr. Jacob eju de r xvi sm xxxv scri b eb at ordis. p ed . j Mais . m Geminiani , ” eo c rate pro . The author of the Legend was Fra Giovanni Gorini or t Coppi , a dis inguished Dominican preacher and writer, who died in leaving numerous theological works in the u u shape of sermons and funeral disco rses , and a S mma de exem lis was t p which much es eemed in his day. His G ti E wr . ue f itings are recorded by P . P and chard, in their s Hi tory of Dominican Writers , where the former calls him “ ” G ori n um . No Gori vel , and not Coppi or di Coppo t L mention , however , is here made of the egend, which was probably unknown to them ; a somewhat remarkable cir cum stance a , since a copy is known to h ve existed in the seven teenth century in the Library of the Dominican Mona stery in San Gimignano. A the ccording to Canonico Pecori , compilation of the Legend may be assigned to the year I 3O I and although Fra n F the s Giova ni mentions a brother of the holy ina , bles ed e e Ciardo, who is alleg d to have be n a bishop in Sicily , no authoritative evidence to warrant this statement has ever NOTES 83

bee ut f rw r W t Fra n rot his n p o a d. he her Giovan i w e legend r Lat the t t t o iginally in in or in vulgar ongue, is a moo poin ,

u t s . Zamb rini s upon which a thori ie , including Prof him elf,

are s i t . Nor is o s s t t ll doub ful it p s ible to a sign , wi h any

r r t the I or the certainty , the p io i y of composition to talian

L . L M S. se r at the atin texts The atin , formerly pre ved t is L Hospi al of Sta. Fina, now kept at the Communal ibrary of San Gimignano and probability would favour the title r e re of the same to p ec dence. The reve nt care with which e r t e at s t the MS . has be n prese ved for cen uri s the Ho pi al, the circumstance that it contains the Epistle Dedicatory to Fra w r the Warden Goccio , hich the earlier Flo ence MS . rt t r r r does not , all suppo his p oposition , and would even ende not unreasonable the suggestion that in the San Gimignano “ . the r s tat the ut Fra MS we have P e en ion copy of a hor . fi r L u b ut Giovanni was a proli c w iter in the atin lang age, r E t the exp ession in the body of the pistle, tha the legend ” u tru set rt is told briefly in lang age albeit plain yet ly fo h , the a t t the endeavour being made to hold b lance rue, hat rusticity of the words shall not mar the nobility of t he ” ’ s t at ut r s rt to act , hin s plainly an essay upon the a ho pa produce a vi rtually simultaneous and identical work in the vulgar tongue.

r M a liab ecehian . N L r r The earlie g MS ( ational ib a y ,

r tt u r I t 8 . fift t Florence) , is w i en pon pape } by in in een h t t s r t cen ury Go hic c ip , in double column with black and tt rs t L r r The red initial le e in Go hic and atin cha acte . ’ m t ins se r t L t t Sta volu e con a ve al Sain s ives , and ha of . es 1 26 t r s ui com Fina commenc , on p . , wi h the wo d Q mincia la storia e leggenda della gloriosa e beata Fina da

NOTES 85

her t r d us. head , wi h flowing fai hair, is encircle by a nimb She is robed in crimson and holds a nosegay of flowers in he r hand t t r r . This initial le er has been admi ably photog aphed N by Mr. Burton by kind permission of Proposto Ugo omi

s r . T he Pe ciolini , the lea ned librarian of San Gimignano t ec con le ter P, adorning the text upon the s ond page, t r ains the rep esentation of a holy Bishop , garbed in red and wearing the pallium ; he holds a white volume in one l s It nu hand and raises the other in the act of b e sing. is i fi t e certa n whether the gure is in ended for Saint Gr gory , who foretold her death to the saint, or Gimignano the holy t Bishop of Modena , the patron and protec or of the city . L fi The egend ends in the rst column , in the middle of the n s eleve th leaf (back) , with the words in black letter do mino nostro iesu christo favente qui cum patre et spiritu sancto v ivit et e u A m regnat deus in s cula seculor m . en and in red letters : Explicit legenda sancte fi ne de sah eto ” A ttestati c n s l ff r Geminiano . in severa di e ent hands , ex t u t fi e e ending over the fo r eenth , fte nth , and sevente nth c the a the enturies , cover the blank spaces on le f ; in which writers testify to having preached the Panegyric of the st f th e t saint upon her fe ival . The ace of twelfth leaf con ains a list of their names headed as follows In nomine dii i Infrasc ri ta u s d c n u amen . p s nt nomina te tium ep ne ti m attestat ionem predict orum mi raculorum que nomina in hoc libro scripta sunt ad perpetuam rei memoriam Dominus ” Nea oleo r are & c p p esbyter, . . A lit tle parchm ent book consisting of eight leaves 1 0* by

i n . is un . L ns t t s 7 , bo d up with the MS egend , and co ti u e an esse ntial part of the record ; aut henti cating as it does the 86 NOTES verac ity of the miracles reported by contemporary and subsequent hagiographers ; commencing thus In nomine ” A Infrascri ti s t t t rece t i et exami domini men . p un es es p nati sup ra mira culis a Dec ostensis pro meritis beate fine virginis de Sanctc Geminiano in suo transitu et ob itu et postmodum per plura tempora ad perpetuam rei memoriam ct cert itudi nem veritatis a i t iesu . Sub gno Domini nos ri tii ” ch risti sscocx Indictione v dc mense M ar .

A l . t s ffid nother parchment eaf, 9 by 4. ins , con ain an a avit t 6t h M a 1 2 d Eli ardo da ed the day of y 54, extende by Ser p L miracu da San Gervasio (diocese of ucca) , in proof of the ' us Ser Benaflare Bonaccorsc lo healing of di of that place . t f The li tle volume includes lastly , some ourteen pages covered with the autograph attestations of p reachers who s u poke in hono r of the holy Fina on her days, between 6 — a e the years 1 20 1 749 . Among not ble signatur s of to ff O ns religious , belonging di erent rders and Congregatio , e u ar r s fi nd t the a e and s c l p iest , we hat of le rned Hebr w ’ o n rt to the logia Pier Paolo de Medici , who was conve ed t III Chris ianity , and took orders , in the reign of Cosimo ., ’ L t San t Fra s I7 I 5. The a in Gimignano tex of Giovanni e te the ll t t legend has be n adop d by Bo andis Fa hers, and

- appears in the Ad a Sam tom for the 1 2th March . Through the courtesy of the Librarian of the Laurentian L I t to t M S ibrary , have been permit ed examine ano her .

fi t u t t Vitae lus-in s of the fteenth cen ury . The vol me, en i led p

Sand om inser ti c utof fs t s - Li s s , con ain twenty one ve of Saint , including that of Santa Fina ; the latter is said to have been t B Va r s Or r writ en by Don iagio, a monk of the llomb o an de Ben s s e sur so 6 of edictine . The vellum page m a e } by } in . NOTES 87 and are finely covered by two columns of the Latin text in s t the mall black Go hic script. The headings and some of rs are are t r initial lette red , a few illumina ed in colou , and L t s the remainder are in plain black atin and Gothic charac er . u r i s b red r The m ch wo n volume ound in mo occo, with a handsome tooled border and th e Medici arms in a brass “ shield in the cent re ; it is numbered 6 and marked desk B was tta tt r and the ancient chain , y which it a ched to the la e for t ur t ru to u t s the grea er sec i y whilst ent sted st den s , mark work as one of the earliest possessions of the Laurentian L Se er s t he L to ibrary . v al other copie of egend are known b r b t t t exist, and have een transc i ed and augmen ed by six een h s t e r O s th s. r and even e n century hagiographe ne ve ion , ” t ff t r s Zamb rini no ably di eren from mine , says P ofe sor , was r the s e t viz printed towa ds clo e of the sixte nth cen ury, .

L a H istor ia Vila et M orte de Santa Fina 414 San Gem nano e ig , miracoli atti do o uella in div erse ersone Con licencia del Rev f pp q p . .

P adr e In uiritore S m t r z a t q . ( ta pa o in Fi en e da Giov nni Tin i ’ uell MDxcvnI f t s s anno . The ron i piece display a o r s t the S s t r wo dcut rep e en ation of aint , ea ed . The wo k of r t is tt to M anducci sa t anscrip ion a ributed one Jacopo , a Pi n San a t s tr who lived in Gimign no , and a copy of hi ex emely rare work is preserved in the archives of th e Chapter of the l i t u fi st s Co leg a e Ch rch . The r edition , al o published in ’ t a r r i Florence, is da ed 1 57 5. P d e Pier Paolo Ma ia de Med ci te i the S 1 st t e likewise wro a l fe of aint ( edi ion , Florenc to u t r referred s bsequen ly , and a mode n version was

r t Sr M aleuotti at l the r 1 8 1 8 . p in ed by . Col e, in yea

te uc us u Aix- la- l N o 2. The Ca of the Co ncil of Chapel e enjoined upon all cathedral and collegiate churches which did

NOTES

Ildob randi no t t r r 1 2 2 di Bonaven ura, the hi d Wa den in 9 ; ’ of Mascio d A ruclfino in 1 304 ; and of Ser Lippo del fu Crem ontese t 1 6 are , the public mas er of Grammar, in 3 3, rec r s t s s t he o ded ; beside many o her gift . Thu by middle of the fifteenth century the institution already owned a fairly considerable landed estate in the shape of sixteen “ ” poderi (farms extending over some 1 0- 50 acres) and fi ve a fi c mpi ( elds) . A numbe r of devout women voluntarily undertook t he a e s u r s s or c r of the ick , nde the designation of lay i ters O s s s t r t t r t blate , whil t devi ing hei proper y in hei life ime to the u for t u hospital in ret rn heir keep . S ch were Donna A ffi t 1 1 and o gnese del Bindo da Farne a in 3 2 , D nna Ser San a 1 8 A Martina di Jacopo da Gimign no in 1 3 . r t r too t s ffi number of B e h en , , took their part in hi pious o ce ; b ut u er t he r t t t so jealo s w e P iors of heir righ s , tha neither could be appointed by the Warden without the assent of the Co u mm ne . The Warden nominated by t he Con siglio del Popolo or u the st t Comm ne governed in i ution in his own name, upon i ffi the N e being nstalled in o ce by ine of gov rnment. The election thereupon followed by ballot ; the nomination e e fi ve r r pap rs being plac d in a box, we e d awn , and a majority vote ei the r confirmed the nominee or elected a su s . the t at h rc of e c ear b titute Upon of Ma h a h y , the Pri ors and the Captains of the city wards proceeded in st t t t r st ar - rs to the s ta er a e wi h hei and d beare ho pi l , wh e , st the re t the his c em anding in g a hall, Warden , in loak b roidered with the city arms (the letter G with a cross or and u es ed the s to the r os t he r r . g l ) , hand key P ov t of P io s 9 0 NOTES

These were restored to him at once by the Town am as Ch berlain Mayor, in recognition of his rights of m n st e the ad i i ration of the Hospital , and in r turn for

u e - flori n s sed ann al r nt charge of one gold , sub equently rai to w flori ns ed n e t e t elve . The proce i gs w re regularly en er d u a s in C m u pon a p rchment scroll , pre erved the o m nal From on archives. the close of the fourteenth ce ntury ’ s n G imi nano s ward , as the bo ds of San g subjection to he r o w z d s p erful neighbours and su erain tightene , the statu and powers of the Warden underwent progressive curtail t t 1 6 the o men , un il at length , in 5 9 , C mmune were forbidden to elect their Warden without the prior assent of the Duke e N and th ine of Florence . t s th e ta The elec ion to the Warden hip of Hospi l of S . to e e n Fina appears have be n for life, thr e Wardens o ly having occupied the chair during a period extending over nearly half a century ; it is to be p resumed therefore that o va Fra Goccio, the D minican monk to whom Fra Gio nni t his be urt di Coppo dedica es legend , would have en the fo h fi s ss n ta or fth in ucce ion . The a cient chapel of the Hospi l was adorned in later times with the frescoes of Sebastiano

ts S. r e Mainardi and bus of the Saint and Grego y ; thes ,

- V z C t he s t - tu according to Gian incen o oppi , eventeen h cen ry t i se d to his orian of San G mignano , were pre nte the city , in his e by one of for bears , Stefano , a canon of the Col le iate se et r a di a Riario R g Church and cr a y to C r n l in ome. The board upon which the holy Fina spent fi ve years of f r ser t he h her li e is now p e ved in new c apel , of which the af i t tes the tr e oresa d consti u en anc . Fra se ter ffi n e u Goccio, who m of o ce comme c d , it wo ld NOTES 9 1 seem in or out the r 1 00 was— as ear rom the , ab yea 3 , we l n f provi sions of th e Statutes of San Gimignano— still Warden the s a S t t as 1 1 R of Ho pit l of an a Fina so la e 3 4. The ubric No 8 the u 1 2 t . 3 of Stat tes of the year 55, reating of the st r se t w ewa dship of Mes r Guido Marabot ini , lays do n Item teneatur potestas et judex communis ad inq uisitionem dict i Guidi M arab ottini co ere solvendum s | g ad omnes homine , romiserunt u ca itaneis r qui p ipsi G ido , vel xii . p tempo e t i ’ po estat s DIIi Jacobi de P ulliano olim potestatis dietl com. lllam q uantitatem pecunie promiserunt in principio in ” ce tiouis dict i hos ita i ictent utu p p l s et illos qui prom in f ro . A n t R 1 1 addi ional ubric , dated 3 4, concerns the appointment of duos et legales h ominos to exhort the sick and dying to leave their worldly goods to the hospital for the “ salvat ion of their souls and provides that Item the said Goccius H ospitalari us shall pay to the Commune each year one gold flori n for the lease of the said lands and ” t a t “ u d proper y , and likewise in his c ions be g ide by the ” e “A nd Goccius lov of God and the poor . the said shall ” u t e t e l Lib . be bo nd o receive the poor and tr at h m wel . (

Rub . iv .

N ote s t r San 3. Bartolo, the ain whose memo y Gimignano holds in veneration almost equal to that of San ta Fina his t r re s : con empo ary , was born in of noble pa nt Madonna Gentina his mother and Messer Giovanni Buonpedoni his f t r un the cas s a e a he being Co ts of Mucchio , tle aid to h ve b en r ct th e uz ad S e e ed by legendary M io , the comr e of ilvio in the R m R u A days of the o an ep blic. ged twelve when Fina ’ C was rn t b ut t - se n de iardi bo , Bar olo was wenty ve when she died ; and in that age of faith and holiness his thoughts

NOTES 9 3

Gim nano L n o De t r ig o d n , n , he was bu ied in

. A t t th S gos ino, where two cen uries later e art of Bene ” r s u see detto da Maiano ai ed the noble mon ment we now . A The Church of S . gostino was built between the years 1 280 1 2 s r and 9 9 , and was con ec ated by Cardinal Matteo ’ d A cq uasparta a short while before that prelate’s attempt to e ” make peace in Flor nce when Dante sat in the Priorate . “ On the right of the principal entrance is the chapel of San ar s t 1 u B tolo, con truc ed in 49 4. by order of the Comm ne. The tomb itself is the work of Benedetto da Maiano and s l w his pupil , but hardly equa to that shrine hich he had and executed for the holy Fina , the chapel contains also and i presentations of this saint of San Gim gnano, with ” t B zz Gozzc li heir attributes by eno o . A Bull canonising the blessed Bartolo was promulgated

A r VI 1 8 . In 1 8 by Pope lexande , in the year 49 May 9 9 , San Gimignano celebrated the sixth centenary of the death

e - I of their holy f llow townsman, and owe much valuable information concerni ng him and Santa Fina to the published ’ text of Professor Ugo Nomi P esciolini s speech upon that a occ sion .

N ote San V l was 4. iva do a contemporary and disciple of E ’ San Bartolo. lecting to lead the hermit s life, he chose the hollow trunk of a chestnut tree for a dwelling. Upon his it r dead body being discovered there, was car ied to the i t s neighbour ng ownship of Montaione, and the mona tery C u n of onvent al Minorites, which bears his ame and forms the ma s t goal of ny piou pilgrimages , was buil upon the

t o cit spo . (Pecori , p. . )

Not . . r t s th b m e 5 S Pete Mar yr, a cion of e no le fa ily of 9 4 NOTES

tt San was itte 8 Fr n is of Ca ani of Gimignano , adm d by . a c As s rs the 1 2 1 1 the u b hi si i in pe on, in year , among n m er of s r t hi ea liest disciples , toge her with s comrade Giovanni ’ n t Gimi nanese da Cauli , like himselfIcoming of a cien San g “ t s ed stock . Pe er and four of his brethren were elect in to go and carry the Gospel to the infidel people of N n A n r a orther frica. Traversing Spai and Po tug l , and re the at i r S at p aching Word Co mb a and at eville, they r r r r length eached the land of Mo occo, whe e many we e converted by the eloquence and the miracles of these holy

A s . r s a po tles Whereat the king , Mi amolin , incen ed t s s i t the r th their ucce s in bring ng many in o fold, d ove em his — t again and again from kingdom , but in vain hey ur t se the ret ned daun less , eking only palm of martyrdom his n r at ha ds . Thrown into a ho rid dungeon , after ’ t r ce u r hree days endu an of misery , h nge , and insult, they were led forth into the market - place and beaten with r t r ods ; and naught prevailing to shake their fai h , neithe t rt r ur o ure nor b ibery, the king, roused to f y by their stead f s s s t ta a tne s , evered their heads wi h one blow of his scimi r. Thus perished Peter Martyr and four of his companions

t he 1 6th 1 220 the fi st F . upon January , r among the ran ’ u r rt r e cisea B otherhood to claim the ma yr s palm , p ec ding their Holy Founder in Heaven along the path he himself ” had asked in vain to tread . It is related upon the authority of the chroniclers of the

A s the O r . . 1 1 at 8 nnal of Minorite rde , vol. i p 5, th . r s A s s u the F anci of sisi , pas ing thro gh San Miniato in rs of us s u e cou e his journeyings in T cany, ojo rn d at San G n s u t r a n t his Br t r ood imigna o , in tit ting he e co ven of o he h . NOTES 9 5

rt i it t at the r 1 23 0 the t Or Ce a n is , h by yea , Minori e der ’ was t ed t t st Via es ablish in the ci y, and heir mona ery in de Quercecchio was opened with the aid of popular munificence

2 Stor ia della Ter ra di San Gimi nano scritta dal in the year 1 2 7 . ( g L z Canonico uigi Pecori . Firen e,

N ote 6 . Ballad L e. Swinburne . qf if

N ote . o . s 7 (Pecori , p This compendiou standard work has been frequently drawn upon in these pages for information not obtainable elsewhere ; and quotation s not t rw s o he ise ascribed are tran lated from his work .

N ote 8 Sarteschi I t Citr onac/letta di San . . ntroduc ion to the

Gimi nano Ciaccheri g , composta da Fra Matteo Fiorentino ’ McccLv “ b e l anno . (Bologna The same may said to day of the History of San Gimignano— which like~ t r wise chronicles periods of much strife wi hout enown , t t ff broken by in ervals of truce withou rest, di erent from r othe towns only in the accident of its existence , but like unto them in the impulse that moved to wild scenes of hateful discord , those whom the same wall and the same ’ t P ur ator 6 th t moat contains (Dan e, g y , canto, Cary s rans V r lation) . illani d aws the same picture ’ “ di 0 6 in Quasi ogni , di due di l uno combattevano ’ sieme in pih parte della terra in vicinanza com erano le s e parti , toccando ora questi o a quelli s condo la cattiva

fi Istor ie Fiorentine fortuna a ire a con ne. ( .)

N ote Relics. 9 . Swinburne .

N ote 1 0 a L 1 80 m . Matti upi , born in 3 , drew his origin fro a family distinguished in the annals of San Gimignano n t ffi A t b e Gover men o ces . an early age displayed a fond ness for letters and the inclination fo r the study of the

NOTES 9 7

Le entib us Donatum r ul s t r 8re g , eg a ac li e as, . , lire

Le entib us et r l e g tabulam psalte ium, anno quo ib t, lire

The appointment extended over a period of two years , subject to extension ; and to preclude the occurrence of a ll r t vacancy , two counci ors were ent usted wi h the special e n s duty of s lecti g the Ma ter from a list of candidates.

t e- t Mattia was appointed ten years later, at a s ipend of sev ent orin: e of our lir e a - iece yfl of the valu f f , with a house , and an increase upon the fees paid by the Commune for the

- ut t r native born yo hs, whils he was pe mitted to make his ” s arin own terms for the fore tieri . The value of the f 1 0 was t t after the year 37 approxima ely hree Tuscan lire ,

and Tuscan lira 8 . the 4. frs . 3 cm of modern currency . The ’ flo rin our lir e a r L of f , stipulated in f vou of Mattia de upi ,

: 1 . 2 I therefore 7 frs 5 cm . t was upon the above occasion that he gave expression to his gratitude towards the

Commune, in the following lines

0 n Commune, sacri pulcherrima Gemi iani s Patria, jam alve , tellus celeberrima salve. Nunc iterum patria revocor clementa t enellis relecturus et ramm ata Prima pueris, g mille I t coitur ntrica a modis , dum sillaba nexu

Et uae ue t oli s llab a unctis partes quas q q ge unt p y j , Congrua q uasq ue polit propriis orat ic dictis

uas ue fi ura ne uit vetat Q q g q defendere ; quas uti , Quasque sub ornatis variat sententia verbis ; Et a reli antur i qu e multiplici g carm na metro , C 9 8 NOTES

O mnia ue et otuit red q tandem p imire poesis . In ut canitis doctior t quibus , , minime sim , es o, A t tamen aus iti o Numinis p divini actus, Et fi sus patriae gentis natura , honorem Qualemcunq ue tenet pariter cum pondere vestra L t ll reflexis itera, sed primo nuda e ure P o litib us m anib us ue ct a p toto , q lumine ten is In coelum summi magno fervore T onautis O b sec ro o em f succedat ut finis p , elix omine r et d documents se uantur P incipio, laudes ignas q , A cce to ut scri tura u p , solum fert p per ann m , ” enitus a committens r Me p patri e sorte salub i .

R t e urning to his parish, Mattia was recalled to San 1 Gimignano in and again in 454, having in the interval been promoted to the dignity of Vicar to the Bishop A t of Pistoia . f er spending two further years at San t t Gimignano, he once again re urned to Pra o , where he died 2 1 68 s e z on September 4, 4 , e t emed and honoured by the citi ens of San Gimignano , who composed in memory of him several laudatory epistles , which were duly read by their Physician

O . as Public rator Upon learning ofhis death , they appointed t O A two of heir number , Messer nofrio di Pietro and ngelo

a s Becco, to provide for the decent tr nsport of the remain to the his native city , whilst the expenses of funeral ceremonial and sepulture were laid to the public charge. The honours ’ L a thus accorded to Mattia de upi , in his lifetime and fter the wards , were extended to his family later on in accept able form of exemption from certain taxes the Commune n t heir a reciation fa fou ding their resolution upon pp of his me, not which had graced only his native land , but redounded NOTES 99

t o the t t s P rov v isiwi dis inc ion of all Tu cany ( , May ’ The claim of Mattia de Lupi to remembrance rests ten eu principally, however, upon his epic poem in books ,

t Am ie: Geminianencer r s ti led , whe ein he proclaim , in heroic v r r e se, the traditional o igin of Silvia

Fama refert geminos venisse ad p raedia fratres ” E R oma f t s fu ientes a in es a g principi iras .

his r to the e 1 u He carries wo k down y ar 450, and concl des his t s II A S story wi h the panegyric of Piu . ( eneas ylvius) , the A r r r ncient and Mode n Poets , and a gene al eview of the I E r s his policy of the talian and u opean state of day . Several s t s to st t MS . copie of hi work are known exi in priva e s collections, beside that in fragmentary form which is r L t L r p eserved in the auren ian ib ary in Florence (Pecori , op. I S A t n the Church of . gos ino, at San Gimignano there st t t th may be seen a ma erpiece of municipal sen imen , in e

st A . D M CCCCLxxxvn fresco by Seba iano Mainardi dated . . , representing the patron of the city in the act of blessing t tr s : L the t hree of her illus ious ons Mattia upi , poet, wi h r 1 68 his crown of lau els , d . 4 ; Domenico Mainardi , the

- - 1 22 canonist, a noble looking grey haired ecclesiastic , d . 4 ; ’ N N Cetti and ello elli de , the jurist , and writer on Civil Law t t L s , d . The inscrip ion to Mat ia upi run

Geminianus Silviaci r . S. Populi Gube nator Mathias patriae reliq uisq ue piissimus hic est

Lupius in Petri relligione n iteus. Rethore Silviadae hoe et , , simul gaudete po a, S ar i ur s hu us ore s p g te purp ea j in ro as.

NOTES 10 1 or fi us t st II ctitio plo again the Pope, Paul . , he saved himself K ’ by flight , taking refuge at the ing of Poland s Court , 1 6 where he died in 49 , being buried at Cracow . Some verses carved above the seats run ning round the walls of a room adjacent to the Great Hall in the Palazzo Communale R are attributed to him . He extols the oman legendary origin of the city as follows

P er ite Silviadae R t g , , omano sanguine cre i , le es ue ae uam Pace frui , g q sacras , atque omnibus q im se fidem tollite Unan es rvare : sed , si quis Excitat v s fc edere ad erso discordi cives , Et veterum m oveant et novorum , vos exempla . Evellenda s crescat prius , terilis quam avena . ut Dogmata, haec servant subsellia publica, cives est fi xa Quis cura Silvi , sic pectore tenete. ” A Mccocu xv J nno Domini de mense unii .

N ote 1 1 Fra u A i . Gi nta, the ugustin an monk and author of a life of San Bartolo in the early years of the fourteenth century— the first to adopt the appellation of Silv io for the — was 1 city of San Gimignano followed , in 355, by Fra Matteo Ciac cheri Fiorentino with his Cr onac/zetta di San

Gim nano ig . Fra Matteo was a native of San Gimignano , l l s a though he ca led him elf a Florentine , because when he wrote all his fellow - townsmen had become Florentine ” z o m citi ens (Gardner , p. His rhy ed chronicle com mencos

’ Nel mille m ent ra uuova fantasia T receu i u e s r cinquanta c nq e , e buon p n ie i 102 NOTES

R r ta r ecare in ima ques dice ia , E t raccon a di due gentil scudieri , Silvio et M utio del popul Romano Discesi e nati di pro cavalieri ’ ’ L un pose Mucchio e l altro Geminiano ’ ” C t s e ii fi o re h en ro delle Ca tella egli .

The Annals: Gm inianenrer of Mattia Lupi have already been noticed.

‘ The f am of San Gimignano are likewise set forth by

V n z t r Annali M a m ie Giovanni i cen o Coppi , the au ho of the ed H uonsini illm tr i di San Gim nano this e ig , who in work , dedicat d 1 6 r s III t in 9 5 to the G and Duke Co imo . , follows, more fai h

u a - f lly perhaps than sober minded historian should, the s Lu r his lyrical hyperboli m of Mattia pi . He d ew origin the from family of Coppi , distinguished in San Gimignano s t t t s A annal from the hirteen h cen ury downward . jurist u ffi like his father Giacinto, he occupied high m nicipal o ce his s in native city, being elected Gonfaloniere ( tandard 1 6 O t 1 1 8 s bearer) in 9 4, and ra or to Florence in 7 . Coppi tell

Annali t b out the us in his , and his statemen is orne by records , ’ of the painter Sebastiano M ainardi s act ivity— that upon the C r A t f wall in the hu ch of San gos ino, acing that displaying ’ efli ies L N G t the g of upi , Mainardi , and ello de et i, a com panion painting represented Saint Peter Martyr between Fra u ta A s r Gi n , the ugu tinian monk and hagiog apher, and Fra CO o t he Fr r r r Giovanni pp , Dominican ia and ch onicle of the legend of the holy Fina ; three personages most renowned in the history of San Gimignano for their theological learn NOTES 103

and the t t r s t ing sanc i y of thei lives . The in crip ion ran as follows

Quos tulit haec patria i nsignia simulacra v irorum R in enio ue nitentum eligione sua simul , g q M ainardum ussit Dominicus doctor pingere j . u ta descri sit Bartole m J n tuam mire p , , vita S u coelestem t cc nscendit aulam ang ine Pe rus ad , t fi ni o re s His oriam placido dedit Joanne .

The bell tower of the church being struck by lightning

- u the s t r pres mably in eventeen h century, for no w iter later than Coppi mentions this composition— the wall and the fresco sustained such damage as virt ually to obliterate the s s painting, of which all ve tige have now disappeared under

a coat of whitewash .

N ote 1 2 t s t he t rt . Sou hern Tu cany in hi eenth and four teenth centuries was remarkable for the intellectual versa tility not only of hagiographers furthering the evolution of the national language by its use in their writings rather than Latin ; but also th rough the number of wri ters who ” r t i n “ t celeb a ed the vulgar ongue, both prose and verse, s r s or the glorie of thei ancestor the story of their own time . ’ A e Val d Elsa The Golden g of the produced many such , st fi st t among whom , r and foremost, is the poe Folgore. “ r i a ss th t His p inc p l work is a ociated wi Siena ; here is , r s however, a second se ies of onnets , eight in number, for the ” ff s e di erent day of the week , which is more connect d , says ” r r t Mr. Ga dne , with his na ive city . They are dedicated to the t t s r rr Cavicciuoli Floren ine Cap ain , Carlo di Mes e Gue a ,

NOTES 105 t fi ve a s rs aining alt r , was brought to light, together with ja , “ e u s It is to vases, imag s of tutelary deities , and funeral rn . ” r d be reg ette , observes Pecori , that the good monks have find A r preserved no record of this . number of simila objects were discovered in the eighteenth century in the course of excavations at and near Porto San Matteo ; and

fi R r u c s nds of oman coins are of f eq ent occurren e to thi day . In 1 8 5 1 a funeral cipp us was unearthed containing ashes

s u i and charred bones , two jar , a co ple of str gils, a gilt br z la r or s u on e p tte di c , and a coin str ck in the reign of t th e Tiberius . But whilst these circums ances all point to the R s existence upon spot of a oman ettlement , they add

Silvian I o . no weight to the theory . t is noteworthy , m re t R t s over, tha oman me hods in brickmaking and ma onry a i s were pr ctised so late as the tenth and eleventh centur e .

o cit (Pecori , p. . app . doc . vi .)

N ote 1 A s n n Fra t was fi s 4. The ugu tinia mo k Giun a the r t use to make of the designation , in his life of San Bartolo ,

r tur c o . cit w itten early in the fourteenth cen y . (Pe ori , p .)

N ote 1 s s te 5 . The clo ing year of the thir enth century w s V itnes ed the birth in Florence of Giovanni illani , the i I b e h storian. n the year of the Ju il e whilst yet a s R R r youth , he betook him elf to ome . etu ning to his native re u if r city, he ente d pon his l e wo k , the compilation of the

Istor ie Fiorentine , which he did not live to complete. The am re the fortunes of his f ily we involved , with those of

eat r - zz r 1 6 Bonaccorsi , in the gr Ba di Peru i failu e in 34 , and to t i t t Giovanni, unable mee his liabil ties , was hrown in o ’ the s a ar ate u to debtor j il. Two ye s l r he succ mbed the Great Mortality the plague that swept three- fift hs of the 106 NOTES

t us o inhabi ants of T cany out of existence. B ccaccio has left us t r the s was a vivid pic u e of calamity , which , if Tu cany “ ” t r San her L . s icken , spared neither Gimignano nor and P odestzi s V r The , Me ser Uberto isdomini , pe ished ; of the IX the o uIar . of Government only four survived ; p p Council in the following year numbered only fifty- fi ve members ; and instead of the thirty foot - soldiers asked fo r t he t s San i by Floren ine , G mignano could only furnish

t - t C R A rdi n helli wenty four wi h their aptain osellino g , “ ” s st A s o ripped of its inhabitants was the land . censu , ” R B t i n 1 0 the egistro delle ocche, aken 35 , places the u e the C st 1 8 the L n mber register d in a le at 9 4, in and 66 b ut s s at 1 5 ; a total adult population of 3559 ; ince pauper , t s ts a e inma e of conven , and children under six years of g t f not were not subject to taxation , and were here ore in r s in cluded in the schedule, the numbe may rea onably be

r - the t r a c eased by two sixths, and en i e popul tion which had su rvived the plague may thus have reached 6000 souls. If t hese 6000 represent t he survivors in a proport ion of two fift hs th t t st San t he to e o al , the Ca le of Gimignano and L r and would in the lifetime of the holy Fina , a centu y ea r viz 1 2 0 r s rlie , . 5 , have numbe ed some inhabitant . ’ t V t t s Ma teo illani , who con inued his bro her history, also the 1 6 e San fell a victim to Plague of 3 3 , which comp lled Gimignano to put up a stockade for the protection of the w ta the r t to n against con gion ; and, upon Flo en ines remon st ratin e t r O to r g, the city despatch d hei rator explain thei ” t te estilentia v t and e ac ion, ostan p nunc in Terra igen e, crav the ss S re a ent of the ignoria the to.

Note 1 6 . t r ans l M uratc ri R e etti and L m . His o i ike , p , a i all NOTES 1 07 agr ee in regarding as a fable the alleged sojourn of K ing n San Desiderio either in San Mi iato or in Gimignano. The

t Ar tie/lira Toscane lez t s t has l lat er ( , . s ate tha he fai ed , s t r a s t u de pi e all his ese rche , to es ablish the tradition pon any r t t us worthy foundation , while the language and the style of the inscription set in the wall of Palazzo Pesciolini in Contrada San Matteo bear the unmistakable stamp of “ t - — A nnc n N C lat er day authorship Domi i . Jesu hristi noeux Desideri us xxII et ultimus Longob ardorum rex cum T usciae teneret re naret imperium atque g , S . Gem .

auxi t u vallav it ct a sua oppidum , atq e hoc p latium pro regia fundam ent is aedificavit D einde dilab ente a . temporum

r D ni Mc . c. xIII Brosii has o sside cu su anno D . Ugo aedes p bat et hujusce palatii possessio in dicta Brosiorum familia cont inuata perm ansit adeo ut anno MDcxnI Ugo dc Brosiis filius enitus restaurandum et usdem Thomae, primo g ej familiae ” n rei r curaverit. i signia , ad perpetuam memo iam ponendo

N ote 1 I tor ia della Toscana . S . 7. nghirami , , vol v chap . iv. ’ N ote 1 8 A a r m r I Reali . ndrea di J copo s o ance of histo y , di Francia t the the E , which con ains generations of mperors, K s u s e s l s ing , D ke , Princ s , Baron , and Pa adin of France, with z t l t their great empri e and the ba t es hey have fought , com mencin s E O g with Con tantine the mperor to rlando, Count of " A n lante r to t u g , has emained his day a ho sehold work of s ai s olace and entert nment among the Tu can peasantry . A copy in my possession dates back to the seventeenth t cen ury , but modern reprints frequently appear upon the r I l bookstalls of Flo ence and other towns in ta y .

N ote 1 V resentium literarum constitu 9 . obis omnibus p a et successorib us vestr is tione m ndamus , in perpetuum servan

NOTES 109

were u sually cast with the mott o A d Dei gloriam et ” t e i t t as t m s r e t pa ria l ber a e, hough to e phasi e the p ot c ion th e u e the t which Ch rch extend d over communi y . N ote 2 2 . r r o cit . Ga dne ( p. . p

N ote 2 . r o ci 3 Peco i ( p. t ) . N ote 2 If n S t 4 . in Ghirlandajo s prese ntme t of the ain in the hour preceding her death we behold a countenance spiritualised with th e almost unearthly beauty of the soul t r t s ust entering life h ough the ga e of pain , we m look in another of his frescoes for a vision of the fai rness extolled rs th the rt u by chronicle , which e youthful champion of vi e of renouncement chooses to veil from the admiring glances s s of the San Gimignano gallants, dwelling in eclu ion in her home and only issuing therefrom to attend the services ” us of the church. The Quattro Cento has left no fairer picture of girlish grace than the blithe figure in whom we

f u s - u r the can retrace the eat re of our Child Saint, nde V r in hand semblance of the i gin Mary, prayer book , s n st s s a cendi g the air of the Temple . The cene of the

P resentation N F (Ghirlandajo , S . Maria ovella , lorence) sh ows us the little girl climbing all those s teps without u she t aid of man , as tho gh hath attained already perfec ion ” . Golden Le end. s t r of age ( g ) She is garbed in fe tive a ti e, ’ h er flowing locks uncovered as is maidens wont ; and the flower - embroidered mantle veiled by a dalmatic of lighter

- fittin — for material over a close g gown , is probably fashion

n t t s ov ert was r l cha ged but lit le in ho e days, and p y a e ative — term in the case of the gentle - born not unlike the fi ne raiment donned by the blessed Fina on the occasions when she to at ss or b ds n walked tend Ma , prayer book ea in ha d, 1 10 NOTES

n fi st reat t s t t t s maki g r t y wi h her eye , ha hey hould look ” on no man . N “ ote 2 5. Tradition alone determines the site in the vie ” le zz r t fra r the u e viu e che e ano in ricate lo o, where ho se of ’ t o t t Fina de Ciardi s o d, in the Con rada del Sasso , owards ’ ” d O rnella. N s L a Glor ie della Tor r e Pian (Ugo omi Pe ciolini ,

di San Gim nano 1 00 2 ig , Siena , 9 , p . 4 and note

N ote 26 A the f e the s ut . mong series of resco s in o h nave t u e of the Collegia a Church , beg n by B rna di Siena , who 1 80 his died in 3 , the work being completed by pupil ’ d Asciano the r t 8 Giovanni , we may note appa i ion of . the Gregory to holy Fina, with the inscription

A pparet P inae doctor Gregorius almae Revelans ob itum romitteus n l , p mu era pa mae.

“ In n o single later work has Ghirlandajo p roclaimed so plainly his affinity with Baldov inetti as in the painting that decorates the right - hand wall (of the San ta Fina chapel in r r the Collegiata Church) , where Pope Grego y appea s to the t s holy Fina , in a glory of ligh encircled by cherub , t s r fore elling her imminent di solution . The clea light of u door and t day pours , thro gh the wide open a li tle window , into the scantily furnished room where the youthful t t s sain reclines , motionless upon her plank bed , wi h hand folded and her glance fi rmly fixed upon the vision float her tt ing before eyes . Two elderly women a end her the faithful nurse Beldia raises slightly the head of th e to ff r tt s dying girl, a o d her a be er view of the Pre ence ; and the s the s a expres ion of two erving maids , and especi lly the gesture of the second attendant woman with her left hand NOTES 1 1 1

t t s uplifted, clearly betokens tha to their sigh likewi e the ha wondrous prodigy s been revealed . The fresco is e s e t conceiv d in a omewhat sob r one of colour, whilst the drawi ng strikes our perception s with the impression of a a u t cert in rigidity ; b t on the o her hand , what a deep s fi n a ou is religiou feeling lls the arrow ch mber, how t ching ’ the expression of spiritual joy in the holy Fina s regular t r th e rt fea ures , how direct and t ue to life character po rayal the t ze t i of two worthy ma rons , who ga with somewha na ve amazement at the supernatural apparition taking visible ” ’ s E st Steinman n s Gb ir hape. (Translated by me from rn

Ianda o Kii nstler r . j , Monog aphien ) ’ ote Ra - a lio [sto s N 27 . Padre Pier Paolo de Medici ( ggu g rie della Vita e M ir acoli della Glorious Vergine Santa Fina S 1 8 1 2 nd at s s t t iena , 7 , edition) , rel e how the limb ha r t to the were corrupted and emained at ached board , were

s all in tantly , and to the wonder of beholders , covered with a growth of the whitest blossoms which exhaled the most r t frag ant perfume. To a doub arising in his mind regard the t t rs r b ing na ure of hese flowe , he eplies y suggesting st that the miracle , of which the popular tradition persi s to “ this day in the designation of the wall - flower as la Viola ” di Santa Fina , perhaps also consisted in the transformation as of their golden brown blossoms to white, a token of the ’ But “N t n holy maiden s virgin purity . he adds o hi g the indeed is known about flowers beyond their colour, their e and t to s fragranc , their profusion , growing as hey do thi s n t day freely, blos omi g as hey do of their own accord , care of the t the st less hand of man , not only be ween ones of t s b ut l far out ancien hou es and garden walls , a so of human

NOTES 1 1 3

t t of th e nce 8 . o bjec ive reali y is perc ption . The insta of

C r el d a Sanctor um zand one h istina of Stomm n (A , Jan . ) is frequently cited among the saints whose pe rsons in their lifetime exhaled a sweet fragran ce ; but her biographers are s n w t a s sa ile t i h reg rd to the preci e nature of the sen tion , beyond asser ting its supernatural character ; whilst the ch e s L dwina f S a ronicl r of Saint y , with whose li e that of ant ff e Fina in her su ering presents a c rtain analogy, tell us that her chamber smelled so sweet that all who entered believed that diverse kinds of aromatic herbs had been concealed r t t he therein . The frag ance given for h struck not only smell but also th e taste ; it was as though o ne partook of s : th e ginger , clove , or cinnamon savour of which , ardent ” s tr assaileth ss and ong, the tongue and palate with sweetne .

- cta Sanctor nns 1 th A . e l (A , 4 pril ) The monk G r ac describes a u f a lso how, at a s bsequent period in her life, the ragr nce l ed io of spices was fo low by that of roses , v lets , lilies , and freshly cut flowers ; and he repeatedly refers to the sweet

r s o f n his odou s exhaled by the per on the Saint , fou ding n the t stateme t upon estimony of many witnesses . The b n Ca etan the o n the iographer of Sai t j , f u der of Theatine

O A ta Sane-tom th A e rder ( c , 7 pril) , av rs that the perfume of orange blosso ms was cert issimum p rofecto ejus vi rgini ” u t ur t he tatis indici m , and tha the odo of musk pervaded

- so s a Acta Sanetar s us 2nd A . per n of S . Franci of P ula ( , pril) The c u n r h s as oncl sions draw f om t e e accounts , as varied t e are s e h y picture qu , are ably and suggestively discussed by ’ ’ . e u s L Odbur de Saintete Rev ue de P ar is Dr G orge D ma ( , ,

Dec .

’ N ote 2 b e th e e s the Lo d s v ant s 9 . The eli f that bodi of r s er H 1 1 4 NOTES c an remain incorruptible and dist il a perfume perceptible to their surroundings is based upon tradition handed down r rem t e ress b f om o e ages , b ing exp ed for us y David “ For neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy O ne to see

ru t P s . . A os s a the cor p ion ( . xvi v The p tle pplied

words to Christ that neither His flesh did see corrup . ” t n A ts st 8 . u e an io ( c ii . whil Pa l t lls his Corinthi “ d s 2 E . 1 are u t G od i ciples ( p . chap ii. 5, For we n o a sweet savour of Ch rist in them that are saved and in them that peri sh : to the one we are the savour of death unt o ” nd to the the sa ur e u t deat h ; a other vo of lif n o life. t t s e r s t ra t he be e r O u of he e xp ession , taken li e lly , li f g ew which was certainly held with ent ire single - mindedness by hagiographers and the persons who actually experienced the olfactory impression of the odour of sanctity ; assisted thereto doubtless by the illusion of the senses su staining tur t he t h en b r The i n their n fai h w ich had giv them i th . “ ” numerous instances of an odour of sanct ity being per ib e t t un r c ir u s s not c ept l af er dea h , de c m tance which did exclude the possibility of the phenomenon of collect ive

e Be e t X VII. 1 0 st suggestion , led Pop n dic ( 74 whil laying down the doctr in e of the Church with regard to the s r ct th e m stat t te th miraculou cha a er of anife ions , to s a e principles that should guide the ecclesiastical authority in establishing the prodigy That the human body should

u r tes the P c e De Sen or-mus not exhale an evil odo r, w i p ( ‘ “ Beat ieatione is ss e t b ut at sme D ei g ), a po ibl hing, th it ll ' b the er of t re e er e sweet is a t hing eyond pow na u , as xp ienc us ere it t t become teachet h ; wh fore , be ha the body t t r ma tact that it u ef or b e corrupted or ha it e in in , p tr y NOTES 1 1 5

howeth s s ra r t preserved : if an odour s it elf per istent, f g an , e it b incommoding none , agre able to all, and that e proven that neither doth there prevail nor hath there existed ever the t he any natural cause capable of producing same, it ( ll and odour) sha be imputable to a higher power , the fact ” b e m r r c deemed i aculous . To distil the frag an e of roses s s t r b e the and lilie is , in the view of my tic wri e s , to deposi t sweeteneth tary of interior grace, the vial of perfume tha the t m h se m e ple, and t at strikes the sen s through a aterial “ impression revealing the presence of the Spirit . Odor enim spi rituali s ex interna partium animae contentione et vi utum ue t connexione romanat et n rt q debi a p , i ter ” nam pulch ritudinem m agnopere commendat (A cts of

- t . Ad a Sc am sm N the Canonisa ion of S Theresa , ) . ever th less C Dc Bu f St ations m the e Pope Benedict ( f. f/ ) war clergy against possible error . Whenever the report of a t s re like prodigy is submi ted to us , we hould ca fully seek out the bona fi de: of the promoter ; learn whether the body t cannot by any means have been anointed wi h perfumes , aromatic substances or u nguents ; ascertain likewise the

wood it e l the ra nature of the upon which hath be n aid , iment t e e the tha hath cloth d it , the bed wher on it hath rested , flowers and the herbs that have been known to b e kept ” . C within the chamber or the vicinity thereof ( f . Dr . ’ G . L Odeur dc Sainteté Dumas, .) “ s Note 30 . Padre Medici recalls as a circum tance not to be overlooked in respect of these flowers the testimony o t e given by D nna Benvenuta , daugh er of B ldia , the nurse of th e f t s t h t holy Fina. The ormer hath a te ted hat s e ye b eheld a quantity of fragrant flowers in diverse places of

NOTES 1 17

r t rs t a rt t t t cho is e wi h candle nd banner, po ray wi hou doub st fa u th c the l ta u as mo ithf lly, e lergy of Co legia Ch rch e t t r u Ghirlandajo knew th m , oge her with the g o p of leading z s not r to citi en , who have failed to put in an appea ance n a b s the re der a l st tri ute of veneration toward holy remains. A m ost att ract ive pictur e of the men and manners of his the st the day is here unfolded before us by arti in black cap , who stands with his assistants in a group behind th e ofliciatin r sts If s t e t the g p ie . , de pi e his ke n insigh , power to develop the portrayal of individual character to its fullest r the r s t exp ession , by endowing scene rep e en ed with an adequate sense of emotional reality in harmony with the a et r t i n action , is still l cking ; y , if we acco d due weigh our judgment of his work t o th e accuracy shown by the ’ painter in rendering each distinctive feature of his sitters to s s has s personality, and the ucces with which he olved the p roblem of ease and life - like action in his freely moving groups of vividly diversified impersonation s ; then indeed ’ the secret of Ghirlandajo s popularity as an artist with s r r s ta his contemporarie , and of his masterly ep e en tion t his e s e s s of Floren ine life in lat r fre co s , tand fully and

E o si r a . . t completely eve led ( rnst Steinmann , g , my tr anslation . )

Note 2 o cit 0 n t . . 6 2 3 . Pecori , p. . p . 4 4, and o e xcvi p 5 .

N ote t s t 33. The ancien chapel of the ho pi al , now forming

t Fo netti o . the en rance to the new chapel ( g , p is

S st a the r - in decorated in fresco by eba iano M inardi , b other ’ t s law of Ghirlandajo. The al ar contain the holy Fina s

- - mi raculous flower bearing plank bed.

N ote t i u su ss ut 34. The poli ical vic ssit des and cce ive o 1 1 8 NOTES

breaks of the Plague cau sed a suspen sion of the work until

1 6 O r tro— oero o 4 5, when Messer nof io di Pie g j , or church warden— was instructed to conduct the undertaking to a proper and decorous conclusion ; the Warden of the Hospital of Santa Fina being directed to pay one hundred flori ns l s s h so gold annua ly , be ide twenty bus els of corn , long as the building cont inued the Commune on their n o The A part cove anting t contribute their share . rms of ’ - a l the Wool Combers Guild, displayed upon the w l in the t a s s c immediate vicini y of the Chapel , would le d , ay Pe ori , t in default of other evidence , to the belief hat they also t u w th r ti had con ributed in some meas re to ards e deco a on . Nov 0 1 the e We note an entry on . 3 , 477 , in l dger of the f r zz r the works , of ou lbs . of a uro [ult amarine] to paint ” a- fi ve s vault at eight lire piece, and hundred piece of gold , ’ to r t L ibra d Entrota. deco a e the chapel lire 49 . ( )

N ote u r s a 35. The Plag e had al eady made a poradic p earance 1 6 in p in the year 47 , but worse was yet to follow the s tw t s T he to s f ubsequent elve mon h . Commune, a e ’ z a t guard the citi ens lives , appointed number of heal h ffi and R n the r al o cers, passed a esolution providi g for emov

u - th e s S t ra of the plag e stricken to Mona tery of an a Chia , ut s r r e s re o side the city boundarie , whe e thei n ed we s a m ministered to by four attendant or lmoners , one of the

to r s ten a- ce a priest shrive thei ouls , at a salary of lire pie , besides a measure of flour an d a barrel of wine assigned to ” t fi t a e a . O se hem , and f y soldi to the monk for s id ne of the , Fra Bernab eo de V s A u t O l i conti of the ug s inian rder , fel a his t was su eed his oflice victim to devo ion , and cc ed in by

Lu r s a . All use ers re ou d Fra ca, a F anci c n ho hold we b n , NOTES 1 19 u er severe e lt s to re an as a u to the nd p na ie , port y c e of Pl g e the s re s b to the almoners, and if ick should fu e to e moved L u ret t ir us s to the All a to, he ho e were forfeit city. inter u sus e was en t t reats of co rse with pected p rsons forbidd , wi h h “ such punishment as the Priors might please to inflict upon r s ressors A ll u n r f t s t an g . jo r eys to and f om in ec ed place r t and a fine b were p ohibi ed, of ten lire was payable y any

s u - us e l his one who ho ld receive a plague s pect d a ien in home . N e l ss s t t e ts u ev rthe e , de pi e hese draconian dic , the sco rge

a far ee s t r o spre d and wide : ind d , eva ion of the edic by ci i ns e was e r r ce r ze of not an ve yday occur en . Peco i in his r s as ase s Use i history reco d a c in point the acts of Me ser pp ,

th - ues t the e e farmer of e oil d , who ob ained privileg of fre entry into his dwelling for all who sho uld bri ng that com modity into the city ; and the soldiers of the Florentine a at s r the t t t garrison c me and went plea u e in infec ed dis ric , until an embassy had to be despatched to Florence to obtain s the ce ssation of the abu e.

N ote 6 The u se R t s t 3 . Comm ne pas d a esolu ion e ting apart a sum of so li re annually towards t he celebration of t he est a u o first Su a A u us I Votive F iv l p n the nd y of g t. n i n to t s s the L zar t for u addit o hi deci ion, a et o the plag e b ur s t ti 1 8 to a st ricken eing removed d ing the vi i a on of 4 5 ,

c t t ut r u a as . o lo ali y wi ho the ci c it of w lls , known S Jacop ’ O m the rd s t S t F was all l o, Wa en of the Ho pi al of an a ina ed out the u at o m e r s direct , of f nds his disp sal, to ak p ovi ion for the care of the sick ; b ut be it that b e deemed t he charge rous for the st tut or f r s u t one in i ion , that ea poke lo der han ar t the n e t he u tuna t Christian ch i y, egl ct of nfor te vic ims s h i i nati the u com llin arou ed t e nd g on of Comm ne, m g

NOTES 1 2 1

[the art] ; wherefore in that manner of painting in fresco he

- t became an expert master ; and , going wi h Domenico to San t t S Gimignano, hey painted toge her the chapel of aint n fine n A th e s Fi a, which is a thi g. fterwards obligingnes ’ and amiability of Bast ian o s conduct so worked upon to his Domenico, that he judged him worthy have one of sisters to wife ; and thus their friendship was exchan ged ” t . V sa : : for a family connec ion ( a ri Salani, Florence my a transl tion . )

N ote fi n s 39 . Work upon the shrine, of the e t white marble , ’ e was commenc d by Benedetto da Majano, Giuliano s brother, ” in 1 “ I “ 475. t is not quite , says Mr. Gardner , as the ” “ s A s c s culptor left it. bove the ar ophagu are the Madon na and Child in a glory of cherubs with two angels ; ’ underneath them are scenes in relief from Fina s life ; her 8 vision of . Gregory , her funeral , her appearing to a sick l i s se l woman , hea ing her of her s ckne s . The prede la scenes ’ n l o t he s s c ru s were origi a ly bel w , pre ent ba e of he b heads a t d and sacr men al cups being more mo ern . Below, on s either ide of the tabernacle , are four angels in niches and two more (isolated statues) kneel with vases of flowers to

o t he s s the right and left of the altar . Up n arcophagu , na n t o decorated with ked gen , a tribute the spirit of the ” s t G iovan Renai sance , runs the inscription , a tributed to i Cantalicio u a s in r Bat sta , the a thor of laud tory ver es honou t V i n 1 v iz z of the Saint prin ed in enice 49 3, .

V ni s tent tu u ue sus ici s hos es irgi s o sa la m lo , q m p , p ; ae s em raesidium ue s H c decu , ex plum , p q sui . N i a a uaeris omen Fina fuit, patr a h ec ; mir cula q P erle e ark s n e t g quae p , vivaque sig a doc n . 1 22 NOTES

The bones of a virgin lie hidden in the tomb which thou e st str r is the e the b holde , ange ; she the glory , exampl ,

u r her f ll - ti z s a was g a dian of e ow ci en . Her n me Fina ; this t t see ra s — S t the her na ive land. Dos thou k mi cle can wha ” wa l - I s u l and life like statues teach . t ha been arg ed that the last line of the ep itaph proves the frescoes to have been painted not later than 1 475 b ut this i s not by any means us as the s t a b t r m concl ive, ubjec had prob bly een set led f o the E t s . r o cit 8 beginning (Gardne , p. . pp . 34 , n rie ’ exist in the ledger of the works (L ib -o dell opera) of certain sums of money paid to Benedetto da Majano for t S t t s 2 th the epi aph of an a Fina, under da e of 9 May

1 0 1 th as set down in tbs reat 49 , and 3 December 1 49 3, g tool is th ir due or de r st has r . This book , Peco i ates, dis ear app ed . Note 6 The i t r t the conse 4 . inscr p ion ma king the da e of “ cration of the Santa Fina Chapel runs : A d perpetuam rei memoriam Nichola Florentinus episcopus pistoriensis s su raesulis Volaterram ra sa e l Vi r inia Dei de con en p , a m c l i g dedicavit retiosissimas r u s rna Fine , ac ejusdem p eliq ia in u marmorea una cum clero et populo magna cum venera t e solemniter collocavit mx Kalendas Octob ris n oose ion . ” Lxxxvn.

N ote A e t ta w h 4 1 . lthough conn c ed inciden lly only it S t t his n s am th e s an a Fina , hrough i clu ion of her ong Saint

- S. A s and Doctors of the Church in the fresco cycle of go tino , and as an attendant Saint in scenes where the Madonna and c u the e r se ere San G o the Child o c py c nt e, el wh in imignan , t Gozzoli t t t one the impo rtan work of Benozzo in ha ci y , of

tr sures of the u tt r - ento c not remain un oti ced. ea Q a o C , an n NOTES 1 2 3

He has shown him self the portraitist of angels of a grace and loveliness scarcely equalled by the greatest masters t s r r A n elica A n in hi espect the t ue disciple of Fra g .

n r - w as of i compa able story teller, the poet of the idyll as ell the d s u fi s episo e, lover of nat re, a student of eld and flowers , s bird and animals. He loved to enamel a window with blossoms as well as to elaborate the pattern of a brocade jerkin , to show us the arbour bending under heavy clusters r s as to r s s r of g ape , as well p e ent us to ome contempora y t r u s m a nifi co t legisla o or j rist , oldier, or g . Upon the vas wall spaces that he covered so rapidly and so easily with a world of story he reveals himself in turn as a landscape t t t s pain er, a por raitis , a delineator of animal , a veritable ’ t the fi his cos umier in in nite variety of heroes habiliments , s an architect , a designer of ornament, and above all a pa t s r ff ma te in the art of decorative e ect. The pure serene ’ spirit of Fra A ngelico s A rt had with Benozzo Gozzoli — the become more human , more familiar heavens he con ceived were t he pleasan test places of this earth ; but if the m s e is s r the work of the a t r more divinely pi itual, that of ” is s t s far pupil in tinct wi h a life more inten e and real by .

M asters in A rt Ser ies Benozzo Goz zoli B s C0 ( . ate Guild t U A Bos on , S ) Benotius r s t rest auravit The words Flo entinu Pic or, A ucoccaxvn r t r t nno Domini . commemo a e the estora ion , ’ rust L M emmi s five ent ed to him by the Commune, of ippo es r the r the fr coes, which ado n wall of the G eat Hall of a zzo s s s P la Communale, igned , as the in cription run “ Lippo Memi de Seni s me pinxit al tempo di Messer Nello ss r r t a di Me e Mino de Tolomei di Siena, ono evole Po est e

NOTES 1 25

r — La I a these aids . The Spaniards . the mperial and P pal o s — a tro p had attacked San Galg no ; and , be it the bravery e of the defenders or a prodigy of the holy Fina , they wer a off te a e be ten . Then , as the tablet lls us This was c us d and h to be made by Berna the Miller his nephews , wit

vow e Piero Golpi , who made their when they fought th ir

. 1 00 0 battle at S Galgano with Spaniards , at the time of

1 0 the siege in 53 , and were saved through the merits of the e e Bl ss d Fina. History records O ther instances of the favourable in ter vention i of the Saint , notably during the visitat on of the

u 1 6 0 Lo r Plag e in the year 3 , which spread through mba dy , t C hroughout Tuscany, when the ommune at once ordained that Michaelmas Day be celebrated by a public procession

- fi ve during twenty successive years , and in addition that the procession bearing the relics of the holy Fina through the city precincts be attended in state by the Magistrate, and r clergy , eligious communities , the men walking bare a r foot with ope round their bodies , and the women with t f ffl N heir aces covered in sign of a iction . evertheless , de s r t pite this and the sanita y measures aken , the epidemic increased in violence ; and in the month of May 1 63 1 d r e renewe processions were orde ed , this time with the r lics

of SS . Bartolo and Gimignano besides the holy Fina. But it was not until the subsequent month of September that th e r r s st icken city breathed f eely again , after lo ing 8 00 so u s - fifths the u l , probably two of pop lation . ’ N ote . V z Cetti 43 The poet incen o de , who flourished in fi was the rst half of the sixteenth century , the son of Ser Giusto di Ser Giovanni di Ser Nello ; the latter commemo 1 26 NOTES rated with Domenico Strambi together with Mattia Lupi in ' S A o b s t s . g stino , eing one of the city mos di tinguished ur s s s r t e j i t , who e writings had even me i ed the comm ndation o f the saintly A rchbishop of Florence A ntonino in the

e u c . V z r r t pr vio s entury incen o, the wo thy inherito ofpa ernal r r Rh at t aditions, held the chai of etoric in his native city , S an 1 A r zz c Miniato in 539 , and at e o . He omposed a n La umber of poems in tin , dedicated to various Bishops , the E C L A A r zz mperor harles , to Madonna ucia ccolta of e o , and 0 our c s s set others . His claim up n noti e consi t in a o f Latin verses addressed in the form of a praye r to th e h h as s t oly Fina. The MS . been pa ted into the book , hus f r fl - the u e t M S the o ming the y leaf of fo rte nth cen ury . of

L e enda Sanctc Fins Vir inia do Sanctc Geminiano the gg g , in Co L mmunal ibrary .

Praesidium populiq ue decus sanctissim a nostri Quae stas ante J esum florib us ore micana O stentasq ue leves qui pu tr i corpore vermes M anarunt dicens : alm s , haec mea p , Deus Cui us opem flexo gens Sylvia poplite posc it Pectore cui rundens supplicat om ni s homo ; F ina ue vicinos as ernata q non p colonos, A d quam concur runt undiq ue magna cohors ; A d te confugimus nost rae expectatio gentis R eliquias colimus supplice corde tuas A s r sanctissima s udi igitur nostra vi go , voce , uam ue s s orri e Q q sole populo p g , Fina , manum . Bella timent ; hinc bella fuga ; fata aspera abho rrent ; Funde procul metuunt turpis facta fam is ; NOTES

Tute famem seda : repetent tua tecta q uotannis fi n itimi vir ue u Patria femina q sim l . Servahun t q ue tuas sedes et dona fideles i dederis Distr buent quae pia Fina polo . C honor ue Unde decus hristo, cui soli gloria q ” D eb etur : rat patria haec nomen ubique fe .

The poem concludes with th e word Asses and the sub scription : Haec sup rascript a carmina ad instantiam pre

' fati fl 18 Innocentij edidit composuitq ue Reverendus P resb iter mi Vincentius quondam Justi Se r Johannis D Nelli de ceptia scto Gem0 de .

N ote ur Four Son s Four Seasons 44. Swinb ne, g of , Poems and

and . us : L 1 8 8 Ballads , Series Chatto and Wind ondon , 7 .

T he translator of the L egend of the H oly Firm of Saute Giminiano takes this O pportunity to acknowledge the assist has R ance she received in her work from Mr. obert Henry

o s . G Ce arelli H bart Cu t, Mr H . Burton , Professor . pp , and N s Proposto Ugo omi Pe ciolini of San Gimignano, who have extended valuable help to her in furthering her s u a researches in MSS. and printed o rces of inform tion ’ has u ad She also drawn extensively pon Mr. Gardner s mirab l The Stor Sierra and San Gimi nano y concise work , y of g , ’ Canonico P ecori s Stor ia della Ter r a di San Gimignano and othe r works of history and reference ; and she desires herewith to convey also her best thanks to the authorities of the National and the Laurentian Librar ies and the State A rchives in Florence for their courteous response to her u i inq ir es.

O F T ! ”