Bacci, Guglielmo

Ref: Is suing the Medici bank before the Paris Parlement for money he claims they owe him; B’s mandamento cites Lorenzo, Tommaso Portinari and every bank fattore working for the Medici in France; B has Guilluame de Rochefort on his side: 11 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 280.

 

Baccino del Francia da Palazzuolo

Ref: Tells Piero Filippo Pandolfini that he knows a leading citizen of Tosignano who promises to give Florence the fortress of that town: 12 Sept 1485, MAP, 26, 433.

 

Badoer, Sebastiano c. 1427-1498

Career: Venetian patrician who gained wide diplomatic experience, including as ambassador to Naples (1457), Rome (1479, 1482, 1487-8 and 1493-4), the emperor (1483-4), France (1484), and Milan (1485-6, 1487, 1494-5).

Refs: Chosen to go as orator to Rome in place of Francesco Diedo: 7 Sept 1482, ASV, Sen Secr, 30, 116-17. Sent to the emperor to argue the case against Sixtus after the excommunication of Venice: ?June 1483, Sanudo, Vite dei dogi, II, 366.

Bibliog: DBI, 5, 124-6; King, Venetian humanism, 317-18

 

Baglioni, Astorre di Guido

Refs: Is promised a squadra by Alfonso d’Aragona and urged to solicit the Perugian conspiracy: 13 Mar 1486, Dieci, Resp, 33, 523. His arrival at Pitigliano: 24 Apr 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 1-3.

 

Baglioni, Guido di Malatesta c. 1425-1500

Career: Perugian; grandson of the condottiere Braccio Fortebraccio; brother of Rodolfo Baglioni.

Refs: The Baglioni are still on the side of Girolamo Riario: 25 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 555. B’s thirty men-at-arms will remain in Romagna: list of papal troops, 22 July 1483, Dieci, Resp, 28, 300. He and Rodolfo Baglioni negotiate with Alfonso d’Aragona and Virginio Orsini about making Perugia rebel against the Church; they give Florence a firm assurance that, in return for protection and 8-10,000 ducats a year, they would make Perugia rebel; their representative says that if Perugia rebels so will Scesi, Foligno, Montefalco and Spoleto, and that there would be a good chance of Viterbo doing so as well, as its capo is Giovanni Gatto, a close relative of Baglioni and political ally: 28 Feb 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 23-4. The Otto consider the Baglioni more reliable than other Perugians and that they could easily hire them: 28 Feb 1486, Otto, Miss, 4,121-2. Sends a man to Camillo Vitelli: 17 Apr 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 177-80.

Bibliog: DBI, 5, 222-5

 

Baglioni, Rodolfo di Malatesta d. 1501

Career: Perugian; grandson of the condottiere Braccio Fortebraccio; brother of Guido Baglioni.

Refs: The Baglioni are still on the side of Girolamo Riario: 25 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 555. B’s daughter is the intended wife of Camillo Vitelli: 16 Aug 1485, MAP, 26, 413. He and Guido Baglioni negotiate at Bracciano with Alfonso d’Aragona and Virginio Orsini regarding making Perugia rebel against the Church; they give Florence a firm assurance that, in return for protection and 8-10,000 ducats a year, they would make Perugia rebel against the Church; their representative says that if Perugia rebels so will Scesi, Foligno, Montefalco and Spoleto, and that there would be a good chance of Viterbo doing so as well, as its capo is Giovanni Gatto, a close relative of Baglioni and political ally: 28 Feb 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 23-4.: Dieci, Miss, 6, 23-4, 28 Feb 1486. The Otto consider the Baglioni more reliable than other Perugians and that they could easily hire them: 28 Feb 1486, Otto, Miss, 4,121-2.

Bibliog: DBI, 5, 241-6

 

Bagnesi, Rinieri Francesco

Career: Captain of Livorno, Aug-Dec 1487.

Ref: Lorenzo tries but fails to get him veduto as Gonfalonier of Justice: 26 Apr 1485, MAP, 26, 354.

 

Baigino

Ref: Vecturale whose mules were taken by Bartolomeo Mancini to Pesaro; the Dieci send Antonio Sinibaldi to recover them: Dieci, Delib, 24, 64-6, 2 Nov 1484.

 

Balderia ‘Schaffaiuolo’

Refs: Is making wooden models of equipment for the artillery: 24 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 261. The Dieci are sending him to Città di Castello to raise infantry: 1 Oct 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 239.

 

Baldesi, Francesco

Ref: Chancellor of the Otto di Guardia: 31 Oct 1484, Otto di Guardia, 68, 137.

 

Baldi, Francesco

Ref: Podestà of Monte S Savino, whose notary, ser Jacopo, was sent to Bargello: 22 Sept 1484, Dieci, Delib, 24, 55.

 

Baldinotti, Tommaso b. 1451

Carre: Pistoiese man of letters. Brother of the lawyer Bartolomeo Baldinotti. A student of Angelo Poliziano and member of the Medicean literary circle

Ref: Lorenzo wants to send to Ludovico Sforza the book B has written, the preface of which remains to be written; Lorenzo would like to see him: Lorenzo de’ Medici to T Baldinotti in Pistoia, 17 June 1485, Lettere, VIII, 224.

 

Baldinucci, Antonio di Giovanni

Ref: Together with Francesco Baldinucci, Amoratto Baldovinetti and Niccolò Baldovinetti, conspired to kill Lorenzo, c June 1481: Lettere, V, 226-7.

 

Baldracane, Antonio

Refs: Girolamo Riario’s chancellor, sent to Milan to protest about papal troops being diverted from Ferrara: Z da Pisa to Federico Gonzaga, 7 Oct 1483, ASMa, AG, 1628. Talks between Bernardo Buongirolami, Ludovico Sforza and B: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 24 June 1484, ASMa, cit. Representative of Riario: 22 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 51. Riario’s man in Milan: F Gaddi to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 6 Dec 1484, MAP, 43, 25. Much favoured by Ludovico: 27 Nov 1484, MAP, 48, 266. Bernardo Rucellai describes B as a Genoese: 8 Dec 1484, MAP, 48, 273. Riario’s chancellor; has been much courted by Ludovico since the arrival of the Venetian ambassador: 18 Dec 1484, MAP, 50, 18. Francesco Gaddi fears that Luigi Terzago has revealed to B details of Sforza-Riario negotiations, as he is friend of Terzago: 4 Jan 1485, MAP, 50, 17.

 

Balue, Antoine

Career: Brother of Cardinal Jean Balue; bishop of Evreux and of Saint-Pons-de-Tomières.

Ref: Probable allusion to the bulls sent by Innocent in support of Giovanni de’ Medici’s claim to the abbey of Fontdouce against that of B: Lorenzo de’ Medici to Piero de’ Medici in Rome, 26 Nov 1484, Lettere, VIII, 73.

Bibliog: DBF, V, 15

 

Balue, Jean, cardinal d. 1491

Career: Bishop of Evreux, 1443-65; bishop of Angers, 1467-91; cardinal, 1467; bishop of Albano, 1483-91; bishop of Palestrina, 1491. Arrested on the order of Louis XI in Apr 1469 on account of the treasonous approaches made by B and Charles de Harancourt, to Charles the Bold of Burgundy. Imprisoned until 1480.

Refs: B is at Lucca [awaiting his liberator, the legate Giuliano della Rovere]: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Gaddi in France, 26 May 1481, Lettere, V, 212. News from Rome about the French case against B: T Ridolfi in Milan to the Otto, 12 Sept 1481, Otto, Resp, 1, 450. Florence appointed ambassadors, Piero Minerbetti and Agnolo Niccolini, to meet Giuliano della Rovere and B journeying from France to Rome, via Pisa and Florence; this they did at Pisa on 14 Jan: P Minerbetti and A Niccolini to the Otto, 15 Jan 1482, Otto, Resp, 2, 182. Spent the night of 19 Jan in the villa of Piero Capponi at Legnaia before continuing to Florence: Otto to P Minerbetti and A Niccolini, 19 Jan 1482, Min, 12, 118. In Florence, B and Giuliano della Rovere lodged first in the palace of Giovanni Tornabuoni and then at S Croce: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 16 and 19 Jan 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2. The two cardinals arrived in Rome 3 Feb 1482: Milanese orators in Rome to G G Sforza, 3 Feb 1482, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 91.

In Florence, on his way to France as legate: risposta verbale to J Balue, 13 Oct 1483, Sig, LC, risp verbale, 2, 88-9. Has passed through Milan; says he is ready to do all he can to ensure Charles VIII stays an ally of the League: Z da Pisa to Federico Gonzaga, 7 Nov 1483, ASMa, AG, 1628. As papal legate in France, urged the duke of Orléans to attack Milan in order to get Orléans to favour his legation: G A Talenti to G G Sforza, 8 July 1484, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 96. Entered Paris on the side of the duke of Brittany and thus gained the support of Orléans; is hostile to the League: 11 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 280. Accepted in Paris more as a mandatory of the duke of Brittany than as apostolic legate; the Parlement has informed him he has no rights about ‘spaccio delle bolle’ and cannot carry his cross in front of him: 17 Aug 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 45. Has left Paris with the duke of Bourbon to guard him; he was scared of both the Parlement and people: Dieci, Resp, 32, 75, 24 Aug 1484. Had Geoffroy Herbert, bishop of Coutances, ejected from the duke of Bourbon’s household, from the royal council and from the king’s court; B alone now dominates Bourbon: 4 Sept 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 116. Giuliano della Rovere is completely on B’s side in his dispute with Florence: 13 Sept 1484, MAP, 39, 325. Is trying but failing to set foot in the court, as his only friend is the duke of Bourbon: 30 Sept 1484, MAP, 39, 339. Is on Bourbon’s estates; is just about to go on the French embassy to Italy, but some of the other ambassadors do not want his company; he he tried to replace Jean d’Amboise, bishop of Langres, with Guichard d’A ubusson in the embassy: 8 Dec 1484, MAP, 39, 398. On the French embassy to Italy: 11 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 123. Expresses amazement that Milan has not yet sent ambassadors to Rome: 15 Jan 1485, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 97. B’s plan, under the impulse of some of the Bourbon lords, to stir up war against Milan, is to please the duke of Orléans: 5 Feb 1485, MAP, 39, 77. Has been recalled: 31 Mar 1485, MAP, 26, 383. Ambassador to Rome: 12 Apr 1485, Dieci, Resp, 34, 19.

Bibliog: DBF, V, 15-19

 

Bambelli, Pace di Bambello

Career: Secretary to the new Dieci di Balia, Sept 1482; also wrote a number of Lorenzo’s letters at that time.

Ref: The notary used by Lorenzo when he nominated Bernardo Rucellai as his procurator for the baptism of the son of Luigi Terzago in Milan: 7 June 1482, Not Antecos, P8 (1477-88), 43.

 

Bandini, Piero Antonio

Ref: Recommendation of B, the new director of Lorenzo’s commercial company at Bruges: Signoria of Florence to G Carandaletto, grand chancellor of Maximilian von Habsburg, 4 Jan 1486, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 49, 145.

 

Barbani, Ludovico

Ref: An appeal on behalf of B, an Aretine lawyer and friend of Lorenzo’s sister Nannina, who sought the office of judge of appeals in Lucca: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Signoria of Lucca, 9 Aug 1483, Lettere, VII, 299.

 

Barbarigo, Marco 1413-1486

Career: Doge of Venice, 1485-6, in which office he was succeeded by his brother Agostino.

Refs: As Savio del Consiglio, he argued against delay in sending a fleet into the Po: 13 Oct 1482, ASV, Sen Secr, 30, 128. Took the middle position (Reggio only) with regard to bribes to get Roberto di Sanseverino moving: 15 Oct 1482, ASV, Sen Secr, 30, 129-30. Led the opposition to allowing Roberto to change plans regarding the fleet: 19 Oct 1482, ASV, Sen Secr, 30, 130-1. Led opposition to Roberto’s proposal to pull back troops from Ferrara; induced the Senate to write a firm protest and encouragement to attack: 2 Dec 1482, ASV, Sen Secr, 30, 145-6. Took a harder line than most regarding possible negotiations with Milan: 6 Dec 1482, ASV, Sen Secr, 30, 146. Insisted that Roberto should not be allowed to leave the camp: 7 Feb 1483, Sen Secr, 30, 165.

Bibliog: DBI, 6, 73

 

Barbaro, Girolamo

Refs: Venetian orator in Faenza, recalled because of the signing of the papal/Venetian league: 9 May 1480, ASV, Sen Terra, 8, 95. Asked to stay on because of events in the Romagna: 22 May 1480, ASV, Sen Terra, 8, 96.

 

Barbaro, Zaccaria 1422/3-1492

Career: Venetian patrician. m Clara di Andrea Vendramin; father of the humanist Ermolao Barbaro the younger. Held numerous senior offices in the Venetian and Terraferma government and established himself among the republic’s most distinguished ambassadors, with embassies to Ferrante (1459), Paul II (1468), the emperor at Verona (1469), Naples (1471-3), Milan and Mantua (1476), Ferrara (1479), Rome (1480-1), Roberto di Sanseverino (1482), Cardinal Costa at Cesena (1484) and Milan (1485). His dispatches from Naples are in Marciana MS Ital, cl VII, 398 (8170).

Refs: Sent as Venetian ambassador to Sixtus after the formation of the papal/Venetian league: L Guicciardini to the Otto, 3 May 1480, Otto, Resp, 1, 4. Was unwilling to go, but felt he would be compelled to do so by a fine: L Guicciardini to the Otto, 6 May 1480, Otto, Resp, 1, 5. In Ferrara, on way to Rome, ostensibly to persuade Ferrara to join the papal/Venetian league, but also dropping hints about his peace mission in Rome: 3 June 1480, Dallari, 41. His instructions from the Senate included visits to Rimini and Urbino; the main objectives of his mission were to stop the Pesaro impresa and to support a general league provided that it was based on that of Sixtus and Venice: 3 June 1480, ASV, Sen Secr, 29, 118-19. The Milanese ambassadors at Rome wrote that Venice was willing for B to return and had elected Francesco Diedo in his place; however, they thought B would remain another two months in Rome before being replaced: Milanese ambassadors in Rome to G G Sforza, 17 Jan 1481, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 87. With Federico Corner, elected as one of the ambassadors for talks at Cesena: 2 Apr 1484, ASV, Sen Secr, 32, 27. Voted for an increase in the Torelli condotta: 17 Aug 1482, Sen Secr, 30, 109. With Francesco Michiel, appointed orator to Roberto di Sanseverino to discuss the autumn campaign: 23 Sept 1482, ASV, Sen Secr, 30, 130-1. Bernardo Rucellai must discover the nature of B’s commission to Milan: Otto to B Rucellai, 11 Aug 1485, Otto, Miss, 3, 156-7. Lorenzo sends uno secreto to him: 18 Aug 1485, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 18, 46.

Bibliog: DBI, 6, 118-19; King, Venetian humanism, 325-7

 

Barbavara, Scipione

Refs: Milanese ambassador in Venice: 16 Aug 1484, ASMi, SPE, Venezia, 373. Milan is sending him as ambassador to Venice: 29 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 53. Cognato of the recently deceased ducal councillor and condottiere Pier Francesco Visconti: 24 Oct 1484, ASMi, cit. Urges on Bernardo Rucellai the need for a truce between Florence and Genoa: 10 Mar 1485, MAP, 48, 295. Milanese ambassador in Venice: 30 Dec 1485, Dieci, Miss, 6, 4-6; 14 Apr 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 176-7.

 

Barbo, Marco, cardinal c. 1420-1491

Career: Kinsman of Pope Paul II; bishop of Treviso, 1455-64; bishop of Vicenza, 1464-70, cardinal, 1467; patriarch of Aquileia, 1470-91; bishop of Palestrina, 1478-91.

Refs: With Federico da Montefeltro, organised the defences of the Marche coast against possible Turkish attacks: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 18 Sept 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 300. Is said to be going to Rome, a sign that the Venetians are interested in peace: J Guicciardini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 3 Apr 1483, MAP, 98, 308. With Cardinal Foscari, has approached Sixtus about a peace: Dieci to P F Pandolfini, 5 Apr 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 146-7. ‘[Savio] e di grande auctorita’; according to Bernardo Rucellai, the Venetians are negotiating seriously via him: Z Saggi to Federico Gonzaga, 12 Apr 1483, ASMa, AG, 1628. Girolamo Riario declared that he did not want B as pope: 18 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 288. Guidantonio Vespucci is worried that B will win, as he has thirteen certain votes already: 18 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 289. Is a dangerous candidate for he is considered ‘huomo grave et da bene’ and has all the Genoese and Venetian votes, part of the ultramontani and some of members of the League: 21 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 292. Alfonso d’Aragona and Ludovico Sforza instructed their ambassadors in Rome to tell Virginio Orsini and Girolamo Riario that they did not want B as pope: 26 Aug 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 81. Received most votes in the first ballot: 29 Aug 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 93. Vespucci announces B’s election to the papacy: 28 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 301. Received eleven votes on the first morning of the conclave: 4 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 37. Innocent consults with him frequently: 18 Sept 1484, MAP, 39, 332. Innocent still consults him: 15 Nov 1484, MAP, 39, 382. A member of the committee of cardinals investigating precedents for Florence’s nomination of the Perugians as confederati: 26 Nov 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 418. The Venetian cardinals declared to Ascanio Sforza that they were no longer subject to Venice but had obligations only to the Holy See: 24 June 1485, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 97. Was given a room in the papal palace when the Venetian ambassador was taken there ill: 21 Nov 1485, MAP, 124, 9.

Bibliog: DBI, 6, 249-52; King, Venetian humanism, 327-8

 

Barone, Guido

Ref: His condotta with Innocent confirmed: 25 Oct 1484, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 96.

 

Baroni, Francesco di ser Barone (Ceccone di ser Barone) 1451-1498

Career: Piero Nasi’s secretary in Naples; left behind to work with Antonio de’ Medici, when Nasi returned to Florence in July 1481. Under Lorenzo’s patronage he became chancellor of the Otto, Nov 1481, and of the Dieci, 1482. Undertook a mission to Sarzanello, 1482, to reach an accord with the Fregosi.

Refs: Complains how short he is of money and clothes after his year’s sojourn in Naples: F Baroni at Foggia to N Michelozzi, 8 Mar 1481, BNF, GC, 29, 101. On how B stayed in Naples: Antonio de’ Medici to the Otto, 27 July 1481, Otto, Resp, 1, 397. Sent to inspect Giovan Francesco di Sanseverino’ s troops in the Pisano; ordered to tell Giovan Francesco that he was owed only a little money: Otto to F Baroni, 2 Feb 1482, Otto, Miss int, 2, 53-4. The Otto give him commission to stop a Venetian envoy to Genoa crossing Florentine territory: Otto to B Rucellai, 28 May 1482, Min, 12, 274-5. Met the Venetian at Casaglia; persuaded him to turn back: Otto to B Gianfigliazzi, 30 May 1482, Min, 12, 288-9. Sent as commissioner to the Lunigiana: commission, 28 Sept 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 77, 149-50. Sent to consult with Piero Vettori regarding help for the regime in Siena: commission, 16 Feb 1483, Sig, X, VIII, 77, 185. The Florentines have sent him to Sarzana in case negotiations fail: Otto to S Grazzini, 25 Apr 1484, Otto, LC, 4, 22-3. The Dieci authorise him to examine Neri Galletti da Monte S Savino and ser Jacopo da Pisa, notary of the podestà of S Savino: 23 Sept 1484, Dieci, Delib, 24, 55. The Dieci send him to Tortona to give Agostino and Giovanni Adorno and Giovanni and Luca Spinola 4,000 ducats after signing a contract with them: 27 Sept 1484, Dieci, Delib, 24, 56. Accompanying Guido Mannelli, the Florentine commissioner in the camp: 29 Dec 1484, Otto, Miss, 3, 109-10. Arrives in Milan: 1 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 2. Reports on political affairs to Lorenzo and encloses summaries of letters from Naples: 16 Sept 1485, MAP, 26, 441. Chancellor with responsibility for letters within the Florentine dominions: 30 June 1485-24 Oct 1486, Dieci, Delib, 30, 300.

Bibliog: DBI, 23, 287-90

 

Barontoli, Giovanni di Matteo

Ref: A murderer seized on Sienese territory and consigned to the Florentine rector by the relatives of the murdered man: 28 Dec 1484, Otto, Miss, 4, 60-1.

 

Bartoli, Cosimo di Matteo

Career: Sea consul, Mar-Sept 1475. One of the 12 Procuratori in 1481, which suggests that he was already a member of the Council of 70. Monte official, Mar 1484-Mar 1488.

Refs: In the consulta, agreed with Lorenzo Carducci: 29 May 1482, Min, 12, 365-7. Bernardo Rucellai requests B’s place from Lorenzo: 23 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 264.

 

Bartoli, Domenico di Giovanni

Career: m Lena di Giovanni Rucellai. Accompanied his father-in-law to Rome for the 1450 Jubilee. Sea consul, June 1470-June 1471. Original deputy for S Maria Novella in the Balia, 1471. Podestà of Pisa, Jan-July 1472. Accoppiatore, 1474. Member of the second half of the Council of 70, 1480. One of the 12 Procuratori, Apr-Oct 1481, Apr-Oct 1482, Oct 1483-Apr 1484. Captain of Pisa, Sept 1491-Mar 1492. Castellan of new citadel of Pisa, June-Dec 1492. Gonfalonier of Justice, July/Aug 1497, and one of the moving spirits behind the prosecution of Bernardo del Nero and the Palleschi.

Ref: In the consulta, supported raising more taxes and troops and placating divine justice by alms: 29 May 1482, Min, 12, 365-7.

 

Bartoli, Lorenzo di Giovan Battista

Career: Camerlengo delle gabelle of Pisa, Oct 1483-Apr 1484. Provveditore delle gabelle of Pisa, Sept 1490-Sept 1491.

Ref: The Dieci recommend his case to Leonardo de Salvucci, the Florentine consul in Pera: 16 May 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 28-9.

 

Bartolini, Andrea

Career: An agent of the Medici bank in Milan.

Refs: Tommaso Ridolfi sent B to Zaccaria Saggi to see if he had received the authorisation to pay Lorenzo the money owed to him from Federico Gonzaga’s pay: T Ridolfi in Milan to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 24 May 1481, MAP, 48, 79 and Sig, X, VIII, 4, III, 40. B ‘haveva havuti ducati 500 di quelli di Faenza’: T Ridolfi to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 13 July 1481, MAP, 73, 318 and Sig, X, VIII, 4, III, 56-8. Refused to let the Florentine ambassador, Bernardo Rucellai, move into Lorenzo’s house in Milan, because he was not sure whether Lorenzo intended to re-open the bank there: B Rucellai in Milan to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 25 Feb 1482, MAP, 51, 79. Rucellai had spoken to B about the 1,000 ducats Lorenzo told him to extract from the Mantuan account, but B has put him off for a few days: B Rucellai to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 9 Apr 1482, MAP, 51, 112. Reports payments to Lorenzo including one to Filippo da Gagliano: 11 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 260. Lorenzo instructs Jacopo Guicciardini to restore B’s commission to Genoa to be the same as that of the papal ambassador, i e to persuade the Genoese to give up Sarzana in return for Ferrante and Innocent putting pressure on Florence to desist from the Pietrasanta enterprise: 22 Oct 1484, Dieci, Miss, 21, 86. Milan will pay him back for the total of 683 ducats Florence is lending Conte Borella: 1 Nov 1484, Dieci, Miss, 21, 112. Gian Galeazzo Sforza is to pay him back in Milan for money advanced by Florence for paying men-at-arms: 18 Nov 1484, Otto, Miss, 3, 105. Repayment of the Borella money will be made to him by Ludovico Sforza: 1 Dec 1484, Dieci, Resp, 33, 1. Blamed for letting the Martelli make a profitable deal with Ascanio Sforza: 3 Jan 1485, MAP, 48, 279. Lorenzo wants B restored to possession of the Medici house in Milan: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Milan, 30 Mar 1486, Lettere, IX, 213-14, 217. Lorenzo wants B to receive 4,000 ducats if the sum is paid back by [Ludovico Sforza?]: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini, 4 Apr 1486, Lettere, IX, 223-4. Advises Lorenzo regarding the heirs of Simoncino de’ Bravi: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini, 7 July 1486, Lettere, IX, 358.

 

Bartolini, Bernardo

Career: Provveditore delle gabelle of Pisa, Sept 1488-Sept 1489. Podestà of Pisa, Dec 1487-June 1488, Sept 1491-Mar 1492. Captain of Livorno, May-Sept 1494. Member of the Otto di Custodia, Nov 1483-Feb 1484.

Refs: Captain of Volterra: 4 Dec 1484, Dieci, Delib, 24, 70. Captain of Volterra: 19 Mar 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 510. The regime is going to settle his case as stipulated by Lorenzo: 5 May 1485, MAP, 26, 362. Elected to office over fortresses, the only dissenting vote being that of Jacopo ------: 6 May 1485, MAP, 26, 365.

 

Bartolomeo (‘Picchio’)

Refs: Appeal on behalf of this Sienese arrested by the podestà of Siena: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Balia of Siena, 13 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 122. Lorenzo writes again on behalf of B and of ‘il Mogne’: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Balia of Siena, 28 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 151-2.

 

Bartolomeo, messer

Ref: Lorenzo’s emissary to Ippolita Sforza d’Aragona, duchess of Calabria: 18 Sept 1486, MAP, 47, 171.

 

Bartolomeo, ser

Ref: Emissary of Gabriele Malaspina to Florence: 5 Sept 1485, BNF, GC, 29/65, 6.

 

Bartolomeo, ser

Ref: Lorenzo writes to him recommending Andrea di Lando as doganiere: 6 May 1486, MAP, 20, 64.

 

Bartolomeo di Lorenzo d’Albiana

Ref: One of the orators from Pietrasanta named in the capitoli of the same, 27 Nov 1484, Lettere, VIII, 320.

 

Bartolomeo da Bologna

Ref: Vicar-general of the Dominicans recommended for the post of General: Dieci to G A Vespucci, 30 Aug 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 97.

 

Bartolomeo da Borgonovo

Ref: An agent of Doge Battista Fregoso sent to Florence to negotiate the release of Paolo Ravaschiero: Lettere, VII, 123.

 

Bartolomeo da Decomano

Ref: Infantry commander on the Florentine side: 8 Oct 1484, Dieci, Miss, 21, 55.

 

Bartolomeo di Gioielli

Ref: Last Oct ‘I’ came to ‘you’ to ask that Ugolino da Monte S Maria be given a complete release or be properly provided for; ‘you’ agreed to release him but since then he has not sought service elsewhere and remains ‘your’ devoted servant: Bartolomeo di Gioielli, chancellor of Ugolino da Monte S Maria, to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 19 Jan 1481, Otto, Resp, 1, 79.

 

Bartolomeo di maestro Giovanni di San Miniato

Refs: A Florentine merchant on whose behalf both the Dieci and Lorenzo wrote to Siena: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Balia of Siena, 21 May 1484, Lettere, VII, 403. A similar appeal: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Balia of Siena, 28 July 1484, Lettere, VII, 455.

 

Bartolomeo di Lupaccio

Ref: An unidentifiable individual who ‘had served’ Lorenzo and deserved to be treated well: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Cambini, 31 May 1486, Lettere, IX, 319.

 

Bartolomeo da Murrone

Ref: Representative in Pisa of the Genoese Casa di S Giorgio: 17 Set 1484, MAP, 39, 330.

 

Bartoluccio, Buonaccorso di Lorenzo

Ref: Maestro di gietto being sent by the Dieci to Piero Capponi and Piero Vettori: 28 May 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 45.

 

Bascapè, Gaspare

Career: Chancellor of Ercole d’Este.

Refs: Today B visited Girolamo Riario in Forlì on behalf of Ercole d’Este; he was shown round the rocca etc: A d’Appiani to Milan to G G Sforza, 24 July 1481, ASMi, SPE, Romagna, 192. Had been to Modena on Ercole’ s behalf to try and persuade Anton Maria Ordelaffi to move to a castle: A d’Appiani to G G Sforza, 13 Aug 1481, ASMi, cit. May have been the ‘cancellero sopra le gentedarme’ of Ercole sent to help organise the continuation of the Forlì impresa: E d’Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 10 Aug 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3.

 

Basilio di ser Giunta

Ref: An appeal on behalf of B, a Lucchese ‘maestro di polvere da bombarde’ and fugitive: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Signoria of Lucca, 19 May 1480, Lettere, V, 21.

 

Basso della Rovere, Francesco 1435-1489

Career: Son of Giovanni Basso and Luchina della Rovere, sister of Sixtus IV; brother of Cardinal Girolamo Basso della Rovere. Hospitaller.

Ref: As prior of Pisa, from 1475: Lettere, V, 77-8.

Bibliog: DBI, 7, 152-3

 

Bastiano, ser

Refs: Nicola Orsini’s procurator regarding Orsini’s prestanza: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Ferrara, 25 Apr 1483, Lettere, VII, 251. B, the chancellor of Nicola Orsini who was in Florence to discuss Orsini’s condotta and position, visited Lorenzo at Cafaggiuolo: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi in the League camp at Bagnolo, 28/29 July 1484, Lettere, VII, 462. Chancellor to Nicola Orsini: 14 Aug 1484, MAP, 48, 24.

 

Batarnay, Imbert de 1438-1523

Career: Seigneur de Bouchage. Widely experienced diplomat and trusted councillor of Louis XI, who also served Charles VIII, Louis XII and Francis I. Built the chateau at Montrésor. Grandfather of Diane de Poitiers.

Refs: On 20 Jan 1483 Lorenzo wrote to Louis XI, Philippe de Commynes and others in France, but only the letter to B survives; it makes an unspecific request which might be connected with Lorenzo’s campaign for French benefices for his son Giovanni: Lorenzo de’ Medici to I de Batarnay, 20 Jan 1483, Lettere, VII, 179-82.

Bibliog: DBF, 5, 804-6

 

Battiferro da Mercatale, Niccolò

Ref: An emissary of Federico da Montefeltro sent in secret to Venice to inform the Signoria of Federico’s plans to go to Otranto: ASV, Sen Secr, 29, 156.

 

Battista, signore of Collealto

Ref: Nominated as an Orsini raccomandato in the Orsini condotta: 2 Nov 1485, Dieci, Delib, 30, 116.

 

Battista de Marradi

Ref: Lorenzo’s staffiere: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Signoria of Siena, 4 June 1484, Lettere, VII, 411.

 

Battista da Tagliacozzo

Ref: Alfonso d’Aragona is going to grab B’s terre on the borders of the Abruzzi: 3 July 1485, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 18, 28.

 

Bavaria, Christoph, duke of, see Christoph, duke of Bavaria

 

Beaujeu, Anne de 1461-1522

Career: Daughter of Louis XI of France; m Pierre de Beaujeu, 1474. Together with her husband, regent of France from 1483, during the minority of Charles VIII.

Refs: Her support for René d’Anjou, duke of Lorraine: 8 June 1486, MAP, 48, 350.

Bibliog: DBF, II, 1320-5

 

Becchi, Gentile d. 1497

Career: Born in Urbino. Tutor to the young Lorenzo and, in due course, an important influence on Lorenzo’s sons. Canon of Pisa and Florence; bishop of Arezzo, 1473-97. Led Florentine ecclesiastical opposition to the interdict of 1478, which probably accounted for the end of his ecclesiastical advancement. Lorenzo’s candidate to be archbishop of Pisa in 1478/9. Frequent attempts to get him made a cardinal also failed. Part of the Florentine embassy to France to congratulate Charles VIII on his accession, 1483. In 1485 sent to Rome to reconcile Innocent and Ferdinand of Aragon on behalf of the League. Member of the Florentine mission to congratulate Alexander VI, 1492. Undertook a difficult mission to France to placate Charles VIII, 1493/4. Retired after the exile of the Medici and died in Arezzo.

Refs: Of B: ‘che non ho huomo alcuno più fidato’: Lorenzo de’ Medici to Lionetto de’ Rossi in Lyon, 2 Sept 1480, Lettere, V, 60. Among those informed by Lorenzo of the death of Lucrezia Tornabuoni, 25 Mar 1482: Prot, 187-8; Lettere, VI, 286. Along with the other ambassadors, ordered to return home from France now that their mission has been executed: Otto to the Florentine ambassadors in France, 3 Jan 1484, Otto, LC, 4, 1-2. B’s letters from France to Niccolò Michelozzi seem to be fairly trivial: MAP XCVIII, 296-300. Negotiating in Rome with Innocent and Giuliano della Rovere regarding an accord between Florence and Genoa: 14 May 1485, MAP, 26, 376. Opposed by Guidantonio Vespucci: 30 May 1485, MAP, 26, 391. Lorenzo tells Michelozzi that he does not understand B’s letter to ‘messer Agostino’ [da Urbino?]: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi, 12 Sept 1485, Lettere, VIII, 272.

Bibliog: DBI, 7, 491-3

 

Bechetto, Luigi

Refs: Bona Sforza’s secretary: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 8 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 176-9. After the examination of Gaspare Toscano was moved from Roberto di Sanseverino, it was entrusted to Antonio Tassini and L ‘ Berchetto’: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 13 May 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 206-7. B as one of the authors of the imbarcamenti reported to Ludovico Sforza by Baccio Ugolini: received 30 July 1484, MAP, 39, 271.

 

Bellanti, Antonio di Petrino d. 1483

Career: Head of the pro-Neapolitan regime in Siena between 1480 and 1482. After the Noveschi coup in June 1482, he was imprisoned, first at Montalcino and later at Radicofani, prior to execution.

Refs: Among fourteen more citizens added to the Balia of Siena: 11 June 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 2. One of four members of the Sienese Balia elected to keep watch on rebels and exiles of the Reformatori: 16 June 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 7. B’s son Petrino is to be held in the Palazzo Pubblico until his father comes: 22 July 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 46. The Balia is to swear to Cardinal Piccolomini that B will not be harmed; they want him to come to the palace and not leave without their permission; B is deprived of office and is to give surety of 10,000 ducats ‘de non offendendo’ the republic: 23 July 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 47-8. Has been arrested in Siena: Otto to B Rucellai, 27 July 1482, Min, 12, 436-8. The Signoria will see that B does not leave the palace and that he comes to no harm: 7 Aug 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 65. For his own safety and the public good, he is to be sent to the fortress of Montalcino: 9 Aug 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 68. The conditions of his detention in Montalcino: 13 Aug 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 70-1. Is to be considered as ‘confinato’ in the rocca: 4 Sept 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 92-3. Is to be moved from Montalcino to the fortress of Radicofani: 30 Jan 1483, ASS, Balia, 27, 7. The Balia warns him that the exiles occupying Monteriggioni have taken no thought for the safety of those of their order imprisoned in rocche: Balia of Siena to A Bellanti, 5 Feb 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 12. The legate, Cardinal Cibo, reportd from Siena tha B and Placido Placidi were among those destined for execution: B Castiglioni and A Trivulzio to G G Sforza, 6 Mar 1483, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 92. Interrogated; said to be in danger of his life; the legate hopes to avoid bloodshed: J Turrettini, Lucchese orator in Siena, to the Anziani of Lucca, 9 Mar 1483, Registri Anziani, 193. Is being interrogated in Montalcino about infantry at Poggio Imperiale; says that what he confessed before was said out of fear of torture: M Tantucci at Montalcino to the Balia of Siena, 10 Mar 1483, ASS, Balia, 508, 70. B remained defiant under interrogation; has now been sent to the rocca of Radicofani: M Tantucci et al to the Balia of Siena, 13 Mar 1483, ASS, Balia, 508, 74. After interrogation, is to be sent to Radicofani: Balia of Siena to the ‘Commissariss ad exam’, 14 Mar 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 50. Two Franciscans are to be admitted to give confession to B: Balia of Siena to the castellan of Radicofani, 18 Mar 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, --. The Consiglio del Popolo want B’s case to be settled in three days: 2 Apr 1483, ASS, Conc, 699, 16. A decision about B and the others has been suspended: 3 Apr 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 56. B’s son, a friar, is coming to see him with another friar: 4 Apr 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 56. Measures against the Bellanti: 7-30 Apr 1483, ASS, Balia, 28, 9, 10, 14, 16 and 37. Has been handed over to the podestà of Siena; it is thought he will be executed: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 8 Apr 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Has been condemned to death and confiscation of all his property: Dieci to J Guicciardini, 9 Apr 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 213-15. Is to be taken by the castellan of Radicofani: 10 Apr 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 60. Has been executed: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 17 Apr 1483, ASMo, cit. Girolamo Riario expressed regret for his death: P F Pandolfini to the Dieci, 29 Apr 1483, Dieci, Resp, 27, 300-1.

 

Bellanti, Bernardino d’Antonio

Ref: B is at Poggibonsi, in Florentine territory; Siena wants the Dieci to expel him: Signoria of Siena to T Biringhucci in Florence, 13 July 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 141.

 

Bellanti, Leonardo di Battista d. 1517

Career: Nephew of Antonio Bellanti and an active leader of the Noveschi exiled from Siena in 1482.

Refs: Exiled from Siena: 15 July 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 36-8. The Balia of Siena has heard that the exiles in Monteriggioni were expecting help from him: Balia of Siena to L Lanti in Rome, 4 Feb 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 8-9. At Castelfiorentino with 400 infantry: Giovanni d’Agniolo, commissioner at Monteriggioni, to the Balia of Siena, 6 Feb 1483, ASS, Balia, 507, 67. Declared a rebel and his goods confiscated: 13 Feb 1483, ------. Was bringing troops to support the Sienese exiles but was turned back by a Florentine official: P G Ricasoli to the Dieci, 17 Feb 1483, Dieci, Resp, 26, 89. Is with fifty to sixty infantry and all the exiles who were at Montepulciano and Monte S Secondo: T Luti and G A Neri at Monteriggioni to the Balia of Siena, 17 Feb 1483, ASS, Balia, 508, 32. Declared a rebel for his part in the Monteriggioni episode; questioned under torture: J Turrettini, Lucchese orator in Siena, to the Anziani of Lucca, 20 Feb 1483, Registri Anziani, 191. The Dieci have ordered rectors to hold his livestock: Dieci to the Balia of Siena, 1 Mar 1483, ASS, Balia, 508, 54. Measures against B: 7-30 Apr 1483, ASS, Balia, 28, 9, 10, 14, 16 and 37.

Bibliog: DBI, 7, 594-7

 

Bellanti, Lucio d. 1499

Refs: With Aldello Piccolomini, Niccolò Spinelli and other Noveschi exiled from Siena, took over the castle at Monteriggioni and appealed to Florence for support: Balia of Siena to the Otto, 1 Feb 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 3; Lettere, VII, 202. A leader of the Sienese Noveschi exiles occupying Monteriggioni: Balia of Siena to A Bellanti, 5 Feb 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 12. Declared a rebel because of the Monteriggioni episode; interrogated under torture: J Turrentini, Lucchese orator in Siena, to the Anziani of Lucca, 20 Feb 1483, Registri Anziani, 191. Was one of those in Monteriggioni; the commissioners had agreed that he be exiled thirty miles from the Sienese border on the same conditions as before: 26 Mar 1483, ASS, Balia, 27, 56.

Bibliog: DBI, 7, 597-9

 

Bellanti, Mariano

Refs: Sanctions against B and Cristoforo Bellanti by the reggimento in Siena: 4 Sept 1482, ASS, Balia, 26, 92-5. His son, at Soana as a substitute for his father, is causing trouble for the castellan: Pietro di Benedetto Scharpi, castellan of Soana, to the Signoria of Siena, 20 Sept 1482, ASS, Conc, 2049, 86. Has said that the Florentines could have had their towns back before, and when the time comes they will take them: P Scharpi and Bartolomeo di Neri, castellans of Soana, to the Signoria of Siena, 3 Feb 1483, ASS, Conc, 2051, 9.

 

Bellanti, Nardo

Ref: A Sienese exile frequenting the papal palace: 10 Sept 1484, Bibl Comunale, 520, ins 13.

 

Belleville, Jacques de

Refs: Siegneur de Tigny; French royal councillor and chamberlain on way to Rome with Robert Gaguin and Jean Amis: S Taverna to G G Sforza, 14 May 1486, Dieci, Delib, 24, 173.

 

Bellosi, Clemente

Ref: A Florentine notary who worked, inter alia, for Francesco Cambini: Lettere, VII, 355.

 

Belmonte, Francesco

Refs: Neapolitan ambassador in Ferrara: B Gianfigliazzi to the Otto, 16 Dec 1481, Otto, Resp, 2, 112-13.

 

Belprat, Simonotto, Belplatto 1433/4-1492

Career: Of a merchant family originally from Valencia. Acquired an important position at the Neapolitan court, dealing with financial matters, including the pawning of Ferrante’s crown in 1460. In 1478 he was sent to Genoa as commissary and ambassador to support the Genoese revolt; helped Genoa to retake Savona; supported the new anti-Milanese government in Genoa. From 1482 was almost constantly Neapolitan ambassador at Milan. While there in 1483 Ferrante had him negotiate an accord with the new doge of Genoa, Paolo Fregoso. In the end, he lost the king’s confidence. Died in Milan and received an elaborate funeral.

Refs: B reports from Genoa that the Venetians have offered a condotta for 200 lances to Agostino Fregoso and have also tried to get Gian Luigi Fieschi; however, both have told B that they intend to remain loyal to Naples: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 2 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 169-71. B reports from Genoa that Doge Battista Fregoso and the Venetian ambassadors have been having secret talks; this bodes ill: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 15 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 181-2. B, Neapolitan orator in Genoa, has reported that he and the legate have been trying to soothe the differences between Obietto Fieschi and ‘Franceschino’, the doge, in order to get the papal fleet ready: P Nasi to the Otto, 24 Apr 1481, Otto, Resp, 1, 174-5. Sent a chancellor to Milan to report that B was hopeful about an agreement with Genoa, provided the Genoese do not seek out further problems deliberately: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 1 Aug 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 240. Arrived back from Genoa yesterday: N Michelozzi in Milan to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 6 Sept 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 11, 10. Arrived in Milan from Genoa three days ago; lived up to his impressive reputation: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 8 Sept 1482, ASMi, cit. Is to go to Ferrara because of the death of Federico da Montefeltro; Zaccaria Saggi considers him an exceptional man: Z Saggi to Federico Gonzaga, 11 Sept 1482, ASMa, AG, 1627; G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 11 Sept 1482, ASMi, cit. Is going to reassure Antonio da Montefeltro and Ottaviano Ubaldini: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 20 Sept 1482, ASMa, cit. Is going to Florence to settle matters concerning Sarzanella with Lorenzo; from there he will proceed to Castelnuovo, near Sarzana, to see to the pratica with Agostino Fregoso: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 23 Sept 1482, ASMi, cit. Is in Florence: Lorenzo de’ Medici to L Capponi in Naples, 28 Sept 1482, Lettere, VII, 107. Has been to Florence; has now gone to Pisa to join the fleet: Dieci to B Gianfigliazzi, 30 Sept 1482, Dieci, LC, 5, 75-7. Milan would like B to come to the Riviera to discuss what should be done when Ferrante decides to use force against Genoa: G G Sforza to S Belprat, 26 Oct 1482, ASMi, cit. In Naples, B says the League should attack Genoa without delay: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 26 Nov 1482, ASMi, cit. Has been instructed to do as Milan requested in negotiations with Genoa, but to delay in notifying Milan of this instruction; Milan wants him to stay at Noli until they can see the work of the legate sent by Sixtus to Genoa: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni and F Tranchedini, 6 Jan 1483, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 241. Is in Livorno, presumably to put pressure on Genoa: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 3 Mar 1483, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Is going to Genoa as ambassador: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 5 Mar 1483, ASMo, cit. B has returned to Naples with his galleys; could not stay away longer because of shortage of victuals; B reports that Genoa is unstable and may go over to Venice: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 15 Mar 1483, ASMi, cit. Is going to Genoa as Ferrante’s ambassador: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 24 Mar 1483, ASMi, cit. Left for Genoa to work with the legate; the Milanese ambassador is to try to bring Genoa over to the League; a second letter says B has not left yet: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 28 Mar 1483, ASMi, cit. Left Naples last Monday for Recco; will go to Milan before he goes to Genoa: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 2 Apr 1483, ASMi, cit. Sixtus has ordered B to go to Genoa at once: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 13 Apr 1483, ASMi. B’s opinions concerning the pros and cons of an agreement with Genoa; he concludes that it might be too expensive: filed in May 1483, Lettere varie, 11, 1, 46. Came from Genoa to Milan to say there is no hope of an agreement with Genoa; wants to return to Naples via the camp: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 6 June 1483, ASMa, AG, 1628. A letter of credence for B: Ferrante to the Signoria of Siena, 29 Oct 1483, ASS, Conc, 2053, 74. Will leave Naples tomorrow by land for Genoa: P Nasi to the Dieci, 4 Nov 1483, Dieci, Resp, 29, 282. Is in Florence, but unsure whether to proceed with his mission to Genoa after hearing news of Cardinal Fregoso’s coup; the Dieci advised him to proceed at least as far as Milan: Dieci to G A Vespucci, 29 Nov 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 455-7.

B would prefer a deal with Doge Paolo Fregoso and Agostino Fregoso but feels this will be difficult because of Sarzana; therefore he believes the League may have to favour the Genoese exiles and try to have Prospero Adorno made doge: P Nasi to the Dieci, 7 Jan 1484, Dieci, Resp, 27, 21. Believes that Florence must not insist on Sarzana if she wants an agreement with Genoa: Otto to G A Vespucci, 13 Jan 1484, Otto, LC, 2, 4. Entertained an envoy of the doge of Genoa in Milan: P Nasi to the Dieci, 17 Jan 1484, Dieci, Resp, 27, 53-4. He is confident there will be an agreement with Genoa: P Nasi to the Dieci, 18 Jan 1484, Dieci, Resp, 27, 55. Was brought into the diet while Genoa was being discussed: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 26 Jan 1484, ASMa, cit. Told Bernardo Buongirolami of Agostino Fregoso’s offer to surrender Sarzana to Alfonso d’Aragona: Otto to B Buongirolami, 13 Mar 1484, Otto, LC, 3, 30-2. His departure for Genoa: 26 Sept 1484, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 142. Arrived in Rome en route for Milan and Genoa: 2/3 Oct 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 249. Visited Pisa: 20 Oct 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 328. His commission for Genoa is the same as that of the papal ambassador, to persuade the Genoese to give up Sarzana in return for Ferrante and Innocent putting pressure on Florence to desist from the Pietrasanta enterprise: 22 Oct 1484, Dieci, Miss, 21, 86. His return from Genoa and report on Genoese affairs: 11 Nov 1484, ASMi, SPE, Firenze. Covering letter for a letter of credence from Lorenzo for B: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Gaddi, 7 Dec 1484, Lettere, VIII, 80-2. B’s devotion to Lorenzo: 18 Dec 1484, MAP, 50, 18. Words spoken in front of B at a Milanese council meeting show how little Ludovico Sforza esteems Ferrante: 30 Dec 1484, MAP, 48, 278. Lorenzo sends Niccolò Michelozzi to B: Lorenzo de’p Medici to S Belprat, 2 Jan 1485, Lettere, VIII, 99-101. Is sending a man to talk to a representative of Gian Luigi Fieschi to induce the Fieschi to join the Florentine side; B judges the Adorni incompatible with the Fregosi: 13 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 136. B as the key to persuading Gian Luigi Fieschi to join the Florentine attack on Genoa: -- Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 286.

Luigi de’ Rapogli, B’s secretary, conducts the negotiations with the Fieschi and Prospero Adorno: 4 Feb 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 326. B’s pratica with the Adorni: 2 or 3 Apr 1485 [or 1486], Dieci, Resp, 34, 2. His negotiations with Bernardo Rucellai regarding an accord between Florence and Genoa; B has much more credit with the Paolo Fregoso and with the friar than Ludovico Sforza has: 8 Apr 1485, Dieci, Resp, 34, 10. Francesco Gaddi should check with B regarding the Adorno-Spinola plot to overthrow the Genoese regime, for which Florentine help was requested: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Gaddi in Parma, 8 Nov 1485, Lettere, IX, 40. Gave Jacopo Guicciardini good news of the situation in Naples: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini, 8 Jan 1486, Lettere, XI, 109. Used by the Adorni to put forward their pratica; intercepted letters showed they had another pratica to make an accord with Paolo Fregoso: 3 Apr 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 40. B reports to Milan that the Adorni are getting impatient with Milan’s delay regarding their pratica: 22 Apr 1486, MAP, 48, 353. Alfonso d’< Aragona’s letter to B regarding the Venetian peace proposal: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Milan, 25 Apr 1486, Lettere, IX, 259. The Dieci give safeconduct to B’s chancellor Luigi de’ Rapogli: 29 Aug 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 75-6.

Bibliog: DBI, 8, 47-8.

 

Belviso, Giorgio [Canugli?]

Ref: A Genoese sent to negotiate with Gian Luigi Fieschi on behalf of Florence and the Genoese exiles: 20 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 202.

 

Bembo, Bernardo 1433-1519

Career: Leading Venetian patrician who undertook embassies to Castile (1468-9), Burgundy (1471-4), Austria (1474), Florence (1475-6 and 1478-80), Ferrara (1476), France and England (1483-4), Rome (1485, 1487-8), Louis XII in Pavia and Milan (1502), Julius II (1505).

Refs: Venetian ambassador to Florence; was recalled and not replaced in May 1480: L Guicciardini to the Otto, 5 May 1480, ASF, VIII, LC, 1, 1-2; F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 10 May 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 299; Otto to L Guicciardini, 13 May 1480, Otto, Resp, 1, 6. When he returned to Venice he apparently gave a negative report about the Florentines; however, he had given no sign of ill-feeling at Florence and the Otto did not think it worth their while contesting his remarks: Otto to L Guicciardini, 3 June 1480, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 58-9. Captain and podestà of Ravenna: 22 Sept 1482, ASV, Dieci, Misti, 20, 201-2. Involved in the trattato with Argenta: 5 Oct 1482, ASV, Dieci, Misti, 20, 208. Has written to Giovanni Lanfredini saying he wants peace and that anyone who does not is mad: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 19 Apr 1483, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Appointed as one of the ambassadors to France to congratulate Charles VIII: 13 Feb 1484, ASV, Sen Terra, 9, 54-5. Commission to B and the other ambassadors to Rome: 9 May 1485, Sen Secr, 32, 146.

Bibliog: DBI, 8, 103-9; King, Venetian humanism, 335-9

 

Bendedei, Battista

Career: Ferrarese noble who inherited a family tradition of service to the Este. Ambassador to Rome, 1479-82, from where he was transferred to Naples, 1482-7.

Refs: Arrived in Florence in his way to Rome: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 23 Apr 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 299. Arrived in Naples yesterday to replace Niccolò Sadoleto: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 21 May 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 239. Is ill: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 9 Sept 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 240.

Bibliog: DBI, 18, 230-1

 

Benedetti, ----- de’

Ref: A Pisan come from Lyon who reports in Milan the invasion of France by Maximilian von Habsburg: 17 June 1486, MAP, 39, 523.

 

Benedetto d’Amelia

Refs: Nicola Orsini’s opposition to Costanzo Sforza becoming captain-general of the Florentine army led to B being sent to persuade him to entrust the problem to Lorenzo and to Rinaldo Orsini: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 17 Oct 1481, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2. Returned to Florence from Pitigliano with news that Nicola Orsini had entered papal service: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 20 Nov 1481, ASMo, cit.

 

Benedictis, Tommaso

Career: Bishop of Luni, 1485-97.

Refs: An apostolic protonotary and relative of Giuliano della Rovere to whom Innocent is giving the bishopric of Luni in gratitude to Giuliano: 30 Dec 1484, MAP, 39, 417. A Sarzanese and friend to Florentines: 30 Dec 1484, Dieci, Resp, 33, 123.

 

Benincasa, Jacopo di Michele

Refs: As a notary, among the witnesses to the accord for the restitution of the towns disputed by Florence and Siena, 29 Mar 1481: Lettere, V, 309. Florentine notary attached to the commissioners in camp is ill and being replaced by Giovanni Buonaveri: 2 Nov 1484, Dieci, Miss, 21, 113-14.

 

Benito, Marino

Ref: Letter concerning the seizure of some of his horses by men of Sarzanello: A Fregoso to M Benito, 4 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 25.

 

Bentivoglio, Annibale 1469-1540

Career: Son of Giovanni Bentivoglio and Ginevra Sforza; m Lucrezia, illegitimate daughter of Ercole d’Este. His condotta with Florence, to fight against Genoa, in 1486, was the prelude to a long military career, in the course of which he fought for all the leading powers of northern Italy, besides taking the French side in the Italian Wars.

Ref: B’s condotta: Dieci, Delib, 30, 119-20, 2 May 1486.

Bibliog: DBI, 8, 595-600

 

Bentivoglio, Eleonora b. 1470

Career: The younger daughter of Giovanni Bentivoglio and Ginevra Sforza; her elder sister Francesca had been betrothed to the son of Marco Pio before she was required for marriage to Galeotto Manfredi, leaving B as her substitute.

Ref: B’s betrothal to Marco Pio’s son announced at the same time as Francesca’s to Galeotto Manfredi: G F Salarolo to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 12 July 1481, MAP, 38, 255.

 

Bentivoglio, Ercole 1459-1505

Career: Son of Sante Bentivoglio and Ginevra Sforza. Fought for Florence in the War of Ferrara and on many later occasions. Saw considerable action during the Italian Wars.

Refs: Has been employed by Florence; was Costanzo Sforza’s right-hand man; has thirty-five men-at-arms: Dieci to G A Vespucci, 8 July 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 408-9. He and company arrived at Arezzo two days ago: T Biringhucci in Florence to the Signoria of Siena, 15 July 1483, ASS, Conc, 2052, 87. At Pesaro Camilla Sforza says B is ready to adhere to the League but wants the investiture of Giovanni Sforza: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 29 July 1483, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Wants a reply to a letter he has written to Lorenzo; wishes to be recommended to the captain of Arezzo: E Bentivoglio to N Michelozzi, 26 Oct 1483, MAP, 98, 276. Tommaso Minerbetti is being sent as special commissary to Monterchi to get B moving: Dieci to G A Vespucci, 28 Dec 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 338-9. Has been given half his prestanza by Florence: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 16 Mar 1484, ASMo, cit. Florence instructs B to go to Pisa on his way to Sarzana: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 24 Apr 1484, ASMo, cit. Is to stay behind with thirty men-at-arms when other Florentine troops leave for Lombardy: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 31 Mar 1484, ASMo, cit. Is serving with his troops on the Florentine side in Pietrasanta campaign: Dieci, Resp, 32, 216, 26 Sept 1484. Condottiere in the camp outside Pietrasanta; Sforza Bettini sent to him and other condottieri to urge them on: Dieci, Delib, 24, 61, 6 Oct 1484. His role in the projected Portovenere campaign: Dieci, Delib, 24, 80-1, 11 Dec 1484. His poor relations with Ugolino da Monte S Maria: 14 Jan 1485, Dieci, Miss, 23, 8. Arrives in Pisa to take up military service with Florence: Dieci, Resp, 30, 157, 15 Jan 1485. Rehired by Florence: Dieci, Delib, 27, 132-3, 27 Apr 1485. Brings Lorenzo a message from Giovanni Sforza of Pesaro: Lettere, no.772, 20 Mar 1486. Hired by Florence: 30 Apr 1486, Dieci, Delib, 30, 34. Sent by Florence to ravage the territory of Sarzana: 13 Sept 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 77-80.

Bibliog: DBI, 8, 614-15

 

Bentivoglio, Ermete

Refs: Had been in the service of Costanzo Sforza; is now to serve Florence: T Biringhucci in Florence to the Balia of Siena, 28 June 1483, ASS, Balia, 512, 24. Has a condotta of thirty elmetti and ten mounted archers with 4,000 ducats p a: T Biringhucci to the Balia of Siena, 30 June 1483, ASS, Balia, 512, 32. Has written to Lorenzo about affairs at Pesaro: Dieci to B Rucellai, 25[?] July 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 468-9 and 474.

 

Bentivoglio, Francesca 1468-1504

Career: Elder daughter of Giovanni Bentivoglio and Ginevra Sforza; m (1) Galeotto Manfredi, 1482, (2) Guido Torelli, 1492. Fled from Faenza in 1487, but returned the following year.

Refs: Giovanni Bentivoglio expresses his pleasure at the arrangement whereby B’s betrothal to the son of Marco Pio should be broken off, to free her for marriage to Galeotto Manfredi, leaving her sister Eleonora for the Pio marriage: G Bentivoglio to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 24 Apr 1481, MAP, 38, 149. Her departure from Bologna for her marriage to Manfredi: A d’Appiano to G G Sforza, 25 Jan 1482, ASMi, SPE, Romagna, 192. Lorenzo as the godfather of her son by Manfredi: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi, 19 Apr 1485, Lettere, VIII, 172.

Bibliog: DBI, 8, 619-20

 

Bentivoglio, Giovanni 1443-1508

Career: Son of Annibale Bentivoglio, the leading citizen of Bologna. Elected gonfalonier of Bologna, 1463, on the death of Sante Bentivoglio. m Sante’s widow, Ginevra (1440-1507), daughter of Alessandro Sforza of Pesaro. Among their sixteen children were: Bianca (m Niccolò Rangoni); Francesca (m (1) Galeotto Manfredi, (2) Guido Torelli); Annibale (m Lucrezia d’Este); Eleonora (m Giberto Pio); Anton Galeazzo (an apostolic protonotary); Violante (m Pandolfo Malatesta); Alessandro (m Ippolita Sforza); Laura (m Giovanni Gonzaga); and Ermete (m Jacopa Orsini). These marriage alliances attest to Bologna’s pivotal position in northern Italy, which also led Giovanni to serve Milan and Florence in the 1470s and, at Milan’s request, intervene in Faenza in favour of Galeotto against Carlo Manfredi in 1477. For joining the league of Milan, Ferrara and other signori of the Romagna and Marche, he was threatened by Sixtus with excommunication in Mar 1479. Between 1478 and 1483 Giovanni’s policy was consistently anti-papal, in spite of Bologna being the second city of the Papal States. Concluded a condotta with Naples in Jan/Feb 1482 and, after Sixtus’s defection to the League, one with the pope in 1483. In 1488 he was connected to the murder of his son-in-law Galeotto Manfredi.

Refs: B apparently sent Gian Filippo Salarolo to visit Lorenzo to find out what had been done for him at Naples; Salarolo is very satisfied with what Lorenzo told him; Salarolo wanted Girolamo Morelli to be selected as ambassador to Naples [he was not]: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 29 Mar 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 299. B ordered Salarolo to tell Lorenzo of his pleasure in Lorenzo’s disposition towards Milan; he will give his all to preserve Milan and Florence, Lorenzo and Bologna: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 5 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. The Milanese ambassadors in Rome have instructions to work for an increase in the ‘honore e bene’ of B: Bona and G G Sforza to F Sacramoro, 8 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. The ‘dukes’ make a special plea for the embassy to seek an increase in B’s condotta and stipend: Bona and G G Sforza to F Sacramoro, 8 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. Salarolo left Florence yesterday and ‘it is said’ he has gone ‘ verso lo ill.mo duce’ to try to get him to favour B; Lorenzo thinks he is going with the duke’s knowledge and consent: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 13-14 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. Lorenzo confirmed that the Florentine orators would have the same commission as the Milanese, who were instructed to increase B’s salary: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 15 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. Salarolo has gone to Alfonso d’Aragona to discuss B’s condotta: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 15 June 1480, ASMi, cit. B has been negotiating his provisione with Florence and the word is that it will be confirmed: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 31 Aug 1480, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2.

Ercole d’Este has supported B’s request to Milan for a higher provisione, with no success: 10 Jan 1481, Dallari, 47. With this courier comes B’s mandate for the renewal of his condotta: F de Casate at Bologna to G G Sforza, 10 Feb 1481, ASMi, SPE, Romagna, 191. B’s ricondotta signed in Milan 15 Feb 1481. Is reported to be going to the feste of S Giorgio in Ferrara with Annibale Bentivoglio: late Apr 1481, Dallari, 52. B repeats his complaint of 12 May that his emissary, sent to collect his pay, returned empty-handed, although B’s condotta had been renewed by Florence: G Bentivoglio at Bologna to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 28 May 1481, MAP, 38, 194. Sent Salarolo with Costanzo Sforza’s agent, Antonio Pardo, to Florence regarding Costanzo’s condotta: G F Salarolo at Bologna to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 4 Aug 1481, MAP, 38, 281. After Salarolo returned to Bologna and reported Lorenzo’s views on Costanzo’s future, B wrote to Lorenzo saying he and Ludovico Sforza were anxious for Lorenzo to settle this affair and was persuading his ‘compagni’ to agree to it: G Bentivoglio to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 15 Aug 1481, MAP, 38, 288. Ludovico thinks Florence should satisfy B both with his back pay and for his future service, for fear that Ferrante might try to gain control of Bologna, and place Florence between two of his clients (Bologna and Siena), thereby separating her from Milan: Ludovico Sforza to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 23 Oct 1481, MAP, 45, 14 and 13. Ludovico adds in another letter that he has decided to instruct Giovanni Angelo Talenti not to press B’s condotta with Ferrante, so that the latter will reject it and B not become obligated to him: Ludovico Sforza to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 23 Oct 1481, MAP, 45, 17. B is keen that Nicola Orsini has almost concluded a condotta with Sixtus; since Lorenzo told Salarolo that Florence could consider B’s condotta once Orsini was out of the way, he wants Florence to proceed with it, and also to settle the question of his back pay: G Bentivoglio to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1 Dec 1481, MAP, 38, 365. B asks Lorenzo to send back his chancellor, whom he needs to fulfil Milan’s request to alert his troops; he would like him back quickly, with a conclusion on the ricondotta and back pay: G Bentivoglio to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 8 Dec 1481, MAP, 38, 371. B’s chancellor has reported that the resigning of his condotta would be deferred until after Ferrante gave the giudizio on the towns: G Bentivoglio to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 28 Dec 1481, MAP, 38, 380.

Has complained that Florence keeps putting off paying him, first saying they would do so when Nicola Orsini left, and then after the restitution of the towns; Ludovico Sforza urges Florence to satusfy B, for the general good of the League: T Ridolfi to the Otto, 2 Jan 1482, Otto, Resp, 2, 145-6. Alfonso d’Aragona has promised to settle B’s affair within five or six days: G F Salarolo at Naples to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 20 Jan 1482, MAP, 38, 389. Salarolo refused the 1,000 ducats he was offered for B and is still negotiating about 2,000 ducats in two years’ time: G F Salarolo to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 8 Feb 1482, MAP, 38, 395. Salarolo is inclined to accept Naples’ latest offer for B of 2,000 ducats p a; Alfonso d’Aragona has sent B a racehorse: G F Salarolo to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 11 Feb 1482, MAP, 38, 396. At Bologna, B seemed to be trying to avoid Bernardo Rucellai; the Milanese agent, Stefano Taverna, said he does not take so much account of ambassadors as he used to; B seemed very displeased at having ‘essere rimaso indirecto’ and been put on the same level as the others; he thought he should have obtained ‘maggiore cosa’ though Lorenzo’s ‘mezzo’, after having made an enemy of Girolamo Riario (for Lorenzo’s and Florence’s sake); 3,000 florins was not much over a long period; he insisted Salarolo was not conducting secret negotiations on his behalf, but merely congratulating Ferrante on the recovery of Otranto: B Rucellai at Parma to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 14 Feb 1482, MAP, 38, 91. Ferrara has asked B to take as many troops as he can muster to help prepare the bastie on the Po against the Venetians; B has ordered his men (100 men-at-arms, forty mounted archers and infantry) to be ready to march by 27 or 28 May: S Taverna at Bologna to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 23 Apr 1482, MAP, 38, 440. Taverna reports that B is very discontented, complaining bitterly about Florence and her billeting troops outside her own territory; this has been brought to a head by the latest request concerning Costanzo Sforza’s troops; although Bernardo Rucellai protested that it was not Florence’s idea to send Costanzo to Bologna, Ludovico Sforza wants Florence to satisfy B: B Rucellai in Milan to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 28 Apr 1482, MAP, 51, 129.

Ercole d’Este orders B to come immediately to Ferrara: E d’Este to G Bentivoglio, 1 May 1482, Dallari, 76. Helping to defend Ferrara: May 1482, Zambotti, 104. Has been ordered to erect a bastion on a branch of the Po: Z Saggi to Federico Gonzaga, 2 May 1482, ASMa, AG, 1627. Has been recalled to Ferrara after Roberto di Sanseverino crossed the Po: ambassadors of the League in Ferrara to G G Sforza, 2 May 1482, ASMi, SPE, Ferrara, 327. Florence cannot afford to pay her share of B’s provisione: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 4 May 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Is at Occhiobello; Ercole orders him to come to Ficarolo: E d’Este to G Bentivoglio, 4 May 1482, Dallari, 78. Bongianni Gianfigliazzi is to thank B for his prompt support for Ferrara; however, Florence cannot pay the 2,000 ducat subvention he requests: Otto to B Gianfigliazzi, 4 May 1482, Min, 12, 238-9. Is surprised at reports of discontent among his infantry at Pontecchio; claims has paid them: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 10 and 11 May 1482, Dallari, 80. At Corbola: 11 May 1482, Caleffini, 286-8. Is preparing to withdraw if the Venetian fleet advances: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 12 May 1482, Dallari, 81. Has withdrawn to Poesella, which he has fortified, to await the enemy there: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 13 May 1482, Dallari, 82. Has not gone to the camp because it seems that Ficarolo is holding out well: F Sacramoro to G G Sforza, 5 June 1482, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 305. Wants to return to Bologna, after Ercole hanged a couple of his men; is also complaining that Milan should pay his prestanza: F Sacramoro to G G Sforza, 8 June 1482, ASMi, cit. Left the camp: Otto to B Rucellai, 13 June 1482, Min, 12, 323-4. Urges that everything possible be done to bar Roberto Malatesta’s way to Rome: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 13 June 1482, Dallari, 83. Arrived at Bologna: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 14 June 1482, Dallari, 83. Milan should give B his prestanza soon; he will then be able to take to the field: B Gianfigliazzi in Ferrara to the Otto, 15 June 1482, Lettere, varie, 11, 1, 39-40. Left on good terms with Ercole, despite gossip to the contrary: E d’ Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 19 June 1482, Asmo, cit. Is ready to obey the orders of Federico da Montefeltro, provided Milan sends his prestanza; is supposed to go to the Romagna to defend the harvesters: E d’Este to G Bentivoglio, 24 June 1482, Dallari, 85.

Says he cannot go to Ferrara until he has been paid by Milan: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 3 July 1482, Dallari, 86-7. Federico da Montefeltro is insisting that B return to the Ferrarese; B says he will gather his men together and go as quickly as possible: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 13 July 1482, Dallari, 88. His prestanza has been paid by Milan: Otto to B Rucellai, 14 Aug 1482, Min, 12, 472-4. Federico da Montefeltro has asked B to join him in the camp; B sent men-at-arms to the Forlì impresa, but now, having renewed orders to go to the Ferrarese, he has ordered them to halt and await further instructions: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 15 Aug 1482, Dallari, 286. Ludovico Sforza has asked for 100 of B’s men-at-arms for an impresa to recover Mellara and Castelnuovo: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 17 Aug 1482, ASMa, cit. Says he is on the point of leaving for the Romagna: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 23 Aug 1482, Dallari, ----. Does not want to go to Ferrara: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’ Este, 23 Aug 1482, ASMo, cit. Advises against an attack on Imola; is there a secret agreement between Imola and Bologna?: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 14 Sept 1482, ASMa, cit. Says he wants to go to the Romagna until he receives orders from Milan: Dieci to B Rucellai, 21 Sept 1482, Dieci, LC, 5, 2-4. Has been ordered to stay on the borders of the Romagna: E d’Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 24 Sept 1482, ASMo, cit. Mariotto del Monte has been speaking to B on bahalf of Venice: 4 Oct 1482, ASV, Dieci, Misti, 20, 207. Is sending his secretary, Cristoforo dal Poggio, to Ercole: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 5 Oct 1482, Dallari, 288. Has been ordered by Milan to obey Ercole’s commands: G G Sforza to B Castiglione, 12 Oct 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 240. Ercole asks him to go to La Stellata to help counter the Venetian offensive: E d’Este to G Bentivoglio, 12 Oct 1482, Dallari, 289. Says he will have troops ready when called for: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 14 Oct 1482, Dallari, 289. Wants a larger condotta from Milan, of 20,000 ducats in peace time and 25,000 in war, to help maintain his large family; Milan would like to agree, but cannot afford this: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 22 Oct 1482, ASMi, cit. His condotta is in doubt: Dieci to B Rucellai, 28 Oct 1482, Dieci, LC, 5, 17-18. Ercole wants B to move troops towards Bagnacavallo and Fusignano: E d’Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 30 Oct 1482, ASMo, cit. B wants an increased condotta from Milan; has been told Milan cannot afford to give him what he asks, but will try to ensure that the League does, at proposed at Bologna: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 1 Nov 1482, ASMa, cit. The Dieci agreed to write to B and to Galeotto Manfredi to send troops to support Ercole: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 2 Nov 1482, ASMo, cit. Promises to send five squadrons and possibly archers to Argenta: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 5 Nov 1482, Dallari, 291. Says he is happy to send squadrons to help Ercole: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 8 Nov 1482, ASMo, cit. The duchess of Ferrara urges B to send the promised troops immediately: Eleonora d’ Este to G Bentivoglio, 8 Nov 1482, Dallari, 292. Sixtus has written to B, telling him to help Ferrara: 15 Nov 1482, included in Antonio da Montecatini’s dispatch of 20 Nov, ASMo, cit. Sixtus had instructed Giuliano della Rovere to write to B about helping Ferrara: Milanese ambassador in Florence to Antonio da Montecatini, 20 Nov 1482, ASMo, cit. Asks Ercole to ask Milan to pay B his arrears, so he can pay his soldiers and help Ercole: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 29 Nov 1482, Dallari, 296.

Milan will prolong negotiations concerning B [his condotta?] until she is in a better position to satisfy his demands: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 1 Dec 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 241. Is unable to come in person, but arranges for Bologna to send troops to recover Montecchio: G Bentivoglio to P A Trotti, 6 Dec 1482, Dallari, 297. Milan ordered B to go to Ferrara immediately; he has refused to go unless he has all his servizio: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 9 Dec 1482, ASMa, cit. Is sending guastatori to Bondeno: G Bentivoglio to Eleonora d’Aragona, 11(?) Dec 1482, Dallari, 297-8. Is pleased at the peace between Sixtus and Naples, and that the legate is going to Ferrara: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 12 Dec 1482, Dallari, 298. Ercole has called B’s troops at Argenta to him, to send them to B at Bondeno: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 13 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. Lorenzo was not happy at B going to Bondeno, but then thought better of it: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este 13 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. B says he will borrow money to pay the Bolognese men-at-arms in the Ferrarese who are deserting for lack of pay: G Bentivoglio to Eleonora d’Aragona 16-18 Dec 1482, Dallari, 298-9. Milan wants assurance that Bologna will not be brought within the capitolo allowing Sixtus to chastise rebels, and that B will be maintained in his stato: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 22 Dec 1482, ASMi, cit. Accompanied Cardinal Gonzaga on his arrival in Ferrara: 3 Jan 1483, Zambotti, 131. Letters arrived in Ferrara for B saying that Ferrante had given him the right to use the family name ‘d’Aragona’ and an income of 2,000 ducats p a: 6 Jan 1483, Caleffini, 52. B has asked Milan that his renewed condotta be with the entire League with a stipendio of 20,000 ducats in peace and 25,000 in war: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 10 Jan 1483, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 241. Alfonso d’Aragona stayed with B while at Bologna: Francesco B----- in Bologna to the Signoria of Siena, 15 Jan 1483, ASS, Conc, 2054, 37. B has written to the Milanese ambassador in Naples to speak to Ferrante about his desire for a condotta with the League: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 22 Jan 1483, ASMi, cit.

The Dieci have written to B to urge him to be prompt in response to calls for aid for Ferrara: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 13 Mar 1483, ASMo, cit. c 200 infantry arrived at Ferrara from Bologna; two cavalry squadrons of horse arrived the next day: 14 Mar 1483, Caleffini, 78. Ferrante has sent him 2,000 ducats: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 25 Mar 1483, ASMi, cit. B has not sent troops to Ferrara because he has not been paid by Milan: J Guicciardini in Ferrara to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 28 Mar 1483, MAP, 48, 306. Will be sent 2,000 ducats by Ferrante: P Capponi to the Dieci, 31 Mar 1483, Dieci, Resp, 27, 207-8. Has promised to send two squadrons to Ferrara: J Guicciardini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 30 May 1483, MAP, 48, 307. Has forty-four men-at-arms ready to go to Lombardy: list of papal troops, 22 July 1483, Dieci, Resp, 28, 300. Alfonso d’Aragona has ordered B to go to the Ferrarese with eight squadrons: E d’Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 10 Sept 1483, ASMo, cit. Ercole instructs B to prepare his men-at-arms to come to Ferrara: E d’Este to G Bentivoglio, 10 Sept 1483, Dallari, 301. Has gone to join Alfonso’s camp instead of the Ferrarese: P Alamanni at Ferrara to the Dieci, 22 Sept 1483, Dieic, Resp, 29, 160. Assures Ercole he will do everything possible to help him: G Bentivoglio to E d’Este, 25 Nov 1483, Dallari, 301. Arrived in Milan for the diet on 18 Jan: B Buongirolami and J Guicciardini to the Dieci, 20 Jan 1484, Dieci, Resp, 27, 60-1. Was excluded from the more secret meetings at diet; will return to Bologna tomorrow: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 26 Jan 1484, ASMa, AG, 1628. Left Milan today; only Ludovico Sforza accompanied him to the gate: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 27 Jan 1484, ASMa, cit. Lorenzo hints to B’s chancellor that Bologna and Faenza may be endangered by peace negotiations between Sixtus and Venice: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 17 Mar 1484, ASMo, cit. Ludovico Sforza insists B should come to Lombardy with his troops to keep him away from Faenza(?): Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 7 May 1484, ASMa, cit. Stefano Taverna is to urge B to go to the camp with his company immediately: G G Sforza to L Numai and S Taverna, 3 June 1484, ASMi, SPE, Romagna, 182. B has sent an envoy to Florence to ask for money; the Florentines want a week’s delay: Antonio da Montecatini, 5 June 1484, ASMo, cit. Lorenzo has quickly arranged payment: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 5 June 1484, ASMo, cit. Florence had paid B 2,000 ducats: Otto to B Buongirolami, 6 June 1484, Otto, LC, 3, 70-2. Says he has sent five squadrons to the camp and three more will be ready soon: N ------ to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 29 June 1484, ------.

Antonio Boscoli sent to B to request military aid: 29 Sept 1484, Dieci, Delib, 24, 57-8. Bartolomeo de’ Redditi sent to him as commissioner: 30 Sept 1484, Dieci, Delib, 24, 59. Ordered by Milan to march into the Romagna if necessary to help Girolamo Riario recover the fortress of S Mauro: 9 Dec 1484, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 99. Apologises for the crime of Nannetto del Tondato which will be punished: 18 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 184. A plot against B by Milan and Venice: 2 Feb 1485, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 210. Hired by Ludovico Sforza for three years: 4 Feb 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 322. His plot against the Manfredi of Faenza: 9 Apr 1485, MAP, 26, 348. Threat to his regime from Roberto di Sanseverino: 16 Apr 1485, Dieci, Resp, 34, 27. Antipathy towards him of Roberto di Sanseverino, Girolamo Riario and Luzio Malvezzi: 17 Apr 1485, Dieci, Resp., 34, 30. Roberto’s intention to subvert the regime in Bologna: -- Apr 1485, Dieci, Resp, 34. Plot to overthrow B by Roberto and Venice: -- Apr 1485, Dieci, Resp, 34, 48. Innocent’s warnings to B to return to Bologna and rule justly, and his offer of troops to B: -- Apr 1485, Dieci, Resp, 34, 49. Niccolò Michelozzi is to make sure every honour paid to B during his visit to Florence: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi, 19 Apr 1485, Lettere, VIII, 172-3. His visit to Florence: 23 Apr 1485, MAP, 48, 6. Arrangements to honour him when he comes to Florence; fears that he may go on to see the Venetians: 26 Apr 1485, MAP, 39, 425. Michelozzi is to tell B the news from Milan, that Roberto di Sanseverino will not move, and that Ludovico Sforza guarantees his stato, and to ask B if Innocent and Giuliano della Rovere knows about ‘queste cose’: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi, 29 Apr 1485, Lettere, VIII, 176-9. Jacopo Guicciardini has been given a commission to follow Ludovico Sforza’s suggestion when he visits B: Lorenzo de’ Medici to [F Gaddi], 11/12 Dec 1485, Lettere, IX, 64. B will join the League forces when Milan pays his arrears of pay: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Milan, 5 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 105. Ludovico Sforza accepts the decision regarding B: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini, 14 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 126. Lorenzo solicits B’s dispatch: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini, 27 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 146. His letter to Lorenzo is forwarded to Guicciardini: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini, 2 Feb 1486, Lettere, IX, 162. Lorenzo sends Guicciardini letter from B in reply to one of Lorenzo’s urging him to ride: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini, 28 Feb 1486, Lettere, IX, 182. His troops are awaited by the Otto: 18 Feb 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 111-12. Has been fully paid by Milan: 8 Apr 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 166-7.

Bibliog: DBI, 8, 622-32

 

Bentivoglio, Giovanni Battista

Career: After obtaining a doctorate in law at Bologna, he followed his father Giovanni into the service of the Montefeltro of Urbino and was made governor of Gubbio. After the death of Oddantonio da Montefeltro in 1444, Federico da Montefeltro ordered B to govern Urbino until he arrived from Lombardy. B probably returned to Bologna, from where he was called in 1450 to be Federico’s chancellor and vicar-general. c 1460 sent as ambassador to Alfonso d’Aragona, and became that duke’s secretary. Rose in Ferrante’s service: a member of the Neapolitan royal council in 1468; presided over Regia Camera della Sommaria in 1473. In 1478 was sent to induce Giovanni Bentivoglio, Milan and Mantua to enter the war against Florence. Neapolitan ambassador to Urbino throughout 1481. After peace was made, sent as ambassador to Florence, where he was in 1482, with a salary of 1,000 ducats p a. This is last information we have of him. Of his sons, Ottaviano became archbishop of Salerno in 1486, Niccolò Filippo became a Neapolitan royal councillor and Giovanni Francesco served Cardinal Bessarion.

Refs: As Neapolitan ambassador at Milan, involved in trying to settle the dispute bewteen Milan and Genoa, but was suspected of being partial to the Genoese and therefore not much trusted at Milan: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 2 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 169-70. He suggested to Ferrante that Antonio Tassini be bribed with 1,000 ducats p a to bring Bona Sforza to agree with Ferrante; with this and Lorenzo using his influence, B believed, Ferrante would be able to ‘disporre di questo stato a suo modo’: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 8 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 176-9. Bona eventually decided she did not want B as ambassador at Milan any longer: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 15 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 181-2. She wanted instead Gabriello de Guidano, bishop of Policastro, saying that B ‘benche sia valente huomo non piace’: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 18 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 183. B supported Pier Filippo Pandolfini in urging Bona to conclude the lega particolare and to get rid of Fra Tomino: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 12 May 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 204-5. B apparently suggested to Ferrante and Federico da Montefeltro the idea of granting Faenza to Sixtus, which he felt would break up the papal/Venetian league: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 18 May 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 210-11. Pandolfini suggested that Lorenzo delay the conclusion of Galeotto Manfredi’s condotta until he had discussed this idea with B, who was coming south to Tuscany with Roberto di Sanseverino: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 21 May 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 214-15; same to same, 22 May 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 215-16. Instructed to visit Federico da Montefeltro for the same reason as Sforza Bettini was sent, i e to discover whether Federico would side with Ferrante or Sixtus: Bona and G G Sforza to F Sacramoro, 22 May 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 299. Left Milan on 25 May: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 24 May 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 216-17. On his way home he visited the dukes of Calabria and Urbino. Pandolfini regarded B as a man of sound judgement except concerning Federico da Montefeltro, for his admiration for the duke tended to get the better of him: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 27 May 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 217-18. Arrived in Bologna and was airing the idea of giving Faenza to Sixtus to save Pesaro: F de Casate at Bologna to Bona and G G Sforza, 29 May 1480, ASMi, SPE, Romagna, 189. Lorenzo had Marino [Tomacelli] tell B to send Federico da Montefeltro’s reply directly to Florence so that they could know where they stood as quickly as possible: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 15 June 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 299. Hoping to aid Federico in his grand vision of a general league, B suggested to Ferrara and Rome that Milan might be persuaded to abandon Pesaro if Riario offered Bosco to Antonio Tassini; hence he started the rumour that Riario had made that offer: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1 June 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 224. Left for Urbino with a poor opinion of Milan and Pandolfini feared he might be working against it: P F Pandoflini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 30 June 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 252-4. Bona challenged the Neapolitan orator with some of her fears about Naples, particularly about the behaviour of B, who seemed to be putting forward ideas contrary to Milan’s interests [concerning Faenza?]: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 30 June 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 251-2. To Ferrante, Milan deplored B’s suggestion [about Faenza?]: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 1 July 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 254-5. Pandolfini’s belief that Fra Tomino’s secret mission to Milan was about Faenza and that the whole idea originated with Federico da Montefeltro and B: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 7 July 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 261-2. B had left Urbino on his way to Siena: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 31 Aug 1480, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2. Passed through Florence on his way to Siena: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 31 Aug 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 300. One of the Neapolitan orators sent to Siena to discuss the restitution of the Florentine towns was a ‘M Giovanbattista’: Otto to P Nasi, 2 Sept 1480, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 137 and 142-4. B is preparing to leave Siena where his presence had done more harm than good from a Milanese point of view: Pietro da Gallerate and G A Talenti at Siena to F Sacramoro, 24 Sept 1480, ASMi, SPE, Siena, 42. The Neapolitan orator to whose ‘expositione’ Siena objected was Giovanbattista da Urbino: P Nasi in Naples to the Otto, 18 Oct 1480, Otto, Resp, 2, 25-7.

After Florence agreed with Ferrante on the condotta for Federico da Montefeltro, Ferrante authorised B to go ahead with the negotiations and report back on the likely conditions: P Nasi at Matera to the Otto, 24 Apr 1481, Otto, Resp, 1, 174-5. B apparently reported that Venice had approached Federico da Montefeltro: G A Vespucci to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 27 Apr 1481, MAP, 38, 154. Still in Urbino, carrying out negotiations for the condotta: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 18 Feb 1482, Otto, Resp, 2, 266. B has written from Urbino an ‘ importantissima e artificiosa’ letter asking the ambassadors at Rome to do something which they refused because they lacked a commission; B is Federico da Montefeltro’s man and Guidantonio Vespucci thinks the letter must have been written with his consent; it confirms Vespucci’s suspicion that Federico is trying to keep in with Sixtus while negotiating a condotta with the League: G A Vespucci in Rome to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 2 Apr 1482, MAP, 38, 431. Strongly disapproves of a pratica via Virginio Orsini, saying that Orsini is fraudulent: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 1 Oct 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 240. Was in Naples a few days ago; has helped convince Ferrante of the need to attack Sixtus: [F Gaddi] to the Dieci, 4 Oct 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 63, 159-60. Advises against accepting the peace terms brought by an envoy of Giordano Orsini: [F Gaddi] to the Dieci, 9 Oct 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 63, 164-5. Taking part in peace negotiations via Lorenzo da Castello: [F Gaddi] to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1 Nov 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 63, 176-7. Reporting to the ambassadors of the League on the discussions he and others had had on what should be discussed at the diet: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 10 Feb 1483, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 241. Figure in Neapolitan government circles: 13 Aug 1484, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 113. Acting as mandatory for the prince of Salerno at the Roman curia: 24 Nov 1485, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 99.

Bibliog: DBI, 8, 633-4

 

Bentivoglio, Niccolò Filippo di Giovanbattista

Career: Son of Giovanni Battista Bentivoglio, in whose footsteps he followed by serving Ferrante.

Refs: Among the many witnesses to the league signed between Sixtus, Naples, Milan and Florence, 13 Mar 1480: Lettere, V, 290. Sent as emissary between Naples and Federico da Montefeltro: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 27 May 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 217-18; A Ridolfi in Rome to the Otto, 3 June 1480, Otto, Resp, 1, 22. The Milanese and Florentine orators met with the ‘Conte Camerlengo’, Antonello Petrucci, Traiano Bottone and B: P F Pandolfini in Naples to the Otto, 26 Nov 1481, Otto, Resp, 2, 62-3. Joined Ferrante’s secretary in reading the orators a letter from his father Giovanni Battista Bentivoglio: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 10 Dec 1481, Otto, Resp, 2, 98. B was going to be sent to Federico da Montefeltro; Ferrante was planning to send Federico 10,000 ducats for mobilisation via B: copy of the Neapolitan reply to P F Pandolfini on troop dispositions for the defence of Ferrara, 2 Jan 1482, Otto, Resp, 2, 150. B will leave for Urbino on Monday: G F Salarolo in Naples to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 20 Jan 1482, MAP, 38, 389. Federico da Montefeltro wrote to B to protest his loyalty to Ferrante: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 21 Jan 1482, Otto, Resp, 2, 191. Federico’s ambassador in Naples; he is ill: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 9 Sept 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 240.

 

Benvenuto, Jacopo

Ref: Franceschetto Cibo intercedes with Lorenzo on B’s behalf as he is a Genoese taken at Poggibonsi; G A Vespucci backs the request: 13 Jan 1485, MAP, 39, 225.

 

Benzi, Battista

Ref: The priors and governors of Siena complain that B is having to pay tax for possessions he holds in Florentine territory, even though he is a Sienese citizen: 12 Mar 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 463.

 

Benzi, Francesco di Ugo

Career: Son of the noted Ferrarese philosopher and doctor Ugo d’Andrea Benzi, and himself a doctor.

Refs: B had arrived in Florence: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Ferrara, 2 July 1483, Lettere, VII, 283-5. Ercole d’Este does not want to agree to Lorenzo having B, saying ‘non cia altri che vogli nulla et che eglie il piu valente huomo ditalia, e che non vude dare ad altri quello che bisognia alui’: J Guicciardini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 9 July 1483, MAP, 38, 328. Ercole explains why he cannot let B go: E d’Este to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 9 July 1483, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3.

 

Berardino [Bernardino?]

Ref: Mandatory of Giovan Antonio Sangiorgio, bishop of Alessandria, in the peace negotiations with the League: 8 June 1486, MAP, 48, 350.

 

Bergamino, il, Giovan Pietro Carminati di Bremilla c. 1438-1488

Career: A condottiere from near Bergamo who invariably fought for Milan.

Refs: With Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, placed in charge of Milanese troops near the Rossi enclave: B Rucellai to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 13 Mar 1482, MAP, 51, 87. Has defeated the Rossi and Torelli at Filino: G G Sforza to G P del Bergamino, 30 May 1482, ASMi, SPE, 843. Ludovico Sforza promises to send B to Federico Gonzaga, when Guglielmo Paleologo arrives in the Parmigiana: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 17 July 1482, ASMa, AG, 1627. One of those reporting from S Secondo on the agreement with the Rossi; Ludovico ordered him to the Ferrarese with seven squadrons: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 14 Oct 1482, ASMa, cit. Arrived in Ferrara with men-at-arms; left for Argenta the same day: 2 Nov 1482, Zambotti, 115-16; Caleffini, 20. Ludovico wants him in Lombardy, but Alfonso d’Aragona very much wants him to stay in Florence: Alfonso d’Aragona to Ludovico Sforza, 27 Mar 1483, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 241. Recently arrived at La Stellata with his troops; Ludovico wants him to go to the Cremonese; Alfonso and E d’Este want him to stay: E d’Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 28 May 1483, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Has been ordered [by Ludovico?] to go to the Cremonese or Ghiaradadda, as B thinks best: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 3 June 1483, ASMa, AG, 1628. A military commander who Ludovico Sforza wants to keep for himself: 16 Aug 1484, MAP, 48, 27. Entered the castello in Milan in the company of Gian Giacomo Trivulzio with armour under their cloaks; a move against the castellan Filippo degli Eustachi: -- Dec 1484, MAP, 48, 271. As commissioner at Parma, angered Ludovico by trying to make a deal with Guido Torelli for the surrender of Montecchio and Cavriago: 23 Mar 1486, Dieci, Resp, 33, 583.

Bibliog: DBI, 20, 430-3

 

Berlinghieri, Antonio

Ref: Lorenzo asks Niccolò Michelozzi to tell B to send some of the sturgeon on which he has reported: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi, 29 Apr 1485, Lettere, VIII, 180.

 

Berlinghieri, Berlinghiero di Francesco 1426-1480

Career: 1447-80 with Jacopo Tanagli, joint manager of a Medici-controlled[?] silk manufacturing company in Florence. Prior, Mar-Apr 1470. General member of the Balia for S Croce, 1471. Accoppiatore, 1476. Member of the second half of the Council of 70, 1480. 1480 Catasto: sostanze 3,664 fl.

 

Berlinghieri, Francesco di Niccolò 1440-1500

Career: After being educated by Florence’s leading Platonists, his service to the state included a stint as ambassador in Mantua, 1479-80.

Ref: ‘Del pagamento ali vostri del arta della seta, mi disse sua Signoria [ie Gonzaga] ch’i o dicessi a Francesco Berlinghieri che saldessi el conto con li suoi e di poi faria el possibilie’: S Bettini at Mantua to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1 Jan 1481, MAP, 38, 1.

Bibliog: DBI, 9, 121-4

 

Bernardino

Refs: With Pandolfo Collenuccio, a representative of Costanzo Sforza: Lettere, V, 184, 189.

 

Bernardino

Ref: Chancellor of Milan in the Florentine camp outside Pietrasanta: 25 Sept 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 211.

 

Bernardino

Ref: An envoy of Cardinal Michiel and Giovan Antonio Sangiorgio negotiating with G G Trivulzio: 24 May 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 40-1.

 

Bernardino [Bardino?]

Refs: Field commander for League forces: 8 Apr 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 167-8. The Dieci want to know if the rumour is true that Venice has sacked him: 15 Apr 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 43-4. Among the Marcianeschi forces to be paid by Piero Capponi: 13 May 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 25-6.

 

Bernardino (‘Il Pinciulla’)

Ref: A recommendation for B’s repatriation; his bando was from the previous regime in Siena: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Balia of Siena, 18 Sept 1484, Lettere, VIII, 17.

 

Bernardino di Andrea da Castiglion-Fibocchi

Ref: B obtained a canonry of Arezzo with the aid of Clarice Orsini, but the chapter resisted his appointment; Lorenzo tells them to back down: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the canons of Arezzo cathedral, 10 Dec 1485, Lettere, IX, 58-9.

 

Bernardino di Bernardo

Refs: Chancellor of Alfonso d’A ragona sent to persuade Ludovico Sforza to back the Perugia enterprise: 26 Feb 1486, Dieci, Resp, 33, 407. Referred to: 28 Aug 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 93-5.

 

Bernardino da Corte

Refs: Reports to Lorenzo discontent in the city and contado of Forlì at the return of Girolamo Riario, and the desire of certain contadini to be ruled by Florence: 5 Sept 1484, MAP, 39, 315. With Gian Giacomo Trivulzio and others, entered the castello of Milan wearing armour under their cloaks in a move against Filippo degli Eustachi: -- Dec 1484, MAP, 48, 271.

 

Bernardino da Cortona

Refs: Among the Florentine constables ordered to go to Castrocaro: Dieci to B Gianfigliazzi, 8 Nov 1482, Dieci, LC, 5, 92-3. Has received one-and-a-half paghe for his infantry: 30 Mar 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 154-6.

 

Bernardino, Francesco

Ref: Ludovico Sforza wants to give this nephew of Pier Francesco Visconti to Florence for the Sarzana campaign: 16 Aug 1484, MAP, 48, 27.

 

Bernardino da Marsciano

Ref: The Otto tell Piero Capponi to decide what to pay him: 4 Apr 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 157.

 

Bernardino, fra, maestro Bernardino [same as below?]

Refs: Emissary in negotiations between Ludovico Sforza and Paolo Fregoso: 11 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 102. Dealing with Cardinals Fregoso and Giuliano della Rovere: 30 Apr 1486, Lettere varie, 11, 73. Reports to Ludovico that the promises of Paolo Fregoso are reliable: 30 Apr 1486, MAP, 39, 474. His letters to Milan from Genoa: 3 May 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 49-50. On his return to Milan, reported the results of his trip to Genoa: 12 May 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 51-2. Sent to Genoa with Giovan Angelo Maffeo and Fra Agostino: 4 July 1486, Otto, Miss, 5, 17; Lettere, IX, 348-9.

 

Bernardino da Montalcino, fra [same as above?]

Refs: Chaplain and confessor to Ludovico Sforza, who wished B to become bishop of Pienza after the death of Tommaso Piccolomini; upon request, Lorenzo supported this cuase: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Signoria of Siena, 5 Nov 1483, Lettere, VII, 331-2.

 

Bernardino da Sant’Angelo

Ref: One of Alfonso d’A ragona’s secretaries: Lettere, IX, 424-5.

 

Bernardi, Benedetto

Ref: A member of the Venetian Council of Ten who, with Tommaso Trevisan, proposed that an emissary of Roberto di Sanseverino be invited to Venice in secret for discussions: ------, ASV, Dieci, Misti, 20, 133.

 

Bertello da Barga

Ref: A soldier for Florence in the Pietrasanta campaign: 27 Oct 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 356.

 

Berti, Ugo

Refs: Cameos, on which B encloses a letter of Domenico Calimaco: U Berti in Siena to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 5 May 1485, MAP, 26, 361. Forwards an important letter from Lorenzo: 8 May 1485, MAP, 26, 367.

 

Bertini, Soverio, da Colle

Refs: Request that B be freed from condemnation for a trivial offence committed in his youth: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Balia of Siena, 14 Sept 1484, Lettere, VIII, 16. The Balia of Siena concedes a safe-conduct for twenty-five years to ‘Severo Alberti’ of Colle: 19 Dec 1485, ASS, Balìa, 34, 33.

 

Berzi, Antonio

Ref: Sienese with a case against don Francesco de’ Rinaldi: 9 June 1485, Otto, Miss, 4, 66.

 

Besalù, Franzino

Career: With his brother Raffaele, an important Catalan merchant operating in Naples. Among those Catalan and Florentine merchants who lent 165,000 ducats to Ferrante in Mar 1484.

Ref: Simonetto Belprat’s financial dealing with B and his brother: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Cambini in Pisa, 6 July 1486, Lettere, IX, 356.

 

Bettini, Bettino di Piero

Ref: A recommendation on his behalf: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Cambini in Pisa, 10 July 1485, Lettere, VIII, 231.

 

Bettini, Francesco

Career: Leader of the group of merchants whose mules and goods were captured by Amoratto Torelli in May 1482.

Ref: Pier Filippo Pandolfini uses B’s son as the bearer of a letter to Lorenzo: 11 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 44.

 

Bettini, Girolamo di Francesco

Ref: Involved in the murder committed by the son of Gherardo Guardi: 26 Sept 1485, MAP, 26, 450.

 

Bettini, Pietro di Mariotto

Ref: An Aretine who was one of the councillors appointed to examine Giovanni Antonio d’A rezzo for the post of notary to the Danni Dati: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the priors and gonfalonier of Arezzo, 8 June 1483, Lettere, VII, 281.

 

Bettini, Sforza

Career: A Florentine who entered Sforza service, undertaking embassies to Monferrato, France and Ferrara (1473, in disguise). By 1 Jan 1474 he was in Florentine service. For the next twenty years he served as Lorenzo’s personal agent, frequently at Pisa, and also at Piombino, Faenza, Bologna, Forlì and Siena. In 1482 he was a significant figure in the Roman negotiations to lure Sixtus away from Venice. Was briefly in the service of Federico Gonzaga, until Jan 1483. After Lorenzo’s death he seems to have retired from public life, but was arrected in 1497 on accusation of having participated in the Bigi conspiracy, and exiled. Date of death unknown.

Refs: Has recently returned from a mission to Alfonso d’ Aragona: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 29 Mar 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 299. When Alfonso went towards Viterbo to meet Federico da Montefeltro, B followed; B’s mission was about the restitution of Sarzana and other territories, the title of lieutenant for Alfonso, and about censures: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 1 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. B returned and reported the conclusion reached about the restitution of the towns: F Sacramoro to G G Sforza, 11 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. On receiving word from Niccolò Michelozzi, returning from Naples via Rome, and from Agostino Biliotti at Naples, that Sixtus insists Lorenzo honour a previous agreement by going to Rome and releasing the Pazzi, Lorenzo sent B to Alfonso d’Aragona to persuade him of the difficulties of doing both things and to try to change opinion in Rome; if Alfonso agrees, B is also to go to Federico da Montefeltro: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 19 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. B had raised the subject of Federico da Montefeltro joining a papal/Venetian league; from his ambiguous reply, B inferred that Federico would stay with Sixtus rather than Ferrante: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 29 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. Alfonso d’Aragona had talked at length with B, ‘ne è sommamente piaciuto’ and Lorenzo can believe what B tells him about the duke’s opinion: Alfonso d’A ragona at Siena to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1 May 1480, MAP, 45, 231. Had a long discussion with Alfonso, who agreed with the terms of B’s commission to Urbino; Alfonso promised a reply (and B thinks it will be a good one) when he returns; B will leave at dawn: S Bettini at Buonconvento to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 18 May 1480, MAP, 38, 25. The Otto had sent B to Federico da Montefeltro and had now received a report from him: Otto to P F Pandolfini, 26 May 1480, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 48-50; Otto, LC, 1, 15-17; Sig, X, VIII, 10, 220-222. Lorenzo had heard from B of Alfonso’s fears that Siena would not join the Neapolitan/Milanese/Florentine league: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 27 May 1480, ASMi, cit. B left that morning to go round the troops’ billets: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 30 May 1480, ASMi, cit.

Filippo Sacramoro is of opinion that B’s recent visit to Alfonso d’Aragona was over Florence’s desire to get a resolution on the towns before agreeing to the condotte: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 3 June 1480, ASMi, cit. The Otto took Ferrante’s point about how to treat Federico da Montefeltro, in order to avoid a break with him, but he had [already] sent B to him some time ago: Otto to P Nasi, 7 June 1480, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 66-7 and 72-4; Otto, LC, 1, 22-5. B is to reassure Alfonso that Florence did not want to restrict his condotta, but was making difficulties about the others in order to be able to give him more: Signoria of Florence to S Bettini, 17 June 1480, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 80. B, in Florence, spoke to Antonio da Montecatini about Ercole d’Este’s condotta: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 23 June 1480, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2. B reported from Alfonso’s camp on the duke’s views regarding the condotte: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 25 June 1480, ASMi, cit. On Alfonso’s condotta and views: Otto to S Bettini, 2 July 1480, Otto, Miss int, 1, 7-8. Lorenzo sent B to complain to Marino Tomacelli about several things, including the pressure to give the archbishopric of Pisa to Cardinal Riario-Sansoni and release the Pazzi, the delay in restoring the towns and the affair of the Este condotta: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 13 July 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 269. Antonio da Montecatini claimed that Lorenzo had sent B to him to let him know that Lorenzo was doing his best for Ercole’s condotta: Antonio da Montecatini to N Sadoleto in Naples, 15 July 1480, ASMo, cit. B was again summoned by Alfonso and has set off: F Sacramoro to Bona and G G Sforza, 1 Aug 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 300. Alfonso claimed that B had promised him that Florence would pay a third of his condotta: instructions of Alfonso d’Aragona to G Albino, going to Florence and Milan, 2 Aug 1480, Albino, De gestis, 170-4. Has just returned from Alfonso after negotiations over the condotta: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 5 Aug 1480, ASMo, cit. The Otto sent B to Siena to keep an eye on things when the Milanese and Neapolitan ambassadors were assembling there to discuss the restitution of the Florentine towns: Otto to A Ridolfi, 2 Sept 1480, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 136-7. Has reported back: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 6 Sept 1480, ASMo, cit.

To Faenza on a mission to Galeotto Manfredi; leaving for Ferrara tomorrow: S Bettini at Faenza to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 28 Nov 1480, MAP, 38, 55. Ercole d’Este had written to Milan about Orfeo Cenni at the request of B, a kinsman of Cenni; B had also received the latest from Baccio Ugolini about Lorenzo’s Mantuan affairs; he planned to leave for Mantua in a few days: S Bettini at Faenza to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 30 Nov 1480, MAP, 38, 56. On his trip to Mantua he delivered a personal message from Lorenzo to Federico Gonzaga, including a request for repayment of the money Gonzaga owed Lorenzo; in the course of discussions, Gonzaga said he had heard B was ‘spiccato’ from the Florentines and that, if this were so, he would offer him a worthy position ‘sopra per le sue genti d’arme adito continuo dela persona sua, provisione buona ehonorevole, ecc’; he also said B could try it for six months or a year in the first instance; ‘Paremi partito da non recusarlo e cosi lo acceptai di buona voglia’; he has already been given a house, money and an office; B is sure Lorenzo will be pleased, not only at his good fortune, but because he will now have a useful friend in Mantua: S Bettini at Mantua to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 8 Dec 1480, MAP, 38, 44.

Writes referring to Lorenzo’s letter of 16Dec about a conversation with Cardinal Gonzaga (about what Milan thinks of Mantua); B reported Federico Gonzaga’s feelings, his ‘satisfactio’ [with his condotta?] in spite of the shortcomings in pay and his intention to remain faithful to Milan; however, B advises Lorenzo to try to get Milan to be a little more forthcoming with Gonzaga’s provisione; B mentions what Gonzaga is going to pay Lorenzo’s silk company, and the news from Milan about a papal/Neapolitan agreement against the Turk; in connection with news of Orfeo Cenni’s imminent release, B says he had the same indication from Ludovico Sforza; he ends ‘A me dispiace sommamente che la infermità del amico nostro vada ogni di pegiorando …’: S Bettini at Mantua to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1 Jan 1481, MAP, 38, 1. ‘ Pregovi mi teniate le mani in capo’ because he hears a balzello of 30,000 ducats has been agreed: S Bettini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 23 Jan 1481, MAP, 38, 4. Is in Florence, acting on Lorenzo’s behalf in discussions over the towns: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 23 Mar 1481, ASMo, cit. Sent [by Florence or Lorenzo?] via Milan to Pier Maria de’ Rossi to try and settle his quarrel with Milan; Ludovico Sforza is pleased that B coming to Milan first: B Rucellai in Milan to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 9 Apr 1482, MAP, 51, 112. His mission is apparently in response to Ludovico’s suggestion that Florence send to Rossi a person ‘più tosto apta che di molto conto per non li dare riputazione’: B Rucellai to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 2 Apr 1482, MAP, 51, 104. However, Bernardo Rucellai’s letter asking B to come to Milan did not reach him, as he had already left for Mantua: B Rucellai to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 16 Apr 1481, MAP, 51, 123.

Writing to Federico Gonzaga: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 8 Oct 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Is urging on Lorenzo and others the necessity of a river fleet to defend Ferrara: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 2 Nov 1482, ASMo, cit. Lorenzo and other citizens forced B to go to Rome for peace talks: S Bettini at Ferrara to F Gonzaga, 5 Dec 1482, ASMa, AG, E, 1102. Lorenzo is sending B to Rome to make it clear that, if the peace fails, it is not Florence’s fault; very few know of his mission; not all the Dieci do: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 5 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. Left for Rome this morning: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 8 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. Anello Arcamone and Giovan Antonio Sangiorgio have written praising B: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 18 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. Recalled to Florence when Lorenzo and the Dieci heard the peace terms; arrived today: S Bettini to F Gonzaga, 26 Dec 1482, ASMa, AG, E, 1102. Arcamone says that B has already agreed on behalf of Florence to the payment of 8,000 ducats for Girolamo Riario’s condotta and that B is present at all discussions regarding the peace terms: F Gaddi in Rome to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 27 Dec 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 63, 190-2. Returned from Rome: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 29 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. Alfonso d’Aragona and the Florentine Signoria have asked B to return to Rome to see to the ratification of peace in the name of Florence: S Bettini to F Gonzaga, 8 Jan 1483, ------. Arrived in Rome yesterday: L Lanti to the Signoria of Siena, 19 Jan 1483, ASS, Conc, 2054, 45. Will leave for Florence in a day or two, now that ratification is complete: S Bettini in Rome to F Gonzaga, 24 Jan 1483, ASMa, AG, 846. B says that, after the Rimini affair, Tommaso Soderini can take heart and speak in favour of the Venetians: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 13 Apr 1483, ASMo, cit. Has left Florence, first to urge on the Feltreschi and then to see Costanzo Sforza: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 31 May 1483, ASMo, cit. Before he left, he spoke to Antonio da Montecatini about Florentine discontent at Neapolitan delays: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 31 May 1483, ASMo, cit. After seeing Costanzo Sforza, he will go on to meet Girolamo Riario: Dieci to G A Vespucci, 2 June 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 390-3. Has returned from Costanzo to Florence: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 14 June 1483, ASMa, AG, 1628. Is going back to Costanzo: Dieci to G A Vespucci, 14 June 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 397-8. Ercole d’Este has written to B ‘accio il perseveri in amore e affectone verso nui…’: E d’Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 16 June 1483, ASMo, cit. Has been sent back to Costanzo: Dieci to J Guicciardini, 19 June 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 232-3. Has just returned from Costanzo, reporting that he has definitely gone over to the enemy: Dieci to G A Vespucci, 19 June 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 400.

Reported on Girolamo Riario’s attitude towards Pesaro: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 29 July 1483, ASMo, cit. Was recently sent to Riario: T Biringhucci to the Balia of Siena, 30 July 1483, ASS, Balia, 512, 94. Says that Lorenzo does not like the Sarzana impresa; recommends that Ercole d’E ste should complain about this distraction: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 14 Feb 1484, ASMo, cit. Is not pleased by Ercole’s decision not to make fuss about what has been decided: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 27 Feb 1484, ASMo, cit. Has gone to speak to Prospero Adorno, who is making great offers to Florence: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 16 Mar 1484, ASMo, cit. Reported Lorenzo’s suspicions concerning Sixtus and Riario and peace negotiations: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 24 Mar 1484, ASMo, cit. Assures Antonio da Montecatini that Riario is showing sincere affection for Ercole: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 31 Mar 1484, ASMo, cit. Tells Antonio da Montecatini that Riario does wish Ercole well, despite Lorenzo’s suspicions; his thinks Florence is suspicious of Venice and that relations between Florence and Milan are so strained that Lorenzo is desperate: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 9 Apr 1484, ASMo, cit. Tells Antonio da Montecatini of a report that Milan is drawing closer to Venice: he is sure that Ludovico Sforza loves Ercole, and tells the orator that many true reports, ‘pure sempre se vede con lo inzegno pensare el tuto per non essere osellato da fiorentini ….’: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 23 Apr 1484, ASMo, cit. Spoke to Antonio da Montecatini of the Florentine desire for peace, the implication being that he is speaking on behalf of Lorenzo: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 17 May 1484, ASMo, cit. Wanted to leave Florence and let his house for a year, but Lorenzo insisted he stayed, so has taken rooms in the house of Antonio da Monteactini: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 21 July 1484, ASMo, cit.

Sent as a commissioner to the camp to urge on the condottieri and help Jacopo Guicciardini: 6 Oct 1484, Dieci, Delib, 24, 61. Visited Pietrasanta and returned to Florence to report to the Dieci: 10 Oct 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 279. Is being sent to negotiate with Nicola Orsini: 19 Jan 1485, Dieci, Miss, 23, 14. The Dieci sent him as commissioner to escort Jacopo d’Appiano and Ranuccio da Marciano to the Orsini: 15 Dec 1485, Dieci, Delib, 24, 150. His letter to his son reports that Nicola and Virginio Orsini will stay loyal: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Milan, 20 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 139-40. His reports regarding the artillery needs of the troops: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Dieci di Balia, 24 May 1486, Lettere, IX, 300-1.

Bibliog: DBI, 9, 755-7; Simonetta, Diari, 25, 28, ap 73; Ghinzoni, 17-32; Rochon, 256, 282-3

 

Bevilacqua

Ref: Infantry commander for the Florentines in the Pietrasanta campaign: 25 Oct 148, Dieci, Resp, 32, 350.

 

Biagino

Ref: Cavallaro of the Otto: 25 Mar 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 152-3.

 

Biagio da Venerino

Ref: Florence’s principal enemy in Sarzana: 27 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 299.

 

Bianchi, Bartolomeo

Ref: Ferrarese ambassador in Rome: 16 Oct 1484, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 96.

 

Bianchi, Cristoforo

Career: With Niccolò Sadoleto, Ferrarese ambassador in Naples, 1481. In Florence, Oct 1481.

 

Bianchino

Ref: Familiar of Cardinal Gonzaga: Lettere, VII, 324.

 

Bianchino, el

Refs: One of Alfonso d’Aragona’s principal commanders, who is being sent to recapture Vada for the Florentines: 10 Oct 1484, Dieci, Miss, 21, 60. The Otto ask Alfonso for B for the siege of Pietrasanta: 16 Oct 1484, Otto, 4, 56-7.

 

Biascia, Baldassare

Refs: The Neapolitans are going to use him to supervise the fortification of their coasts against the Turks: 6-8 Nov 1484, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 171. Has gone to Provence with his men: 11 May 1486, MAP, 39, 489. Embarked a large force of infantry on four galleys and two fuste at La Spezia: 8 July 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 67-8.

 

Bichi, Antonio

Career: Sienese ambassador to Naples, after which he was a leading member of the new Noveschi regime in Siena from June 1480. When that regime fell, B was among those who were exiled and lost their property in Siena.

Refs: As Sienese ambassador to Naples, witnessed the league signed between Sixtus, Naples, Milan and Florence, 13 Mar 1480: Lettere, V, 280 and 289. Smuggled out of Siena with the help of Cardinal Piccolomini; to Borgo S Sepolcro: 27 July 1482, Otto to B Rucellai, Min, 12, 436-8. Based in the Regno, but is now coming to Rome: 10 Sept 1484, ASS, Balia, 520, ins 13.

 

Biliotti, Agostino di Sandro

Career: Although a close associate of the Medici, not a prominent political figure. m Francesca di Francesco Cambini, 1462. Brother of Zanobi; another brother, Matteo, married a sister of Piero Nasi. Captain of the Flanders galleys that returned to Pisa in June 1466. Patron of Catalonia galley, 1466. Patron of Catalonia/Sicily galleys, 1467-9. Prior, 1467. Captain of Livorno, Feb-May 1478. 1471-5, at the Medici baranch in Naples, where he did not prove a good administrator, being too lenient with credit; replaced by Francesco Nacci. Still in Naples in early 1478. Orator in Naples, 1480. Lorenzo sent him 50 or 600 ducats as a gift for his efforts, Sept 1480. Manager of the Florentine Tavola of the Medici bank, 1484-7. Gonfalonier of Justice, 1485. In 1485 he was sent to Lyon to sort out the problems of the branch there and to report on Lionetto de’ Rossi’s mishandling of affairs. Podestà of Prato, 1486. In Milan, Oct 1478. In Venice, Oct 1479, after a brief visit to Florence. 1480-5 in Naples again, where he acted as official Florentine representative, but was primarily Lorenzo’s man. Member of the Otto di Custodia, Nov 1483-Feb 1484. Prior, 1489; possibly one of the 12 Consultatori. Died after falling from his horse. 1480 Catasto: house at S Felicita; sostanze 1,555 fl.

Refs: With Niccolò Michelozzi, Florentine signatory to the league between Sixtus, Naples, Milan and Florence, 13 Mar 1480: Lettere, V, 280 and 289-90. The Otto comment sourly on his lack of letters from Naples and ask for copies of his letters to Lorenzo: Otto to A Biliotti, 13 May 1480, Otto, LC, 1, 4-7. With Piero Nasi, signed the League between Naples, Milan, Florence and Ferrara, 25 July 1480: Lettere, V, 299. Is about to see the duke of Savoy, to whom he will deliver Lorenzo’s letter: A Biliotti in Turin to Lorenzo de; Medici, 22 July 1485, MAP, 26, 403. The Signoria introduce him to Lorenzo Patanio as envoy of Lorenzo to clear up the affairs of the Lyon branch of the Medici bank: 11 July 1485, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 49, 144-5. Report on the aftermath of the arrest of Lionetto de’ Rossi: A Biliotti in Lyon to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1 Aug 1485, MAP, 26, 409. Recommends Lorenzo Spinelli to take charge of the Lyon branch: A Biliotti to Lorenzo de’ Medici, MAP, 26, 425, 5 Sept 1485. Recommends ‘his’ Gino for a seat on the Priorate: A Biliotti to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 12 Oct 1485, MAP, 26, 460. Makes a decision regarding the disposal of cloths belonging to the Medici bank; sent to the Nasi family: 28 Apr 1486, MAP, 39, 472. Niccolò Michelozzi is to inform B of the latest news from the Lyon branch: Lorenzo de’ Medici at Bagno a Morbo to N Michelozzi, 7 May 1486, Lettere, IX, 276.

Bibliog: DBI, 10, 463-4; De Roover, Rise and decline

 

Biliotti, Zanobi di Sandro b. c .1421

Career: One of the leading figures in the Medicean regime. Brother of Agostino; another brother, Matteo, married Piero Nasi’s sister. Prior, 1455, 1474, 1486. Conductor and patron of two Catalonia galleys, c 1463. The conductors of the Catalonia galleys auctioned in Sept 1464 were ordered by the consuls to nominate him as a patron. He was subsequently allowed to fulfil the office although nominated as ufficiale dei pupilli in the meantime. Patron of a Sicily galley, June/July 1466; same voyage as Catalonian one. Patron of one of the Catalonia galleys that returned in Sept 1466. Gonfalonier of Justice, 1467. Accoppiatore, 1469. Original deputy for S Spirito in the Balia, 1471. Captain of Castrocaro, 1476. In Valencia with two galleys; captain of communal galleys to the Barbary coast, July 1478. Captain of Pisa, 1478, Sept 1479-Mar 1480, 1485, Mar-Sept 1486. Member of the second half of the Council of 70, 1480. One of the 12 Procuratori, Oct 1480-Apr 1481, Oct 1481-Apr 1482, Oct 1482-Apr 1483, Oct 1483-Apr 1484. Captain of Pistoia, 1490. 1480 Catasto: sostanze 878 fl.

Ref: In the consulta, urged cooperation with Federico da Montefeltro as the key to success in war: 29 May 1482, Min, 11, 365-7.

Bibliog: DBI 10, 464-5

 

Bindi, Girolamo

Ref: Sienese commissary, 1483: Lettere, VII, 294.

 

Bini, Piero Giovanni b. c. 1427

Career: In Barcelona, 1447. General member of the Balia for S Spirito, 1471. With Piero di Gino Capponi, conductor of the Catalonia/Sicily galleys due to sail in Mar 1475. His daughter Lucrezia married Giannozzo di Antonio Pucci in 1483. This suggests either a role in the Medicean circle or else, as an outsider, considerable wealth. 1480 Catasto: sostanze 2,161 fl.

 

Biolchi, Giovanni, Giovanni di Biolco

Refs: Malatesta Sacramoro is to see the Florentine Signoria and Lorenzo regarding B’s silk seized by Florentines: G G Sforza to M Sacramoro, 2 Nov 1484, ASMi, Miss Duc, 155, 252. Florence doubts that the silks are B’s; the duke asks the Signoria to deposit the said goods in safekeeping until the truth is discovered: 24 Nov 1484, ASMi, Miss Duc, 155, 257-8. Is seeking to recover from Alessandro Rinieri the silk he claims is his: 12 Mar 1485, Otto, Miss, 3, 121-2. Tells Bernardo Rucellai that he has written proof the silks are his, both in Florence and in Milan: 19 Mar 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 507. The Dieci persist in saying that the silks were Genoese: 22 Apr 1485, Dieci, Resp, 34, 46-7. Puts up a letter of exchange as part of Ludovico Sforza’s contribution to the war effort; he is Milanese: 5 Nov 1485, MAP, 26, 477. Ludovico Sforza has conceded him reprisals against the Florentines for the goods that were seized: 30 June 1486, MAP, 39, 525. His request for reprisals against Florentine merchants in the matter of the silk: 10 July 1486, Otto, Miss, 5, 20. The Dieci decide in the silk case: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Milan, 21 July 1486, Lettere, IX, 381-2. Has refused Bologna as a location for hearing the case regarding the silks, so the Dieci asks Guicciardini to get Ludovico Sforza to persuade him: Dieci to J Guicciardini, 2 Sept 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 76-7; ------ to ------, 20 Sept 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 80.

 

Biondo, Gaspare di Flavio d. 1493

Refs: Clerk of the papal Camera who wants Lorenzo’s help against Tommasino da Castrocaro: 22 Jan 1485, MAP, 39,69. Accompanying A Fregoso as papal commissioner: 8 Mar 1486, Dieci, Resp, 33, 486.

Bibliog: Partner, Pope’s men

 

Biraghi, Francesco (Francesco da Birago)

Ref: Milanese commissary to Gian Giacomo Trivulzio, 1482: Lettere, VII, 11.

 

Biraghi, Pietro (Pietro da Birago)

Refs: Sent to Trezzo to negotiate with Ascanio Sforza, who has gone there with Ludovico Sforza’s consent: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 13 Sept 1482, ASMa, AG, 1627. Elected as one of the six Milanese ambassadors to Rome: 9 Sept 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 137. Is not going as ambassador to Rome: 29 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 53. Ludovico Sforza summons him to be present when he justifies Milanese policy to Bernardo Rucellai: 30 Dec 1484, MAP, 48, 278.

 

Biringhucci, Tommaso d. 1486

Refs: One of Riformatori exiles not restored to Siena in July 1482: Malavolti, Historia, 82b. His sentence of rebellion has been lifted; he wants to return from Rome to Siena: T Biringhucci in Florence to the Signoria of Siena, 25 July 1482, ASS, Conc, 2049, 31. Protests to the Balia that he is no more guilty than others who have been exiled to Florence; hopes to be punished according to his offence and not to please ill-wishers: T Biringhucci to the Balia of Siena, 17 Sept 1482, ASS, Conc, 2049, 84. Because B is ‘intelligente e pratico’, Bartolomeo Sozzini recommends that the Sienese send him as an envoy to Florence in the future: B Sozzini to the Balia of Siena, 10 May 1483, ASS, Balia, 510, 30. Says there is no need for him to stay in Florence now that the exiles have been dispersed: T Biringhucci in Florence to the Balia of Siena, 25 Aug 1483, ASS, Balia, 514, 29. He can return to Siena from Florence at the end of the month provided he does not receive further instructions: Balia of Siena to T Biringhucci, 26 Aug 1483, ASS, Balia, 30, 21. Appointed Sienese commissioner in Florence with a salary: 6 Sept 1483, ASS, Balia, 30, 32. Elected to the Consiglio del Popolo in Siena: 9 Sept 1483, ASS, Conc, 702, 8. Appointed commissioner in Massa to meet the commissioner of Piombino: 16-17 Oct 1483, ASS, Balia, 30, 65. Sent to Florence with letters of credence for the Dieci and Lorenzo: 8 Nov 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, 237. Sent to Ricco Ricchi, on a mission concerning Sienese boundary disputes with Florence: 24-8 Dec 1483, ASS, Balia, 31, 24. The Sienese Balia asks the men of Chianciano to send a substitute to go with B to Florence: 3 Mar 1484, ASS, Balia, 405, 11. Appointed commissioner to Florence: 1 Apr 1484, ASS, Balia, 31, 86. Notary to the Sienese Balia and ambassador in Florence: 29 July 1484, ASS, Balia, 519, ins 45.

Lorenzo tells B that troops will be coming by Florence very shortly: 9 Aug 1484, ASS, Bibl Comunale, 519, ins 59. Is keeping the Sienese regime in touch with Lorenzo’s views: 16 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 287. Keeps Lorenzo in touch with Sienese affairs: 15 Sept 1484, MAP, 39, 328. Sent to Florence with a full mandate to implement the conclusion reached by Puccio Pucci and Guidantonio, the Sienese commissioner, regarding the dispute between Chianciano and Montepulciano: 9 Nov 1484, Dieci, Miss, 21, 128. Sent to Florence as mandatory concerning the frontier between Montepulciano and Chianciano: 20 Nov 1484, Dieci, Miss, 22, 17. Is coming to see Lorenzo regarding the frontiers of Chianciano: 7 Feb 1485, MAP, 39, 78. The Balia of Siena send him to Florence to help decide the frontier dispute between Montepulciano and Chianciano: 8 Mar 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 424. Instructions for his Florentine mission regarding the boundary dispute between Chianciano and Montepulciano: ASS, Conc, 1697. Niccolò Michelozzi is to ask B if Siena has learned of the movements of Jacopo d’Appiano’s troops: Lorenzo de’ Medici in Pisa to N Michelozzi, 14 May 1485, Lettere, IX, 204. Notary and ambassador to Florence; acts as procurator for Siena in the agreement between Florence, Siena and Piombino: 8 Aug 1485, Dieci, Delib, 30, 111-12. Witnesses the Orsini condotta: 2 Nov 1485, Dieci, Delib, 30, 118. The Otto persuade him to write to the Signoria of Siena for biade and strami for the troops: 26 Dec 1485, Otto, Miss, 4, 84-5. B is to report regarding a personal recommendation of Lorenzo: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Balia of Siena, 13 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 121. As Sienese ambassador, sees the Otto regarding damage done to Sienese territory by the passage of League troops: 16 Mar 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 139-40. His death: 15 Apr 1486, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 49, 173. Florence gave him drappeloni with the arms of Florence and his own: 19 May 1486, MAP, 39, 506.

 

Biscia, del

Ref: Antonio Mellini in Paris writes regarding B’s legal case: 1 Jan 1485, MAP, 39, 51.

 

Bishal (Bisvalle)

Career: One of the captains of Alfonso d’Aragona’s squadrons who was taken prisoner at Campomorto.

Refs: Sent by Alfonso d’A ragona to try to win over Virginio Orsini with the offer of Tagliacozzo and one of Ferrante’s daughters for his son: G F Salarolo in Naples to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 20 Jan 1482, MAP, 38, 389. Messenger between Naples and Girolamo Riario: [F Gaddi] to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 3 Sept 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 63, 142-5.

 

Boccolino da Osimo

Refs: Condottiere with the League: 16 Aug 1484, MAP, 48, 27. Offers to make Osimo rebel against the Church; is in cahoots with Castrocane da Montelione and Francesco da Iesi: 27 Feb 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 21-3. Alfonso d’A ragona’s negotiations with B: 4 Apr 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 157-9.

 

Boldù, Antonio

[Career: Savio agli Ordini, 1482-3; provveditore-generale to the Venetian army, 1483]

Refs: Venetian orator in Forlì, Aug 1481 [in connection with plans for Girolamo Riario’s visit to Venice]: A d’Appiano to G G Sforza, 11 Aug 1481, ASMi, SPE, Romagna, 192.

[?Bibliog: DBI, 11, 266-7]

 

Bolognini, Niccolò

Ref: Bolognese who was prior of S Giusto, the Gesuati house in Florence, 1481-9, and had previously been prior in Milan for nineteen years: Lettere, VII, 347.

 

Bona of Savoy, see Sforza, Bona

 

Boncambi, Paolo

Refs: Perugian who was podestà of Florence in 1482: Lettere, VII, 143. Recommended for that post by Cardinal Costa: Prot, 137 and 172.

 

Bonciani, Agnolo

Ref: Recommendation of B, representing the heirs of Braccio de’ Medici in Mantua: Lorenzo de’ Medici to Francesco Gonzaga, 2 Dec 1485 Lettere, IX, 56.

 

Bonciani, Francesco di Guido

Ref: Florentine representative at Poggibonsi, mentioned in the accord for the restitution of the towns: 29 Mar 1481, Lettere, V, 309.

 

Boni, Napulio

Ref: Galeotto Manfredi’s representative in Florence, reporting a plot of Girolamo Riario against Faenza: N Boni to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 4 Nov 1484, MAP, 39, 371.

 

Bonsi, Antonio d’Agnolo

Ref: Forentine merchant reporting news from Bruges: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi in Milan, 3 Sept 1482, Lettere, VII, 64.

 

Bonsi, Domenico di Baldassare c. 1440-1502

Career: Son of Nera di Niccolò Martelli; m Bartolomea di Piero di Lutozzo Nasi. Received a doctorate in civil and canon law from Bologna, 1465. General member of the Balia for S Spirito, 1471. Sea consul at Pisa, May 1471. Member of the Otto di Custodia, Mar-June 1480. Captain of Pisa, Mar-Sept 1484. One of the twenty accoppiatori, 1494. Partisan of Savonarola. Honourably exiled as ambassador to Rome after the friar’s execution. In Rome an attempt was made to assassinate him, possibly inspired by Piero de’ Medici and the Orsini. 1480 Catasto: Drago; joint return with his brother Bernardo; sostanze 1,657 fl.

 

Bonzanni, Niccolò, da Reggio

Ref: Recommended to Lorenzo by Cardinal Rangone for the podesteria of Florence: 13 Mar 1485, MAP, 39, 105.

 

Borella da Caravaggio, see Secco, Giovan Antonio

 

Borgherini, Borgherino de’

Ref: Sent as Sienese orator to Florence with news of Siena’s new regime and its offer of friendship; he left Florence on 7 July to go to Ferrara, where he was to take up residence ‘et serre nello Studio a quello signore’: Otto to P F Pandolfini, 8 July 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 267.

 

Borghesi, Niccolò

Ref: Together with Cino and Ludovico Martinozzi, one of the Sienese exiles whose arrest Innocent demanded: 13 May 1485, Coll Podocataro, II, 408.

 

Borgia, Rodrigo, cardinal

Career: Nipote of the Catalan pope, Calixtus III. Cardinal, 1456; bishop of Valencia, 1458-92; bishop of Albano, 1471-76; bishop of Porto, 1476-92; elected pope as Alexander VI, 1492. Served all the popes from Calixtus III to Innocent VIII as vice-chancellor of the Church.

Refs: Among those to whom Ferrante wrote on behalf of Rinaldo Orsini to be commendatory abbot of Farfa: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 16 Dec 1481, MAP, 51, 66. Says that Sixtus and Girolamo Riario are sure to have peace if they want it, whether they win or lose: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 9 Sept 1482, ASMi, SPE, Naples, 240. One of seven cardinals appointed by Sixtus to discuss peace terms with the Spanish ambassadors: Cardinal Gonzaga to Federico Gonzaga, 30 Oct 1482, ASMa, AG, 846. One of six cardinals appointed by Sixtus for that purpose: L Lanti in Rome to the Balia of Siena, 5 Nov 1482, ASS, Balia, 506, 34. One of six cardinals appointed by Sixtus to consider peace terms: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 7 Nov 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2. It is thought that he is allied with Girolamo Riario; with Giuliano della Rovere, he is one of the two front runners in the conclave: 15 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 286. One of two faction leaders, the other being Della Rovere: 15 Aug 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 36. Has the support of Anello Arcamone and is trying to corrupt everyone with money, offices and benefices: has offered Cardinal d’Aragona his office and his house, Cardinal Colonna 25,000 ducats and the abbey of Subiaco, and the same to Cardinal Savelli: 18 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 288. His massive bribery campaign will not work as he is considered too proud and untrustworthy; one of those who Alfonso d’Aragona and Ludovico Sforza refuse to back for the papacy: 21 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 292. For a while Cardinals d’Aragona and Sforza backed him; then, as this appeared impossible, B and Sforza opted for Cardinal Arcimboldi: 25 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 296. B’s candidacy failed, so he backed Cardinal Margarit; then Sforza and d’Aragona persuaded him to their side; is guaranteed certain possessions of his in Spain: 29 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 302. Tried and failed to get d’Aragona and Sforza to back Margarit; persuaded by Sforza to back Cardinal Cibo: 29 Aug 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 93. Received from Innocent the following castelli: Suriano with its impregnable roccha, Machone, Capranica, S Agnolo, Vetralla, Agri, Nocera: 1 Sept 1484, MAP, 39, 308. With Cardinals d’A ragona and Sforza, B agreed ‘che per la prima mattina non si facessi il Papa per acessioni di voci’; was among those who got most votes after Cardinal Barbo on the first day of the conclave; agreed with Ascanio Sforza on the election of Cibo as pope: 4 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 37. Innocent consults him frequently: 18 Sept 1484, MAP, 39, 332. Supports Ascanio in not wanting the captaincy of the Church to go to Giovanni della Rovere: 2 Nov 1484, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 96. On the committee of cardinals investigating precedents for Florence’s nomination of the Perugians as confederati: 26 Nov 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 418. On the papal commission regarding preparations to be made against the Turk: 2 Feb 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 316. Reproves Cardinal Balue for raising the spectre of a French attack on Naples, saying that the king of Spain would not approve such a move: 6 Mar 1486, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 99. Creditor of libro secreto of Medici bank: MAP, 39, 557.

Bibliog: DBI, 2, 196-205; M E Mallett, The Borgias, London, 1969

 

Borromei, Carlo di Antonio b. c. 1444

Career: 1480 Catasto: Vaio; sostanze 7,801 fl.

Refs: Antonio da Montecatini has not yet obtained the 2,000 ducats loaned from B to Ercole d’E ste: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 7 June 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2. Antonio is still trying to get the money for Ercole: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 12 June 1482, ASMo, cit. Antonio harrassed B/Matteo Cinui into giving 1,000 ducats now, and 1,000 more in two months’ times: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’E ste, 18 June 1482, ASMo, cit. Ercole is not prepared to accept this arrangement and threatens to cause trouble for B[?] in Naples: E d’E ste to Antonio da Montecatini, 21 June 1482, ASMo, cit. Alessandro de ‘Fanti’ is being sent for the 2,000 ducats: E d’Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 26 June 1482, ASMo, cit. Ferrante said he had not conceded B an licence to export grain to Venice, which B had done: F Gaddi in Naples to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 22 Sept 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 63, 153-5. Acting for Lorenzo in litigation regarding the Serragli in Naples: F Gaddi to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 4 Oct 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 63, 159-60. Promises Galeotto Manfredi 3,000 ducats on Ferrrante’s behalf: 3 Sept 1484, Acq e Doni, 352, 103. Finds it hard to get the cash he is owed in Naples: 19 Jan 1485, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 204-5. Has a company with Agnolo Serragli; the Signoria recommends his case: 21 Jan 1485, Acq e Doni, 352, 179. With his fellow rendatario Riccardo Orefice, ordered by Ferrante to pay 9,000 ducats to the Florentine ambassador ‘sopra le tratte del grano’ for Lorenzo: 12 July 1485, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 245. Orders Tommaso Capponi to have Agnolo Serragli seized: 10 Sept 1485, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 18, 73.

 

Borromei, Giovanni 1439-1495

Career: Son of Filippo Borromei and Franceschina Visconti; m Cleofe Pio, daughter of Giberto Pio of Carpi. Succeeded his father in 1464 as lord of the ‘Stato Borromeo’ in Lombardy. Favoured Ludovico Sforza against Cicco Simonetta after the death of Galeazzo Maria Sforza, and became a close associate of ‘il Moro’, for whom he undertook many diplomatic missions.

Refs: Guido de’ Rossi told B he would continue to follow father’s policy, so will have to be overcome by force: Z Saggi to Federico Gonzaga, 13 Sept 1482, ASMa, AG, 1627. One of seven councillors sent to negotiate with Ascanio Sforza: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 14 Sept 1482, ASMa, cit. Received letters indicating Guido de’ Rossi might come to terms: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 24 Sept 1482, ASMa, cit. Proposed by Guido de’ Rossi as an arbitrator between him and Ludovico Sforza: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 2 Oct 1482, ASMa, cit. Filippo Maria de’ Rossi, who had been lodged with B in Milan, fled without B’s knowledge; B was very upset: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 18 Dec 1482, ASMa, cit. May be going to the diet at Cremona with Ludovico: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 22 Jan 1483, ASMa, AG, 1628. B’s sister, the wife of Guido Torelli, tried to take one of B’s castles by a trick: ?late Jan 1483, Sanudo, Vite dei dogi, I, 333. Ludovico intends to get him under control after his intrigues with Roberto di Sanseverino: -- Aug 1484, MAP, 48, 32. Ludovico wants to take from him the castle that he holds for Girolamo Riario: 9 Sept 1484, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 133. The Torelli are allied with B: 9 Sept 1484, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 134. Ludovico’s words against him: 15 Sept 1484, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 135. A secret deal after the peace of Bagnolo assigned his lordship and that of Pietro dal Verme to the sons of Roberto di Sanseverino: early Dec 1484, MAP, 48, 267. Told Bernardo Rucellai that Ludovico had not wanted Florence to talk freely to ------ Malatesta regarding Riario: 19 Dec 1484, MAP, 48, 274. Ludovico will not let him leave Milan: 3 Jan 1485, MAP, 48, 279. Filippo degli Eustachi and Ludovico have had a disagreement regarding B, as Ludovico wanted to destroy him for having had dealings with Roberto di Sanseverino regarding the peace; but Eustachi wanted to save him for is a great Ghibelline: 20 Apr 1485, MAP, 51, 300. B’s son is in the Milanese contingent as capo di colonnello with 100 men-at-arms: 23 Mar 1486, Dieci, Resp, 33, 583.

Bibliog: DBI, 13, 53-5; A Giulini, ‘Nozze Borromeo nel Quattrocento’, Archivio storico lombardo, ser 4, 13.

 

Borso da Correggio c. 1450-1503

Career: Condottiere who was close to Ercole d’Este and generally fought for Ferrara. In addition, he assisted in the defence of Carpi from incursions by Gaspare di Sanseverino in 1480, served Milan against the Rossi in 1482, and undertook diplomatic missions for Ludovico Sforza, including one to Hungary in 1485.

Refs: Came to Parma with forty Milanese men-at-arms and some mounted archers: 30 May 1482, Cron Lomb, 108. Arrived in Parma with fifty men-at-arms: G G Sforza to G A Cotta, 1 June 1482, ASMi, SPE, Ferrara, 328. To Milan; was received very honourably, although he had been there several times before; perhaps they want him to undertake negotiations with the Sanseverini: Z Saggi to Federico Gonzaga, 21 Oct 1482, ASMa, AG, 1627. Defeated by the Torelli: 24 Dec 1482, Cron Lomb, 120; 26 Dec 1482, Caleffini, 47. His men returned to Correggio (from Reggio); B says will order them to return: E d’Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 16 Jan 1483, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Arrived in Ferrara with a squadron of Milanese men-at-arms: 14 Mar 1483, Caleffini, 78. B and his brothers are desperate because they are unpaid: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 9 Oct 1483, ASMa, AG, 1628.

 

Boscoli, Antonio

Career: ‘Cognato e domestico’ of Galeotto Manfredi. Seems to have been Florentine.

Refs: Is being sent to Faenza to give support to Galeotto Manfredi, who is under pressure from both Venice and Girolamo Riario: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 19 Mar 1481, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2. Manfredi has sent for him, so Lorenzo sends his advice to Manfredi via B: F Sacramoro to G G Sforza, 21 Mar 1481, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 302. Arrangements for Lorenzo’s meeting with Manfredi at Cafaggiolo: A Boscoli to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 27 June 1481, MAP, 38, 238. With Sforza Bettini, left Florence with money and urgent messages from Lorenzo for Costanzo Sforza: Dieci to A Boscoli, 31 May 1481, Dieci, Miss, 16, 30. Has transmitted money to Costanzo on behalf of the Dieci; is now passing on new demands from Costanzo: Dieci to G A Vespucci and P Nasi, 4 June 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 394. Mandatory to Galeotto Manfredi for fifteen days: 20 Aug 1484, Dieci, Delib, 24, 53.

Sent to Giovanni Bentivoglio to request military aid and then to Faenza for the same purpose, all for the Pietrasanta enterprise: 29 Sept 1484, Dieci, Delib, 24, 57-8. The Dieci are sending him to Faenza to raise infantry: 1 Oct 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 239. Has returned to the camp from Faenza with 200 provvisionati and 240 men-at-arms; the Dieci are now sending him with these troops towards Rasignano: 10 Oct 1484, Dieci, Miss, 21, 58. Is being sent with Florentine troops to protect the Sienese regime against the exiles: 9 May 1485, MAP, 26, 369. Commissioner at Cortona (or Dovadola) judging the murder of one Combero, an associate or relative of the captain, Tommaso: 7 Sept 1485, MAP, 26, 429. Sent as commissioner to escort Milanese troops to Pitigliano: 11 Dec 1485, Dieci, Delib, 24, 148. Florentine commissioner sent to Pontremoli to assist the descent of Giovan Francesco di Sanseverino: 23 Dec 1485, Dieci, Miss, 6, 3. Florentine commissioner accompanying Pietro Paolo dalla Sassetta, Pier Andrea Corso and Camillo Vitelli: 3 Jan 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 88-9. Commissioner to escort Gian Giacomo Trivulzio and his troops to Cortona: 6 Feb 1486, Dieci, Delib, 24, 155-6. Is being sent to speed the arrival of Trivulzio and his troops: 8 Feb 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 99. Is being sent to guide Giovanni Bentivoglio along the same route taken by Trivulzio: 27 Feb 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 118-19. Is being sent to escort troops from Bologna to Pitigliano: 7 Apr 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 41-2. His commission to escort Manfredi troops from Faenza to Cortona: 14 Aug 1486, Dieci, Delib, 24, 185. Commissioner to escort Nicola Orsini and his troops to Cortona: 16 Sept 1486, Dieci, Delib, 24, 192.

 

Bossi, Gian Luigi d. 1482

Career: Son of Simone Bossi, a Milanese ducal councillor; sent as ambassador to Ferrara in 1473 and to Rome with Cardinal Hesler in 1476; accompanied Caterina Sforza to Rome in 1477. Also undertook embassies to France (1477) and Venice (1480), and to Monferrato, Genoa and Florence.

Bibliog: DBI, 13, 308-9; Cerioni, I, 144

 

Botta, Leonardo c. 1431-1503

Career: Secretary of Alessandro Sforza of Pesaro in Jan 1467. By 1470 he was in contact with the duke of Milan and undertook a mission to Venice for him. From 1473 Milanese orator at Venice to reestablish friendship between Milan and Venice, and separate Venice from Naples and Rome. In Feb 1480 the Venetian Signoria suggested to B a renewal of the alliance with Milan and Florence or, if Florence refused, with Milan alone. Milan suggested they wait to see what Lorenzo concluded at Naples. After peace was made, B tried in vain to justify Milan’s conduct. After the papal/Venetian alliance was signed on 16 Apr 1480, B was ordered to warn Venice that, if Sixtus attacked Pesaro, Milan would react strongly and seek her allies’ support. B successfully encouraged Venice not to support Sixtus against Pesaro. In June, B obtained from the Signoria a formal declaration of peace. B’s action aroused suspicion in Florence and Naples; they maintained it was unnecessary for Milan to keep an ambassador at Venice. B was therefore recalled on 3 June, with an order to say it was for his private affairs. Left Venice 27 June. Sent to Rome with Branda Castiglioni and Antonio Trivulzio on 5 Nov 1480 as representatives to papal diet to organise a league in support of Ferrante. No news of him until 1499, when he was back in Venice.

Refs: Pier Filippo Pandolfini does not believe all the news sent to him by B since he known B’s nature: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 28 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 192-3. Duchess Bona had been asked by the Otto to recall B on 16 May, after Luigi Guicciardini informed them that Venice was recalling her ambassador [Bernardo Bembo] from Florence; they suggested both Guicciardini and B be recalled: Otto to P F Pandolfini, 16 May 1480, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 32-3. Bona thinks B is very well informed as he has been at Venice since before 1474 and, therefore, she is reluctant to withdraw him: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 21 May 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 214. Ferrante agreed that Botta and Guicciardini should remain: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 26 May 1480, ------. Eventually, a compromise suggested by Pandolfini was accepted, whereby B would be instructed to return home for a few days on personal grounds, to be sent back only if a general league were concluded: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 1 June 1480, Otto, Resp, 1, 15-16; P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 2 June 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 224-5; P F Pandolfini to L Guicciardini, 3 June 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 227. L Guicciardini and B in Venice received instructions to present themselves to the Venetian Signoria with further protests about Pesaro; Guicciardini persauded B to defer their mission until 10 June ‘perchè era la combustione della luna’: L Botta to Bona and G G Sforza, 8 June 1480, ASMi, SPE, Venezia, 368. B has been instructed to leave Venice as arranged: Bona and G G Sforza to F Sacramoro, 18 June 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 299. Milan had changed its mind about recalling B because Ferrante had agreed with Bona’s reasons for not doing so: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 21 June 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 245-6. The altered instructions reached B just as he was about to leave Venice and, on the request of the Florentine and Neapolitan orators, Milan agreed to confirm his instructions to return home: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 26 June 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 250-1. The idea that B’s withdrawal might be only temporary was scotched by the Venetians themselves, who, angry at the dismissal of their own ambassador, told B to take his chancellor with him, and not to come back: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1 July 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 255-6.

B’s pro-Venetian sympathies were such that Ercole d’E ste tried to get him removed from Rome at Ferrante’s request: E d’E ste to C Valentini in Milan, 18 Jan 1481, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Milano, 2. ‘Il Magnifico domino Leonardo Botta’ had told Guidantonio Vespucci that Sixtus and Riario had forgotten their rancour towards Lorenzo: G A Vespucci in Rome to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 20 Mar 1481, MAP, 36, 12. Vespucci feels that B’s recall is a great loss to the orators at Rome because ‘è huomo che valer ingenio et prudentia e può più liberamente parlar delle cose che acaggono per[che?] quelli che rimangono essendo prelati e huomini ecclesiastici’: G A Vespucci to the Otto, 5 May 1481, Otto, Resp, 1, 202. B will leave on Monday: G A Vespucci to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 12 May 1481, MAP, 38, 176. Is heading for Milan via Ancona: G A Vespucci to the Otto, 14 May 1481, Otto, Resp, 1, 226. Has been replaced by Branda Castiglioni: T Ridolfi in Milan to the Otto, 26 May 1481, Otto, Resp, 1, 273.

Ducal letter of presentation for B to Innocent: 20 Oct 1484, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 96. Milanese representative in Rome; the Milanese do not want him to learn of state secrets; he is with the Milanese cardinal: 29 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 53. His influence over Ascanio Sforza and his friendship with Giovan Francesco da Tolentino: 15 Nov 1484, MAP, 39, 382. Described by Giovanni Lanfredini as being from Venice: 4 Jan 1485, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 194. Ludovico Sforza has sacked him from the Rome embassy and from the ducal council for being too pro-papal: 27 Oct 1485, MAP, 26, 471. Lorenzo’s instruction to B on a blank sheet provided by Ludovico was much approved: 8 Nov 1485, MAP, 26, 478. At Ascanio’s request B is to be allowed to return to Rome to serve Ascanio in a private capacity: 8 Dec 1485, MAP, 26, 495. His departure from Rome as ambassador of the League: Otto to L Botta, 3 Jan 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 89-9. The gist of the Otto’s letter was that B should stay or go depending on what Alfonso d’Aragona or the other ambassadors thought advisable: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Milan, 5 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 103. B advises Milan that the postal route from Siena to Rome unsafe: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini, 8 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 110. A further ref to B’s letter regarding insecurity on the Siena-Rome route: Lorenzo de’ Medici to G G Sforza in Milan, 8 Jan 1486, Lettere, IX, 112.

Bibliog: DBI, 13, 374-9; Cerioni, I, 145-6

 

Bottai, Jacopo di Francesco (Bottaio, del bottaio)

Ref: A Lucchese with influential protectors, Girolamo Riario and Lorenzo: Lettere, V 173-5.

 

Bottegari, Cosimo di Jacopo

Refs: Paymaster for the troops in Livorno: 13 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 143. Is coming to Piero Capponi to act as paymaster for the troops: 24 Mar 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 151-2. Still employed in the same work: 3 July 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 63-6.

 

Botti, Jacopo

Career: Bishop of Tortona, 1476-96.

Refs: Is being sent to Rome as Milanese ambassador: 29 Sept 1484, MAP, 48, 53. Simone da Firenzuola is coming to Milan to get back some property belonging to a dead parente of B: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Milan, 1 July 1486, Lettere, IX, 353.

 

Botticelle, Giovan Andrea

Ref: One of four ambassadors Ludovico Sforza is planning to send to Venice: 20 Aug 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 53.

 

Bottone, Traiano d. 1502

Career: From Trani, where his family were wealthy merchants. Trained as a lawyer. Neapolitan royal councillor, 1466. President of Regia Camera della Sommaria, 1479. Active as a royal emissary in the Barons’ War, but disgraced and imprisoned in 1488. Reappeared after Ferrante’s death and continued to be employed in Neapolitan administration and diplomacy until 1501.

Refs: Marco Trotti reports on a glimpse of B’s instructions: M Trotti to Bona and G G Sforza, 18 Sept 1480, ASMi, SPE, Naples; cited by Fossati, 151-2. In late Aug-Sept 1480 Ferrante must have sent B, along with Lorenzo Lando, to Siena to discuss the restitution of the Florentine towns; they must have been withdrawn after Siena replied firmly in the negative, for they were sent back to Siena in late Sept, after Milan intervened on Florence’s behalf: Otto to T Ridolfi in Milan, 23 Sept 1480, Miss, 1a Canc, 48, 160. According to Antonio Ridolfi, B was in Rome on 23 Sept and due to leave on 26Sept: Otto to T Ridolfi, 2 Oct 1480, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 164-5. Arrived at Siena yesterday: Pietro da Gallerate and G A Talenti to Bona and G G sforza, 4 Oct 1480, ASMi, SPE, Siena, 42; Otto to T Ridolfi, 5 Oct 1480, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 168. Is doing his best to persuade the Sienese to agree to the restitution; they have asked for time to consider their response: Otto to T Ridolfi, A Ridolfi and P Nasi, 7 Oct 1480, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 170. When B failed to proceed to Colle to carry out the restitution (the Sienese reply had firmly opposed this), the Florentines were very upset and complained that he must either be disobeying his instructions or have secret ones of which they knew nothing: Otto to P Nasi, 31 Oct 1480, but probably mid-Oct, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 185-6.

At the seige of Otranto, from where he sent news to Naples: T Bottoni from the camp to Antonello Petrucci, 16 June 1481, Otto, Resp, 1, 341. One of the Neapolitans who met the Milanese and Florentine orators to Naples on 25 Nov: N Sadoleto and C Bianchi to E d’Este, 25 Nov 1481, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Napoli, 2; P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 26 Nov 1481, Otto, Resp, 2, 62-3. To be sent as Neapolitan orator to Ferrara: T Ridolfi at Milan to the Otto, 15 Dec 1481, Otto, Resp, 2, 110-11. In Naples early Jan: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 8 Jan 1482, Otto, Resp, 2, 162-3. Is going to Ferrara via Siena and S Fiora to carry out further negotiations over the towns: P F Pandolfini to the Otto, 9 Jan 1482, Otto, Resp, 2, 165 and MAP, 47, 10 (copy). Lorenzo promised B that he would send to Ferrara enough money for the 300 infantry sent by Florence: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 21 Feb 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2. Is due at Ferrara tomorrow to replace the existing Neapolitan orator: B Gianfigliazzi to the Otto, 24 Feb 1482, Otto, Resp, 2, 283. As Neapolitan ambassador in Ferrara: F Gaddi to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 11 Sept 1482, Sig, X, VIII, 63, 147-9. To be sent to the Romagna to reassure the Feltreschi: Z Saggi to Federico Gonzaga, 11 Sept 1482, ASMa, AG, 1627; G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 11 Sept 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 240. Has reported to Naples that Ercole d’Este is ready to abandon the lands captured by Venice, in order to secure peace: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, ?4 Nov 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambascaitori, Firenze, 3. Has explained why Milan did not hear a report of the conditions on which Ercole is supposed to be insisting in his peace negotiations with Sixtus: G G Sforza to T Bottone, 27 Nov 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 241. Milan complains that B is reporting inaccurately to Alfonso d’Aragona on the numbers of Milanese infantry at Ferrara; they would like him to be removed from Ferrara: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni, 12 Jan 1483, ASMi, cit.

Bibliog: DBI 13, 503-5

 

Bourbon, Jean II, duke of 1427-1488

Career: Son of Duke Charles I of Bourbon and Agnès of Burgundy; m (1) Jeanne de France, daughter of Charles VII, (2) Catherine d’Armagnac, (3) Jeanne de Bourbon-Vendôme, but no issue. The richest and most powerful of the French princes, he governed much of central France.

Refs: Financial transaction with the Medici bank: 11 Aug 1484, MAP, 39, 280. Innocent thinks B would be happy to see the duke of Orléans attack Milan and the duke of Lorraine attack Naples, as it would get them out of the way: 18 Sept 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 181. Is the only friend that Cardinal Balue has: 30 Sept 1484, MAP, 39, 339. The French government is in the hands of his party: 18 Nov 1484, ASMi, SPE, [?Firenze, 307]. Cardinal Balue is staying with him on his estates: 8 Dec 1484, MAP, 39, 398. Is discontented with the Beaujeu regency: 1 Jan 1485, MAP, 39, 51. Is one of those in whose hands French government rests: 30 Jan 1485, MAP, 39, 73. Suspected plot by the Bourbon lords against the duke of Milan in aid of the duke of Orléans: 5 Feb 1485, MAP, 39, 77. Sdegno between him and King Charles: 23 Feb 1485, MAP, 39, 90. Is conspiring with the duke of Orléans and other lords to overthrow the present government: 12 Oct 1485, MAP, 26, 460. Sends Cardinal [Balue?] to Charles as part of negotiations for an accord: 22 Oct 1485, MAP, 26, 466. Will go to court soon to patch up a settlement with the regime; Cosimo Sassetti is going to see him at Moulins to get an assignment for his debt to the Medici bank in Lyon: 11 July 1486, MAP, 39, 532.

Bibliog: DBF, 6, 1399-1400

 

Bourbon, Charles de, cardinal 1433-1488

Career: Son of Duke Charles I of Bourbon and Agnès of Burgundy. Archbishop of Lyon, 1446-88; legate to Avignon, 1472; cardinal, 1476. Succeeded his brother Jean as duke of Bourbon in 1488, but his claim was disputed by their brother and sister-in-law, the regents Pierre and Anne de Beaujeu.

Refs: Reports to Baccio Ugolini that Cardinal Balue is trying to persuade the duke of Orléans to favour B’s legation by urging him to attack Milan, and tells Ugolini to inform Ludovico Sforza: received 30 July 1484, MAP, 39, 271. Suspected plot by the Bourbon lords against the duke of Milan in aid of the duke of Orléans: 5 Feb 1485, MAP, 39, 77.

Bibliog: DBF, 6, 1393-4

 

Braccesi, Alessandro di Rinaldo 1445-1503

Career: Florentine notary, public servant and poet. Chancellor of the Dieci di Balia in 1479 and of the Otto di Pratica in July 1480. One of the six secretaries in the chancellery reform of 1483. Secretary to the Second Chancellery from Dec 1484. An ardent supporter of Savonarola, whom he tried to defend during a mission to Rome in 1497/8. Died in Rome in the course of another embassy; buried in S Prassede.

Refs: Mentioned as ‘Alexandrum notarium’ in the text of the accord for the restitution of the disputed towns, 29 Mar 1481, Lettere, V, 306 and 310. Florence is sending B to Siena to ask the Sienese whether they intend to observe Ferrante’s ruling over the towns: Otto to P Nasi, 25 June 1481, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 221-2. B has returned with news that the Sienese intend to observe the king’s instructions: Otto to T Ridolfi at Milan, 3 July 1481, Sig, Miss 1a Canc, 48, 226-7. His mandate for a second mission to Siena instructs him to find out why the Sienese are not observing Ferrante’s ‘sentence’ and whether they intend to do so in future; B is to try to obtain Cardinal Piccolomini’s support and get the Neapolitan ambassador’s advice: mandate, 19 Aug 1481, Min, 11, 285-6. Has returned and reported that the Sienese want to hear of Ferrante’s decision only from him: Otto to Antonio de’ Medici, 23 Aug 1481, Sig, Miss, 1a Canc, 48, 238-9. The Otto are sending him back to Siena: Otto to the Signoria of Siena, 18 July 1482, ASS, Conc, 2049, 25. Notarial involvement in the capitoli of Pietrasanta, 27 Nov 1484: Lettere, VIII, 327. Chancellor for letters to destinations outside Florentine jurisdiction: 30 June 1485-24 Oct 1486, Dieci, Delib, 30, 300-2.

Bibliog: DBI, 13, 602-8

 

Bracci, Costantino

Refs: Lorenzo sends him to Francesco Gonzaga to collect money owed by the marchese to the Medici bank: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Gonzaga, 5 Apr 1485, Lettere, VIII, 155. Brings the money Gonzaga owed: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Gonzaga, 6 May 1485, Lettere, VIII, 191. Sent again to Mantua: 21 Jan 1486, ASMa, AG, 2902.

 

Braccini, Piero, da Berse

Refs: Chancellor and emissary of Alberico Malaspina: 10 Dec 1484, Dieci, Miss, 22, 38. Emissary of Alberico Malaspina: 8 Jan 1486, Dieci, Resp, 33, 166.

 

Bracelli, Antonio di Giacomo d. 1499/1502

Career: Genoese lawyer favourable to the Sforza whose career included diplomatic missions to Naples in 1473, the imperial court in 1474 and, with Antonio Trivulzio, to Rome and Naples in 1480. Member of the Milanese Consiglio Segreto.

Refs: B, a Genoese doctor, is to be sent as Milanese ambassador to Rome, along with the protonotary Antonio Trivulzio: P F Pandolfini to Dieci, 3 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 171. Before leaving Milan, B visited Pier Filippo Pandolfini to prove himself to be very attached to Lorenzo and on familiar terms with Sixtus: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 5 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 173. The dukes announce the nomination of Trivulzio and B to congratulate Sixtus and Ferrante on their peace and league, and then to take up permanent residence at the curia: Bona and G G Sforza to F Sacramoro, 6 Apr 1480, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 299. Is to stay permanently at Rome; Lorenzo can confide any commissions to him, since he seems ‘discrete e pratica persona et tutto vostro’: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 6 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 175-6. Although B is willing to speak privately to Lorenzo about anything the latter wants, in order to avoid suspicion, he would prefer it if Lorenzo could make it appear that they are discussing bank business; ‘la natura sua mi pare buona; ma molto glorioso o voglio dire b---oso mi pare: et pero di parole al mancho sara utile lo contentiale’: P F Pandolfini to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 6 Apr 1480, Sig, X, VIII, 10, 179-80. Will leave Milan tomorrow: Bona and G G Sforza to F Sacramoro, 12 Apr 1480, ASMi, cit. Trivulzio and B are thanked by Florence for having reported on their mission to Sixtus and Ferrante, with which Florence fully concurred: 23 Apr 1480, Sig, LC, Risp verbali di oratori, 2, 73. The Signoria is pleased that Antonio Ridolfi and Piero Nasi have discussed matters with B; they are to learn in all things from the Milanese ambassadors who are with them: Signoria to A Ridolfi and P Nasi, 6 May 1480, Miss, 1a Canc, 48, 19-20; Sig, LC, 21, 9. Plague broke out in B’s house in Rome; two of his staff died; he moved to the house of Cristoforo Bordini, bishop of Cortona: A Trivulzio to Bona and G G Sforza, 28 Oct 1480, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 88. Signatory of the League between Naples, Milan, Florence and Ferrara, 25 July 1480: Lettere, V, 299.

Bibliog: DBI, 13, 650-2; Cerioni, I, 146

 

Bragadin, Andrea

Refs: Elected as Venetian orator to Pier Maria de’ Rossi: 13 May 1482, ASV, Sen Secr, 30, 83; Sanudo, Vite dei dogi, I, 260-1. Sent to Siena on his way to Genoa: Doge G Mocenigo to the Signoria of Siena, 21 May 1482, ASS, Conc, 2048, 77. On his way to Genoa; Florence wants him to turn back: Otto to B Rucellai, 28 May 1482, Min, 12, 274-5. Turned back, after Francesco Baroni told him that he could not be received by Florence: Otto to B Gianfigliazzi, 30 May 1482, Min, 12, 288-9. Tried to continue in disguise; captured by Florentines and sent back: June 1482, Malipiero, ---. Has been caught near Pistoia: Otto to B Rucellai, 1 June 1482, Min, 12, 290. Released after his papers were searched: Otto to B Rucellai, 2 June 1482, Min, 12, 293-4. Is being held at Pistoia; says a Venetian secretary has already reached Pier Maria de’ Rossi anyway: F Baroni to the Otto, 3 June 1482, Otto, Resp, 2, 382. It is clear from B’s papers that the Rossi were being encouraged by Venice to cause insurrection in Milan and overthrow the Sforza: S Sacramoro to G G Sforza, 5 June 1482, ASMi, SPE, Ferrara, 327. B had been carrying permission for an agreement to be made between Venice and Pier Maria de’ Rossi: Otto to B Rucellai, 13 June 1482, Min, 12, 323-4. His chancellor has not been released, as the Otto had orderd: Otto to G Corbizzi, 14 June 1482, Otto, Miss int, 3, 76. Is now trying to get to Genoa via the Maremma and the sea; the Otto want him captured: Otto to B del Nero, 22 June 1482, Otto, Miss int, 3, 88. Ludovico Sforza told Zaccaria Saggi that B had been on his way to Pier Maria de’ Rossi: Z Saggi to Federico Gonzaga, 22 June 1482, ASMa, AG, 1627. The interception of B was a serious blow to Venetian hopes of helping Rossi, because it led to the loss of contact with Obietto Fieschi: F Diedo in Rome to P M de’ Rossi, 23 July 1482, ASParma, Famiglie: Rossi (1470-1499). Francesco Diedo reported that B was still stuck in Siena waiting to get to Rossi: F Dieco to P M de’ Rossi, 23 July 1482, ASPa, Famiglie, Rossi (1470-99). Still in Siena; instructions are being sent for his return: 29 Oct 1483, ASV, Sen Secr, 30, 133-4. B has been ambassador in Siena; he asked for a safeconduct so that he could return to Venice by the shortest route; the Dieci agreed; the ambassadors of the League want to be sure that he sticks to the prescribed route and does not try to contact the Torelli or Faenza: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 4 Dec 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Should have been in Florence today, but has not yet passed S Cassano: Giovanni Lanfredini has gone to meet him: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 9 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. Only Lanfredini and Guaspare Spinelli are keen to see B, who arrived in Florence today; B wants to see the Dieci, but they have not yet replied: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 12 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. Has gone to Bologna: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 17 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. Has reported that Siena persists in her friendly attitude towards Venice: Doge G Mocenigo to the Signoria of Siena, 24 Dec 1482, ASS, Conc, 2050, 48. Since his return to Venice, B has been writing to Giovanni Lanfredini, trying to get a settlement of Lanfredini’s affairs there; has obtained a safeconduct for Lanfredini to go to Chioggia: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 17 Apr 1483, ASMo, cit. Has written to Lanfredini that he hopes he will have as much credit as before: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 19 Apr 1483, ASMo, cit. Comments on the contacts between B and Lanfredini: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Ferrara, 17 Apr 1483, Lettere, VII, 236. Provveditore in the Romagna; is to be allowed to return to Venice because he is ill: 3 July 1483, ASV, Sen Terra, 9, 13. Must stay in post because the other provveditore, Francesco Michiel, is even more ill: 5 July 1483, ASV, cit.

 

Bragadin, Alvise 1432-1503

Refs: Venetian ambassador to Rome: 12 Mar 1485, ASV, Sen Secr, 32, 136. Commission to him and the other ambassadors for this mission: 9 May 1485, ASV, Sen Secr, 32, 146.

Bibliog: DBI, 13, 657-9

 

Branante, Piero

Ref: Soldier and socius of the captain of Volterra who escorted Thomme and Francesco, canons of Volterra, to Galluzzo: 12 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 30, 133.

 

Brancanzieri, Francesco del Sera

Ref: Lorenzo recommends the case of B’s heirs to the marchese of Mantua as they have some debts to collect in Mantua and are using Bernardino di Jacopo Paralupi to do this: Lorenzo de’ Medici to Francesco Gonzaga, 10 Oct 1485, Lettere, VIII, 313. Another appeal on this matter: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Gonzaga, 11 Nov 1486, Lettere, IX, 442.

 

Bravi, Simoncino de’

Ref: Case involving his heirs: Lorenzo de’ Medici to J Guicciardini in Milan, 7 July 1486, Lettere, IX, 358.

 

Brielle, Jean

Refs: A French doctor of laws and ambassador on his way to Rome, via Florence: 14 May 1486, Dieci, Delib, 24, 173.

 

Briganti, Antonio di Domenico

Refs: A man of Montevettolini arrested after being implicated in a plot to occupy Collodi for Florence; Lorenzo appeals for his liberation: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Signoria of Lucca, 10 Apr 1481, Lettere, V, 176-7. A similar appeal: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Signoria of Lucca, 2 May 1481, Lettere, V, 178-9.

 

Bringeri, messer

Ref: One of the Spanish ambassadors: 24 Apr 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 1-3.

 

Brittany, archdeacon of

Ref: Robbed and stripped in Sienese territory by League soldiers, so the Sienese government was forced to pay him compensation: 16 Mar 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 139-40.

 

Broccardo, count

Refs: Like the duke of Milan, the Otto are anxious for B to be released; Piero Nasi is to ask Ferrante for this and to consult with Marco Trotti on how to go about it: Otto to P Nasi in Matera, 26 May 1481, Min, 11, 329. Milan is very pleased by Ferrante’s liberation of B and are sure the king will not have cause to regret his clemency: G G Sforza to B Castiglioni in Naples, 22 July 1482, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 240. Ferrante thinks B’s proposals for provisions to be made after the defeat at Campomorto were very good and wants B to stay in the Regno: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 29 Aug 1482, AMSi, cit. Milan has requested that B and his family might be repatriated to please the city of Cremona, which has been very helpful to the Ferrarese impresa; Ferrante has postponed his reply: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 15 Jan 1483, ASMi, SPE, Napoli, 241. Ferrante has agreed to B returning home, but does not want him to leave until after Aug: B Castiglioni to G G Sforza, 17 Mar 1483, ASMi, cit. Used by Branda Castiglioni to report to Antonello Petrucci the former’s jealousy at close relationship between Petrucci annd Giovanni Lanfredini: 19 Aug 1484, G Lanfredini, Copialettere, BNF, II, V, 15, 117.

 

Broccardo, messer

Ref: One of the ambassadors sent to Milan by Sigismund, duke of Austria, regarding a condotta for --- Malaspina; a good soldier and captain: Z Saggi to Federico Gonzaga, 25 Sept 1482, ASMa, AG, 1627.

 

Brognoli, Giorgio, Brugnolo/Brugnoli d. 1500

Career: Mantuan whose missions to Naples in 1482, Milan in 1485 and 1487, Urbino in 1486 and Venice in 1489 were part of a lengthy career in Gonzaga service.

Refs: Ambassador of Francesco Gonzaga buying silk cloths from the Lanfredini firm: 16 Sept 1484, LC, II, V, 15, 137. Francesco Gonzaga thanks Lorenzo for his warm reception of B: 3 Apr 1486, ASMa, AG, 2902. Had been sent to Alfonso d’Aragona to give him a horse: F Gonzaga to G P Arrivabene, 4 Apr 1486, ASMA, AG, 2902. Mantuan representative in Florence: Lorenzo de’ Medici to F Gonzaga, 9 Apr 1486, Lettere, IX, 225-6.

Bibliog: DBI, 14, 449-52

 

Bruenza, count of

Ref: With his troops in Ferrara: E d’Este to Antonio da Montecatini, 31 May 1483, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3.

 

Brunacci, Salvatore

Refs: Recommendation of B, a man of Castello S Niccolò in Florentine territory, and of Giovanni di Nannotto: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Balia of Siena, 15 Nov 1483, Lettere, VII, 342-3. Another recommendation: Lorenzo de’ Medici to the Balia of Siena, 7 Mar 1484, Lettere, VII, 365.

 

Bruno, Matteo di Domenico

Ref: Recommended to the Dieci for a judicial pardon by Ercole d’Este: 24 Jan 1485, Dieci, Resp, 33, 230.

 

Bruscoli, Alberto

Ref: Ducal commissioner in Pontremoli writing to Lorenzo regarding war: 4 Sept 1484, Acq e Doni, 352, 109.

 

Bucchi, Guasparre

Ref: Merchant, procurator and special envoy of Giovanni and Annibale Bentivoglio: 2 May 1486, Dieci, Delib, 30, 119.

 

Bucciardo Cibo, Niccolò d. 1499

Career: Genoese, somehow related to Innocent VIII, who made him archbishop of Cosenza (1485) and of Arles (1489).

Ref: A----- Grimaldi writes from Genoa that B should be used to persuade Innocent to do something about the situation in Genoa: ------, MAP, 51, 294. Is going to meet Roberto di Sanseverino before proceeding to Venice: 21 Oct 1485, ASMi, SPE, Roma, 98. Told Roberto to leave the Papal States immediately and not to enter those of the League or their allies: P Capponi to the Dieci, 14 Aug 1486, Dieci, Resp, 37, 92. Papal legate who arrived at the League camp on 13 Aug and told Alfonso d’Aragona that Innocent wanted both reconciliation and an alliance with the League: S Taverna to G G Sforza, 19 Aug 1486, ASMi, SPE, Firenze, 309. Contributed to the decision to dog Roberto di Sanseverino: Dieci, 28 Aug 1486, Miss, 7, 93-5.

Bibliog: DBI, 14, 771-3

 

Buonaccorso di Lorenzo di Bertoluccio

Ref: A cannon founder sent to the camp of the League: Dieci to P Vettori and P Capponi, 28 May 1486, Dieci, LC, 7, 45.

 

Buonaveri, Giovanni

Ref: Sent to replace Jacopo Benincasa as notary with the Florentine commissioners in the camp: 2 Nov 1484, Dieci, Miss, 21, 113-14.

 

Buondelmonti, Manente

Refs: The Dieci want him to have the benefice of S Maria Impruneta: mandate to P F Pandolfini, 2 Feb 1483, ------. Girolamo Riario vacillates in his support for B’ s candidacy: 16 June 1484, Otto, Miss, 3, 77-8. Cardinal Sclafenati re-excommunicates him and puts the pieve of S Maria Impruneta under interdict: 30 Mar 1486, Dieci, Miss, 6, 38-9. The Dieci ask Jacopo Guicciardini to get Ludovico Sforza to put pressure on Sclafenati to stop his quarrel with B: 30 Mar 1486, Lettere varie, 11, 72. Sclafenati is requested to give the church of S Maria Impruneta to him: 14 May 1486, Otto, Miss, 5, 1.

 

Buongirolami, Bernardo di Giovanni c. 1425/30-1484

Career: Doctorate in civil law from Bologna, 1464. Outstanding legal practice. One of Lorenzo’s most trusted collaborators. In 1470 he was turned down for the Rome embassy because he was ‘fresco nel stato’: his father had come to Florence from Gubbio. Earlier missions included a legation to Federico da Montefeltro, Mar-Apr 1470. Original deputy for S Giovanni in the Balia, 1471. Legation to Naples, Aug-Nov 1471. Legations to Rome, Feb-July 1472, Dec 1474-May 1475. Prior, July/Aug 1475, May/June 1480. After 1475 he refused a number of posts in order to pursue his professional career. Member of the Dieci di Balia, June 1478-Dec 1479. Member of the 1st half of the Council of 70, 1480. Member of the Otto di Pratica, Apr-Oct 1480, Apr-Oct 1481, Apr-Oct 1482. Gonfalonier of Justice, June/July 1480. Orator in Milan, 1484. 1480 Catasto: sostanze 2,668 fl.

 

Refs: One of five Florentine commissioners to negotiate an agreement with Naples: Lettere, V, 330. Was surprised to have been one of the twelve orators to Rome to seek pardon from Sixtus, but was too ill to go: Otto to the orators, 20 Nov 1480, Min, 11, 105. Declined the appointment as ambassador to Naples because of his health: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 31 Aug 1481, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 2. Confirmation that B was for Florentine ambassadors a point of reference in the Dieci di Balia: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi in Florence, 29 Sept 1482, Lettere, VII, 109. Does not like the clause in the peace terms concerning the condotta for Girolamo Riario: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 22 Nov 1482, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. When Antonio da Montecatini argued the necessity of Florence accepting peace with Sixtus, B asked if he wanted Florence to fall into a trap (‘trabuchara’): Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 29 Nov 1482, cit. B argued that Florentine territories in dispute are not so important, but that people would be very displeased and pay up very reluctantly if they did not get their towns back; thinks Sixtus has been too demanding; critical of disunity in the League, each trying to pass burdens on to others; had not liked the reply concerning ratification of peace: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’E ste, 24 Dec 1482, ASMo, cit. One of the Dieci replying to Bartolomeo Sozzini about Sienese requests for help concerning Monteriggioni: B Sozzini to the Balia of Siena, 8 Feb 1483, ASS, Balia, 507, 87. With Antonio Ridolfi and Jacopo Guicciardini, one of the Dieci discussing Monteriggioni with Sozzini: B Sozzini to the Balia of Siena, 15 Feb 1483, ASS, Balia, 508, 16. Complains about the inaction of allies: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 13 Apr 1483, ASMo, cit. Member of the commission of the Dieci to discuss with Sienese ambassadors a league between Siena and Florence: A Aringhieri and B Sozzini to the Balia of Siena, 2 June 1483, ASS, Balia, 511, 5. Has been elected to replace Bernardo Rucellai in Milan: Dieci to B Rucellai, 10 Sept 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 481-3. Told Antonio da Montecatini he did not want to go to Milan, but did not object when elected; Antonio thinks he may be being held back deliberately until Niccolò Michelozzi accomplishes his mission: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 1 Nov 1483, ASMo, cit. As soon as letters arrived from Rome about peace proposals, B’s instructions were drawn up and he is preparing to go without any show of reluctance; may leave tomorrow: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 2 Nov 1483, ASMo, cit. Should leave Florence on 11 or 12 Nov: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 8 Nov 1483, ASMo, cit. Implications of his departure: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi in Milan, 11 Nov 1483, Lettere, VII, 336-7. Has been replaced as a member of the Dieci by Antonio Pucci: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 11 Nov 1483, ASMo, cit. B’s dispatches are too short and insufficiently informative: Dieci to B Buongirolami, 24 Dec 1483, Dieci, LC, 5, 276. If Ludovico Sforza goes to the diet, B is to go too: Dieci to B Buongirolami, 1 Jan 1484, Dieci, LC, 5, 277. The Otto complain that Jacopo Guicciardini and B are not keeping them fully informed: Otto to B Buongirolami and J Guicciardini, 9 Feb 1484, Otto, LC, 3, 17. Ordered to go to Cremona and tell Alfonso d’Aragona of Florence’s inability to continue his condotta; this does not mean lack of esteem for him: Otto to B Buongirolami, 23 Apr 1484, Otto, LC, 3, 45-6. Has reported that Milan and Venice are drawing closer together; Antonio da Montecatini suspects he might be trying to persuade Lorenzo into a better understanding with Venice ‘perche d Bernardo ha sempre tirato a quello segno …’ and may be encouraging Milan towards friendship with Venice: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 23 Apr 1484, ASMo, cit. Reflections on B’s report from Milan: Lorenzo de’ Medici to N Michelozzi in Cesena, 28 Apr 1484, Lettere, VII, 393-4. Urged to stay on at Milan at this critical moment, despite his ill health: Otto to B Buongirolami, 21 June 1484, Otto, LC, 3, 80-1. Talks between B, a notable advocate of peace, Ludovico Sforza and Antonio Baldracane: Z Saggi to Federico Gonzaga, 24 June 1484, ASMa, AG, 1628. B’s illness: ‘de mal de’ fianchi’: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 27 June 1484, ASMa, cit. Too ill to go to Cremona with Ludovico: instructions from the Dieci to N Michelozzi, 27 June 1484, Dieci, Cond e Stanz, 24, 51. Told he can stay in Milan or return home, though Florence would rather he stayed: Otto to B Buongirolami, 28 June 1484, Otto, LC, 3, 83-4. Died yesterday; his disorderly life is believed to be responsible for his unexpectedly sudden death: Z Saggi to F Gonzaga, 29 June 1484, ASMa, cit. Lorenzo’s last letter to him: 29 June 1484, Lettere, VII, 421-4. Lorenzo and the governo are very distressed by his death: T Biringhucci to the Balia of Siena, 1 July 1484, ASS, Balia, 519, 13.

Bibliog.: DBI, 15, 232-4

 

Buongirolami, Bernardo

Refs: One of a small inner group who discuss the barons’ crisis: 17 Sept 1485, MAP, 26, 442. In inner group that discusses the Orsini condotta: 27 Sept 1485, MAP, 26, 451.

 

Buoninsegni, Guidantonio

Career: Sienese lawyer and diplomat, reporting from Rome in the mid-1480s and last heard of in 1487.

Refs: Sienese exiled involved in the coup of June 1480; has broken his confini at Naples and gone to Rome: Antonio da Montecatini to E d’Este, 6 Apr 1481, ASMo, ASE, ambasciatori, Firenze, 3. Has asked if his exile might be in Rome rather than thirty miles away, so that he can make a living: S Ottieri to the Signoria of Siena, 14 July 1481, ASS, Conc, 2044, 39. Is going to Rome as Sienese ambassador to help Lorenzo Lanti: ASS, Balia, 403, 46, 29 Sept 1482. To be Sienese ambassador to Rome: 4 May 1483, ASS, Balia, 404, --. With Lorenzo Lanti and Giovanni Gianderoni, appointed as one of the Sienese proctors to conclude a league with Sixtus: 8 Aug 1483, ASS, Balia, 30, 9.

Bibliog: DBI, 15, 256-8

 

Buoninsegni, Lorenzod 1491

Career: Sienese ambassador with family connections to Pius II and Pius III. Leading member of the Monte dei Riformatori. Repeatedly ambassador to Rome and Naples, both before and after the Riformatori were ousted from power in 1480 and Alfonso d’Aragona intervened on B’s behalf. Imprisoned, tortured and exiled in 1486. Died in Rome.

Refs: Permitted to return from exile to Siena: 13 July 1482, ASS, Balia 403, 13. Can return ‘cum socii’: 13 July 1482, ASS, Conc 1695, 119. Among those exiles due to leave Naples: 22 July 1482, ASS, Conc 1695, ---. Member of the new Balia of thirty-six: 2 Apr 1483, ASS, Conc, 699, 18. With Andrea Piccolomini and Paolo Gherardo, elected to make provisions against those seeking to disrupt the stato of Siena: 15 Mar 1484, ASS, Balia, 31, 76. Member of the new Balia: 23 July 1484, ASS, Conc, 707, 13-14. One of the Sienese ambassadors to Rome: T Biringucci to Lorenzo de’ Medici, 15 Sept 1484, MAP, 39, 328. Sienese ambassador to Rome: 19 Oct 1484, ASS, LC, 2417, 59. Also ambassador to Naples: 10 Oct 1484, ASS, LC, 2417, 62. Ambassador to Naples: G Lanfredini to the Dieci, 17 Nov 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 404. Lorenzo refers to a letter he has received from B which Giovanni Albino has seen as well: Lorenzo de’ Medici to G Albino, 3 Nov 1485, Lettere, IX, 32-3. A friend of Lorenzo: 12 Oct 1486, MAP, 39, 582.

Bibliog: DBI, 15, 259-61

 

Buonvisi, Benedetto

Refs: A Lucchese resident in the Capponi house in Pisa who receives letters from Genoa on the current situation there: 31 Aug 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 102. In Lucca, where he asks Jacopo Acciaiuoli about Florence’s reaction to Lucca’s desire to have Pietrasanta: 15 Sept 1484, Dieci, Resp, 32, 164.

 

Burgio, Giovanni

Ref: Secretary of the Venetian Signoria and emissary to Milan: ASMi, SPE, Roma, 5 Oct 1484.

 

Burgundio, messer

Refs: Agent of Jacopo d’A ppiano, in Florence: G Nani to the Balia of Siena, 6 May 1484, ASS, Balia, 518, 41. Ambassador of Jacopo d’Appiano: 8 Mar 1486, Otto, Miss, 4, 131-2. Florence to give him some cash for Jacopo d’Appiano’s troops: 20 July 1486, Otto, Miss, 5, 21.

 

Burra, Antonio

Ref: Proprietor of caravels: 28 Apr 1486, Dieci, Miss, 7, 7-8.