The life of Poggio Bracciolini

Chapter 4: CHAP. I.

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About This Book

An extended biographical study traces the scholar's recovery of long-lost classical manuscripts and situates his letters and writings within the broader intellectual revival of his era. The narrative blends documentary research, unpublished correspondence, and edited extracts to reconstruct his career, personal traits, and networks among contemporary learned figures, while also treating the political and ecclesiastical contexts that shaped his activities. The author discusses sources, editorial choices, and critical corrections to earlier biographies, aiming to illuminate both the individual and the literary movements with which he was associated.

CHAP. I.

Birth of Poggio—His education at Florence—John of Ravenna—Poggio goes to Rome—Enters into the service of Boniface IX—State of Italy—Schism of the West—Urban VI—The Antipope Clement VII—Boniface IX—Distracted state of Italy—The Antipope Benedict XIII—Wars in Italy—Letter of Poggio—Poggio’s arrival in Rome—Innocent VII—Poggio introduces Leonardo Aretino into the pontifical chancery—Memoirs of Leonardo—His contest with Jacopo d’Angelo—Insurrection in Rome—Gregory XII—Alexander V—Distractions of the Pontificate—Poggio visits Florence—John XXII—Leonardo Aretino elected chancellor of Florence—His marriage, and letter to Poggio—Convocation of the council of Constance.