[hprints-00683151, v2] Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pius II ... - Hprints.org

hprints-00683151, version 2 - 19 Mar 2013
[39] If I did not know that you are all aware of this fact, I would ask for confirmation
from Roberto of Florence 449 , that diligent gatherer of news, who is in possession of
many letters 450 . With my own eyes I have seen apostolic 451 letters sent to the duke,
full of paternal charity and great love. Parents could not write more lovingly to their
children.
2.5. The council will have control over Pavia
[40] But let us set this issue of enmity between the pope and the duke aside. For,
after all, how can anybody claim that Pavia to be hostile territory when it would be
placed in your own hands? Surely, it can only be considered hostile if the council
declares it to be so. The duke promises to give the city freely into your hands, and,
when that happens, the pope will have nothing to fear 452 . And if they pope demands
greater safety, I believe that this prince will deny him nothing. But the duke’s
ambassador, Cristorofo da Velate 453 , that esteemed and eloquent man, is present:
demand guarantees from him! Or do you consider this problem to be so difficult
that no solution may be found? For my own part, I certainly do not se how other
people would be able to provide greater security to the pope than the duke.
[41] In this council as well as in the Roman Curia there are cardinals and many other
prelates whose loyalty is well-known both to you and to the pope. Entrust the
government of the city to such people; let the city officials and citizens swear an
oath between their hands, and, if necessary, let them provide a sworn statement of
allegiance. With what right could the pope then reject a city which had been put
into the hands of his own friends, and where else could he go if he did not want to
come there?
449
Possibly Roberto Martelli, who was manager of the Medici office in Basle from 1433-1438
450
This passage throws an interesting light on dissemination of news and on information gathering at the time, with
bankers having the function as veritable nodes of information
451
Apostolic: i.e. papal. Piccolomini very rarely uses the word “papal”; he prefers the traditional term “apostolic”
452
In view of the fact that the preceeding council, i.e. the Council of Constance 1414-1418, deposed three popes, it is
not quite clear why the pope should feel safe in a city controlled by the council particularly in view of his conflicts with
the council that actually later deposed him
453
Cristofore da Velate: Milanese diplomat
93