22.06.2013 Views

The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

REFORM OF THE COURT. I4I<br />

" Only monks and <strong>The</strong>atincs go to <strong>the</strong> palace, and <strong>the</strong>y think<br />

<strong>the</strong>y can reform <strong>the</strong> world in a day," wrote <strong>the</strong> Imperial agent<br />

Cusano, in June, 1566,^ yet at that time <strong>the</strong>y were only in <strong>the</strong><br />

first st<strong>ages</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reform.<br />

When Ormaneto had arrived in <strong>the</strong> Eternal City, even <strong>the</strong><br />

Papal court was gradually brought under <strong>the</strong> watchful eye <strong>of</strong><br />

that experienced reformer. On October 6th, 1566, <strong>the</strong> Pope<br />

himself addressed a stern allocution to his assembled household,<br />

exhorting <strong>the</strong>m to lead exemplary lives, and giving <strong>the</strong>m<br />

a number <strong>of</strong> rules, which were for <strong>the</strong> future to be binding upon<br />

<strong>the</strong> whole court. He ordered in <strong>the</strong> first place that a list<br />

should be made <strong>of</strong> all those employed about <strong>the</strong> court, showing<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir ecclesiastical rank, and <strong>the</strong> benefices enjoyed by each,<br />

so as to prevent an accumulation <strong>of</strong> benefices or <strong>the</strong> nonobservance<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> duty <strong>of</strong> residence. ^ <strong>The</strong> priests were bound<br />

to say mass at least three times a week, and <strong>the</strong> rest were to<br />

receive <strong>the</strong> sacraments every two weeks. <strong>The</strong> court clerics<br />

were forbidden to use dresses with collars and cuffs, and wide<br />

sleeves, or velvet or silk ; henceforward <strong>the</strong>y were to wear<br />

<strong>the</strong> customary dress <strong>of</strong> clerics, made <strong>of</strong> plain cloth. In order<br />

that <strong>the</strong> court gentlemen and <strong>the</strong>ir servants should not waste<br />

a great part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir day in idleness, lectures were to be<br />

dehvered at <strong>the</strong> palace on <strong>the</strong>ological and philosophical<br />

subjects, and fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, books were to be provided so that<br />

<strong>the</strong> chamberlains and attendants might be able to occupy<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir time pr<strong>of</strong>itably. Ormaneto was given full authority<br />

to reprove and admonish <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> household, and to<br />

refer to <strong>the</strong> Pope if necessary. <strong>The</strong> maestro di camera,<br />

Cirillo, might dismiss all who were disobedient or incorrigible.<br />

In conclusion, <strong>the</strong> Pope pointed out that his duty as chief<br />

1 *Per palazzo non si vedono altri che frati et Chiettini, che<br />

pensono riformar 11 mondo in un giorno." On June 8, 1566, State<br />

Archives, Vienna.<br />

2 Polanco, October 21, 1566, loc. at. 65. Cf. *Avviso di Roma<br />

<strong>of</strong> November 9, 1366, Urb. 1040, p. 318, Vatican Library. Later<br />

on Carniglia went back to all <strong>the</strong> Cardinals and prelates, exhorting<br />

<strong>the</strong>m to urge <strong>the</strong>ir servants to residence. *Avviso <strong>of</strong> December 23<br />

1571, ibid. 1042, p. 167b.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!