mistress of the vatican.pdf - End Time Deception

Mistress of the Vatican
of greater urgency than all others: he “must use great diligence especially
in households where there are enemies, and hatred, keeping a
watchful eye on the wine cellar and the lesser servants, because if wine,
water, or their containers are switched, there can be disastrous consequences.”
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The credenziere was in charge of all things related to setting the table
and buffet—silverware, platters, pitchers, glasses, napkins, and tablecloths.
To guard these valuables, which were made of silver, gold, and
crystal, he slept in the pantry where they were kept. He had to wipe
them clean before each meal to make sure no enemy had secretly entered
the house and coated them with hemlock.
Olimpia’s new household was required to follow the painstaking etiquette
required for a Roman nobleman. For instance, whenever Pamphilio
raised his glass to drink, all his servants standing stiffly in the
dining room were required to remove their hats in veneration. And
when the Ave Maria bells rang out from Rome’s hundreds of churches at
sunset, all the servants were required to fling themselves on their knees
and pray while the nobles removed their hats and bowed their heads.
The dignity of a Roman nobleman was measured in the number of
his retainers, most of whom rode noisily through the streets following
his carriage no matter where he went—to church, to a friend’s house,
to his tailor, even to his mistress. When the maestro di casa rang a particular
bell, within fifteen minutes all male members of the famiglia
were required to be mounted on a horse, ready to fly through the streets
of Rome behind their master. Those who were not ready would forfeit a
week’s meals. Even the cooks, gardeners, and servant boys would fling
on the family livery and race madly through the streets, creating as
much din and dust as possible.
The writer Aretino told the story of one Roman nobleman who
couldn’t afford to feed his servants. Before ringing the bell, he would
hide their bridles, saddles, and stirrups so they weren’t ready to ride in
fifteen minutes. But Pamphilio Pamphili no longer had need for such
ruses. Armed with Olimpia’s money, he hired more servants and purchased
expensive horses, which he had to board a block away as his tiny
courtyard was not big enough for them.
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