File:Men and manners of old Florence (1909) (14771415015).jpg

Identifier: menmannersofoldf00biag (find matches)
Title: Men and manners of old Florence
Year: 1909 (1900s)
Authors: Biagi, Guido, 1855-1925
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Publisher: Chicago, A. C. McClurg and co.
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: The Library of Congress

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ror at the creation of knights, the noble Signoria waswont to hold solemn ceremonies, of which we findrecord in the book of Francesco Filarete, herald tothe Republic. In 1491, on St. Johns Day, Lorenzohad set up fifteen erections representing the triumphof Paolo Emilio after his return from Macedonia,when he brought with him so much treasure that formany years the Romans were free from taxes. Itseemed as though the golden age had come back.The Medicean jousts which had inspired Polizianosmuse stimulated the other citizens to commit madextravagances. Benedetto Salutati, nephew of MesserColuccio, for the tournament of 1467 put on thehousings, head-gear, and other trappings of two horsesone hundred and seventy pounds of fine silver, whichhe caused to be beautifully worked by the hand ofAntonio Pollajolo; and around the robes of thesergeants he strung thirty pounds of pearls, the greaterpart of which were of immense value. Florencebeautified itself with splendid palaces ; Filippo Strozzi,
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^ ^^ PRIVATE LIFE OF THE FLORENTINES 139 on August 6, 1489, laid the foundation of his statelypile, and Guglielmo Gondi, a short time after, followedhis example. The people were proud of these newbuildings, and good Tribaldo dei Rossi asked hiswife Nannina to send him his two children, newlydressed, that he might take them to see the layingof the corner-stone of the Strozzi Palace. I took,he writes, Guarnieri in my arms, and told him tolook down there. I gave him a coin with a lilyto throw down, also a bunch of little damask roseswhich I had in my hand. I said, Will you rememberthis ? He said, * Yes. The children came with ourservant Rita, and Guarnieri, who was on that day justfour years old, had a new cloak made by Nannina ofshot green-and-yellow silk. The children as well asthe older citizens must have been struck by the sur-prising marvels which the Medicean magnificencedisplayed for their benefit. Every day some newand singular thing occurred—princely jousts andprocessions, mag

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