Cicco Simonetta’s life story is well known. Born in Calabria, he followed Francesco Sforza in his adventure from the military condotte to the conquest of the Milanese duchy. His contribution to the organization of ducal chancellery, and his direction of diplomacy and administration enforced the Sforza’s state building. In Milan, many tributed to the prime secretary admiration and homage, other envied his successes and disliked him. In 1477 he became prime minister and presided over the main political affairs, but at the end (1479-80) he was defeated, imprisoned and executed. In these pages, rather than the political and professional adventure, his private life and choices are lightened, thanks to a large and rich documentation: diaries, accountings, domestic books, letters, notarial deeds. The wedding with a milanese dame, the choice of a noble life style and consumption, the search of a social distinction, the agrarian enterprises by which he enhanced the more brilliant innovations of Lombard economy, his role as a feudal lord, his culture and thought, are here analyzed. Cicco’s sharp intelligence, which made him a irreplaceable minister, was also a resource for his private life, carefully regulated by writings and a constant control over family members, agents and employees.
La vicenda di Cicco Simonetta è ben nota: l’abile e intelligente segretario calabrese diede un contributo fondamentale all’organizzazione della cancelleria, dell’amministrazione ducale e della diplomazia del ducato sforzesco, diventando un uomo potente e onorato, ma anche malvoluto e invidiato come forestiero e “uomo di vile condizione”. Approdato ai vertici della cosa pubblica nel 1477, Cicco diresse lo stato ducale in momenti drammatici, imponendo la sua autorità, finchè i suoi nemici prevalsero e imposero a Ludovico il Moro la condanna a morte e il sequestro del patrimonio. In queste pagine, più che riprendere gli aspetti più noti della vicenda politica di Cicco, si valorizza l’eccezionale documentazione privata (libri di casa e libri di conti, lettere, note e diari, rogiti notarili) per seguire nel tempo la costruzione della sua posizione nella società lombarda: il matrimonio con una nobile dama milanese, l’abbandono del progetto di vita “calabrese”, l’intraprendenza fondiaria e la capacità di interpretare gli aspetti più dinamici dell’agricoltura lombarda, il ruolo feudale, le scelte culturali ed esistenziali, la vita materiale e i consumi, i traguardi della distinzione sociale.
Potere, ricchezza e distinzione a Milano nel Quattrocento : nuove ricerche su Cicco Simonetta / M.N. Covini. - Milano : Bruno Mondadori, 2018. - ISBN 9788867741991. (SCRITTI DI STORIA – HISTORICAL WRITINGS – ÉCRITS D’HISTOIRE)
Potere, ricchezza e distinzione a Milano nel Quattrocento : nuove ricerche su Cicco Simonetta
M.N. Covini
2018
Abstract
Cicco Simonetta’s life story is well known. Born in Calabria, he followed Francesco Sforza in his adventure from the military condotte to the conquest of the Milanese duchy. His contribution to the organization of ducal chancellery, and his direction of diplomacy and administration enforced the Sforza’s state building. In Milan, many tributed to the prime secretary admiration and homage, other envied his successes and disliked him. In 1477 he became prime minister and presided over the main political affairs, but at the end (1479-80) he was defeated, imprisoned and executed. In these pages, rather than the political and professional adventure, his private life and choices are lightened, thanks to a large and rich documentation: diaries, accountings, domestic books, letters, notarial deeds. The wedding with a milanese dame, the choice of a noble life style and consumption, the search of a social distinction, the agrarian enterprises by which he enhanced the more brilliant innovations of Lombard economy, his role as a feudal lord, his culture and thought, are here analyzed. Cicco’s sharp intelligence, which made him a irreplaceable minister, was also a resource for his private life, carefully regulated by writings and a constant control over family members, agents and employees.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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