NOTICE

...and stinging arrows to extinguish the burning flames of Cupid, which, according to the authority of the pagans original: "gentili" – referring to the classical Greek and Roman authors, originate from the third sphere In the Ptolemaic system, the third celestial sphere is that of Venus, the planet of love.. And in the human spirit disposed toward nobility original: "gentilezza" – in medieval and Renaissance literature, this refers to nobility of soul or courtly refinement rather than simple kindness., they establish the seat of their most sweet residence, etc. »

Muratori, Annals of Italy

It appears that this Astorre Astorre II Manfredi (1412–1468), a celebrated Italian nobleman and condottiero. belonged to that Manfredi family who held the lordship of Faenza; and that he is the very same man who, fighting under the command of Niccolò Piccinino A famous mercenary captain of the 15th century. and siding with Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan, was defeated at Borgo San Sepolcro Often associated with the Battle of Anghiari (1440), a significant conflict between Milan and the Florentine Republic. by the Florentines on June 29, 1440. He was taken prisoner and thrown into the Stinche The primary public prison in Florence, located where the Teatro Verdi stands today., or the public prisons of Florence, along with Sacramoro Visconti, Antonello della Torre, and others (1). Perhaps it was from those prisons that he wrote this letter to the woman he loved. And since Astorre speaks of "adverse fortune" in his Epistle, we may conjecture that he intended to allude to the misfortune of that day at Borgo San Sepolcro and his subsequent imprisonment.

In a century in which, by the grace of God, there are

(1) Muratori, Annals of Italy