Guardia: A Novel of Renaissance Italy Read online

"I've already spoken to Jacopo and he has agreed," said Cosimo, as though he had read my thoughts.

  "I - I don't quite know what to say."

  But I did know. It was the only way to protect myself and my family, and prevent the past from repeating. I hated that I was being pulled into it, as if I had no freedom to decide for myself. Slowly and inexorably I was being drawn into this mad world that I had fought so hard to stay far away from.

  "You can think about it, there's certainly no rush. Enjoy your trip, Mercurio." The pressure was gone and his voice was cool. He rose to bid me farewell.

  "Wait." I didn't want to say anything but I had to. My heart was racing and I felt my breaths come in shallow gulps. "I accept your offer."

  Cosimo sat back down and looked at me keenly.

  "That's fantastic news." He leaned across and shook my hand. "We shall discuss this more when you return. I already have just the task for you when you are ready to begin. And, here is a little something to sweeten your respite, a reward for your success." He opened a chest and produced a bound leather sack of coins not unlike those that Bartolomeo had fashioned from within his workshop. Then he scribbled a note and handed it to me as well. "And your advance, since you now work for me. You are free to withdraw these funds from any of our branches." My eyes went wide as I looked at the neatly scrawled number.

  "I am humbled by your generosity, ser."

  When I stood the room felt as though it was spinning around me. Cosimo's servant had returned to see me out. I bowed and left him to his studies, a victorious glimmer in his eyes as he watched me go.

  My family was waiting near the house, all of our supplies packed and the horses standing by patiently. I waved to my mother, Cortesia, and Antonello and they smiled back.

  "Ready?" my brother asked.

  "Ready," I said. We departed immediately, a long day of riding ahead of us. Pisa awaited, and I found comfort at the thought of meeting my new cousin and of catching up with the rest of the family that I had come close to leaving behind. As we passed through the gates of the Porta al Prato I couldn't help but wonder, once again, what would be waiting when I returned.

  Author's Note

  The period of the Italian Renaissance is a fertile playground for the curious student of history. There are innumerable resources for learning about nearly every facet of life, especially in major urban centers such as Florence or Venice and the surrounding towns under their jurisdiction. The idea for this novel was initially inspired by studies of crime and procedure which were based upon the plentiful juridical records that still exist today. Natalie Zemon Davis's book, Fiction in the Archives: Pardon Tales and their Tellers in 16th-century France, is one of the earliest examples of this type of research and is also one of the most influential.

  Criminal Justice and Crime in Late Renaissance Florence by John K. Brackett was an inspired and meticulous look at the structures of justice in Florence in the early 16th century. It also provided the historical backdrop for those structures, which originated after the rebellion of the Ciompi in the mid 1300's and developed through the 15th century. I owe a tremendous amount of detail to this book and used it as the basis for my fictional detectives and their commanders.

  Another book, which examines crime and conflicting morals in Florentine society, is Lost Girls: Sex and Death in Renaissance Florence by Nicholas Terpstra. It includes a study of some of the more dangerous neighborhoods of the city, including the Borgo Ognissanti which was the setting of the murder that kicked off this book. This book also discusses the minimal choices women had in terms of their role in society and examines those that were forced into the margin and how they were treated, and used, by those with moral authority.

  For those interested in the always fascinating topic of the condottiere, I highly recommend the book Mercenaries and their Masters: Warfare in Renaissance Italy by Michael Mallett. It provides details ranging from who the most prolific warriors were and their accomplishments to how they lived, fought, negotiated, and what they did when they were not campaigning. It is also a thoroughly entertaining read.

  Since there is so much more to life than crime and war, I suggest a number of other books for those with an interest in learning about Renaissance Italy. Shopping in the Renaissance: Consumer Cultures in Italy by Evelyn S. Welch offers a unique glimpse into the markets and public spaces of the renaissance city. It is chock full of details, including what people bought and ate, who made it, and the different tastes between the various social classes.

  Da Vinci's Kitchen: A Secret History of Italian Cuisine by Dave Dewitt is a lighthearted but erudite romp through the culinary tradition of Italy prior to the discovery of the new world and offers some surprising yields. This book delves into the mystical relationship of food and folk medicine, and even includes some recipes that you can prepare in your own kitchen (although some of the ingredients can be hard to come by in modern times).

  Clothing is a big part of life in any age, so I recommend Dressing Renaissance Florence: Families, Fortunes and Fine Clothing by Carole Collier Frick. This book offered many insights into what people wore, who prepared it, from its raw components to the finished product, and how it was delivered to the customer.

  For input on minting in the renaissance, I consulted the book Zecca: The Mint of Venice in the Middle Ages by Alan M. Stahl. For some reason there was not much information available on Florence's mint, but this book filled that gap very effectively. It discusses the physical building and who occupied it as well as the process of producing the physical currency and other factors such as quality control and forgery.

  Women constitute a little more than half of any society, which is why it was critical to understand as well as possible how they reflected upon life in the Renaissance. Selected Letters of Alessandra Strozzi is a collection of translated letters from the eponymous lady, who also served as an inspiration for Mercurio's mother in this book. Just like my character, she was forced to become businesswoman as well as matriarch after her husband died. Her strength and independence really show in these letters, which are filled with personal observations, family news, and daily details of the family business.

  And finally, for a general understanding of Florentine life in the renaissance, I suggest that one take a look at Renaissance Florence by Gene Brucker. This book is a very broad study of many important themes that defined how one lived and perceived in this period. It is also a reliable jumping off point for research on many of the topics I have not already discussed here.