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The Cardinal's Hat: Money, Ambition and Housekeeping in a Renaissance Court
 
 

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The Cardinal's Hat: Money, Ambition and Housekeeping in a Renaissance Court (Hardcover)

by Mary Hollingsworth (Author)
5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 308 pages
  • Publisher: Profile Books Ltd; First edition edition (27 May 2004)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1861977506
  • ISBN-13: 978-1861977502
  • Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16.2 x 3.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 405,246 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #79 in  Books > Biography > Political > Countries & Regions > Italy

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Product Description

David Starkey

A book as rich and quirky as the Renaissance itself


Sarah Dunant

...she brings alive the life and times of a Glamorous Renaissance power-player...and his vaunting ambition
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Inside This Book (Learn More)
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars AN INCOMPARABLE VIEW OF EVERYDAY LIFE IN RENAISSANCE ITALY, 5 Jul 2005
By Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Cardinal's Hat: Money, Ambition and Housekeeping in a Renaissance Court (Paperback)
Few historical periods are as intriguing as the Renaissance; few families fascinate as much as the Borgias. However, we've not been privy to many firsthand accounts of daily life among the powerful in 16th century Italy. Now, thanks to a bit of luck and assiduous research, art historian Mary Hollingsworth presents a detailed picture of Ippolito d'Este, the second son of Lucretia Borgia who later became Archbishop of Milan.

In Modena, Italy, Hollingsworth came upon a treasure - over 2,00 letters and 200 account books pertaining to the days of Ippolito. The ledgers contain such minute details as the items in his wardrobe, what he ate. He wasn't timid about keeping a log of his women right along with his horses, dogs, falcons, peacocks, and a plethora of servants. Nor, was he embarrassed to note how much was spent on bribes and to whom he paid them. Thus, readers have the unparalleled experience of seeing courtly life on a daily basis, even to Ippolito's visit to the mistress of the King of France while she was in her bath.

Ippolito reached the ripe old age of 29 before he received the cardinal's red hat, which at that time was a guarantee of wealth and power. He was a man who enjoyed women thoroughly and often, gambled frequently, and spent time hunting rather than in prayer. Thus, his elevation to such a lofty position had naught to do with religiosity, much to do with politics.

Mary Hollingsworth has created an amazing view of everyday life among the rich and powerful in Renaissance Italy. Highly recommended.

- Gail Cooke

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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable piece of work, 29 Oct 2007
By Liam (Cambridge, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Cardinal's Hat: Money, Ambition and Housekeeping in a Renaissance Court (Paperback)
The Cardinal's Hat in the title refers to obtaining the post of Cardinal in the Catholic Church. In the 16th century this post offered not just prestige but enormous wealth and power. Ippolito d'Este became Archbishop of Milan at the incredibly young age of 9. The fact that he was an Archbishop did not prevent him from indulging to excess in wine, women and gambling. However, what he really craved was a Cardinal's hat, and with the help of his older brother he courted the people who could help him achieve this goal.

Ippolito's life was a continuos round of feasting, drinking, hunting, buying lavish gifts and flattering inflated egos. But it is the detail of Ippolito's circle and its everyday needs that truly fascinates. The amount of wine everybody would drink each day, the logistics of having enough hard currency of various types to keep his travelling court operational, the numerous jobs that needed to be undertaken every day: buying fresh food and wine, looking after hounds, horses and hawks. This is not just a story of one man of noble birth, it is a story that covers a wide range of social classes and contrasts the lives and hopes of each. Mary Hollingworth has produced a remarkable work that is well worth the attention of anybody seeking a book that is entertaining, educational and fascinating.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Everyday life of 16-th century noble, 6 Mar 2008
By K. Birznieks - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: The Cardinal's Hat: Money, Ambition and Housekeeping in a Renaissance Court (Paperback)
Book provides great feeling of life of Renessainse noble and his preoccupations - almsgiving, organising feasts, showing off, falling ill, traveling, etc.
Although the book is basically based around bookkeeping records of nobles stewards, author has masterfully translated the lists of bookkeeper's entries into a great story.
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