The events surrounding the Geraldini, one of the
most prominent families in 15th
to 16th century Amelia, provide us with
an ideal sectional viewpoint from which to understand
the cultural and political climate in Italy and
Europe during the Renaissance period. In the opinion
of the modern historians, especcially Gamurrini, a
keen and trustable historian, the farnily
Geraldini is the Gheraldini of Florence. What is
certain is that the family fortunes resulted from
Amelia's relations with
Rorne, which allowed the Geraldini to be
appointed to the Roman magistrature and diplornatic
corps and at the same time offered the opportunity
of setting up close and fruitful connections with
powerful families such as the Orsini, the Colonna
and the Borgia. In the political history of the
Church the Geraldini played important roles on numerous
occasions, starting with the close
relationship between the papacy and the Aragona
family of Spain, which had such a big historical impact
on Italy. Many members of the family were to be
found in the secular clergy, occupying important
positions due to their intelligence, steadfastness
and po!itical ability: diplomats, governors of
cities, abbreviators of the apostolic letters
and bishops. The family already had illustrious
forebears in the XI° century, such as Bonagura,
consul of Orvieto in 1066, followed later by
Collaolo di Vanni, elected to the Council of Ten in
the Comune of Amelia in 1327, by Cello, and by
Matteo, the jurist. However, it was with Angelo
Geraldini that the family’s destiny began to touch
upon the great events in Europe. A prelate in the
Papal Curia, he was appointed count pa!atine by Cal!isto
III in 1455, and during his life tirne passed
through Europe, maintaining political relations with
Spain, Germany and the territories of the Danube.
His legal training was obtained through Studia,
first in Siena and then in Perugia, and was
closely integrated with Humanistic culture, which he
learned from the teaching of Francesco Filelfo. The
Master placed him at the University of Siena as ‘lecturer’,
thereby also introducing him to the diplomatic service
by giving him the possibility of accompanying the
orators of Siena as far as the court of the King of Cyprus.
Later he was entrusted with the University of
Perugia, which under his rectorship took the name of
"Sapienza"; he drew up the regu!ations
of the new universitv, restored the library, and wis
appointed as Professor of Law, an office which
until then had been the exclusive preserve of
citizens of Perugia. Finally. he was called to Rome
and appointed jurisconsult to Cardinal Domenico
Capranica; Pope Nicholas V gave him the right to
the monastery of Sant’Erasmo di Cesi, and the
frescoes in the church of Sant'Erasmo in Cesi were
painted in his honour by Giovanni Fiorentino.
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