The Correspondence of Coluccio Salutati (Vol. 1)

II.

TO THE SAME.

Noble man Francesco di Iacopo, honorable Vicar of Valdinievole, my most singular brother and superior. .Co.

Florence,
April 2, 1381.
He laments a new scandal that occurred in Valdinievole between the vicar's knight and the notary of the podestà of Buggiano.

My elder brother: I lament with you that, since I have been in Florence, I have never had cause to write to anyone holding the office you hold as much as I must write to you, nor have there occurred so many incidents affecting me as have, to my misfortune, occurred at present. For all things may God be praised, however much I am greatly displeased by them, and especially by that which I must now write. I have heard of the incident that occurred at Santa Maria della Selva (1) between your knight and the notary of the podestà of Buggiano. And certainly, in my opinion, both committed no small error, and both were the cause of that scandal. For when I was in Buggiano on such a day, I always endeavored that the vicar’s household and those stationed on guard with the podestà’s notary should be as one, and of one mind, so that

« ...[recommen]der one Nello Giovannini of Stiggiano, who is our kinsman, « and it appears that you have had him summoned for the homicide that was committed « at Stiggiano. The said Nello was here « and is in great fear, because on another « occasion violence was done to his person, « though he was guilty of nothing. « And therefore, my lord, I dearly pray « you that it please you to investigate everything well; and I believe, « from what has been reported to me, that you « will not find him guilty of anything. I would have come « to visit you, but I could not because of an « accident I had, and furthermore I am up here at Mon-

« tecatini as deputy castellan. And therefore, « if there is anything I can do here that would be « of pleasure to you, I shall do it willingly, « being always prepared for your every pleasure and service. May God always keep you. Dated the 7th day of March, 1381.
« And therefore I dearly pray you that « the said Nello be recommended to you « as our own persons.
« Currado Pieri, brother of Ser Coluccio the Chancellor, your servant. »
[On the back] « To the wise and discreet « Francesco di Iacopo Del Bene, honorable Vicar of Valdinievole and « Val di Ariana, his lord. »
(1) Cf. REPETTI, op. cit. V, 240?