Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans
Abbot John Whethamstede's Register aka Chronicle of his second term at the Abbey of St Albans, 1451-1461, is a remarkable text that describes his first-hand experience of the beginning of the Wars of the Roses including the First and Second Battles of St Albans, 1455 and 1461, respectively, their cause, and their consequences, not least on the Abbey itself. His text also includes Loveday, Blore Heath, Northampton, the Act of Accord, Wakefield, and Towton, and ends with the Coronation of King Edward IV. In addition to the events of the Wars of the Roses, Abbot John, or his scribes who wrote the Chronicle, include details in the life of the Abbey such as charters, letters, land exchanges, visits by legates, and disputes, which provide a rich insight into the day-to-day life of the Abbey, and the challenges faced by its Abbot.
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Domenico Ghirlandaio is in Painters.
On 2nd June 1448 Domenico Ghirlandaio was born in Florence, Tuscany.
Around 1475 Domenico Ghirlandaio (age 26). Portrait of Lucrezia Tornabuoni (age 47).
Lucrezia Tornabuoni: On 22nd June 1427 she was born to Francesco di Simone Tornabuoni in Florence, Tuscany. On 3rd June 1444 Piero di Cosimo de Medici and she were married. On 4th June 1469 Lorenzo de Medici and Clarice Orsini were married. The marriage had been arranged by his mother Lucrezia Tornabuoni. Her dowry was 6000 florins. On 25th March 1482 she died.
In 1488 Domenico Ghirlandaio (age 39). Portrait of Giovanna degli Albizzi (age 19) commissioned around the time of her death by her husband Lorenzo Tornabuoni (age 23). The figure is wearing precious clothes including a gamurra vest. On the right, behind her, are a hanging coral necklace (perhaps a rosary), a partly closed prayer book, and a Latin inscription, taken from an epigram by the 1st century AD poet Martial. She also holds a handkerchief. The figure of Giovanna is idealized in appearance and proportion which was the tradition of the time.
Many aspects of this portrait hold symbolic significance in emphasizing her wealth, status, and piety. Giovanna's fine clothing indicates her status and the wealth of her family.
The Tornabuoni emblem is present on her clothes, as well as two "Ls" on her shoulder, referring to her husband, Lorenzo. In addition to the clothes, the presence of pearls and brooches also emphasizes the family's wealth. The pendant featured in the portrait shows a small diamond set in gold above a large ruby with three pearls hanging beneath it. This was a signature ornament found in depictions of Giovanna and came from Lodovica's dowry. The coral beads seen in the background are likely a rosary, signifying Giovanna's religious piety. The book seen behind Giovanna, possibly a prayer book, also refers to her piety and educated status. A significant aspect of the background in this portrait is the cartellino behind Giovanna. The inscription is a modified excerpt of a poem by the author Martial: "ARS VTINAM MORES ANIMVM QVU EFFINGERE POSSES PVCHRIOR IN TERRIS NVLLA TABELLA FORET MCCCCLXXXVIII". This translates to "Art, would that you could represent character and mind! There would be no more beautiful painting on earth 1488".
Giovanna degli Albizzi: On 18th December 1468 she was born. Before 1488 Lorenzo Tornabuoni and she were married. In 1488 Giovanna degli Albizzi died in childbirth.
Lorenzo Tornabuoni: In 1465 he was born to Giovanni Tornabuoni. On 21st August 1497 Lorenzo Tornabuoni was beheaded for scheming with France against Florence.
Before 11th January 1494 Domenico Ghirlandaio (age 45). Portrait of Clarice Orsini.
Clarice Orsini: In 1450 she was born to Giacomo Orsini. On 30th July 1488 she died.
On 11th January 1494 Domenico Ghirlandaio (age 45) died.