Beschreibung:

CLEMENT VII, Pope (1478-1534, born Giulio di Giuliano de’ Medici). Document annotated in autograph and signed twice (as Cardinal, ‘J. Car: de Medicis’), a petition to Pope Leo X from the city of Pesaro, n.p., n.d. [between 17 March 1516 and 4 May 1519]. In Latin. In an elegant humanistic script on vellum, 5 pages, 301 x 218mm, on two bifolia (some minor marginal damage and soiling). A document of the power-struggle between Medici and della Rovere over the Duchy of Urbino, with a reference to Baldassare Castiglione. The petition comprises a prefatory paragraph and 14 numbered articles, each annotated by Giulio de’ Medici on behalf of Leo X (his cousin) with the word ‘placet’ (in some places with a limitation or other note; sometimes ‘non placet … pro nunc’); the first and last articles are signed. The first and most significant request is for the annulment of any sentences enacted against the city of Pesaro during the rule of Francesco Maria della Rovere the former Duke of Urbino and lord of Pesaro. Subsequent articles request a plenary indulgence for the cathedral in Pesaro, and relate to the filling of vacant benefices in the diocese and to other canon law matters. Article 10 asks for the fort of Novilara, which 'it is said was once granted’ by Francesco Maria to Baldassare Castiglione [author of Il Cortegiano ] to be ceded to the city of Pesaro (‘quod dicitur olim fuisse concessum D. Baltazari de Castiliono a prefato olim d[omi]no duce’: this is annotated ‘non placet’). Article 12 requests that limitations be placed on the great September fair at Recanati (Giulio’s annotation limits its duration to no later than the eighth day of October). The last two articles make requests for free trading rights for Pesaro merchants, ‘whether Christians, Jews or Turks’. The petition can be dated to the period immediately after the expulsion as Duke of Urbino of the great condottiero (and nephew of Pope Julius II) Francesco Maria I della Rovere (1490-1538), to be replaced by Lorenzo de’ Medici, nephew of the new pope, Leo X (Lorenzo is referred to in the text, dating it before his death on 4 May 1519). Leo’s cousin Giulio de’ Medici operated as the pope's effective chief minister, and was to succeed him (after the short-lived papacy of Adrian VI) as Clement VII. Ultimately direct Medici control of the Duchy of Urbino was to be short-lived, with Francesco Maria reclaiming the territory after Leo’s death in 1521.