The Vatican Observer
December 1515

Applications

The clergy of Rome seemed largely content with their lot this month, as they dedicated little time to seeking to better their standing. Alberto di Mitelli was the only individual who seemed to be actively considering his future as he was seen in deep conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Enfore, a conversation that lead not only to the Lieutenant Colonel resigning his rank but also selling his city estate and leaving Rome for the countryside.

Away from the distractions of Rome however, personal betterment was more to the forefront of men’s minds and both Bishop de Gregori and Canon Blatti sought to place themselves in a position to carry out His Holiness’s orders. Bishop de Gregori was seen in a lengthy discussion with Cardinal Quintus, during which he reminded the Cardinal of his one-time association with Maria, a familiar face in courtly circles who is now often seen in the company of Bishop de Gregori. It seems that the word of his prior confidant still carried weight with the Cardinal as he soon appointed de Gregori as his adviser. Canon Blatti was similarly appointed as adviser to the Cardinal’s assistant, Patriarch Ensestus, even though the only opinion on the matter that he could bring to the discussion was the less well connected Valentina's.

Around the markets

The markets of Rome saw custom this festive season, though with so many currently on missions some stallholders and shopkeepers were heard to complain that for them the season was bringing few blessings. Still, those who did spend spent well and fulsomely. Canon Gagliardi was seen indulging his known fondness for exotica visiting in turn a number of rug merchants, before departing with a fine example of Persian craftsmanship in the form of a delicate silk rug for his study. Maestro Facente was engaged in more quotidian purchases initially, seen obtaining fresh supplies of vellum, paper and ink perhaps with an eye to a fresh composition? These errands completed, Maestro Facente was later seen purchasing a number of small items of great charm and beauty, which he later dispatched as gifts to his family in his native Florence.

With Canon Gagliardi spending his coin on the weaver's art, the vintners of Rome were looking despondent as he is normally their most reliable customer. Fortune smiled however, in the form of Deacon Penaccini who was seen entertaining at his club and ordering only the finest of wines and imported viands. The vintners' guild will be toasting Deacon Penaccini this Christmas! Deacon Clementi also spent his time on the culinary arts, but by contrast was seen about the merchants dicsussing finer points of the storage of olives with one, the best techniques for smoking hams with another. Indeed, Deacon Clementi seems on most familiar terms now with many of Rome's better providers of fine foods and seems as welcome in their shops as any could imagine.

And so we have it, wine, food, rugs and presents. The markets of Rome abuzz as ever, but with so many currently on Missions the merchants of Rome must be hoping that those who are in Rome will open their purses and not seek to count their ducats this coming winter season.

Debates

Gentle readers, this month once again saw the finest of debates being heard out in the streets and salons of this the most glittering and magnificent of cities, Rome! Our gladiators of belligerent badinage this month are seasoned combatants, veterans of many campaigns, long standing opponents used to each others subtlest wiles and most cunning stratagems. I speak of course of those most accustomed rivals, Canon Gagliardi of the Borgia faction, Deacon Clementi his clerical junior and their arch rival the courageous and indefatigable Canon Ugo Blatti of the Ludovisi Faction.

The topic chosen this month for debate was the vexed question of why, given the Almighty Lord could create any world he had chosen, he had chosen to sink the world each year into cold and darkness for a season rather than have Summer eternal in which all might rejoice. Canon Blatti was first to open the debate, who sneered that only the Borgia would have the arrogance to question the Lord's workings and to call doubt upon the Majesty of his creation. Canon Gagliardi, unfased by this fusillade of rhetoric, simply responded that the Borgia did nothing of the kind for it was obvious to them even if not to the Ludovisi that by creating Winter the Lord had foreshadowed and then commemmorated the descent of his only Son into Hell from whence he would later emerge triumphant as reprensented by the rebirth of Spring. All present were most impressed by these words, and some were even seen to cross themselves in pious remembrance of Our Lord's calvary. Canon Gagliardi went on to explain, for the benefit of the less learned among those attending, that the hell of which he spoke was as the true doctrine teaches here merely the hell of death itself and was better understood to be a descent into the earth of the grave and not the hell in which dwells the prince of lies. All present were taken by this wisdom and applauded the good Canon's desire to avoid the error of literalism taking root by reason of his argument and even Canon Blatti was forced to admit he had no good reply to such wisdom.

Canon Blatti, so defeated, now turned to Deacon Clementi sneering again that though he had bested and been bested in turn by his clerical equal he had rarely been so troubled by the arguments of the young Deacon. Deacon Clementi responded in like fashion, stating that the Borgia were known for their honest speaking and that it was little surprise on occasion he was wronged by the Ludovisan sophistry. The gathered crowd were impressed by neither argument, feeling it better for Canon Blatti to stick to the topic at hand and seeming amused by some passing trifle this writer did not observe when the honesty of the Borgia was spoken of. What amused them must remain a mystery I fear, as nothing present seemed to indicate the need for such incredulous hilarity.

Canon Blatti now essayed a bon mot, wittily observing that though Christ had returned from the grave and spring returned from Winter Deacon Clementi's prospects seemed frozen indeed with opportunity for neither advancement or further influence. All laughted, but again the remark was thought not to the point. Deacon Clemenit responded by restating the argument, noting that since the Lord is all perfection then winter too must necessarily be perfect and thus one should seek to understand how this was so, not question its being so. All agreed, but few thought the argument greatly advanced by this venture. Canon Blatti now countered, correcting the young Deacon by noting that though the creation is perfect not all within it must be else must we say that when a man falls into sin this too is perfection as the man and the sin are both part of creation. Though the Deacon plainly thought the argument flawed, he had no ready rebuttal and as such Canon Blatti was judged the winner of this bout.

And so we have it dear readers, Canon Gagliardi won against Canon Blatti and Canon Blatti against Deacon Clementi. Sadly, due to a lack of parties this month past, the two Canon's are not to meet this month but I hear that Farnese Deacon Lorenzo Valletti on his return from the current mission will have cause with factional rival Sforza Deacon Federico Cappellini over the latter's appropriation of the former's companion. Something to look forward to in the new year readers, and until then may the Lord's blessings be upon you.

Court Companionship

The month started quietly, with none of the up-and-coming young men of the cloth looking for any companionship. Even the salons were empty of any persons of consequence. This continued into the second week, before Borgia Deacon Valentino Clementi chose to seek rumors at one of the public establishments. Why he should do so when Signorina Antonella could have given him far better information is not something that I can understand, but Our Good Lord works in mysterious ways.

Fortunately, one young man seems to have at least gotten something from my articles. Father Cesare Salieri chose to make a visit to a salon in the fourth week. After several months spent in ignorance of the doings of the Court, the Father at last has a few insights. Again, why he did not seek out Signorina Antonella is a secret shared only between the Father and Our Father in Heaven. Perhaps next month?

Finally, we see some developments in the rivalry between the Sforza and the Farnese. Deacon Federico Capellini of the Sforza decided to see if the influential Signorina Elena would share her knowledge. The Signorina was Court Companion of Deacon Lorenzo Valetti of the Farnese. With Deacon Valetti of the mission in Bologna, Deacon Capellini thought that she might be lonely. It turns out, he was correct and the two were seen whispering to each other on several cool evenings during the month. What Deacon Valetti will do about this upon his return will have to wait until the end of the mission.

Ineamus Ad Discendum Exeamus Ad Merendum

Busy indeed were the schools of Rome this month just past, busy with all manner of scholastic endeavour. Busy too were the halls of the Collegio, but of that more anon.

In the first week Deacon Capellini was engaged at the Cato School of Presence, perhaps with what has since been heard of Deacon Capellini's exploits with the court companions he felt the need of greater presence in times to come. Also studying was Padre Salieri of the Borgia, who passed his time at the Juvenal School of Wit though word has it that already his wit is so sharp as to cut those who cross him. By contrast, Papal Commissioner Domenico Facente continued his teaching at the Tacitus School of Administration where word has it the students have gained much from his painstaking and methodical approach. Among his students was Deacon Umberto Tarantella of the Gonzaga faction, a young man to watch by all accounts and one with a keen eye for good governance it seems. Some, sadly, were less scholastically inclined with Canon Gagliardi spending his time with Francesca at the Capitoline while Deacons Ficolo and Pennacini entertained their companions at the Esquiline.

Come the second week, still the schools were busy. Canon Gagliardi broke off from his customary revelries to attend the Cato school of Presence, Padre Salieri studied Oratory at the Cicero School, Deacon Ficolo was seen at the Juvenal and Deacon Pennacini at the Horace School of Etiquette. Bravely done all, putting aside their frolics of the first week and coming to better themselves as all pious men should. Deacon Tarantella continued his studies of administration, though Maestro Facente was engaged by this time in other scholastic pursuits. Happily, the clubs were less well attended than the centres of learning, with only Deacon Clementi refreshing his spirts at the Aventine and Padre Magliano entertaining Costanza at the Quirinal.

The third week also, the schools were full. Padre Salieri, that most scholarly of men that all should admire and hold high in their esteem, spent a third week in study returning this time to the Cicero School. Deacon Penaccini also showed scholastic mettle, joining Padre Salieri at the Cicero. Deacon Tarantella, showing the determination which has brought him so far in Roman society, continued for a third week to study at the Tacitus.Deacon Capellini chose not to study further, instead turning his attention to the study of the cellars of the Celian club. Deacon Ficolo returned with Sohpia to the Esquiline, perhaps to share with her his learning of the previous week and Padre Magliano was seen deep in conversation again at the Quirinal learning this week of matters courtly instead of matters scholastic.

And in the fourth week, men rested and the schools were quiet. Fresh from his conversations with his court companion Costanza, Padre Magliano was the only attendant at the schools spending his week at the Horace School of Etiquette, perhaps at the advisement of Costanza in preparation for courtly campaigns to come? Deacon Tarantella took a well deserved break from his studies to refresh himself at the Aventine with Chiara, while Deacon Penaccini took an equally well deserved break to gamble at the Esquiline, though word has it with little fortune. Perhaps next month the Deacon need learn more of mathematics? Nonetheless, the members of the Esquiline were said to be glad of the Deacon's company and though unfortunate at the table it is said that the Deacon still showed most Christian generosity to the staff at this often expensive time of year.

And so the schools, a busy month and one that reflects well on the citizenry of Rome. But what of the Collegio? Was it quiet all month? It was not so, Maestro Facente after two weeks of work is said to have completed a new composition and hopes to submit it next month after some final polishing. More dramatically, Canon Gagliardi submitted a new treatise on matters cryptographic upon which it is said the members of the Collegio at first differed mightily. Some initially claimed it was not a suitable topic for study in such a body and that the Canon should return to mathematics as was previously his wont. However, such voices were soon swayed by those who argued that it offered most clear commercial benefits and was of a piece with Canon Gagliardi's other works which were ever intended to benefit the honest merchant. After a debate worthy of such an august body, the consensus was reached that Canon Gagliardi's submission was of the necessary merit, and that the Collegio should continue to take a cautious approach to those whose submissions are based upon esoterica. Truly, the Canon has much to be thankful for this season.

Court and Social

The Pope will host the following events at the Lateran Palace, Rome
In the first week: Grand Ball

Upcoming Debates

LV v FC (over Elena)

Positions Vacant

Papal Legate for the Orient
Papal Legate for the Occident
Papal Legate for Rome
Secretarius Intimus

Men of the Cloth / Men of Steel

With the main business seemingly complete last month the members of the Delegation settled in to Bologna court and prepared to spend the winter forging bonds of friendship and co-operation between the two great religious centers.

Cardinal Quintus continued to appear as lost in his own thoughts as he had at last month’s feast and no doubt had the failings of the past few months preying on his mind, particularly the disturbing events amongst the ranks of the Papal Scholars and Missionary factions. Apparently in order to calm his mind and reassure His Holiness that all was now in order he assigned his new adviser, Bishop de Gregori, to investigate all that had transpired and provide a full report which could be dispatched to Rome. In hindsight the Cardinal should perhaps had chosen someone less diligent, less eloquent and some might say less ambitious for this task for the report that was produced was to prove most damning. After a month long investigation in which he spoke to almost every member of the delegation, many commented privately that he pursued his assignment with the Holy fervor of an Inquisitor, Bishop de Gregori set out all the events of the past months in detail and determined the underlying cause of the problems: Cardinal Quintus. In the balanced opinion of de Gregori the Cardinal had “failed in his duty to hold himself up as a moral and ethical paragon for the delegation”, had “allowed serious moral leniency to infect the factions without opposition” and had “failed in his duty to protect the souls of the Lord’s children placed in his care”. When presented with such a well-argued report of his failings the Cardinal was apoplectic but in seeking to destroy it was informed by Bishop de Gregori that he had of course followed all of the orders he had been given and that a transcribed copy of the report had already been dispatched to Rome.

The Cardinal was, naturally, less than pleased with this news and sought to return to Rome immediately to put forward his own case. Perhaps, on reflection, abandoning his post and his duty was yet another poor decision as the welcome that awaited Cardinal Quintus in Rome was less than warm and the delegation soon received word that the Cardinal would not be returning. Patriarch Ensestus, who the report had found no fault with, had to lead the mission in the Cardinal’s absence and despite the shock of his promotion did not allow the events in Rome to greatly affect those in Bologna. There were whispers however that the Patriarch had been far more affected than he seemed in public and that it was only down to his adviser, Canon Blatti, that few noticed and the general day to day business had proceeded so smoothly. The fact that the Patriarch spoke of Canon Blatti in glowing terms, such was the praise that the Canon had been promised an Estate on his return to Rome, and gifted him a sizable purse did little to stop such gossip.

For his diligent service to secure the continued spiritual wellbeing of the Church, despite the undesirable nature of the task, Bishop de Gregori was promoted to Archbishop and the expenses he had incurred in his investigations were covered by a small gift from Rome.

With Bishop, now Cardinal, de Gregori’s time so accounted for it was down to Canon Enzo di Vitelli to lead the Farnese faction and build on their strong showing last month. Fortunately it was soon evidently clear that he was more than able to do so. Canon di Vitelli was never to be seen out of the company of Cardinal de Medici and received praise, and the promise of an Estate, for his ready wit and well thought out advice during this time. The remainder of the Farnese ranks were similarly immersed in the de Medici court with Padre Vincenzo dei Gambetti delivering a number of well-received and oft repeated speeches to the Borgia courtiers and Deacon Lorenzo Valetti sacrificing many hours to hang on every word of the somewhat elderly but greatly loved Bishop Barduccio. For their dedication both men received small gifts in gratitude from Cardinal de Medici.

As predicted it seems that Padre Zamboni’s ill-chosen words of last month to Cardinal de Medici had not proven to be the last he would speak in service to the Church. Perhaps his past relationship with the Cardinal proved enough to save Zamboni or perhaps in the time he was kept away from the Cardinal he managed to come up with a suitably heartfelt apology. Whatever the reason, by the end of the month not only was the matter no longer spoken of but the Cardinal had praised Padre Zamboni on a couple of occasions and had gifted him a number of expensive art works which the Padre had expressed a great affection for but which the Cardinal had apparently become a little jaded with.

At first Major Alberto di Mitelli was happy enough to bask in the reflected glory of Padre Zamboni, but towards the end of the month he emerged to make a most salient point on how artists were surely chosen by God to reflect, in minutiae, God’s act of creation. His elaboration on this point, which took in the fact that as Patrons of the Arts helped bring forth the act from the artist they too were part of this glorious act of worship, went down so well with the Cardinal and his court that di Mitelli became a favorite for a time and received a gift of money so that he too might promote art and therefore carry out God’s work.

Major del Carnevale of the Swiss Guard continued to keep his head down and carry out his duties diligently and without great display, and as such went unnoticed by almost all. Not quite all however as the Major did receive a sizable gift of denarii from one member of the Bologna court, although who exactly his benefactor was and what service he had carried out for them did not appear to be public knowledge.

The Scholars and Missionaries of course found themselves under very close scrutiny this month and so, not surprisingly, performed the tasks they had been set with diligence, if not flair. Almost all present did little to attract any more attention to the factions for which many were grateful though once again Stafano Zanetti, a lay member of the Scholars, stood out from the ranks of the Scholars and for assistance given to the Bologna tithe collectors received yet another small gift of denarii. It has certainly been a most profitable spell of service for the young man and it is hoped that with such wealth under his belt he might seek a more permanent position on his return to Rome.

On the manner in which messages most private may be better protected from those who have wish of their contents but no rights to the same

In writing this treatise I once again hope to be of aid to our brave merchant venturers, as they ply their trade across the globe facing all manner of dangers and trials. It is my most humble desire that, just as my previous works have sought to assist in the navigation of nature's tribulations, this submission shall assist with the more human perils that may be encountered.

In the carrying out of commercial enterprises, oft there is a need for discretion and secrecy. Books of account, messages with proposed alliances and partnerships, records of dealings and purchases, all must be kept safe from the eyes of busy fools with no rightful business to peruse them.

To this end, in the Century past, the most learned and august Leone Battista Alberti devised his most ingenious disc within a disc that serves to render unreadable by any but its intended recipient any text the sender wishes to encode.

The device, for those unfamiliar with its use, consists of two disks, one inside the other. On the outside of each disk is printed the letters of the alphabet, aligned so that as one disk rotates the letters on it will face different letters on the other disk. This device is known by many as the Alberti disk, and a picture of it is set out below for the edification of the reader.

Where a message is to be made occult to all those save the intended eye, one must first take the source text hereafter called the plain text and write it out in full. One then takes the Alberti disk and by moving the inner disk a certain amount can change the correlation between the outer and the inner letters, so that whereas once outer A sat along inner A after the rotation outer A may sit along inner F or K or some other inner letter. So by reading accross, one may change each letter of the plaintext to another letter and so create a message that cannot be read by any who knows not by how much the wheel was turned. This rendered text we hereafter call the cryptogram.

So then, to pass the message one must encrypt it using this technique and communicate to the recipient, who must have an Alberti disk of his own, how many rotations were made. This will allow him to reverse the process and reveal the plaintext from the cryptogram. Variants on the disk include the incorporation of numbers to assist with the deliberation of the number of rotations.

This method, while difficult for the determined investigator to break through, is not invulnerable to patient enquiry as within our tongue some letters are used more in words than others and so by seeing which letters in the cryptogram are more used it may be possible to determine the identity of one transposed letter and so from that the number of revolutions used.

Such a flaw in the technique has become well known now to those working on such matters, and so I here propose a method by which this analysis of the frequency of letters may be defeated. This is achieved by use of a written key, which determines the number of rotations by which each letter is used.

Let us take Gagliardi as the key, and assign a number to each letter of my name, for this example let us say that G is equal to seven, A equal to four, L equal to nine, R equal to two and D equal to six. We now take the message to be concealed, let us say it is "They wish eighteen Ducats per item". We place the letters of my name under the letters of the message, restarting my name if the message has more letters than my name contains. Each letter of the message is then subjected to a number of rotations equal to the number alloted to the letter of my name to which that letter of the message corresponds. So, the first letter of the message is T, the first letter of my name is G which is equal to seven. Thus we rotate the letter T seven times on the disk.

This technique destroys the possibility of analysing the code by frequency of use, for the first letter T in the message is rotated seven times but the letter T in the word "eighteen" is rotated nine times as will corresponds to the L in my name. Thus secrecy is assured, at the cost of a mere simple code word which may be easily remembered by both parties if chosen wisely.

I pray that this humble exercise has shown how the mathematic arts and the exercise of logic may confound the enemies of trade and diplomacy, so bringing the greater glory to those most noble merchant families upon which all our fortunes are based.

Sacred Mass

This month is among the most sacred in our calendar, and as is only fitting the month saw many of Rome's most prominent clerics most humbly attending mass. Deacon Clementi in the first week of the month was seen on his knees in prayer, Deacon Ficolo similarly in the second week. Both men are to be lauded for their piety and humility.

The most uplifting ceremony however was in the fourth week, when His Holiness took Christmas Mass at the Church of Saint Peter in Chains, recently restored by His Holiness Pope Julius II who is much missed though the ascension of His current Holiness has washed away our tears of sorrow. Many attended this service, among them Canon Gagliardi and his companion Francesca, Maestro Facente and his companion Claudia, Deacon Ficolo and Deacon Clementi. The mass was most moving, His Holiness at times almost seeming himself to be lost in the music of the mass and being seen to cry openly at the more beautiful passages, and all present were clearly touched by his simple love of the poetry of the mass. Astonishing also was the new artwork now finally unveiled in the Church, a statue of Moses returning to the people of Isreal with the tablets of the law, crafted by the incomparable Michelangelo and finished just this year past. The statue forms the centerpiece of the new tomb to His Holiness Julius II, and a most marvellous work it is.

Let none listen to those small minded critics who say that the reduction in size of the work, originally to be three times its present volume, is anything but a manifestation of a more personal interpretation of the artist's vision. Certainly no credence should be given to rumours that on the death of His Holiness the funds for the project were dramatically cut in favour of new works elsewhere more to the liking of His current Holiness, Florence too has need of the beauty of the master's art! Art is not measured by mass, but in grace, and all should thank His Holiness for providing sufficiency of funds to permit the marvel now before us to take shape. It is said on finishing the centre figure of Moses, Michelangelo was so taken by his work that he struck it on the knee with his hammer and commanded it to come to life, and indeed the scar is there for all to see. The figure of Moses himself is most imposing, filled with passion as horns sprout from his head and divine wrath fills his limbs as he gazes down on the lawless people of Isreal soon to hear the true word of the Lord. Maestro Facente was struck dumb by the beauty of this work, Canon Gagliardi wept on perceiving it in its glory. Deacons Ficolo and Clementi too were most clearly moved. A mass by His Holiness and an artwork by a genius, few days can have had such bounty and all to the eternal glory of the Church.

May the Lord's blessings be upon you all in this, the most holy of seasons.