The Vatican Observer
January 1514

Men of the Cloth

The past month has seen the arrival of a considerable number of young men in the city, very few of whom have demonstrated a commitment to any form of career. The calling of one, however, was unmistakable.

Marco Vicenzo Penaccini had barely unpacked at his new lodgings before he presented his credentials to Bishop Encinque Sforza. The Bishop, despite his reputation for being a hard taskmaster, could not but help be impressed by the smartly turned-out young gentleman. His application for an Subdeacon's position with the Sforza was approved without the slightest hesitation.

An individual capable of making such a positive first impression would seem to be capable of almost anything. We at the Vatican Observer shall watch his progress with considerable interest.

Court...

A new year has barely begun, and already many of the most well-connected ladies in Rome have taken new gentlemen into the confidance.

Take, for example, the brilliant Anna, who found herself unable to resist the love poem etched on a glass tablet which Lucio Malvezzo sent to her at the start of the month. Or the influential Elena's capitulation to Bartolomeo Gagliardi in the wake of his skilled impressions of numerous members of the Papal Court.

Somewhat more ambitious was Rinaldo Leonardo Amadeo de Gregori's approach to the charming and extrovert Francesca. Was it his self-assurance which overcame her?

Another individual not prepared to lower his sights was Raphael Argenti. Rebuffed on his first approach to the charmingly-named Valentina, his persistence won her confidence. What he said on that second approach, we cannot be sure, but thereafter the two were inseparable.

Finally, both Domenico Facente and Marco Vicenzo Penaccini were observed seeking the counsel of Signora Accordi, the former at her week 2 salon and the latter in the following week.

Men of Steel

Newly recruited to the Swiss Guards is Rome's party host par excellence, Lieutenant Alberto di Miteli. The son of a small outfitters a short distance from Rome, he seemed greatly pleased by the figure he cut in his new uniform.

Buoyed by the ease with which he had obtained his commission, Lieutenant di Miteli marched directly to the palazzo of Bishop Encinque Sforza. Perhaps it was the broad grin which unceasingly dominated his face, his jaunty step or because even in his new uniform he did not cut as fine a figure as the recently-exited Subdeacon Penaccini. Whatever the reason, the Bishop was not moved by the Lieutenant's suit and promptly dismissed him.

Yet Lieutenant di Miteli was not to be easily deterred. Having heard that the Ludovisi had recently lost Lt. Colonel Enuno to the Barberini, he quickly persuaded Bishop Entre Ludovisi that he was the ideal replacement.

...and Social

A small exhibition of cameos was hosted by Matteo della Fontana at the Esquiline in the second week of the month. The items on display were of insufficient merit to attract the attention of Lieutenant di Miteli or Marco Vicenzo Penaccini. However, Rinaldo Leonardo Amadeo de Gregori and Francesca did spend some time considering one piece before concluding that it was not sufficiently expertly executed. Fortunately for S. della Fontana, the convivial atmosphere and house Frascati were enough to ensure all the pieces sold by the end of the evening.

In the fourth week, Lieutenant di Miteli held what was truly the party of the month. Observed amongst those arriving at the Viminal were Raphael Argenti with Valentina, Marco Vicenzo Penaccini, Lucio Malvezzo, Marco Armani and Bartolomeo Gagliardi, the sponsor of the evening. Lively conversation ensued as the guests feasted upon Risi e Bisi, a dish from the sponsor's home city, and a fine Soave.

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