Political exiles were a prominent feature of political life during the Renaissance, often a source of intense concern to the states from which they were banished, and a ready instrument for governments wishing to intervene in the affairs of their rivals and enemies. This book provides the first systematic analysis of the role of exiles in the political life of fifteenth-century Italy. It also provides fresh perspectives on the nature and power of governments during this period, and on ideas about the legitimacy of political authority and political action.

This is a pioneering examination of the impact of the crucial central phase of the Italian Wars on the society, politics and culture of Italy, and how the experience of these campaigns and their consequences affected the combatants and the way they saw Italy and the Italians. The essays cover a broad range of subjects from fortifications and military organization to civic and royal ritual, music and musicians to universities, political society and diplomacy to the history of ideas. Together they throw light on the complex effects of the wars, how Italians tried to explain and to react to the...

An examination of the nature of popular government and oligarchy in towns and cities throughout Renaissance Italy, and of the reasons why broadly-based civic governments were losing ground.

Christine Shaw's new biography uses a wealth of archival sources to paint a vivid portrait of one of the most remarkable and colourful men ever to sit on the papal throne. Admired and hated, his actions were always controversial and made him one of the most influential figures in Renaissance Italy.