Acknowledgements
Anyone reading these acknowledgements, likely in some way contributed to the journey that produced this book. Either as a guide, collaborator, or companion on the long journey or as a future scholar for whom I wrote this book: thank you for your support and interest. Much like the Masters of Ceremonies, who had wide ranging responsibilities and contacts, researching and writing this book, has brought many joys, challenges, and distractions. The list below is undoubtedly incomplete, but it highlights some of the people and institutions, who have helped bring this book to fruition.
I have been privileged to study and work at several universities with scholars of great knowledge, dedication, and enthusiasm. The Department of History at the University of Toronto was my first and last home as a student. Its faculty, staff, and students are both wonderful and extraordinary. In particular, Jane Abray, Kenneth Bartlett, and Mark Meyerson were kind as I navigated the first years of university, then graduate school, and become a scholar. At the University of Warwick, Peter Marshall, Jonathan Davies, Margaret Shewring, and the late J.R. Mulryne were ambitious and inspirational. At Eastern Connecticut State University, Anne Higginbotham was invaluable, and at Sacred Heart University, faculty taught me to balance teaching and research. All of these universities provided intellectual and financial support for this project.
Ball State University has been my academic home for more than a decade now. I am grateful for its support, openness to innovation in teaching and research, and willingness to trust faculty to forge their own paths. The Department of History and the College of Sciences and Humanities provided funds and time away to complete this project, for which I am thankful. Also, I would be remiss if I did not give specific thanks to the colleagues who have offered continuing support, collaboration, enthusiasm, and generally worked to make our shared lives and scholarship better: Abel Alves, Jim Connolly, Nicole Etcheson, Bruce Geelhoed, Emily Johnson, Robert LaFrance, Mandy Lowe, Carolyn Malone, Doug and Tara Wood Seefeldt, Kevin Smith, Scott Stephan, and most of all Sarah Drake Brown. Thank you.
There have been other scholars who have been instrumental to completing this project in various ways and times over the last two decades. I would like to thank Mauro Carboni, Elisabeth Cohen, Kathleen Comerford, Simon Ditchfield, Laurie Nussdorfer, and Sheryl Reiss. Their advice and support, usually at the annual meeting of the Renaissance Society of America or the Sixteenth Century Studies Conference, has been heartening. My fellow editors at Sixteenth Century Journal, Karen Nelson and Barbara Pitkin, have shown once again how coworkers can become friends. There is also long list of collaborators and friends who made conferences, archives, and academia, in general, feel less lonely. Thank you to Ray Ball, John Christopoulos, Jasmine R. Cloud, Brendan Cook, Heather Dichter, Paul Dover, Catherine Fletcher, Sherri Franks Johnson, Jessica Goethals, Avery Guthrie, John Hunt, Charles Keenan, Frank Lacopo, David Lawrence, Celeste McNamara, Vanessa McCarthy, Emily Michelson, Miles Pattenden, Pascale Rihouet, Colin Rose, Margaret Schotte, Amanda Scott, Jennifer Tellman, Barry Torch, Lingjie Wang, and Emily Winerock. I would not have made it to this point without you and I hope that I have given you at least as much encouragement and applause as you have given me.
Three senior scholars in particular have been constant supports over the last two decades. Nicholas Terpstra was an invaluable doctoral supervisor and now sounding board, whose willingness to research widely suggested that all things are possible. Konrad Eisenbichler was full of opportunities and advice, eternally optimistic, and an excellent editor. Tom Cohen, as a fellow Romanist, has been exceedingly kind, unexpectedly creative, and unfailingly generous with his time and suggestions. Together you three have modeled best practices as teachers, researchers, and intellectuals, and I strive to meet your high standards.
This book could never have materialized without the kind efforts of staff at so many archives, who helped me along the way. In particular, I would like to thank the staff of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, and especially in the Sala dei Manoscritti, where I have spent so many summer weeks. Their kindness is almost inexpressible. The staff at the Archivio Apostolico Vaticano and the Archivio Storico del Vicariato made research trips profitable. The staff at the Archivio Storico Diocesano di Pesaro and the Biblioteca Oliveriana di Pesaro generously shared the manuscript marvels that they shelter. Dott. Giovanni Mignoni of the Archivio Diocesano di Pesaro was extraordinarily helpful and I am very grateful for his assistance. The staff at the Archivio di Stato di Siena and di Firenze were always hospitable and efficient. Finally, the archivists and staff at the Archivio di Stato di Bologna deserve special gratitude for their willing help and encouragement in my investigation of the de’ Grassi family across so many years. Thank you.
Most importantly I would like to thank my family. Without their constant ability to listen patiently while I explained the minutiae of my work and their unfailing support I would not have begun this project, never mind finished it. My mother-in-law’s advice on academic and research matters, as well as her love of travel and Italian food and drink, made this journey more enjoyable and convenient. My sister-in-law is a great friend, dinner companion, and a model researcher. Both my mother and late grandfather’s pride and belief that my hard work betokened an important historical contribution always filled me with a sense of worth that combated the moments of insecurity and uncertainty. My mother’s support throughout my life has been extraordinary and fundamental to my achievements. Most of all I could not have done this without my husband Tim and my son Jonathan. They have missed fieldtrips, slept on airplanes, rented unusual apartments, accompanied me to conferences, shopped for groceries and made dinner, learned Italian, and shared my plans, fears, and celebrations. They have been patient and loving for many years. This book is for them. Thank you both.
The individuals listed here have enhanced my work and scholarly life beyond measure. At Brill, Arjan van Dijk and Ivo Romein have made the daunting editing and publishing process exceptionally smooth, even amid a pandemic. Christopher Ocker, the series editor, has made this study stronger still. Any errors that remain in the text are due to my own faults and deficiencies.