Canzoniere/Introduction to Canzoniere

by Petrarch

CHRONOLOGICAL SUMMARY OF PETRARCH'S LIFE

A.D. 1304. Born at Arezzo, the 20th of July.

1305. Is taken to Incisa at the age of seven months, where he remains seven years.

1312. Is removed to Pisa, where he remains seven months.

1313. Accompanies his parents to Avignon.

1315. Goes to live at Carpentras.

1319. Is sent to Montpelier.

1323. Is removed to Bologna.

1326. Returns to Avignon--loses his parents--contracts a friendship with James Colonna.

1327. Falls in love with Laura.

1330. Goes to Lombes with James Colonna--forms acquaintance with Socrates and Laelius--and returns to Avignon to live in the house of Cardinal Colonna.

1331. Travels to Paris--travels through Flanders and Brabant, and visits a part of Germany.

1333. His first journey to Rome--his long navigation as far as the coast of England--his return to Avignon.

1337. Birth of his son John--he retires to Vaucluse.

1339. Commences writing his epic poem, "Africa."

1340. Receives an invitation from Rome to come and be crowned as Laureate--and another invitation, to the same effect, from Paris.

1341. Goes to Naples, and thence to Rome, where he is crowned in the Capitol--repairs to Parma--death of Tommaso da Messina and James Colonna.

1342. Goes as orator of the Roman people to Clement VI. at Avignon--Studies the Greek language under Barlaamo.

1343. Birth of his daughter Francesca--he writes his dialogues "De secreto conflictu curarum suarum"--is sent to Naples by Clement VI. and Cardinal Colonna--goes to Rome for a third and a fourth time--returns from Naples to Parma.

1344. Continues to reside in Parma.

1345. Leaves Parma, goes to Bologna, and thence to Verona--returns to Avignon.

1346. Continues to live at Avignon--is elected canon of Parma.

1347. Revolution at Rome--Petrarch's connection with the Tribune--takes his fifth journey to Italy--repairs to Parma.

1348. Goes to Verona--death of Laura--he returns again to Parma--his autograph memorandum in the Milan copy of Virgil--visits Manfredi, Lord of Carpi, and James Carrara at Padua.

1349. Goes from Parma to Mantua and Ferrara--returns to Padua, and receives, probably in this year, a canonicate in Padua.

1350. Is raised to the Archdeaconry of Parma--writes to the Emperor Charles IV.--goes to Rome, and, in going and returning, stops at Florence.

1351. Writes to Andrea Dandolo with a view to reconcile the Venetians and Florentines--the Florentines decree the restoration of his paternal property, and send John Boccaccio to recall him to his country--he returns, for the sixth time, to Avignon--is consulted by the four Cardinals, who had been deputed to reform the government of Rome.

1352. Writes to Clement VI. the letter which excites against him the enmity of the medical tribe--begins writing his treatise "De Vita Solitaria."

1353. Visits his brother in the Carthusian monastery of Monte Rivo--writes his treatise "De Otio Religiosorum"--returns to Italy--takes up his abode with the Visconti--is sent by the Archbishop Visconti to Venice, to negotiate a peace between the Venetians and Genoese.

1354. Visits the Emperor at Mantua.

1355. His embassy to the Emperor--publishes his "Invective against a Physician."

1360. His embassy to John, King of France.

1361. Leaves Milan and settles at Venice--gives his library to the Venetians.

1364. Writes for Lucchino del Verme his treatise "De Officio et Virtutibus Imperatoris."

1366. Writes to Urban V. imploring him to remove the Papal residence to Rome--finishes his treatise "De Remediis utriusque Fortunae."

1368. Quits Venice--four young Venetians, either in this year or the preceding, promulgate a critical judgment against Petrarch--repairs to Pavia to negotiate peace between the Pope's Legate and the Visconti.

1370. Sets out to visit the Pontiff--is taken ill at Ferrara-- retires to Arqua among the Euganean hills.

1371. Writes his "Invectiva contra Gallum," and his "Epistle to Posterity."

1372. Writes for Francesco da Carrara his essay "De Republica optime administranda."

1373. Is sent to Venice by Francesco da Carrara.

1374. Translates the Griseldis of Boccaccio--dies on the 18th of July in the same year.