Giovanni and Lusanna: Love and Marriage in Renaissance Florence

Brucker describes the legal events of the investigation and trial of Giovanni. The investigation begins after Archbishop Antoninus receives a “papal breve” on June 4, 1455, informing him of Lusanna’s allegations and instructing him to investigate and determine their credibility (39). Antoninus places the case in the hands of Messer Raffaello, his vicar general, and orders the notary, Ser Filippo Mazzei, to record every step of the legal process. With these key tasks successfully delegated, Antoninus attends to questioning each witness.

In the trial, chosen “procurators” (40) represent both parties. Messer Stefano represents Lusanna, and Ser Piero Migliorelli and Ser Domenico represent Giovanni. Almost immediately, Giovanni’s procurators attempt to block the investigation, arguing that there is no legal basis for the trial. Messer Stefano continually responds to the procurator’s objections, describing them as “empty [and] vague” (43). The trial and investigation eventually begin with the court interviewing witnesses, though Giovanni’s procurators succeed in delaying the process.

Soon after the investigation begins, Antoninus learns that Florence’s “podestà,” the chief executive of Florence’s secular court, is investigating the allegations that Lusanna poisoned her first husband to death. Antoninus orders the podestà to cease his investigation, believing that it will interfere with the archiepiscopal court’s own investigation.