University Library
  • Login
A gateway to Melbourne's research publications
Minerva Access is the University's Institutional Repository. It aims to collect, preserve, and showcase the intellectual output of staff and students of the University of Melbourne for a global audience.
View Item 
  • Minerva Access
  • Arts
  • School of Languages and Linguistics
  • School of Languages and Linguistics - Research Publications
  • View Item
  • Minerva Access
  • Arts
  • School of Languages and Linguistics
  • School of Languages and Linguistics - Research Publications
  • View Item
JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Matilda/Matelda: filling in the map of fourteenth-century historical writing about Matilda, Countess of Canossa (1046-1115)

    Thumbnail
    Download
    Matilda/Matelda: filling in the map of fourteenth-century historical writing about Matilda, Countess of Canossa (1046-1115) (232.3Kb)

    Citations
    Altmetric
    Author
    RIZZI, ANDREA
    Date
    2005
    Source Title
    Dante at Flinders
    Proceedings, Flinders Dante Conferences 2002 & 2004
    Publisher
    Lythrum Press
    University of Melbourne Author/s
    Rizzi, Andrea
    Affiliation
    Arts: Department of French and Italian Studies
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Document Type
    Book Chapter
    Citations
    Rizzi, A. (2005). Matilda/Matelda: filling in the map of fourteenth-century historical writing about Matilda, Countess of Canossa (1046-1115). In M. Baker, F. Coassin & D. Glenn (Eds.), Dante at Flinders (pp. 102-115). Adelaide, S.A.: Lythrum Press.
    Access Status
    Open Access
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/11343/33480
    Description

    This is a pre-print of a chapter in Dante at Flinders, published by Lythrum Press. This version is reproduced with the permission of Lythrum Press. http://www.lythrumpress.com.au

    Abstract
    The aim of this paper is twofold. First, I explore the historical perception and representation of the life of Matilda during Dante’s time. In particular, I will discuss the works of two early fourteenth century historians, Riccobaldo of Ferrara (c. 1245-1318?) and the Dominican friar Pipino of Bologna (c. 1270-c. 1328). The works of Riccobaldo and Pipino show that early fourteenth century historians had access to a number of sources on the life of Matilda, including arguably the most detailed, albeit propagandistic, narrative on the life of Matilda, the poem called Librum de Principibus Canusinis (also known as Vita Mathildis, completed in 1115, just after Matilda’s death) by Donizo, who was abbot of the Benedictine Monastery of Sant’Apollonio in Canossa (1070-circa 1136). Contrary to Capitani’s assertion, Dante could have known more about Matilda than Villani, Cino da Pistoia and the early commentators of the Commedia knew, for there is evidence that Riccobaldo’s Historie contained an extensive account of the Countess Matilda’s deeds. Unfortunately, the section of Riccobaldo’s Historie covering world history between the years 375-1308 is lost. Any present knowledge we might have of what this portion contained is based upon Pipino’s and Matteo Maria Boiardo’s use of it. The second aim is to demonstrate how at least one of the many rewritings of Donizo’s poem was available within Dante’s cultural environment. This will be discussed by establishing a link between Riccobaldo, Pipino and an early fourteenth century adaptation of the Vita Mathildis. This adaptation, although based on Donizo’s poem, is a narrative that relies also to some extent upon sources other than Donizo’s to dispel the mystery surrounding the more private life of the Countess, including speculation about her marriages and concerning the birth of a child to her. As we shall see, evidence shows that the now lost portion of Riccobaldo’s major work, the Historie, could in fact contain much of what Pipino discussed on Matilda in his Chronicon, which leads to the possibility that Dante himself was at least aware of such assessments of the life of the Countess.
    Keywords
    Boiardo; Riccobaldo; Dante; translation; Matilda; Matelda; Pipino; Canossa; Historia Imperiale

    Export Reference in RIS Format     

    Endnote

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format" and choose "open with... Endnote".

    Refworks

    • Click on "Export Reference in RIS Format". Login to Refworks, go to References => Import References


    Collections
    • School of Languages and Linguistics - Research Publications [853]
    Minerva AccessDepositing Your Work (for University of Melbourne Staff and Students)NewsFAQs

    BrowseCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects
    My AccountLoginRegister
    StatisticsMost Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors