Rerum italicarum scriptores


Rerum italicarum scriptores ab anno æræ christianæ quingentesimo ad millesimumquingentesimum is a collection of texts which are sources for Italian history from the 6th to the 15th century, compiled in the 18th century by Ludovico Antonio Muratori.
Muratori's work became a landmark in European historiographical methodology. He set out to construct a history based on the careful accumulation and sifting of evidence. It was published between 1723 and 1751 in twenty-eight folio volumes by the Milanese Palatine Society with financial support from a number of aristocrats including Filippo Argelati and Carlo Archinto.

The project

Background

Having earlier worked in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana where he began to collect details on historic manuscripts, Muratori was employed by the Este family, Dukes of Modena, as librarian and archivist with the special duty of finding useful documents to justify the territorial claims of the family. This research gave Muratori the inspiration to widen this perspective. He developed the efforts made earlier by Niccolò Machiavelli and Francesco Guicciardini to establish a systematic approach towards the collection of documents supporting historiography that eventually led to the birth of national histories, such as the Monumenta Germaniae Historica in Germany.
Much of the background to Muratori's work remains captured in his daily correspondence. Apostolo Zeno, based at the Biblioteca Marciana in Venice, had first suggested printing a collection manuscripts documenting Italian history, as Heinrich Meibom had started in Germany, "and others have done the same of those of England, France and Spain". In 1702, he and Muratori shared a list of manuscript codexes they were aware of, but Zeno was eventually appointed to the Imperial Library in Vienna and they made no further progress. The House of Este was connected to the House of Welf in Hannover, and this led to Muratori's collaboration with Gottfried Leibnitz. In 1714, Muratori began a series of visits to various libraries across Italy, furnished with letters of commendation from the Duke of Modena and King George I of Great Britain.
Muratori never left Modena after 1717 and by 1719 he had amassed a collection of mainly manuscript histories ready to be printed in four volumes. He was visited by bookseller and publisher Filippo Argelati from Bologna who took up an invitation to help publish the material.

Formation of ''Società Palatina''

They had difficulty finding a suitable printer in Modena, and an important factor in choosing a printer was the need to avoid the censorship by the Church or the civil authorities. They considered printing in Geneva, or giving the work to Pieter van der Aa in Leiden, but were concerned about the distances involved and the transmission of the texts. They also approached the authorities in Turin, but they were slow to respond.
Argelati traveled to Milan and promoted the work to Count Carlo Archinto, a prominent patron of the arts. Archinto, to raise the necessary funds, formed a society of Milanese noblemen under the name of Società Palatina, each of whom subscribed a considerable sum. Milan was also attractive due to the presence of many source texts in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and its tradition of scholarship. With these means, Argelati was able to start production of the work, which was eventually published in 25 folio volumes between 1723 and 1751 in Milan. Much of the material had previously been transcribed and published, but Muratori was able to access unpublished manuscript codexes in the libraries he was associated with, and to correct earlier transcriptions. Each item was prefaced by a scholarly commentary.

Creating a printing house

Although Muratori and Argelati had chosen Milan for the production of the work, it did not have a printing industry: there was no-one skilled in engraving or capable of casting the typefaces. The subscribers' funds were used to create a printing works from scratch and Governor Colloredo provided space for the presses within the royal palace. In order to ensure that they remained independent of the Holy Office, they could not source the type from Venice, which was the centre of printing in Italy, so new type was cast with matrices procured from Holland. Argelati was an experienced publisher and promoter, and his skills and self-belief drove the project forward, though not without tension with his colleagues. This was partly due to his poor administration which obscured the true financial commitment of his aristocratic sponsors. By February 1722 a few proof pages had been printed to everyone's satisfaction. Good quality paper had been sourced locally, though it was a challenge to acquire the quantities they needed. A major fire broke out in the palace at the end of 1723 and although they managed to rescue the presses, some of the printed sheets were damaged.
In February 1725 they were still suffering from a shortage of typeface and were able to operate only two of their three presses. Local flooding had also destroyed the paper mill and it took several years to return to full production.
These financial pressures led to calls for the more interesting codexes to be published immediately, but Muratori stuck to his policy of placing them in chronological order and including texts which had already been transcribed and printed by others to create a complete record. His main problem was the delays involved in achieving access to the source materials, but he thought it better to keep to the chronological thread throughout the whole series and accommodate delayed chronicles by adding a second part to some of the volumes.

Difficulties accessing the texts

At the time, Italy was partitioned into many states, some autonomous and others subject to Vienna, Spain, Savoy and the Pope. Not all libraries were allowed to contribute to the project, and even so there was a risk that the manuscripts would be stolen or seized by customs officials when in transit. Some sources demanded hefty bonds in case of loss, and in other cases they were transmitted under diplomatic protection. In Milan the project had the sponsorship of the emperor and the governor. Each of the principal supporters eventually had a volume dedicated to them, including the republics of Genoa and Lucca and Venice. Despite entreaties to the authorities in Turin, including the promise of a volume dedicated to the Savoy monarch, access to Istoria di Saluzzo was denied as "the chronicle was written by a pen in those partial times of the ancient margraves of Saluzzo, implacable enemies of the Royal House of Savoy".

Avoiding censorship

Although Muratori was a deeply religious man and inclined to defer to the ecclesiastical and civil authorities, he also deplored the abuses of censorship. He had earlier experienced problems getting his work published in Venice and had to turn to Paris. Some of his collaborators thought that the volumes should be submitted to the Governor and the Holy Office, but Muratori responded that "truth and sincerity are the soul of history" and was diligent in ensuring that nothing had been altered in the printing process. Eutropius' Roman history was less than complementary about some of the popes, and after the first two volumes had been released the Roman Curia recommended that they should be banned. Muratori worked patiently behind the scenes with the archbishop and the governor to get the Curia to withdraw the demand.

Use of the vernacular

There was also a debate whether to publish only Latin translations of vernacular texts, and it was agreed to use translations where the vernacular, such as Venetian or Neapolitan, was difficult even for Italians to read.
An important principle for Muratori was that all texts should be reassessed where multiple sources were available, and this included previously published material. Many communities were concerned that their versions might be undermined and give advantage to a competing community, and from time to time the civil authorities had to instruct monastic libraries to cooperate. The work itself was very time-consuming and relied, in the main, on voluntary contributions.

Authenticity

Muratori was well aware that many ancient manuscripts were, in fact, forgeries. Daniel Paperbroch, drafting the Bollandist Acta Sanctorum, set the rules of forensic paleography and Jean Mabillon in De re diplomatica showed the way through the obscure forest of written sources. Muratori was aware that "no age, no kingdom ever existed in Europe in the past, which could boast of being immune to impostors using the written word". When he personally carried out the work of transcription, collation, and critical edition, he rarely made mistakes, but when he was forced to rely on the collaboration of local scholars and could not scrutinise documents with his own eyes he incurred some errors. He was taken in by certain southern forgers who were keen to protect the reputation of their states and cities. Giovanni Bernardino Tafuri, a well-educated nobleman from Nardò, succeeded in fobbing off Muratori with two outright forgeries, the Ragionamento of Angelo Tafuri of Nardò and the ''Chronicon Neritinum.''

Maps

Muratori's opening preface promises three innovative maps:
  • "in the time of the aging Roman Empire" ;
  • “in, as they say, the Middle Ages, including of course the Lombard kingdom” ; and
  • “the restored fortunes of the Italians under the Emperors and the other Italian princes”.
Muratori states that the foldout map at the front of Vol. 10 shows "at a glance" Italy under the Lombard and Frankish kings with new provinces and cities having been established, and ancient castles, towns, and cities blotted out. It is known to have been drawn by Gasparo Beretti and is complemented by a dissertatio chorographica about medieval Italy. Beretti's map has room for much detail. It mirrors many moments, rather than just one, of the period it is designed to portray but is rich in information and guidance about the boundaries separating the diverse entities present in early medieval Italy. Lombard and Byzantine duchies are there, along with the eastern and western parts of the Lombard kingdom and the Byzantine Exarchate and south Italian possessions.

Legacy

Muratori's project to collect, edit and publish key source documents from the Middle Ages in chronological order was copied by other nations.
In Germany, the Monumenta Germaniae Historica was published in Hanover with the first volume appearing in 1826, edited by Georg Heinrich Pertz and subsequently Georg Waitz. It is a comprehensive series of primary sources, both chronicle and archival, covering Northwestern and Central European history from the end of the Roman Empire to 1500.
In Britain, the Chronicles and Memorials of Great Britain and Ireland during the Middle Ages, widely known as the Rolls Series, a major collection of British and Irish historical materials and primary sources, was published with government support in 253 volumes between 1858 and 1911.

Contents of Muratori's edition (''RIS'')

Volume 1

Volume 1, Second Part

The laws of the Lombards ''in chronological order from manuscripts in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and Biblioteca Estense.

Volume 2

Volume 2, Second Part

Volume 3

Volume 3, Second Part

Volume 4

  • Dedication to Prince Eugene of Savoy with portrait by Andrea Toresani.
  • Arnolf of Milan: Contemporary events, book V, published by Leibniz and updated from manuscripts in the Bioblioteca Estense and the Library of the Metropolitan Chapter of Milan.
  • Landulf of Milan: History of Milan, Book VI, extracted by Bianchi from manuscripts in Library of the Metropolitan Chapter of Milan.
  • Giovanni Pietro Puricelli: Whether St Ambrose permitted his clergy to marry, a dissertation establishing that the view put forward by Landulf and others that Ambrose approved of clergy marriage was incorrect. It includes a catalogue of the archbishops of Milan.Two brief chronicles of the kings of Italy from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, one an account of the Frankish kings and the other of the law of the Lombards.
  • Leo of Ostia & Peter the Deacon : The chronicle of the sacred monastery of Casino '' from 529 to the 12th century,'' first extracted from the Monte Cassino manuscripts by Angelo Della Noce, abbot of Monte Casino. Includes appendices not published by Della Noce.

Volume 5

Volume 6

Volume 7

Volume 8

  • Dedication to Wirich Philipp von Daun, Governor of Milan, with portrait by Girolamo Ferroni.
  • Gerardo Maurisio: History of the deeds of Ezzelino III da Romano from 1183 to about 1237, a manuscript unearthed by Felice Osio here with a preface by Leibniz.''
  • Antonio Godi: Chronicle '' from 1194 to 1260, similar to the Historia of Gerardo Maurisio and the first of three manuscripts found by Felice Osio in Vicenza. This version was corrected against a second copy in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana.
  • Niccolò Smereglo: Chronicle related to records by Gerardo Maurisio and Antonio Godi, from 1200 to 1279, with an anonymous supplement from 1279 to 1312. Felice Osio rescued, edited and published the manuscripts, and these were checked against the Biblioteca Ambrosiana copies.
  • Anon.: Life of Count Ricciardo of San Bonifacio & the deeds of Ezzelino III da Romano, a work of uncertain authority edited by Felice Osio.
  • Lorenzo de Monacis, on Ezzelino III from De gestis, moribus et nobilitate civitatis Venetiarum Book VIII, edited with commentary by Felice Osio.
  • Rolandino of Padua: Chronicles of the Trevisan March , Book XII, from about 1180 to 1260, first published by Felice Osio, but here corrected against manuscripts in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and Estense libraries.
  • Anon.: Little chronicle of Ferrara from the origin of Ferrara to about 1264 from a manuscript in the Estese library.
  • Niccolò di Jamsilla: History of the deeds of Frederick II and his sons Conrad, and Manfredi from 1200 to 1268, originally issued by Fernando Ughelli, now corrected.
  • Parisio da Cereta: Chronicle of Verona from 1117 to 1278, extended by others to 1375, from the Biblioteca Estense.
  • Monks of Padua: Chronicle on events chiefly in Lombardy, and the Trevisan March from 1207 to 1270, from Felice Ohio's edition corrected against an Biblioteca Ambrosiana manuscript.
  • Anon. of the Vatican: History of Sicily from the arrival of the Normans in Puglia until 1282 , first published by Giovanni Battista Carusio.
  • Saba Malaspina, Events in Sicily from 1250 to 1276 first published by Étienne Baluze in Miscellaneorum, Vol. 6.
  • Ricordano Malespini: History of Florence to 1281, extended by Giacotto Malespini to 1286.Provincial synod held in Milan in 1287 under Archbishop Otto and the Constitutiones of Goffredo da Castiglione, from an Biblioteca Ambrosianamanuscript.
  • Anon. of Reggio: Record of Reggio Emilia '' from 1154 to 1290, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense.

Volume 9

  • Dedication to Antonio Farnese, Duke of Parma, with portrait by Giovanni Caselli.
  • Jacobus de Voragine, archbishop of Genoa, Chronicle of Genoa from the origin of the city to the year 1297, from manuscripts in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and Estense libraries.
  • Stephanardus de Vicomercato: Poem on the deeds of the city of Milan under archbishop Ottone Visconti, previously published in Muratori's Anecdotes.
  • Riccobaldo of Ferrara: Bounds of the church in Ravenna, or universal history from approximately 700 to 1297, first published by Johann Georg von Eccard, but now revised. Riccobaldo, or a contemporary anon. writer: An historical compilation from the beginning of the world to the year 1313, published by Eccard. Johannes Philippus de Lignamine: Continuation of the chronicle of Riccobaldo to the year 1374.
  • Riccobaldo of Ferrara, Italian translation by Matteo Maria Bojardo: Chronicle of Roman emperors from Charlemagne to Otto IV, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Classense.
  • Anon. : History of the Dulcinian heretics of Novara from 1304 to 1307, together with An addition to the history , from manuscripts in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, with commentary by Giuseppe Antonio Sassi.
  • Dino Compagni: Florentine chronicle written in Italian from 1280 to 1312. extracted from a manuscript by Apostolo Zeno.Provincial synod of Pergamo called by Cassone della Torre, Archbishop Of Milan in 1311, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana.
  • Francesco Pipino of Bologna: Chronicle from 1176 to approximately 1314, from a manuscript in the Estense.
  • Anon. : Chronicle of Parma from 1308 to 1309, from a manuscript in the Estense.
  • Nicholas, Bishop of Butrint : Report on the Italian journey of Emperor Henry VII from 1300 to 1313 to Clement V, previously published by Étienne Baluze.
  • Ferreto de' Ferreti: History of events in Italy from 1250 to 1318. from a Vicenza manuscript; On the death of Benvenuto Campesani, addressed to Albertino Mussato of Padua;'' Speech at the wedding of Daniel Ferretti.
  • Ferreto de' Ferreti: Origin of the Scaligers a poem written about 1329 for Cangrande della Scala, lord of Verona, Vicenza, and Padua, from a Veronese manuscript.
  • Giovanni da Cermenate: History of the site, origin and worship of the city of Ambrose and the achievements of Milan under the rule of Emperor Henry VI from 1307 to 1313, plus variant readings and supplements.

Volume 10

  • Dedication to Leopold, Duke of Lorraine, with portrait by Girolamo Ferroni.
  • Anon. : Topographical Dissertation on medieval Italy to be read with a map of Greco-Lombardo-Frankish Italy, as it was transferred from the Greeks and Lombards to Charlemagne, with foldout map.
  • Albertino Mussato: Three works from Historia augusta Henrici VII caesaris & alia quae extant opera, published by Felice Osio in Venice in 1636 and edited by Osio, Lorenzo Pignoria and Nicola Villani, updated with corrections:
  • * The Augustan History of Emperor Henry VII , an account of Henry VII's expedition to Italy from 1310 to 1313;
  • * On the deeds of the Italians after Emperor Henry VII '' covering August 1313 to at least July 1321;
  • * Eccerinis, considered the first "modern" tragedy modelled on the tragedies of Seneca.
  • Anon.: Chronicle of Sicily, from approximately 820 to 1328, reprinted from Thesauro anecdotorum by Edmond Marténe and Ursin Durand.
  • Niccolò Speciale: History of Sicily from 1282 to 1337, previously published in Marcae Hispanicae edited by Étienne Baluze.

Volume 11

  • Dedication to the sponsor, the Senate of the republic of Lucca with an engraving by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Opicinus de Canistris: Description of splendid Pavia, dating from about 1300 from a manuscript in Pavia .
  • Anon.: Ancient Chronicle of Modena from 1131 to 1336 from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense.
  • Bonifacio de Morano: Chronicle of Modena from 1306 to 1342, from the Biblioteca Estense.
  • Ogerio Alfieri & Guglielmo Ventura: Chronicle of Asti from the origin of the city or 1070 to about 1325, then from 1319 to 1367 by Secondino Ventura, from a Malaspina manuscript.
  • Fr. Raniero Granchi of Pisa: On the battles of Tuscany , an epic poem on Pisa's wars from the battle of Montecatini up to Pisa’s conquest of Lucca in 1342 from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Classense.
  • Anon. : The annals of Pisa or Commentaries on activities in Tuscany from 1300 to 1348, written in Italian.
  • Galvano Fiamma: Collection of articles or History of Milan from the origin of the city to about 1371, from a Milan manuscript.
  • Tolomeo da Lucca: History of the Church from the birth of Christ until about 1312, from manuscripts in the Ambrosain and Padua.
  • Tolomeo da Lucca: Brief Annals from 1061 to 1303.
  • Niccolò Tegrimi Lucasian lawyer: The life of Castruccio Castracani degli Anteminelli, Duke Of Lucca from 1301 to 1328.

Volume 12

  • Dedication to the sponsor, the Republic of Venice, illustrated by Tiepolo and engraved by Francesco Zucchi and showing the allegorical figures of Justice and Peace paying homage to the lion of St. Mark.
  • Andrea Dandolo: Venetian Chronicle from the time of St Mark to 1339, extended by Rafaino Caresini to 1388, from manuscripts in the Este and Ambrosian Libraries.
  • Lodovico Bonconte Monaldeschi: Fragments of the chronicle of Rome written In Italian from 1328 to 1340, from manuscripts in the Imperial Library of Vienna.
  • Domenico da Gravina: Chronicle of events in Apulia from 1333 to 1350, from manuscripts in the Imperial Library of Vienna.
  • Fr. Giovanni Cornazzani: Fragments of the history Parma from 1301 to 1355, translated into Italian with additions until 1379, from a Torelli manuscript.
  • Guglielmo Cortusi: History of the novelties of Padua and Lombardy from 1256 To 1364, from the version by of Felice Osio corrected from four other sources.
  • Anon.: Two additions to Cortusi's chronicle one from 1359 to about 1365 and the other from 1354 to 1391, in the Padua dialect from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense.
  • Galvano Fiamma: Essay on the deeds of Azzone, [Luchino Visconti of Milan|Visconti (died 1349)|Luchino] and Giovanni Visconti '''' from 1328 To 1342, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, with notes by Giuseppe Antonio Sassi.
  • Bonincontro Morigia: Chronicle of Monza from its foundation to 1349, referring mainly to the deeds of former Visconti leaders, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana.

Volume 13

Volume 14

  • Dedication to Cardinal Juan Álvaro Cienfuegos Villazón, with a portrait engraved by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Matteo Villani & Filippo Villani, History from 1348 to 1364, updated against two manuscripts.
  • Jacobus Malvecius: Chronicle of Brescia from the origin of the city to the year 1332, from a manuscript in the collection of Giovanni Giacomo de Tassis of Bergamo.
  • Antonio Astesano: Poem on variety of fortunes or on the life and deeds of the city of Asti from its foundation to 1342, from a Malaspina manuscript.
  • Anon.: Annals of Cesena from 1162 to 1362, from a manuscript Brandolini of Forlì manuscript.

Volume 15

  • Dedication to Cardinal Cornelio Bentivoglio, with a portrait engraved by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Andrea Dei & Angelo Tura: Chronicle of Siena in Italian from 1186 to 1352 from a manuscript in Siena, published by Uberto Benvoglienti.
  • Nerio Donati the younger: Annals of Siena from 1352 to 1381, from a Siena manuscript with notes by Uberto Benvoglienti.
  • Anon. : The Este chronicle comprising the deeds of the Margraves of Este from 1200 to 1354 and continued by other authors until 1393, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense.
  • Giovanni da Bazzano: Chronicle of Modena from 1363 To 1363 from a Modena manuscript.
  • Anon. : Orvieto journal from 1342 to 1363 written in Italian from a manuscript in the Vatican Library.
  • Daniele di Chinasso: The war of Chioggia and elsewhere between Venice and Genoa from 1378, in Italian from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense.
  • Bartolomeo Gorelli, an Arrezo notary: Deeds of the city of Arrezo from 1300 to 1384, a poem written in Italian from a Siena manuscript.
  • Anon.: Chronicle of Rimini from c. 1188 to 1385 and continued until 1352, from a Rimini manuscript.
  • Anon.: Records of Pisa from 1089 to 1389 and continued 1406 from a manuscript in the Laurentian Library.

Volume 16

Volume 17

  • Dedication to the Republic of Genoa with engraving by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Galeazzo and Andrea Gatari: Two versions of the Chronicle of Padua , written in Italian, from 1311 to 1406, compared side by side, from manuscripts in the Biblioteca Estense. Attachment by Galeazzo Gatari.
  • Giorgio Stella: Genoa Chronicle from 1298 to 1409, extended to 1435 by Giovanni Stella, his brother, from manuscripts in Verona, the Biblioteca Ambrosiana and Genoa. cols. 945–1318
  • Anon.: The little Ripalta chronicle '' from 1195 to 1405, from a Malaspina manuscript, cols. 1319–1326.

Volume 18

  • Dedication to cardinal Prospero Lambertini, with a portrait by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Pietro Gazata: Reggio Emilia chronicle from 1372 to 1388, from an Biblioteca Estense manuscript. cols. 1-98.
  • Matteo Griffoni: Historical records of Bologna from 1109 to 1428, from a Bologna manuscript. cols. 101–234.
  • Bartolomeo della Pugliola: Miscellaneous history of Bologna from 1104 to 1394, extended to 1471 by other contemporaries, in Italian from manuscripts in the Biblioteca Estense. cols. 237–792.
  • Giovanni Sercambi: Chronicle of Lucca from 1400 to 1408, in Italian from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana. cols. 793–898.
  • , chancellor of Niccolò III d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara: Este chronicle from 1393 to 1409, from a manuscript in the Este library, cols. 903–1096.
  • Gino Capponi: Historical records of Florence from 1378 to 1419, continued by his son Neri until 1456, in Italian from Florentine manuscripts with a portraits of Gino Capponi and his son by Girolamo Rossi. cols. 1097–1220.

Volume 19

  • Dedication to Giuseppe Maria Gonzaga with portrait engraved by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Andrea Biglia: History of Milan from 1402 to 1431, from manuscripts in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Novara and belonging to Carlo Pertusati, cols. 1–158.
  • Matteo Palmieri: Capture of Pisa , or of the war against Pisa conducted by Florance in 1406, from a Florentine manuscript. cols. 161–194.
  • Giacomo Zeno: Life of Carlo Zeno '' from about 1334 to 1418 his nephew, from a manuscript in the Padua Seminary. cols. 197–380.
  • Anon.: Siena chronicle from 1385 to 1422 from a Siena manuscript, cols. 383–428.
  • Giovanni Antonio Campani: Life of Braccio da Montone from 1368 to 1424, previously printed in Basel, 1545, cols. 431–622.
  • Lodrisio Crivelli: The life and deeds of Francisco Sforza from approximately 1369 to 1424, from manuscripts in the French royal library , cols. 623–732.
  • Andrea De Redusis De Quero: The Treviso chronicle from 1368 to 1428, from a Collalto family manuscript, cols. 735–866.
  • Girolamo da Forli: The Forolivian chronicle from 1397 to 1433, from a Brandolini manuscript. cols. 869-908.
  • Leonardo Bruni of Arezzo: Commentary on events of his time from 1378 to 1340, previously published but now corrected against a Bergamo manuscript. cols. 909–942.
  • Anon: History of Florence from 1406 to1438, in Italian from an Biblioteca Estense manuscript. cols. 945–984.
  • Giannozzo Manetti: Pistoia chronicle '' from the founding of the city until 1446, from a Florentine manuscript. cols. 985–1076.

Volume 20

  • Dedication to Francesco Maria d'Este with a portrait by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Giovanni Bandino de Bartolomei: History Of Siena from 1202 to 1422, continued by his great-grandson Francesco Tomassi, and Pietro Russi until 1468, from a manuscript provided by Uberto Benvoglienti. cols. 1–64.
  • Porcellio Pandoni: Commentaries of Count Jacopo Piccinino in 1352, during the war between Venice and Milan, from a manuscript in Bergamo. cols. 65–154.
  • Poggio Bracciolini: History of Florence an updated edition of that published by Giovanni Battista Recanati with a portrait by Antonio Luciani. cols. 157–434.
  • Giovanni da Ferrara: Excerpts from the chronicles of the Este princes from 1409 to 1454, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense. cols. 437–474.
  • Bartolomeo Platina: The life of Neri di Gino Capponi , from a manuscript in the Strozzi library. cols. 475–516.
  • : Life of Giannozzo Manetti from 1396 to 1459, from a Manetti family manuscript. cols. 519–608.
  • Bartolomeo Platina: History of the city of Mantua from its origin to the year 1464, originally published by Peter Lambeck, now revised. cols. 609–862.
  • Antonio de Ripalta: The Piacenza chronicle from 1401 to 1458 and continued by Alberto De Ripalta until 1484, from a Piacenza manuscript. cols. 865–978.
  • Pietro Candido Decembrio: Life of Filippo Maria Visconti, third Duke of Milan published in 1625, but checked and enlarged from a manuscript in the library of the monks of Saint Ambrose of Milan. cols. 981–1020.
  • Pietro Candido Decembrio: Life of Francesco Sforza, fourth duke of Milan from 1401 to 1462, from a manuscript in the French royal library. cols. 1021–1046.
  • Pietro Candido Decembrio: Oration at the funeral of Nicolò Piccinino in 1444, translated into Italian by Polismagna, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense. cols. 1047–1090.

Volume 21

  • Dedication to André-Hercule de Fleury with a portrait by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Lorenzo Bonincontri: Chronicle of San Miniato from 1360 to 1458, from a San Miniato manuscript. cols. 1–162.
  • Giovanni Simonetta: History of the deeds Francesco I Sforza from 1421 to 1466, previously published, now corrected & enlarged, cols. 165–782.
  • Cristoforo da Soldo: Brescia chronicle from 1437 to 1468, in Italian, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense. cols. 785–914.
  • Guernerio da Gubbio: Chronicle of Gubbio from 1350 to 1372, in Italian, from a manuscript in the Vatican Library. cols. 917–1024.
  • Anon.: Neapolitan diary from 1266 to 1478, from a manuscript in the collection of Francisco Valletta. cols. 1027–1138.
  • Giovanni Garzoni: On the greatness of the city of Bologna , from a Bologna manuscript. cols. 1139–1168.
  • Adamo di Montaldo: In praise of the House of Doria, from a Genoa manuscript. cols. 1171–1186.
  • : Commentary on the war of Ferrara from 1482 to 1484, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense. cols. 1191–1218.

Volume 22

  • Dedication to Cardinal Annibale Albani, with a portrait by Francesco Zucchi
  • Tristano Caracciolo: Historical essays , from a Caracciolo family manuscript:
  • * Life of Joanna I of Naples. cols. 7–18;
  • * Life of Giovanni (Sergianni) Caracciolo, Great Steward of Naples. cols. 19–38;
  • * Life of Giovanni Battista Spinelli, Count of Cariati. cols. 39–66;
  • * On the variety of fortune. cols. 67–96;
  • * On the Inquisition, a letter. cols. 97–106;
  • * Genealogy of Charles I . cols. 107–112
  • * On Ferdinand I. cols. 113–120;
  • * Defence of Neapolitan nobility . cols. 121–128.
  • Anon.: Annals of Forlì from 1275 to 1473, from a Brandolini manuscript. cols. 131–240.
  • Anon.: Parma diary from 1477 to 1482, from a Caracciolo family manuscript. cols. 243–398.
  • Marino Sanudo the Younger: Lives of the dukes of Venice, in Italian, from 421 to 1493, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense. cols. 399–1252.

Volume 23

  • Dedication to the College of Judges and Knights of Milan, with an engraving by Francesco Zucchi
  • Antonio Hyvani: Short treatise on the Volterra war of 1472, from manuscripts held by the counts of Guidoni and the Strozziana Library, cols. 1–20.
  • Lodriso Crivelli: Two books on the expedition of Pope Pius II against the Turks , from a manuscript acquired by Filippo Argelati, cols. 21–80.
  • Jacopo Gherardi : Roman Diary from 1472 to 1484, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense, cols. 81–200.
  • Agostino Patrizi de Piccolomini: Visit of Frederick III to Pope Paul II , from a manuscript in the collection of Jean Mabillon, cols. 201–216.Ludvico Raimo, et al.: Annals of Raimo , an outline history of Naples from 1197 to 1486, from a manuscript in the collection of Ignazio Maria Como, cols. 217–240.
  • Antonius Gallus: Historical essays on the deeds of the people of Genoa and on the navigation of Columbus, from a Genoese manuscript, cols. 241–304.
  • Benvenuto Sangiorgio: History of Montferrat from to 1490, previously published, cols. 305–762.
  • : Sienese journal in Italian,'' from 1450 to 1496, from a manuscript in the collection of, cols. 763–860.
  • Girolamo Albertucci de' Borselli: Annals of Bologna from 1418 to 1497, from a manuscript in Bologna, cols. 863-916.
  • Andrea Navagero: A history of Venice in Italian, from its origins to 1498, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense, cols. 919–1216.

Volume 24

  • Dedication to Francis Stephen of Lorraine and Maria Theresa of Hapsburg with an allegorical engraving with an oval portrait of the dedicatees by Francesco Zugno engraved by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Marino Sanudo the Younger: The French War, events in Italy carried out by Charles VIII and Louis XII from 1494 to 1500, in Italian, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense, cols. 1–166.
  • Anon.: Ferrara journal from 1409 to 1502, in Italian, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense, cols. 169–408.
  • : The Four Books on Corsican Affairs from the time of the Romans to 1506, from a manuscript in the French Royal Library, cols. 409–506..
  • of Genoa: Commentary on Genoese affairs from 1488 to 1514 from a manuscript in the Vatican, cols. 509–634.
APPENDIX
  • Anonymus Valesianus: Excerpts on Constantius Chlorus, Constantine the Great, and other emperors , previously published by Henri Valois, reprinted with annotations by, royal historian. edita.
  • Anon: Fragments on the history of Pisa in the Pisan dialect, from 1091 to 1337, plus other material from 1270 to 1280 by Guido de Vallechia, from the collection of Antonio Nicolini, and another in the Strozzi Library, cols. 641-694.
  • Nicolaus of Ferrara: Universal history in Italian from 1287 to 1367, from the collection of Boniface Rangoni, cols. 695–848.
  • Anon: Annals of the city of Arezzo from 1192 to 1343, from the collection of Francesco Redi, cols. 851–882.''
  • : Brief history of the monastery at Nardò from 1090 to 1368, extended by another to 1412, from the collection of Giovanni Bernardino Tafuri, cols. 883–922.
  • * : Description of the war undertaken by the Venetians in the Province of Otranto in 1484.
  • Anon Chronicle of Subiaco, or catalog of the abbots of the Subiaco monastery from around the year 595 to 1390 from a Roman manuscript, cols. 925-966.
  • Antonio Petri: Roman Diary from the year 1404 to 1417, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Estense, cols. 969–1066.
  • Antonio Nerli: Brief Chronicle of the Benedictine monastery of San Andrea in Mantua , from 1017 to 1418, from a manuscript in Polirone Abbey, cols. 1069–1084.
  • Anon: Fragments of Sicilian History from 1287 to 1434, from the collection of Innocenzo Roccaforte, cols. 1085–1100.
  • Paolo Petrone: Historical Miscellany , from 1433 to 1446, from a manuscript in the Vatican, cols. 1101–1130.
  • Michele Savonarola: Short treatise on the praises of Padua composed in 1440, from the collection of Sertorio Orsato, cols. 1133–1186.
  • Giuliano of Cividale del Friuli: Fragments of the Chronicle of Friuli with additions from 1252 to 1364, from the collection of Giuseppe Bini, cols. 1189–1230.

Volume 25

  • Dedication to Giuseppe Pozzobonelli with an engraving by Marc’Antonio Dal Re. Allegorical frontispiece by F. Zugni, engraved by Francesco Zucchi.
  • Porcellio Pandoni: Commentaries on the Deeds of Jacopo Piccinino during the 1453 war between the Venetians and Francesco Sforza, from the collection of Marco Foscarini, pp., cols. 1–66.
  • Georgius Merula: The Second Decade of the History of Milan, from a manuscript in the collection of, cols. 69–248.
  • Vespasiano da Bisticci: The lives of Eugene IV and Nicholas V with a dedication to Luc'Antonio degli Albizi, from a manuscript in the collection of Lorenzo Mehus, cols. 249–290.
  • Leon Battista Alberti: Commentary on the Porcari conspiracy , from a manuscript in the collection of Lorenzo Mehus, cols. 295–304 ' and cols. 307–314 '.
  • Antonio Agostini:History of the siege of Piombino in 1448, a poem in octaves and triplets,'' from a manuscript in the collection of Lorenzo Mehus, cols. 317–370.
  • Francesco Aleardi: Speech in praise of Francesco Sforza delivered in Verona in 1450, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, cols. 373–418.
  • Girolamo Crivelli: Oration in praise of Bianca Maria Visconti from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, cols. 423–432.
  • Giovanni Montani: Funeral oration for Filippo Maria Visconti, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, cols. 433–442.
  • Eliseo della Manna: The victory of Cremona under Nicolò Piccinino in the naval battle against the Venetians '' in 1431, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, cols. 443–452.
  • Agostino Rosso d'Aragona: In praise of Gian Galeazzo Sforza in 1478, from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, cols. 453–462.
  • Leonardo Griffi: On the conflict with Braccio of Perugia, leader of the forces at Aquila from a manuscript in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, cols. 463–478.
  • Girolamo Tartarotti: On the authors praised by Andrea Dandolo in the Venetian Chronicle , epistolary dissertation addressed to Francesco Giuseppe Rosmini, ''cols. I-XXVIII.''
INDEXES
  • Catalog of authors and works contained in each volume, pp. 1–40.
  • Catalog of authors in alphabetical order, pp. 43–82.
  • Catalog of authors arranged by location and region, pp. 83–127.
  • Catalog of charters and other ancient documents in chronological order, pp. 129–158.
  • Geographical index of provinces, cities, towns, and other places, as well as mountains and rivers, pp. 159–205.
  • Index of families, pp. 207–370.

Second Series (''RIS2)''

In 1900 a new edition was undertaken at the instigation of Giosuè Carducci, and continued by the Istituto storico italiano per il Medio Evo under the direction of Pietro Fedele. It was published by Casa Editrice Scipione Lapi in Città di Castello from 1900 to 1917 and then by Nicola Zanichelli in Bologna until 1975.
The numbering of the volumes follows the original series, but many volumes extend to multiple parts as they incorporate the original material plus commentaries by the new editors and extensive indexes, glossaries and bibliographies. Sections were released in instalments, intended to be bound by the purchaser into complete volumes. In consequence, some volumes accessible via the Internet Archive are incomplete or, occasionally, incorrectly collated. The copies in the ISMIE library are most accurate and are available online via Biblioteca europea di informazione e cultura.
For many volumes publication dates are quoted for both the first and latest instalment as the final instalments, with detailed indexes, were often released many years later. In total, 117 volumes were published made up from 398 instalments. Publication terminated in 1975 leaving some volumes incomplete.

Volume 8

Volume 15






Volume 21

— Diurnali del duca di Monteleone

Volume 22

  • 22.2:

Volume 27


Third Series

A new series is being published by the Istituto Storico Italiano per il Medio Evo :''
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  • 14., Vol. 2, Vol. 3 Vol. 4 .
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