Guelphs and Ghibellines: A Short History of Mediaeval Italy from 1250-1409


Read by Pamela Nagami

(4.8 stars; 6 reviews)

The High Middle Ages in Italy, 1250-1409, were a time of incessant strife between rival city-states, some the Ghibelline allies of the Holy Roman Empire, others joining forces with the Guelph armies of the Papacy. Mercenary captains led hired bands of soldiers of fortune. These captains sometimes became great despots, ruling the very cities that had engaged them. Florence began her ascent. The terrible Visconti dominated Milan, and Genoa established a vast trading empire, only to suffer defeat and decline when her fleet was destroyed by Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.)
(6 hr 43 min)

Chapters

Ch. 1: Introduction--Frederick Barbarossa--Innocent III--Frederick II 25:51 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 2: Guelphs and Ghibellines--Ezzelino da Romano--Early Venice 25:04 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 3: Charles of Anjou--Manfred--Conradin--Sicilian Vespers 24:57 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 4: Pisa and Genoa, Constitution of Florence--Pope Celestine V 26:16 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 5: Blacks and Whites--Charles of Valois--Removal of Popes to Avignon 20:57 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 6: Adolf of Nassau--Henry of Luxemburg--Venice 24:50 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 7: Castruccio 25:00 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 8: King John of Bohemia--Mastino della Scala, Pt. 1 16:56 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 8: King John of Bohemia--Mastino della Scala, Pt. 2 11:11 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 9: The Duke of Athens--Joanna of Naples--Rienzi, Pt. 1 13:27 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 9: The Duke of Athens--Joanna of Naples--Rienzi, Pt. 2 14:18 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 10: The Black Death--Lewis of Hungary--Genoa and Venice--Marino Faliero, Pt… 15:53 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 10: The Black Death--Lewis of Hungary--Genoa and Venice--Marino Faliero, Pt… 11:01 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 11: The Visconti--Cardinal Albornoz--Death of Rienzi--Emperor Charles IV, P… 15:42 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 11: The Visconti--Cardinal Albornoz--Death of Rienzi--Emperor Charles IV, P… 12:56 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 12: The Mercenaries, Perugia and Siena--Florence and Pisa--Urban V, Charles… 14:10 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 12: The Mercenaries, Perugia and Siena--Florence and Pisa--Urban V, Charles… 19:56 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 13: The Visconti--The Great Schism--Revolution of the Ciompi at Florence, P… 13:37 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 13: The Visconti--The Great Schism--Revolution of the Ciompi at Florence, P… 13:39 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 14: Queen Johanna of Naples--The War of Chioggia--The Peace of Turin 17:54 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 15: Gïan Galeazzo Visconti--Ladislaus--The Council of Pisa, Pt. 1 18:43 Read by Pamela Nagami
Ch. 15: Gïan Galeazzo Visconti--Ladislaus--The Council of Pisa, Pt. 2 21:08 Read by Pamela Nagami

Reviews


(5 stars)

Fascinating material. This history has the intrigue and drama as the game of thrones, but without the silly parts. Dr Nagami is a superb reader; very clear and well-paced and she switches between French, Italian, German, ans Spanish pronunciations with accuracy and dexterity.