Pio II e le trasformazioni dell’Europa cristiana, 1456–1464 (review)

Barbara Baldi’s book is a close and long-needed look at the pontificate of the Piccolomini pope Pius II (1458–64) in terms of its political issues. The book begins by examining Pius’s viewpoint on Europe. Europe appears as a cultural, not just a geographic or political entity. Furthermore, the pope is described, even before Aeneas Sylvius Piccolomini ascended the papal throne, as led by Rome. This ideal would come into conflict with European realities, especially the political interests of princes and communes. Not even mild diplomacy could budge most princes toward a crusade against the Turks, whether via the Congress of Mantua or through normal diplomatic channels. Moreover, the papacy could not act without being accused of using the crusade to raise money for selfish purposes. As the author notes, both the Congress of Mantua and the declaration the pope would lead his crusade were accompanied by actions against critics—Diether von Iseberg, archbishop of Cologne, in the one case, and George Podiebrad, king of Bohemia, in the other.

Particularly, the book deals with the Italian entanglements of the pope as he sought to promote a unified effort to repel the Turks. The depth of Pius II’s tie to the Sforza regime in Milan is given particular attention. Moreover, the book casts light on the issue of the Neapolitan succession, which is familiar but not ordinarily studied as deeply as it might, for the period after the death of King Alfonso the Magnanimous of Aragon. The French interest in the Angevin claim to the Neapolitan throne looms large, although no campaign was undertaken to oust the Aragonese dynasty until late in the fifteenth century.

The Neapolitan situation informs Baldi’s discussion of Pius’s relations with France. France pressed Rome to recognize the Angevin claimant. The repeal of the Pragmatic Sanction of Bourges was a short-lived triumph of papal diplomacy in this long-running contest. A recently crowned king, Louis XI, who had local troubles, placated the pope for a time. After that brief period of amity, the king soon resorted to threats of a general council and alliance with George Podiebrad, the “Hussite king,” to pressure Rome. Moreover, the complicated relationship of France and Burgundy—and of both to England— deprived Pius of active support by Duke Philip the Good.

One irony of Pius’s crusade is that it received late support from Venice, which had not been an early backer. The advance of the Ottomans in the Balkans made the Serenissima more interested in armed action. Baldi gives a solid account of this diplomatic about face by Venice. Moreover, she gives us a clear idea how the relationships of the papacy with condottieri and lesser princes, especially the Malatesta of Rimini, were intertwined with the interests of the greater powers.

The use of diplomatic correspondence gives balance to this interpretation. Pius is shown not just in his own words but also those of envoys, especially of the Milanese ambassador. This gives Baldi’s account a balance it would lack if only the Piccolomini pope’s Commentaries were used.