Description
Lust, greed, murder, corruption…
Baldassare Cossa was born a pirate – but in May 1410 was elected head of the Catholic Church.
With ruthless ambition and unbridled hunger for pleasure, he had scaled the ladder of supreme power, as lawyer, general, and finally Pope – leaving behind a name reviled in history.
His backer was the fabulously wealthy Cosimo de’ Medici, operating through an ex-brothelkeeper Decima Manovale whose beautiful daughters become mistresses and spies for the chief men of Europe.
From Cossa’s birth to his ultimate downfall, this vivid and exciting pageant tells his story – a might tapestry of power and cruelty embracing the most colourful figures of the Middle Ages.
“A rattling good yarn clearly based on meticulous research” – The Times
“Plenty of murder and intrigue… romping” – Guardian
“Fascinating financial parallels with the present day” – Yorkshire Post
“Splendid entertainment… It is all the greatest fun” – Scotsman
Paperback, 292 pages. In very good preloved condition with a mark to the front cover. Some colour change to spine.