PIUS IV: (1499-1565) Pope of the Catholic Church and Ruler of the Papal States 1559-1565. Born Giovanni Angelo Medici. A member of the Milan branch of the Medici family. An extremely rare L.S., signed twice, `Concessimus ut petitur in presential D.[ominum] N.[ostri] P.P. Jo. A. Card[inal] de Medicis´, and below `Concess[imus] Jo. A. Card[inal] de Medicis´, in his capacity as Cardinal and Prefetto della Signatura di Grazia, one page, 4to, dated in Rome `Dat[um] Roma Apud s[an]ctum petrum quartodecimo Kal[endis] octobr[is] Anno quinto´, 18<sup>th</sup> September 1554, in Latin. The document is a Papal Motu Proprio, issued by Pope Julius III, who most probably and due to his advanced age, he would day six months later, submits it to Cardinal Giovanni di Medici, future Pope IV, who signs and approves it. By this document, the Pope responds to a request received from the parishioners of the Church of Santa Maria Annunziata of Vedrana, related to some ecclesiastic grants they claim against the decision of Giovanni Della Casa, who was about to become appointed Archbishop of Benevento. The document states in part `Motu Proprio - Bea[tissi]mo p[ater]…semper parrochiali Ecclesia nuncupate S[an]cte Marie de Vedrana Bononiensi diocesis quondam devota modernus Archiepiscopus Benevento…´ The Pope agrees with the parishioners and dictates against the poet Della Casa. Documents signed by Pius IV, whether as Pope or Cardinal, are extremely rare and desirable. Very small age wear with only right edge very slightly trimmed and upper edge uneven, otherwise G to VG   

 

A Motu Proprio is a will granting certain privileges.

Jules III (1487-1555) Pope of the Roman Catholic Church 1550-55.

Giovanni Della Casa (1503-1556) Italian Poet from Florence and Diplomat. Best known for his work “Il Galateo overo de´ costume” (1558). A courtesy book which enjoyed huge success and influence. Della Casa pursued a prestigious career in the Church, and even rose to become Archbishop of Benevento in 1554, the year of the present letter. Pope Paul III (1468-1549) nominated Della Casa Papal Nuncio to Venice. And it was precisely in a Palace on the Grand Canal that he made the encounter with the poets, artists, and nobility of Venice. But with the death of his Farnese protector and the election of the successor Giulio III, Della Casa decided to leave Rome and disappointed for not having been elevated to Cardinal, he retired to a reflective life of writing and reading. It is during these years, 1551 to 1555, date of the present letter, that he wrote his Galateo.