UN MEDIC SICILIAN, REGII SĂI ȘI DOMNUL SĂU: DIN RAPORTUL UNUI NUNŢIU PAPAL LA CURTEA REGELUI ROMANILOR
SICILIAN DOCTOR, HIS KINGS AND HIS LORD: FROM THE REPORT OF A PAPAL NUNCIO AT THE COURT OF THE KING OF THE ROMANS

Summary/Abstract: Bishop Lionello Chiericati served as Pope Alexander VI’s nuncio at the court of Maximilian I of Habsburg, king of the Romans, for four years (from late 1495 to late 1499). One of the numerous reports authored by the prelate, a native of Vicenza, is particularly important for Habsburg-Jagiellonian relations in the context of Jan Albert’s invasion of Moldavia in autumn 1497. The main envoy sent in October 1497 by Maximilian I to his ally Stephen III of Moldavia was the king’s doctor, Branca, a Sicilian. According to Chiericati, Branca had already served Matthias Corvinus. According to the Republic of Saint Mark, Stephen’s other protector, a/the Branca had served as Wladyslaw II Jagiello’s medic and envoy to Venice after Matthias’ death. Branca/Branco/Prancky (in German) went on to play an essential role in the “conspiracy” of Maximilian and Stephen that halted the Jagiellonian Eastern offensive of 1497. Branca continued to work as a middleman between Maximilian and Stephen, entering also the latter’s service, not only as his physician, but also as his diplomat (at least until early 1502).

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