So much had happened and so much more, and so quickly, even with so many sources, any survey could be blamed for losing some details. But then there is Donald Weinstein who gives us such a realistic picture of so many of these happenings in Florence, in late March 1498. From the ordinary language in the last sermons to the procession of priests and acolytes, the arguments over who would walk the fire, or, the building materials along the length of the fire's path. In letters, Savonarola was still writing of church reform, his own prophecies, and God's miracles. How these might be made manifested, the friar emphasized, was only up to God himself.
He wrote letters now, in March, to various sovereigns in Europe just as he still wrote to the ambassaor and advocates in Rome. In them he questioned if Rodrigo Borgia was an illegitimate pope. To Maximilian in Austria, to Ferdinand and Isabella in Spain, and Charles VIII in France (and, planning more to Henry the Tudor in England and the nearer King of Hungary), Savonarola fretted that this pope would not allow a true reform, or carry out what to him God seemed to say.
Whether the rumours were true or not, he thought, whether the pope was secretly of Moorish decent, or a 'secret-Jew' or not, perhaps at last it was time, that a new Church Council be called to depose this one and get on with real reform. There were lots of stories and conspiracies then, too. But this last idea, that the Pope might not be Christian, and might be born of some other lineage, Savonarola had hyped in sermons in February and March by calling it 'his little key', which when used, would stun the world. [p.261]
March 17, 18: Savonarola preaches, taking up Psalms 83/4. [pp. 263-6]
March 25: Francesco di Puglia announces to the congregation assembled in Santa Croce that he will withstand a trial by fire against anyone that the Dominicans send in order to force the issue about friar Savonarola.
The following weeks the City built itself into a rage anticipating this ancient ordeal that (had long since been left behind as barbaric but) was brought back this time to settle this issue once and for all. Mere mention in church with an opposing congregation would set this fire ablaze. [p.267]
April 7 date set for trial in the Piazza. This was also the day that Charles VIII in France died by hitting his head on a doorpost. It would take days for news of this to reach the city. [p.276]
April 8: trial by fire in the city center. There were more arguments. The cathedral was barricaded and set fire. Then finally, at long last, Savonarola and others were arrested there late that night. [pp.272-6]
Then would begin the interrogation and trial followed by the public burning of friar Savonarola. But it should be stressed no one knew that would be coming.
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pagination in Donald Weinstein: Savonarola: the rise and fall of a renaissance prophet ; Yale University Press, New Haven, 2011
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