Categories: Podcast

Exploring the Opulence of 15th Century Italian Fashion

Imagine stepping back into the brilliant opulence of 15th century Italian fashion with none other than esteemed author, Tim McCall as our guide. Picture the Italian princes adorned in radiant attire, their shining bodies reflecting their wealth and power. Not just a dazzling display, this episode uncovers the intricate Sumtuary Laws, the rules that dictated the length, color, and type of clothing according to status. And buckle up, because there’s an intriguing twist: the severe consequences that came with attempting to deceive buyers with counterfeit gems and gold.

But this journey doesn’t stop at the glistening surface. We go behind the scenes of the silk production that engulfed Italy in the 1300s, culminating in a fashion peak in Milan in the 15th century. We’ll trace the pathways of Isabella D’Este, dubbed the ‘Jackie Kennedy of the Renaissance’, navigating the royal courts of Europe with her refined sense of fashion, even as she traded dress dolls to keep up with international fashion trends. And just when you thought it couldn’t get more interesting, we dive into the her riveting correspondence, and some tantalizing discoveries about Isabella’s role as a patron of the arts.

Finally, we take a detour into Renaissance masculinity and fashion. You won’t want to miss the tale of a 15th-century Italian prince’s quest for self-fashioning, complete with fresco cycles and a desire for whiter teeth in a time before modern dentistry. As we wrap up, we’ll delve into the creation of Tim’s new book ‘Making the Renaissance Man’, a treasure trove of insights about this vibrant period. So, come along on this fascinating journey into the heart of Renaissance Italy. You won’t be disappointed.

 

Podcast

Video

Montefeltro Family

For those of you who have viewed previous posts, I’ve decided to take a different approach.  Rather than post individual grandparents, I’m going to post the family name and some of the history.  I think that will be more meaningful, especially with my Italian readers.  I’m hoping if you have the same last name, it may prompt you explore your roots.  As it get’s to cumbersome to print all the generations, I will do 5

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King Ferrante of Naples and Isabella De Clermont

Ferrante or  Ferdinand was quite a guy.  Known to be very ruthless he kept his enemies close by stuffing them and sitting them around a banquet table, as if at the last supper.  He had at least 18 children, and as a result many of them are my direct ancestors. Follow our page on Facebook Ferdinand I (2 June 1423 – 25 January 1494), also called Ferrante, was the King of Naples from 1458 to

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Isabella D’Este and Francesco Gonzaga 13th Great Grandparents

Join Our Group On Facebook I decided to go way back in time today, mostly because Isabella D’Este was such a fascinating woman, especially for her time.  I had never heard of her before and only came across her while doing research on the Caracciolo family.  She was on of the most important women of her time and had a lot of influence into the art of the 15th and 16th centuries as you will

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Italian Nobility — Do you have some in your past?

Bob and Phillip discuss how they found their noble Italian Ancestors, and who they have in common. Some very interesting similarities. Mangone Family  Schipani Family Visit Our Shop Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video Check out my book Farmers and Nobles On this site or Amazon and Kindle Constantina Tulelli and Nicola Opipari marriage record 6th GGF Medical Acknowledgement:Degree Grandpa Apollo Norman Tower in Zagarese Paolo Emilo Tulelli papers referring to

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Caracciolo Family History

The Caracciolo di Torchiarolo are a side branch of the Caracciolo di Avellino. The progenitor of the Torchiarolos was the second son of the fifth prince of Avellino, Ambrogio (1699-1748), who obtained in 1726, upon payment of 9000 ducats, the fiefdom of Torchiarolo, in the province of Lecce, on which he also received the title of Prince Ambrose married Francesca Afan de Rivera daughter of the Marquis of Villanueva de Las Torres. Ambrose’s sons were Luigi II,

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D’Avalos Family Marquis of Vasto

While not an Italian name, D’Avalos are connected with Aragona’s that ruled Spain and Naples in the mid 1500’s.  Francesca D’Avalos married into the Caracciolo family in the early 1600’s.  Maybe that’s where some of the Spanish DNA comes from.  D’ Avalos, originally from Spain, came to Italy with the retinue of Alfonso I d’ Aragona. They were distinguished for military value, diplomatic ability and fidelity to the Crown, qualities that always led them to

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Bob

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