At the Court of the Borgia

Johann Burchard, edited and translated by Geoffrey Parker

Originally published by The Folio Society, London, 1963 (Eighth printing, 1999)

Johann Burchard, the Master of Ceremonies for Pope Alexander VI, wrote this account of his pontificate's reign. According to the introduction, the Borgia court 'stands out with a reputation notorious and unique in the history of the papacy, and the name of Borgia is symbolic of all that is reckoned corrupt and criminal in the church of the fifteenth century.' It is a story 'where murder, treachery and immorality became the everyday activities of the Vatican'. Quite a riveting read for such a small, slim volume.

Balmoral Wove paper bound in full cloth blocked with a design by Philip Smith in Near Fine condition, with a plain black slipcase, (15cm x  23cm) 245pp.

 For sale by Priory Books, Warwickshire County Record Office's secondhand bookshop