The Lion's last roar and a new religion blooming (1519 - 1521)

The Lion's last roar and a new religion blooming (1519 - 1521)

In this episode, we dive into the dramatic papacy of Pope Leo X, exploring his efforts to secure Medici power, his architectural and social reforms in Rome, and his role in the early days of the Protestant Reformation. We track how his favoritism toward Florence shaped papal policy, the challenges he faced with Martin Luther, and the growing religious divide that would soon shake Europe to its core.

We also spotlight Leo's political maneuvers in Italy, from annexing Urbino and Perugia to negotiating alliances with the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. And of course, there's a bit of colorful historical storytelling—like Machiavelli getting upstaged by two dogs, and the dramatic origins of Giovanni delle Bande Nere.

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

  • How Pope Leo X used the papacy to benefit the Medici family and Florence.
  • His land reform policies that helped Roman farmers.
  • The significance of the Duchy of Urbino and Perugia joining the Papal States.
  • Why Martin Luther’s ideas gained traction—and how Leo X underestimated the Reformation.
  • The impact of the printing press and vernacular language in spreading revolutionary ideas.
  • The cultural comeback of Matilda of Tuscany and her symbolic power in German-Italian relations.
  • The complex political chess match between Pope Leo X, Charles V, and Francis I of France.
  • The death and legacy of Leo X—and how his actions paved the way for future Medici power play


Episoder(285)

NewsCappuccino 000 – Launch episode

NewsCappuccino 000 – Launch episode

Welcome to the new Paypal and patron-only feature of "A History of Italy": NewsCapuccino. In this programme we're going to take a look at current affairs, stories and memories, starting from Italy and Italian issues, but taking a look at the world as well.

23 Aug 20184min

027 – Yet another Otto (III)

027 – Yet another Otto (III)

983 - 1002 After the death of Otto II, we see how his young son was brought up to manhood under the regency of his mother Theophanu and his grandmother Adelaide of Italy and how he became an emperor with dreams of greatness, as well as how those dress clashed with reality

19 Aug 201821min

026 – Another Otto (II)

026 – Another Otto (II)

973 - 983 We take just a moment to mourn Otto I and then proceed to see how his son, Otto II, got on with his attempt to hold the Holy Roman Empire together and even try to expand to all of the Italian peninsula while dealing with the usual pope complications.

12 Aug 201821min

025 – Ottonian Italy

025 – Ottonian Italy

966 - 973 Otto I of Germany continues to consolidate his hold over Italy, attempting to go all the way south and dislodge the remaining Byzantine presence, meanwhile setting up his son with a Byzantine princess, Theophanu.

5 Aug 201819min

Interview – Daniela Pellacani on Ciro Menotti

Interview – Daniela Pellacani on Ciro Menotti

We have a chat with Italian teacher and history enthusiast Daniela Pellacani from Carpi on one of the heroes of the Risorgimento, Ciro Menotti.

27 Jul 201819min

024 – Outstanding Otto and more mess from a porn pope

024 – Outstanding Otto and more mess from a porn pope

951 - 066 We take a look at the reign of the teenage oboe John XII and the start of the struggle between the papacy and the Holy Roman Empire

21 Jul 201819min

023 – Here come the Ottonians

023 – Here come the Ottonians

932 - 955 We look at how Alberic II did after taking control of Rome from his mother Marozia and his stepfather Guido of Provence. Then we jave a look at the usual confusion in northern Italy before the descent of the Saxon king Otto I, while we wait for the unforgettable pope John Xii to come on the scene.

14 Jul 201821min

022 – More mischief from Marozia

022 – More mischief from Marozia

910 - 932 We look at the second part of the incredible story of Marozia, as we use her family as an example of the chaos that was early tenth century Italy.

30 Jun 201822min

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