• Robert, Duke of Calabria, third son of Charles II and younger brother of Charles Martel. He was King of Sicily from 1309 to 1343. He brought with him from Catalonia a band of needy adventurers, whom he put into high offices of state, “and like so many leeches,” says Biagioli, “they rilled themselves with the blood of that poor people, not dropping off so long as there remained a drop to suck.” ↩
• Sicily already heavily laden with taxes of all kinds. ↩
• Born of generous ancestors, he was himself avaricious. ↩
• Namely, ministers and officials who were not greedy of gain. ↩
• In God, where all things are reflected as in a mirror. Rev. 21:6:⁠— “I am Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end.” Buti interprets thus:⁠— “Because I believe that thou seest my joy in God, even as I see it, I am pleased; and this also is dear to me, that thou seest in God, that I believe it.” ↩