Thursday evening was a rather special one, the library being so packed that people were content to seize any space they could, standing or sitting, to listen to the event. This was because Mark Roberts, a stalwart of the British Institute who is currently coordinator of the Cultural Programme but has been with the Institute since 1977, was presenting his new book: Upon this Rock. Taking its title from Matthew 16:18, the book tells the 'brief lives of the Popes with notes historical, art-historical, architectural, theological, sepulchral and liturgical'; a subtitle which is as exciting as it is ambitious. The evening consisted of three speakers introducing the book, chaired by the Institute's archivist Alyson Price, followed by a few words by the author himself.
The first of the illustrious speakers was Monsignor Timothy Verdon, who has lived in Florence for over 50 years and is director of the Museo dell'opera del Duomo and is a Canon of Florence Cathedral among other positions. He spoke with sharp wit and eloquence, reflecting on the sometimes unsavoury history of the papacy from which Roberts' book does not shy away, praising the work for its 'historical rigour' and 'unflinching accuracy'.
Equally erudite and generous in praise was Silvana Seidel Menchi, a highly eminent scholar and historian educated at the universities of Florence, Basel and Munich among others, specialising primarily on Erasmus and humanism. She was ostensibly much impressed with the book, as she described it as 'surprising' in its scope and with a 'fast narrative rhythm', comparing its 313 pages humorously with Ludwig Pastor's over 70,000-page-long History of the Popes. She ended her speech memorably by saying that Upon this Rock surprises 'not on every page but on every line', which is testament to the richness of historical anecdotes and the author's prose alike.
Thomas Galdy completed our trio of introductory speakers. A veteran art dealer, advisor, and trustee emeritus of St Stephen's School, Rome (of which he is an alumnus), Galdy also marvelled at the scope of the book, while insisting that, in spite of the mammoth tasked Roberts had set himself, the personalities of the Popes come through in a very human way. He mentioned the book's self-referential introduction, which recommends that it be read 'like a novel, from beginning to end', and suggested an alternative method of a 'Pope-a-day' attitude, which amused us all. Suffice it to say, all lauded the book and its author immensely, and it was clear that they all admired Mark as both author and friend.
Finally, and most importantly, Mark himself took to the stage to the introduce the work himself. He told of the work's origins in a computer file he had been compiling since around 2000 on the tombs of the Popes. Once he realised he had enough material book, he dedicated this last six months to turning this hive of information into a publishable work. As those who know him are aware, Mark is brimming with knowledge and learning, but remains ever humble in the presentation of his achievements. He gave us a whistle-stop tour of some of the anecdotes mentioned in his book, from the sprightly Gregory XIII who could allegedly leap unassisted into his saddle at the age of 81, to the sensitive Martin V who was much offended when visiting Florence by boys on the street chanting 'Papa Martino non vale un quattrino' (Pope Martin isn't worth but a farthin'). As the talk ended, Mark kindly stayed behind for a book sale and signing (I was lucky enough to get my signed copy!) and received heartfelt praise all round. All in all, it was a most memorable evening and one close to the heart of the Institute, and, of course, I would recommend the book most highly for anyone remotely interested in European or world history!
The first of the illustrious speakers was Monsignor Timothy Verdon, who has lived in Florence for over 50 years and is director of the Museo dell'opera del Duomo and is a Canon of Florence Cathedral among other positions. He spoke with sharp wit and eloquence, reflecting on the sometimes unsavoury history of the papacy from which Roberts' book does not shy away, praising the work for its 'historical rigour' and 'unflinching accuracy'.
Equally erudite and generous in praise was Silvana Seidel Menchi, a highly eminent scholar and historian educated at the universities of Florence, Basel and Munich among others, specialising primarily on Erasmus and humanism. She was ostensibly much impressed with the book, as she described it as 'surprising' in its scope and with a 'fast narrative rhythm', comparing its 313 pages humorously with Ludwig Pastor's over 70,000-page-long History of the Popes. She ended her speech memorably by saying that Upon this Rock surprises 'not on every page but on every line', which is testament to the richness of historical anecdotes and the author's prose alike.
Thomas Galdy completed our trio of introductory speakers. A veteran art dealer, advisor, and trustee emeritus of St Stephen's School, Rome (of which he is an alumnus), Galdy also marvelled at the scope of the book, while insisting that, in spite of the mammoth tasked Roberts had set himself, the personalities of the Popes come through in a very human way. He mentioned the book's self-referential introduction, which recommends that it be read 'like a novel, from beginning to end', and suggested an alternative method of a 'Pope-a-day' attitude, which amused us all. Suffice it to say, all lauded the book and its author immensely, and it was clear that they all admired Mark as both author and friend.
Finally, and most importantly, Mark himself took to the stage to the introduce the work himself. He told of the work's origins in a computer file he had been compiling since around 2000 on the tombs of the Popes. Once he realised he had enough material book, he dedicated this last six months to turning this hive of information into a publishable work. As those who know him are aware, Mark is brimming with knowledge and learning, but remains ever humble in the presentation of his achievements. He gave us a whistle-stop tour of some of the anecdotes mentioned in his book, from the sprightly Gregory XIII who could allegedly leap unassisted into his saddle at the age of 81, to the sensitive Martin V who was much offended when visiting Florence by boys on the street chanting 'Papa Martino non vale un quattrino' (Pope Martin isn't worth but a farthin'). As the talk ended, Mark kindly stayed behind for a book sale and signing (I was lucky enough to get my signed copy!) and received heartfelt praise all round. All in all, it was a most memorable evening and one close to the heart of the Institute, and, of course, I would recommend the book most highly for anyone remotely interested in European or world history!
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