A Miroir des dames in the Form of Sermons The Franciscan Marco di Sommariva del Bosco’ Bonum Quaternarium (15^th Century)

In 1419, the Italian Franciscan friar Marco from Sommariva del Bosco was called to Stupinigi’s castle (near Turin) to preach at the Lenten retreat for Bona of Savoia-Acaia, the Dowager Princess and sister of the first Duke of Savoy AmadeusVIII. Written in the form of a daily dialogue between the preacher and his spiritual daughter, the sermons mix spiritual authorities and “political” subjects for the religious and moral guidance of the princely elite.