Archive Proximity

[Mark Knowles]

Yes, Milanese Ambassador to the Pope, Marcolino Barbavara, Ducal Secretary, Francesco Barbavara, Bishop of Como and later Tortona, Giovanni Barbavara and Abbot Antonio Barbavara of the Abbey of Saints Nazzaro and Celso by the Sesia river were all brother to the best of my knowledge. In fact there were two more brothers Apostolic Protonotary Pietro Barbavara and Mayor Nicolino Barbavara.

There is a cipher key headed Scipione Barbavara in the Tranchedino Cipher Ledger, Scipione Barbavara was the son of Marcolino Barbavara.

However, I have still not had the opportunity to study the Barbavara family archive. The person who currently has possession of the archive is not very helpful to say the least. I am on very good terms with his sister Anna Barbavara, so maybe one day I will be able to see that archive.

To be honest the most important thing for my research at the moment is to locate Milanese ciphers from the time when Francesco Barbavara was Ducal Secretary, 1425 to 1433. The best lines of enquiry that I have relate to the archives of the Biblioteca Bonetta in Pavia and the Vatican Apostolic Archives(the intercepted letters of Milanese Ambassador Guarniero Castiglioni). I will visit the Biblioteca Bonetta or a friend may do it for me. I don't know when I will visit the Vatican. However there may be other archives where Milanese ciphers from the period I am interested in may be found.