The Life and Pontificate of Leo the Tenth

This is volume one of the history of the magnificent Pope Leo X, son of Lorenzo de Medici. It was a short pontificate, less than nine years, but it was a noble period, full of splendour, productive events, and exhibited almost every diversity of human characters. Many important events occurred which had the greatest influence on human affairs. The Spaniards discovered the West Indies, the Portuguese found a passage to the East, printing was invented, religion was reformed, Naples was conquered, the expulsion of the royal family of Aragon by Louis XII and Ferdinand of Spain and their subsequent disagreement and conquest for the dominion of the kingdom took place. This was directly due to the connection of Leo X's rule. He contributed greatly to promoting literature and the fine arts and played an important role in the improvement in Italy. These pages exhibit an illustrious period of society, the standards of excellence, the ever-active effect of moral causes on the acquirements and happiness of a people.