In a world of political intrigue, war, and faith, Aeneas Sylvio Piccolomini rose from humble beginnings to become Pope Pius II, a key Renaissance figure. His journey was marked by intellect, ambition, and passion, as he transitioned from scholar and diplomat to a pope whose vision shaped history. 'Pigsty to Papacy' explores his complexities as a humanist, statesman, literary lover, and believer who pursued a grand political agenda through the Church. From his childhood to his Papacy, this historical novel reveals a brilliant mind navigating 15th century Europe’s turbulent waters-churned by heresy and the invading Turk. Discover the legacy of a visionary whose impact endures today.
A review from fellow author, Pete Adams: Pigsty to Papacy: The life of Pope Pius 11 - by John Broughton
Breathtaking
I admit right from the off that I am a great fan of John Broughton and especially his historic novels; I have read many and loved them. I have also to admit that I was both intrigued and equally nervous of the title, ‘Pigsty’? However, this is a breathtaking read:
It is breathtaking in its expanse of time from C1426 in Cosignano, Italy, to Siena, Florence, Pisa, Genoa, and Milan and across the Alps to Basel. Then to Scotland, Stirling and Dunbar. Newcastle in England. Vienna, Frankfurt and Strasburg and then back to Italy, Pienza, Siena and Rome.
Breathtaking in that we follow the growth of Aeneus Piccolomini a young man of noble birth with a remarkable ability as a scholar and orator who grew into a strong youth, following his father’s devastating defeat in battle reducing the means of the family and their estates that now required Aeneas to labour on the land.
Breathtaking as Aeneas, his reputation for his knowledge and ability to speak publicly, as well as showing skills in the shadier arts, manages to seek to improve his education and is recruited by the banker, Medici who funds Aeneas and his friend Franco to travel to Florence and to study there, provided Aeneas agrees to spy for him, to see who is trying to topple the great banking dynasty.
Breathtaking as we see Aeneus become adept in these dark arts and equally able to defend himself, especially as he proves equally adept at wooing the ladies.
Breathtaking as we see Aeneas retained by various nobles, princes and kings who value his growing diplomatic skills that drive his life to travel far and wide, culture to culture, woman to woman.
Breathtaking as the Broughton shows how well this book is researched and the ability to set scenes, to describe the life, not only in those times but how life varied from State to State.
Breathtaking, as far as I was concerned, in such a huge story is told but in the pace of the time. Intrigue, ‘Machiavellian’ plotting faced and dealt with sometimes over months in one place and we get a feel for the life of nobles and working classes wherever the story lands. I love this pace and how adept Broughton was in putting the brakes on what begins to reveal an adventure that in our modern times would fly along; wonderful writing.
Breathtaking in how, life takes its toll, not so much physically, but how we see in Aeneas the growth of self-interest and how he could use his skills to advance himself, which he does, and sometime brutally.
Breathtaking how we see a man evolve from rake to piety, albeit modified to suit a steady transfer from personalities, after all, Churchmen were known to be not so at ease with abstinence.
I was left breathless after this read as I loved it so much and although not a novel of daring-do, per se, it certainly had its moments, but I fail to see how anyone could not be engaged by this narrative on the real Pius 11.
Absolutely 5 stars – a book I will return to.
Breathtaking
I admit right from the off that I am a great fan of John Broughton and especially his historic novels; I have read many and loved them. I have also to admit that I was both intrigued and equally nervous of the title, ‘Pigsty’? However, this is a breathtaking read:
It is breathtaking in its expanse of time from C1426 in Cosignano, Italy, to Siena, Florence, Pisa, Genoa, and Milan and across the Alps to Basel. Then to Scotland, Stirling and Dunbar. Newcastle in England. Vienna, Frankfurt and Strasburg and then back to Italy, Pienza, Siena and Rome.
Breathtaking in that we follow the growth of Aeneus Piccolomini a young man of noble birth with a remarkable ability as a scholar and orator who grew into a strong youth, following his father’s devastating defeat in battle reducing the means of the family and their estates that now required Aeneas to labour on the land.
Breathtaking as Aeneas, his reputation for his knowledge and ability to speak publicly, as well as showing skills in the shadier arts, manages to seek to improve his education and is recruited by the banker, Medici who funds Aeneas and his friend Franco to travel to Florence and to study there, provided Aeneas agrees to spy for him, to see who is trying to topple the great banking dynasty.
Breathtaking as we see Aeneus become adept in these dark arts and equally able to defend himself, especially as he proves equally adept at wooing the ladies.
Breathtaking as we see Aeneas retained by various nobles, princes and kings who value his growing diplomatic skills that drive his life to travel far and wide, culture to culture, woman to woman.
Breathtaking as the Broughton shows how well this book is researched and the ability to set scenes, to describe the life, not only in those times but how life varied from State to State.
Breathtaking, as far as I was concerned, in such a huge story is told but in the pace of the time. Intrigue, ‘Machiavellian’ plotting faced and dealt with sometimes over months in one place and we get a feel for the life of nobles and working classes wherever the story lands. I love this pace and how adept Broughton was in putting the brakes on what begins to reveal an adventure that in our modern times would fly along; wonderful writing.
Breathtaking in how, life takes its toll, not so much physically, but how we see in Aeneas the growth of self-interest and how he could use his skills to advance himself, which he does, and sometime brutally.
Breathtaking how we see a man evolve from rake to piety, albeit modified to suit a steady transfer from personalities, after all, Churchmen were known to be not so at ease with abstinence.
I was left breathless after this read as I loved it so much and although not a novel of daring-do, per se, it certainly had its moments, but I fail to see how anyone could not be engaged by this narrative on the real Pius 11.
Absolutely 5 stars – a book I will return to.
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Guglielmo Bonacci, a spice merchant from Pisa, recognises his son, Leonard’s mathematical talent and the business thrives.
The young man excels in Arabic and swordsmanship, as a customs official in Bugia, N. Africa. He impresses the Caliph who gifts him Averroes’s writings. Back in Pisa, he successfully introduces Arab numbers and publishes Liber Abacusthat transforms European bookkeeping. When he marries Cecilia Bonifati, two powerful merchant families are united, but the Inquisition accuses her of witchcraft through her flourishing perfumery and use of Moorish parfumiers, although she is acquitted.
Amid rising tensions, Leo finds refuge with the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick ll, to whom he dedicates his Liber Quadratorum, and ensures his legacy with the Fibonacci sequence.
The young man excels in Arabic and swordsmanship, as a customs official in Bugia, N. Africa. He impresses the Caliph who gifts him Averroes’s writings. Back in Pisa, he successfully introduces Arab numbers and publishes Liber Abacusthat transforms European bookkeeping. When he marries Cecilia Bonifati, two powerful merchant families are united, but the Inquisition accuses her of witchcraft through her flourishing perfumery and use of Moorish parfumiers, although she is acquitted.
Amid rising tensions, Leo finds refuge with the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick ll, to whom he dedicates his Liber Quadratorum, and ensures his legacy with the Fibonacci sequence.
https://www.writersinspiringchange.com/post/international-writers-inspiring-change-presents-the-spiral-path-by-john-broughton
History is woven from many voices—some loud, others quiet but no less profound. May the legacy of Fatima al- Fihri remind us that the pursuit of knowledge is a house built by many hands, open to everyone, irrespective of race, gender or age who seek to enter.
Her father told her as a girl : ‘to seek knowledge is to build a house for the soul’ and, hence it became her guiding principle leading to her founding the world’s first university: the Al Qarawiyyin Mosque and Study Centre. This is her tale of courage and triumph over tradition, prejudice, ignorance and adversity.
Her father told her as a girl : ‘to seek knowledge is to build a house for the soul’ and, hence it became her guiding principle leading to her founding the world’s first university: the Al Qarawiyyin Mosque and Study Centre. This is her tale of courage and triumph over tradition, prejudice, ignorance and adversity.
What they are saying: Your storytelling feels like history breathing,where the dust of centuries lifts to reveal the pulse of courage, faith, and intellect that shaped our world. In Fatima al-Fihri, you’ve not only revived a remarkable woman’s legacy but illuminated how one life, guided by conviction, can outlast empires. Fatima’s story isn’t just historical,it’s prophetic. It speaks to the enduring flame of knowledge, the defiance of limitation, and the quiet revolution of an educated heart.
What I find especially moving is how your narrative bridges time and tradition, giving modern readers a mirror to see both the fragility and strength of human purpose. It’s the kind of novel that doesn’t just recount history,it restores it, making wisdom itself a living character. Chloe E.
What I find especially moving is how your narrative bridges time and tradition, giving modern readers a mirror to see both the fragility and strength of human purpose. It’s the kind of novel that doesn’t just recount history,it restores it, making wisdom itself a living character. Chloe E.
Turandot poster
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Khutulun was the inspiration for French novelist, François Pétis de La Croix, (1710) who called his heroine Turandot. this, in turn, inspired the opera by Giacomo Puccini, which includes the well-known aria Nessun Dorma, made famous worldwide by the great tenor, Luciano Pavarotti. On the right an imaginary poster for the opera. On the left a real one.
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