Giovanni Manzini della Motta (ca. 1362-vor 1422).

Giovanni Manzini della Motta (c. 1362-before 1422) is now considered an important exponent of early Italian humanism. This judgement is based on three considerations: first, he profoundly venerated Petrarch, second he was in contact with famous scholars like Antonio Loschi and Coluccio Salutati, and finally he composed a tragedy based on ancient models. By contrast, his work as a historiographer has hitherto been little studied. A manuscript in the Vatican Apostolic Library (BAV, Vat. Lat. 14162), mainly written in his own hand, allows us to follow Manzini's development from writer to author of historiographical narratives and to trace his idea of tragic historiography, influenced particularly by Boccaccio among others. This article describes the contents of the Vatican manuscript, investigates the sources of the chronicle it contains compiled by Manzini, and provides a critical edition of the final part of this chronicle covering events contemporary with its composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]