The Winds of Avignon

By Mary Alexandra Watt

Set in fourteenth century France and Italy, against the backdrop of Albigensian Crusade, the Templar trials, and the Black Death, The Winds of Avignon is a sensuous and often violent tale of dreams pitted against desire, the struggle between survival and sacrifice and the never-ending conflict between ambition and integrity. Based on historical events, this is the story of Italian poet Francesco Petrarca's troubled friendship with the Roman revolutionary Cola di Rienzo, and the disastrous consequences of Cola's infatuation with Francesco's muse, Laura. Synopsis: When his best friend, Cola di Rienzo, proposes revolution in fourteenth century Rome, the poet Francesco Petrarca must choose between loyalty to his powerful patron, the Roman Cardinal Giovanni Colonna, and his lifelong dream of an Eternal City free from tyranny. Francesco's choice is further complicated by the revelation that supporting Cola's rebellion not only threatens his own social status but also means risking the life of his muse and object of his unrequited love, Laure de Sade (whom he calls "Laura"). When Francesco learns, however, that Cola has betrayed their friendship by sleeping with Laure, the poet's fury leads him down a path of destruction that has disastrous consequences for Cola, Laura, the Colonna family and, most significantly, for Francesco's tortured soul. Historical Context:In the early fourteenth century, civil unrest in Rome compels the papacy to transfer to the safety of Avignon in the south of France. In the absence of a central authority, Rome is plunged into full blown civil war as the great baronial families, most notably, the Orsini and the Colonna, fight each other for control of the Eternal City. When neither the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VII, nor Pope Clement VI are able to resolve the conflict, the city continues its slide into even deeper decay. The Principal Characters:Cola di Rienzo: Roman notary and illegitimate son of Emperor Henry VII. Appalled by the decadence and violence of fourteenth century Rome, Cola formulates a plan for reform. Opposed by the Roman baronial families who see him as a threat to their power, Cola goes to Avignon to seek papal support for his plans. When Pope Clement refuses Cola's request, the notary finds support for his revolution amongst the Cathars, a heretical sect, long hunted by the papacy.Francesco Petrarca:An Italian ?migr? raised in Avignon, Francesco eventually becomes a famous lyric poet. Like Cola, Francesco laments Rome's state of decay and yearns for its resurgence. He meets Cola when the notary comes to Avignon seeking the Pope's support for his program of reform. They become great friends and rivals in love.Cardinal Giovanni Colonna: Cardinal and advisor to Pope Clement in Avignon, Giovanni is also Francesco's patron. As a member of the powerful Colonna family, Giovanni opposes Cola's reforms and will use whatever means necessary to destroy him.Laure de Sade: Called "Laura" by Francesco, she is both his muse and the object of his unrequited love. When Laure, a Cathar, meets Cola in Avignon, they secretly become lovers. Giovanni learns of the affair from his spies and reveals it to Francesco in an effort to have the poet publicly denounce Cola. Francesco, in his rage, not only denounces Cola, but also reveals the affair to Laure's abusive husband, Hugues de Sade.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1730763162
• ISBN13: 9781730763168
• Release Date: November 2018
• Publisher: Independently published
• Length: 467 Pages
• Weight: 1.73 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.2" x 6.0"