Beatrice Cenci: Tragic Beauty of Medieval Rome

The Legend of Beatrice Cenci, a Roman noblewoman grew for centuries after her violent death in 1599. Guilty of parricide, she and her brother, Giacomo, were executed by order of Pope Clement VIII. The famous English Romantic poet wrote "The Cenci", a tragic play that is sympathetic to Beatrice and Giacomo Cenci. Both of them were beaten by their cruel father and it is likely that Beatrice was also the victim of attempted rape. The legend of the Cencis has endured for centuries. A 2-volume study of the family was published in 1925 by the Italian author Corrado Ricci. I have written my e-book mostly from early 20th century sources. It is important to understand the plight of Francesco Cenci's family. As a nobleman in medieval Rome he was able to avoid punishment for his crimes against family members because the Church of Rome accepted his money in lieu of imprisonment. The Cencis also provide readers with a vivid portrait of late 16th century civilization in one of the world's great cities.