The life of Petrarch is as closely interwoven with the history of Italy as that of Dante before him. His writings and letters enlighten us as to many events and serve as documents of the time. Through Petrarch, her most gifted representative, Italy protested against the French popes, and with Petrarch begins the renascance of classic learning.

Petrarch.

Like Dante he was a Florentine, though born in Arezzo (July 20, 1304), whither his father, who had been sentenced to banishment, had been forced to withdraw. In 1313 the family went to Avignon, where many Italians resorted at this period in search of fortune. The youthful Petrarch pursued his studies at Carpentras, at Montpellier, and then at Bologna, whence he returned to Avignon, after the death of his father, in 1326. He here formed a lasting friendship with some of the most respected members of the house of Colonna, among whom were John of S. Vito brother, and Jacopo and John sons, of the celebrated Stephen. Jacopo Colonna, the young priest, who had already made a name for himself by his courageous resistance of Lewis the Bavarian in Rome, was now Bishop of Lombes and had been Petrarch's fellow-student. He introduced his friend to his brother Cardinal John, a man held in high esteem on account of his culture, wealth, and family, and whose hospitable palace was the resort of many illustrious men.