Page:Angelo's Pic Nic.djvu/21

 THE ANGELO FAMILY According to some authorities, the most noble family of Malavolti was by origin French, and came to Italy with Charlemagne. Others say that they were originally Bolog- nese, adding that between Bologna and the Apennines there is a place very delicious named Malavolti, and that in the churches of St. Domenick and St. Francis, in Bologna, are many monuments of the Malavolti. But Gigli argues that the Malevolti were in Siena before the others were in existence, and that therefore cither there were two families or else a member of the Malavolti went and settled in Bologna. And indeed to this day, as I have seen, there is an ancient chapel in the church of St. Domenico in Siena, that is known as the Malavolti chapel. Gigli also states that the family had their habitation in a gloomy valley near Siena, which was infested by bandits, and therefore named Malavolti. Noble Frenchmen he says were on guard there, and five castles were erected, which were also called "of the Malavolti," and the hill, too, began to be named Il Poggio di Malavolti, retaining that name to the present day. These Malavolti made of themselves an illustrious stock which in time rose to great power and wealth " Furono le mitre e i grandi militari, e togati quasi domestici nella schiatta de' Malavolti." They divided into three principal branches, first the Malavolti Orlandi, next the Malavolti Bgidei or Gigliensi, so called from the church of St. Egidius (Giles) built by them in that region, and thirdly, the Mulavolti Fortebracei, who, from the castle of Selvoli, which they captured in war, were called Selvolesi. In Siena the Malavolti had three castles and a magnificent loggia, and there they flourished for many generations The Angelo registers at Leghorn afford us the following pedigree:_ xiii