Few of Erasmus’ Catholic critics were attacked with greater virulence than the Italian prince and diplomat Alberto Pio (1475–1531). Erasmus claimed that one should ignore the criticisms of one’s opponents unless they unjustly accuse one of impiety, but he believed that this was precisely what Pio had done in denouncing him for having prepared the way for the Reformation and for sharing the same religious opinions as Luther. These charges evoked from Erasmus what has been described by Myron P. Gilmore as ‘perhaps his most comprehensive and detailed justification against his critics’ and, with some hyperbole, as ‘one of...

How I wish that fortune had granted me, Alberto, most erudite of princes,¹ some more agreeable reason for writing to you! But, in fact, this less than fortunate situation has not been, in the end, altogether unfortunate. For it has provided in exchange for a letter,² one not very long and quite rough and unpolished, a full-size book³ that has been brought to a high gloss with very great learning and equal wit. For all that, I am also not sure that I ought to congratulate myself that a personal letter, one addressed to an individual, has been repaid by...

Of countless passages, this index² will point out some manifest instances in order to make evident just how much credence should be given to Pio’s impious slanders.

A lie: page 18 [page 123 in this volume], likewise 22 [126], also 23 [127], and from there onwards 24 [128], 25 [129], 26 [130], 27 [132]. Likewise on page 35 [139] two lies. Again 37 [141], 38 [143], 39 [144]. Next 87 [186]. Next 92 [190]. Next 101 [198]. Next 116 [209]. Next 127 [217]. Next 147 [233]. Next 190 [273]. Next 191 [274]. Next 263 [actually 268] [345]. Again page 264...

I cannot keep from grieving with all my heart whenever I ponder the extent of malice to which the characters of Christians have degenerated. For now one wants it considered an act of devotion, please God, to denounce one’s neighbour before the uneducated masses with out-and-out slanders, lies, and buffoonish abuse, while the whole criminal business is carried out under the guise of that best of enterprises, religion. Not the least part of this poison is imparted to titles and indexes, because most people read only them. What devil inspired this contrivance in the minds of those who want to...

We make known to all and each who will inspect whether by seeing or hearing the present letters that today, the twenty-first of the month of July in the year from the nativity of the Lord 1530, in the third indiction, and the seventh year of the pontificate of the highest father in Christ and of our lord, the lord Clement vii , pope by divine providence, in the presence of my public notary and of the below listed witnesses, I, Alberto Pio of Savoy, count of Carpi, of the royal order of Saint-Michel, being of sound mind but infirm...