Celio Secondo Curione and history of the siege of Malta in 1565

Abstract

Celio Secondo turione was born into a noble family on 1st May 1503 at Cirie in Piedmont, He received his primary education in Piedmont and at the age of 9 was sent to Turin to be taught grammar, as quality teaching was then known, by Don Francesco Sfrondati (Eventually Sfrondati was made cardinal. He was also the father of Gregory XIV having entered the priesthood after becoming a widower). Curione continued his studies in humanae litterae and law. At the age of 20, he adhered to Lutheran teachings and left for Germany with a friend. According to his biographer A. Biondi, Curione was exposed to the works of Luther, ZwingJi and Melanchton through the Augustinian Friars in Turin. His other biographer Nicolo Stupano explained that his support for Luther was well-known. This led to his arrest while crossing the territories of the Catholic Bishop of Ivrea and he was imprisoned in Castel Caprino. After two months imprisonment and following strong intercession from his friends, the Bishop of Ivrea commuted his imprisonment to confinement at the Abbey of San Benigno, where he was compelled to take instruction in Catholic Doctrine. He succeeded.in escaping and moved to Milan and from there to other parts of Italy.