_Birth of Poggio—His education at Florence—John of Ravenna—Poggio goes to
Rome—Enters into the service of Boniface IX—State of Italy—Schism of the
West—Urban VI—The Antipope Clement VII—Boniface IX—Distracted state of
Italy—The Antipope Benedict XIII—Wars in Italy—Letter of Poggio—Poggio’s
arrival in Rome—Innocent VII—Poggio introduces Leonardo Aretino into
the pontifical chancery—Memoirs of Leonardo—His contest with Jacopo
d’Angelo—Insurrection in Rome—Gregory XII—Alexander V—Distractions of the
Pontificate—Poggio visits Florence—John XXII—Leonardo Aretino elected
chancellor of Florence—His marriage, and letter to Poggio—Convocation of
the council of Constance._