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National Institute of Informatics - Digital Silk Road Project
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| The Book of Ser Marco Polo : vol.1 |
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Citation Information
26 INTRODUCTION
~
residence of the Polos in Cathay, though naturally their presence
in the travelling company is not commemorated in Marco's
Prologue.*
IV. DIGRESSION CONCERNING THE MANSION OF THE POLO FAMILY
AT VENICE.
23. We have seen that Ramusio places the scene of the
story recently alluded to at the mansion in the parish of
S. Giovanni Grisostomo, the court of which was known in
his time as the Corte del Millioni ; and indeed he speaks of
Probable the Travellers as at once on their arrival resorting
peeirirod ofesta y
to that mansion as their family residence. Ramusio's
thb-
lishmGio~ annent at details have so often proved erroneous that I should
Grisostomo. not be surprised if this also should be a mistake.
At least we find (so far as I can learn) no previous intimation
that the family were connected with that locality. The grand-
father Andrea is styled of San Felice. The will of Maffeo
Polo the younger, made in 1300, which we shall give hereafter
in abstract, appears to be the first document that connects the
family with S. Giovanni Grisostomo. It indeed styles the
testator's father " the late Nicole Paulo of the confine of
St. John Chrysostom," but that only shows what is not dis-
puted, that the Travellers after their return from the East
settled in this locality. Arid the same will appears to indicate
a surviving connexion with S. Felice, for the priests and clerks
who drew it up and witness it are all of the church of S. Felice,
and it is to the parson of S. Felice and his successor that Maffeo
bequeaths an annuity to procure their prayers for the souls of
From the proceeds to come in from his partnership with his brothers Nicolo and
Maffeo, he bequeaths Zoo lire to his daughter Maroca.
From same source Too lire to his natural son Antony.
Has in his desk (capsella) two hyperperae (Byzantine gold coins), and three
golden florins, which he bequeaths to the sister-in-law, Fiordelisa.
Gives freedom to all his slaves and handmaidens.
Leaves his house in Soldachia to the Minor Friars of that place, reserving life-
occupancy to his son Nicolo and daughter Maroca.
The rest of his goods to his son Nicolo.
* The terms in which the younger Maffeo mentions these half-brothers in his Will
(t 300) seem to indicate that they were still young.
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