Beccadelli (Panormita), Antonio
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Beccadelli (Panormita), Antonio: (b. Palermo, 1394; d. Jan. 6, 1471). Courtier, scholar, diplomat. Born into a noble family of Bolognese origins, he was the son of Arrigo Beccadelli, chancellor to King Martin I of Sicily. After receiving a good education in Palermo, he was sent (c1420) to the University of Bologna to study law. After receiving his doctorate, he taught literature at the University of Pavia and became tutor in history to Duke Filippo Maria Viscinti of Milan, though the exact years of these positions are uncertain. It is known that he resettled at Naples in 1436 where he entered the court of King Alfonso V. He remained in that king’s service for several years, accompanying him on several journeys and Alfonso rewarded him with a noble title and a fine house, the Villa Sisia. Among his many duties, Beccadelli served as Alfonso’s ambassador to Genoa, Venice, and the imperial court of Frederick III. Beccadelli later served Alfonso’s son and successor, Ferdinand I, as secretary and counselor.
Beccadelli wrote a number of works, the most important being De Dictis et Factis Alphonsi Regis, Epistolarum libri, and Carmina.