On a glorious summer’s day in August 1491, the villagers of Treviglio turned out in style for the marriage of Letizia and Alessandro. In addition, a lively crowd of Alessandro’s neighbours made the journey from Bergamo especially for the occasion. Trees were swathed in ribbons made of strips of white cloth and adorned with garlands of flowers. Encouraged by the exuberant Roberta, children played and skipped, their laughter a perfect accompaniment to the day.
Letizia’s red bridal dress was tucked in neatly around her waist, fanned outwards from her hips and trailed around her feet. Sadly, however, it had seen better days, but her resourceful friends had sewn on motifs of birds to hide the worst of the ravages of moths and time. Over her face, she wore a white patterned lace veil, embroider
