Chivalry at the time of its splendor left domestic economy
untouched. The knight wandered from court to court, and from one
battlefield to another. His homage was given systematically to some
other woman than his own wife, and things went how they might at home
in the castle. The spirit of the Renaissance first brought order into
domestic life, treating it as a work of deliberate contrivance.
Intelligent economical views, and a rational style of domestic
architecture served to promote this end. But the chief cause of the
change was the thoughtful study of all questions relating to social
intercourse, to education, to domestic service and organization.
The most precious document on this subject is the treatise on the
management of the home by Agnolo Pandolfini (actually written by L. B.
Alberti, d. 1472). He represents a father speaking to his grown-up
sons, and initiating them into his method of administration. We are
introduced into a large and wealthy household, which, if governed with
moderation and reasonable economy, promises happiness and prosperity
for generations to come. A considerable landed estate, whose produce
furnishes the table of the house, and serves as the basis of the family
fortune, is combined with some industrial pursuit, such as the weaving
of wool or silk. The dwelling is solid and the food good.
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