EX MALA PARENTELA BONA SEQUI SEU ORIRI NON POTEST: THE TROYAN ANCESTRY OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE AND THE 'OPUS DAVIDICUM' OF JOHANNES ANGELUS DE LEGONISSA.

The legend of the Trojan origin of several European nations and dynasties, elaborated and propagated during the Middle Ages, was transmitted to the educated classes in the 15th century. Anti-Turk crusading fervor, loyal adherence to the French monarchy, and belief in the Trojan origin of the French animate works composed and published on the occasion of Charles VIII's descent on Italy. The 'Opus Davidicum' (1494-98) of Johannes Angelus, like numerous other works of propaganda at this time, expressed an eschatological enthusiasm for the young king. However, it explicitly rejected the Trojan thesis and naively substituted the Davidic origin of the kings of France. 85 notes.