Paganino da Serzana: un rimatore 'siciliano' nella Lunigiana del secolo XIII

It is only recently that some biographical information has surfaced regarding Paganino da Senana, the author of a 'Sicilian' canzone contained in 'all three Cmzonien' delle Origini (as well as in a recently rediscovered Lombard fragment). This essay examines some newly acquired documents (some of which have not yet been published) from the 12th-century notarial register housed within the archives of the Sanana Cathedral (Codice Pelavicino). The references linked to the notarius Paginino Torselli, who in his role as syndims, of Sanana was involved in various important disputes, coincide with Frederick 11's visit to the Lunigiana region in 1239 and thus advance the possibility that the notary from Sanana and the poet were one and the same person. In the second part of the essay, arguments are presented regarding the existence of Paganino's hidden 'signature' in the canzone (v. 761, and it is proposed that he be collocated amongst other poets of the pre-Dantesque period. As Provencal poetry waned in the 13th century, in Lunigiana Paganino da Senana emerged as one of the first northern members of the newly-founded Sicilian School.