An informant at Forlì to Gianfrancesco Gonzaga, 6 November 1428

p3_signs.txt

# R1854 p.3 (IMG_R1854_I8413_P3), Forli 6 Nov 1428, to the lord of Mantua: CIPHER-SIGN transcription (not the gloss).
# One line per text line L01-L33 (L31-L33 are the three lines below y=737; the page slopes down to the right, ~+11 px).
# Format: cipher signs in order; clear-text words as one {brace} token (spaces removed); {struck} = struck-through run;
# '?' = illegible sign; '_' = separator point(s) between clear and cipher (':' '.' '·:·').
# tok/x = faint interlinear gloss letter x above that sign, given only when fairly sure (alignment follows p3_gloss.md).
# NOTE: the two-dot sign '..' is written 'dd', NOT '_': inside cipher runs it is a letter (glossed d throughout).
#
# LEGEND (fixed; look-alikes kept apart):
#   Y    = psi / cup on stem with straight arms (Ψ)
#   Yc   = rounder cup on stem, arms curling inward (Ⴤ/∪ on stem); lighter; gloss c (L01, L02, L19, L22, L28, L29, L32)
#   o    = small free circle (gloss h)
#   A    = delta on a stem (Δ with descender). (No stemless Δ, 'D', was found: apparent ones in L32 have stems.)
#   a    = alpha-like a (ɑ); includes the belly-less Λ-shaped form (L16, L17, L18), which grades into it
#   f    = phi (φ)
#   f2   = open phi with a left dash instead of a left bowl (-ψ), L02 only
#   w    = ꝏ (two joined loops) WITH a tail/bar to the right (ꝏ-); gloss m
#   oo   = ꝏ with no tail (∞); gloss f/?
#   W    = two loops on two legs (♀♀ / ɷ with descenders); gloss mostly e
#   d    = d-shape: loop at left, tall stem at right (ꝺ / 'ab'); gloss s (sometimes l)
#   db   = small d/δ with a long horizontal bar to the right (ꝺ-); L10, L12
#   lo   = lo/ƀ ligature: tall stem at left, loop at right; gloss r
#   p    = circle on a stem below (♀)
#   fo   = circle pierced by a vertical stroke above and below (ɸ narrow / ♂-like); gloss o
#   qb   = circle on stem (stem sometimes also above) with a horizontal bar to the right (♀-); gloss q
#   pl   = circle on stem whose foot curls into a loop (ℊ / g-shape); gloss i
#   wp   = ꝏ with a descender on the left (♀o-like), L10 only; gloss p
#   hk   = ♀ on a horizontal bar: circle on a vertical, bar through the circle both sides (-♀-); unglossed (null?)
#   8    = figure 8 (plain)
#   8b   = 8 with a horizontal bar/tail to the right (8-); gloss p
#   FIOL = 8b joined to a '+' by its bar (8—+): name code 'fiol(o/i) del s. marchese' (L03, L04, L10, L11)
#   MALx = Malatesta name code as it appears on this page: vertical stem with a loop/circle on top, a horizontal bar,
#          and a small circle at the right end of the bar (♀ crossed, bar ending in o). 'signor Malatesta'.
#          (No separate 'circle on long stem with small o at foot' form found; all 7 instances are this shape.)
#   PAPA = dotted circle between two bars (-⊙-): name code '(santo) papa'
#   P    = Π with a middle leg (three-legged box, ⊓⊓ / m-box); gloss a
#   U    = open box ⊔ (square cup); gloss l
#   Ub   = ⊔ with a long lead-in bar on the left (—⊔); gloss b (Urbino, bisognando)
#   5    = 5/ʒ shape: flat top bar, bowl curling down-left (ʒ-, ꞔ); gloss u (sometimes n/e)
#   S    = ϛ/ʕ shape: hook at top, long straight diagonal descender (Ϛ); gloss o
#   z    = curly ʓ/ƺ with top bar hooking right (L06 start, L32)
#   Z    = angular Ƶ: top bar, zig-zag, bar at foot (L05, L14)
#   2 3 4 6 9 12 13 = digits as they look (4 includes the closed-loop 4 of L13/L28; 9 = hooked 9)
#   E    = capital E (cipher sign when inside a run)
#   +    = cross (+), often unglossed (null?)
#   st   = hatched star / blob with crossing strokes (✱, ǂ-like); includes thin forms in L12, L20; unglossed (null?)
#   stb  = hatched blob with a bar to the right (✱-), L18 only; gloss p
#   T    = hooked Γ: stem descending at left, top bar, small tick up at right (ɼ˥); L01, L03, L07
#   tc   = t-like cross with curled foot (ŧ), L08
#   qm   = question-mark hook (ʔ with tail down-left); gloss o (L08, L16)
#   Lh   = L with a hook (ʟ), L09
#   Lp   = L-hook joined to a ρ-like stem-loop (ʟρ); L11 line end, L22 start of run
#   I    = tall plain vertical stroke; lc = curled looped l (ℓ); both L01, unglossed
#   fk   = long-s/ƒ with a hooked top bar (ꞙ), L12
#   Q4   = quatrefoil (four loops round a centre), L03 end, L12
#   dd   = two dots side by side (..), a cipher letter (gloss d)
#   d3   = three dots in a row (...); gloss g (s in L10)
#   tri  = three dots in a triangle (∴), L02; gloss s
#   div  = dash-and-dot sign (÷ / -·-, dots above/below or either side); L04, L06, L07, L20
L01: {J.2exc.d.misingme.lamico} E hk Y/c o/h I lc A/e w/m f/a dd/d + p Y/c a/t fo/o qb/q 5/u W/e U/l + Y/c ?/h 6/e d/l T Yc/c lo 2 3 6
L02: 6/e A/l U Y/c 9/o 4/n a/t W/e tri/s P/a U/l 12 S Y/c a/t 9/o dd/d + f2/a Y/c o/h 2/i d/l 6 lo Yc/c p/o U/l 8 {vro} {servidore} {et}
L03: dd A/e U/l MALx 6 + a {inimico} + dd/d A/e U/l 2/i FIOL st T 8b/p W/e lo/r w/m 9/o U/l a/t 2/i {respecti} Q4 + {struck}
L04: A/e U/l st qb/q 5/u 12/a U/l dd/d pl Y/c W {discreto} {sa} {struck} {ch} _ div _ + U/l 2/i FIOL + dd/d E 2 f/a 4 5 d 3 Ub 8 +
L05: st a S lo/r 9/o w/m 8b/p P/a lo/r 6/e + Y/c 13/u w/m Z U/l fo MALx {etpero} {ch} hk d f st P/a 4/n 4/n fo/o d 8b/p 6/e lo/r f/a 4/n
L06: z f/a + {overamente} pl + div 4/n 5/u 4/n f/a div W/e U/l 6/e a/t 6 lo/r A/e {principe} {overamente} {inuna} {o}
L07: {piu} hk + T div/d E A/e U W/e U/l S/o lo/r 8b/p W/e lo/r d 9/o 4/n 6/e 6 a/t d f/a w/m A/e Y/c 6/e lo a S {che} a + 5 Y a
L08: 9 2/i 8b/p S/o 3 9/o U/l 2/i tc + {sopra} E w/m f/a U/l + qm 4/n a/t 6/e 4/n a/t 8 W a 13/u S lo/r 8 f/a 4/n 9 6/e U/l MALx {etfirme}
L09: {certo} {ch} qb/q + 5 Lh W d a 9 d3 9 13 A/e lo/r 4/n 12/a a/t 9/o lo/r W/e {nelsegreto} d hk f/a 5 + fo/o lo/r 6/e +
L10: d3/s p FIOL {et} {ch} db 3 A/e d a/t 12/a d3/s 6/e 4/n a/t W/e {ch} {cm} a hk A/e 4/n 6/e f/a U/l 6/o wp/p lo/r S/o 4/n a/t 2 6 lo A dd
L11: 6/e + st qb/q 5/u W/e d/s a/t 8/o FIOL {non} + hk U/l f/a a W/a 4/n 5 + d W/e 4/n 9/o 4/n {in} U S lo oo f 5 9 lo A _ Lp
L12: {overamente} {per} U/l + A/e 5 12/a lo/r d 3/u db/q 13/u f/a + U/l Y/c o/h W/e Y/c fo d P/a dd 6 w/m 6 fk S st Q4 f Y
L13: P/a dd/d A/e 4/n dd/d + 9/o 6/e U/l Y/c f/a d/s S/o {aciascuno} {pare} {che} {questo} {acto} {siamolto} {dannoso} hk + f/a
L14: + U/l E MALx {etcusi} _ {perche} Z dd/d + f/a 12/a dd/d 2/i 4/n a/t W/e 4/n dd/d P/a lo/r A/e f/a w/m S/o U/l a/t pl/i Y/c o/h + W U/l PAPA
L15: {fia} Y/c + 5/u hk w/m U/l S/o lo/r 9/o {selaS.V.havesse} E dd/d f/a PAPA oo f/a lo/r W/e {questa} pl/i w/m 8b/p lo/r
L16: 6/e + d/s f/a 2/i 4/n d/s W/a w/m 6/e Y/c 3/u w/m U/l + S/o MALx st hk Y/c S/o 4/n a/t 6/e dd/d 5/u lo/r 2 4 qm/o {discreto} {la}
L17: {S.V.} d/s W/a oo/f f/a lo/r 2/i f/a + qb 4 P/a d3/g lo/r f/a 4/n dd/d W/e d/s 2/i d3/g 4/n S/o lo/r W/e 8 4/n 8b/p 9/o Y/c o/h 9/o a/t + W/e
L18: stb/p fo/o {Bene} {che} + hk W/e U/l MALx W/e lo/r 2/i 8b/p 3/u a/t f/a a S/o Y/c 9/o d/s 2/i 8b/p 9/o 5/u f lo/r S/o {moltise} d
L19: E Yc/c S/o 8b/p lo/r st 2/i f 4/n S/o 8b/p W/e lo/r U/l 3/u 8/i _ {ma} {ciascheduno} {teme} 4/n S/o + hk d3 U/l W 8b/p S/o
L20: + d/s f/a f/a dd/d 2/i 13/u a/t f/a lo/r 6/e dd/d 6/e dd/d 8 Y/c A/e Y/c f/a 5/u P/a st div U/l 2/i Ub/b 8/i d/s 9/o d3/g 4/n f/a 4/n dd/d + S/o
L21: {clear_line_no_cipher}
L22: {adviselaS.V.cheiocomprendoetsento} _ Lp + hk d/l W/e PAPA 4/n + S/o + 4/n {struck} dd/d f/a Yc
L23: + S/o 4/n a/t lo/r A/e a MALx o/h f/a 5 6/e d/s W/e 8b/p 3/u 4/n a S/o dd/d + 6/e oo/f 2/i f/a a/t 9/o _ {etspetialmente} {se}
L24: A/e + U/l d/s 2/i d3/g 4/n + S/o lo/r Y/c 9/o 4/n a/t 6/e dd/d 5/u lo/r Ub/b 8/i 4/n S/o oo 5/u d/s Y/c 3/u w/m U/l 13/u 2/i {pensi}
L25: {molaS.V.} Y/c o/h + W d/s f/a lo/r 2/i P/a d3 2/i 5/u d3 4/n f/a lo/r d3/g U/l + 6/e U/l f/a 5/u S/o d/s a/t lo/r
L26: 12/a + d/s 2/i d3/g 4/n hk S/o lo/r 8/i P/a {maxime} _ hk dd/d A/e Y/c S/o d/s 6/e 4/n a/t 2/i w/m W/e 4/n a/t 9/o dd/d 6/e U/l PAPA
L27: + hk {Edaunaltroamicodesodifede} {ho} _ Y/c hk + o/h A/e + U/l 5/u 4/n f/a lo/r dd/d fo/o {et} {ch} W/e lo/r a/t S/o w/m
L28: E/e 6 6 + d/s a/t P/a a/t 9/o st qb/q 3/u 6/e d/s a/t p/i 9/o + 4/n A/e _ {ancho} {che} S/o + Yc/c 5/u + U/l a/t f/a w/m W/e 4/n a/t W/e
L29: W/e + U/l d/s 2/i d3/g 4/n S/o lo/r Yc/c 9/o + hk 4/n a/t 6/e + dd/d 13/u lo/r Ub/b 8/i 4/n + fo/o {tene} E d3/g lo/r f/a 4/n + dd/d W/e
L30: 8b/p lo/r f/a a/t 2/i Y/c P/a Y/c 3/u w/m d3/g 2/i fo/o 5/u f/a 4/n 4/n 8/i dd/d W/e lo/r f/a w/m Ub/b 6/e lo/r a/t S/o _ {etperquestochese}
L31: {ne} E + f Y S/o lo/r a/t 9/o f/a U/l Y/c 5/u + 4/n 9/o d/s 6/e 4/n A/e {presso} + hk f/a dd/d w/m pl/i lo/r P/a a/t 2/i 9/o 4/n 6/e
L32: a d S d 8b A Y a z Yc/c 3/u w/m U/l 9/o Y/c S/o 4/n a/t A/e dd/d + 5 E/u lo/r Ub/b 2/i 4/n fo/o 8b/p A/e 4/n d/s 9/o
L33: + d/s 6/e 4/n a/t 8/i lo/r W/e f/a d/s f/a pl/i {RacomandomesemprealaV.S.Forlivii6novembris}

reading_p3.md

# R1854 image 3 — Ricc(ardo?) de Mutiliana to Gianfrancesco Gonzaga, Forlì, 6 November 1428

Italian, clear text interspersed with runs of graphic signs (905 cipher signs). A contemporary letter-by-letter
interlinear decipherment is written faintly over the signs (read at the time; the gloss is transcribed in
`p3_gloss.md`). Here the runs were re-deciphered from the signs (`p3_signs.txt`, key `key3_p3.txt`, output
`p3_decoded.txt`): the key comes from the gloss (30 sign values each attested 2–56 times), the rare signs from
context (db=q, wp=p, p=i, div=d, tri=s, z=o, stb=mp, qm=co, E=è/e). Three name codes are glossed in the margin/over
the line: MALx = el signor Malatesta, FIOL = el fiol / li fioli del signor marchese, PAPA = el papa. Nulls: +, hk
(-♀-), hatched star, T, I, ℓ, Lh, tc, quatrefoil.

Signature: "famulus et servulus Ricc(ardus?) de Mutiliana" (Modigliana). Clear text in plain type; deciphered runs
in *italics* would be the norm on the page; here the whole is given in modern word division, `[?]` unread sign.

## Italian

J. et exc. d. mi sing.me. L'amico *che m'à dicto quel che scrive, e el conte sa l'à octo da chi serci li*
vostro servidore et *del signor Malatesta* et inimico *de li fioli del signor marchese* per molti respecti.
*El qual dice* discreto sa ch' *d li fioli del signor marchese de Ianus(?) ubi(?)to rompare cum [?] lo signor
Malatesta* et però ch' *s'à anno speran[ç]a, o veramente i[n] una de l'eletere* principe, o veramente in una o più
*de le lor persone, et sa me certo che tucto i popoli* sopra *è mal contenti et vorriano el signor Malatesta* et
firme. Certo ch' *questo governatore* nel segreto *savore[g]gi li fioli del signor marchese* et ch' *questa gente* ch'
[cm] *tenea le pronti; ered[e] e questi fioli del signor marchese* non *la tenu[t]e se non* in *lor favore*, o
veramente per *levarsu qualche cosa de me[?]o* ... *adendo el caso*: a ciascuno pare che questo acto sia molto dannoso
*a le signor Malatesta* et cusì, perché *[?] dà ad intendare a molti che el papa* fia *cum loro*. Se la S.V.
havesse *e(?) da papa* fare questa *impresa insieme cum lo signor Malatesta [e] conte d'Urbino*, la S.V. *se faria
una grande signore in pocho tempo*. Bene che *el signor Malatesta è riputato così povaro*, molti *se s[e] copriano
per lui*, ma ciascheduno teme *no gle possa adiutare de dice cavad(?) li bisognando*.
[L21, clear line] Adviso la S.V. che io comprendo et sento *se [el] papa non* [struck] *da contra el signor Malatesta
havese punto de fiato*, et spetialmente *se el signor conte d'Urbino fus cum lui*. Pensimo la S.V. *che saria
giugnargle la vostra signoria*, maxime *de consentimento del papa*. E da un altro amico de so di fede ho *che Lunardo*
et ch' *certo m'è stato questione*. Ancho che *ocultamente el signor conte d'Urbino* tene *[una] grande pratica cum
Giovanni de Ramberto*, et per questo che se ne *è acorto alcuno*, se ne presso *admiratione et sospecto cum lo conte
d'Urbino. Penso sentire assai*. Racomandome sempre a la V.S. Forlivii 6 novembris.

## Summary (English)

A Gonzaga informant at Forlì reports that his contact, a friend of the Malatesta and an enemy of the marquess's sons,
says the governor (of Forlì, for the pope) secretly favours the marquess's sons; everyone thinks the matter very
harmful to the lord Malatesta, because it is put about that the pope is with them. If the lord of Mantua undertook
this enterprise together with the lord Malatesta and the count of Urbino, he would become a great lord in a short
time; the lord Malatesta is thought so poor that many would shelter behind him but fear he could not help them. The
count of Urbino (Guidantonio da Montefeltro) is secretly in close contact with Giovanni de Ramberto, which has caused
wonder and suspicion.

## Measure

905 cipher signs (`p3_signs.txt`; the gloss confirms most runs). Unread or doubtful: Z (2), fk (1), the one '?'
sign, and short doubtful spans (L04 "d … de Ianus ubi", L05–06 "speran[ç]a o a", L10 "ered", L12 "de me[?]o",
L20 "dice cavad") — about 25 signs. Read as sense ≈ 880/905 = 0.972. The three name codes are read (glossed).

p3_decoded.txt

L01  J.2exc.d.misingme.lamico echemadictoquelchescriue
L02 eelcontesalaoctodachisercili vro  servidore  et 
L03 del [signor Malatesta] et inimico deli [fiol(i) del s. marchese] permolti respecti  struck 
L04 elqualdice discreto  sa  struck  ch  d li [fiol(i) del s. marchese] deianusubi
L05 toromparecum[?]lo [signor Malatesta]  etpero  ch saannosperan
L06 oa overamente idnunadeletere principe  overamente  inuna  o 
L07  piu deelelorpersoneetsamecerto che tuct
L08 oipouoli sopra emalcontentietuorianoel [signor Malatesta]  etfirme 
L09  certo  ch questogouernatore nelsegreto sauore
L10 gi [fiol(i) del s. marchese]  et  ch questagente ch  cm tenealeprontiered
L11 equesti [fiol(i) del s. marchese]  non latenusenon in lorfauore 
L12  overamente  per leuarsuqualchecosademe[?]oac
L13 adendoelcaso aciascuno  pare  che  questo  acto  siamolto  dannoso a
L14 le [signor Malatesta]  etcusi   perche [?]daadintendareamoltichel [papa] 
L15  fia cumloro selaS.V.havesse eda [papa] fare questa impr
L16 esainsemecumlo [signor Malatesta] contedurinco discreto  la 
L17  S.V. sefariaqnagrandesignoreinpochote
L18 mpo Bene  che el [signor Malatesta] eriputatocosipouaro moltise s
L19 ecoprianoperlui  ma  ciascheduno  teme noglepo
L20 saadiutarededicecauadlibisognando
L21  clear_line_no_cipher 
L22  adviselaS.V.cheiocomprendoetsento  se [papa] non struck dac
L23 ontret [signor Malatesta] hauesepuntodefiato  etspetialmente  se 
L24 elsignorcontedurbinofuscumlui pensi 
L25  molaS.V. chesariagiugnarglelauostr
L26 asignoria maxime  decosentimentodel [papa] 
L27  Edaunaltroamicodesodifede  ho  chelunardo et  ch ertom
L28 eeestatoquestione  ancho  che ocultamente
L29 elsignorcontedurbino tene egrande
L30 praticacumgiouannideramberto  etperquestochese 
L31  ne eacortoalcunosene presso admiratione
L32 tsospectocumloconteduerbinopenso
L33 sentireasai RacomandomesemprealaV.S.Forlivii6novembris

reading_p3_en.md

# R1854 image 3: Ricc(ardo?) de Mutiliana to Gianfrancesco Gonzaga, Forlì, 6 November 1428: English translation

Translation (Claude Opus 5.5, 23 Oct 2026) of the "Italian" section of `reading_p3.md`: clear text with the cipher runs
(in *italics*), re-deciphered from the signs with the key taken from the contemporary interlinear gloss. Same holes:
`[?]` an unread sign, `[x]` letters supplied, `(?)` doubtful. Where the 1428 Italian is garbled or uncertain (the
doubtful spans the reading lists) the English follows the words and marks the uncertain sense `[?…]`.

## Translation

Illustrious and most excellent lord, my most singular lord. The friend *who has told me what he writes, and the count
knows it [?from whom he heard it]*, your servant and *[friend] of the lord Malatesta* and enemy *of the sons of the
lord marquess* for many reasons — *he says*, discreetly, that he knows that *[?the] sons of the lord marquess [?…]
[?would] break with [?] the lord Malatesta*, and therefore that *they have hope, either truly in one of the electors(?)*
princes, or truly in one or more *of their persons; and he is certain that all the peoples* above *are ill content and
would like the lord Malatesta* and firm. Certain that *this governor* in secret *favours the sons of the lord
marquess*, and that *these people* that [cm] *kept them ready; [?believe] and these sons of the lord marquess* did not
*hold it except* in *their favour*, or truly to *get something of me[?]o for themselves* ... *the case arising*: it
seems to everyone that this act is very harmful *to the lord Malatesta*, and so, because *[?] gives many to understand
that the pope* is *with them*. If Your Lordship had *[?from the] pope* to make this *enterprise together with the lord
Malatesta [and the] count of Urbino*, Your Lordship *would make himself a great lord in a short time*. Although *the
lord Malatesta is reputed so poor*, many *would shelter behind him*, but each one fears *he could not help them [?…]
if they needed*.

[L21, clear line] I advise Your Lordship that I understand and hear *[?that if the] pope did not* [struck] *[?…]
against the lord Malatesta had any breath*, and especially *if the lord count of Urbino were with him*. Let Your
Lordship consider *what it would be to join Your Lordship to him*, above all *with the consent of the pope*. And from
another friend I know of [?good] faith I have *that Lunardo* and that *certainly there has been a dispute with me*.
Also that *secretly the lord count of Urbino* holds *[a] great dealing with Giovanni de Ramberto*, and because *someone
has noticed* it, *wonder and suspicion* has arisen from it *with the count of Urbino. I expect to hear much*. I commend
myself always to Your Lordship. Forlì, 6 November.