4. Convent of St. Ursula

After Beatrice receives alms from Euthanasia and leaves Valperga, Euthanasia (still unaware of her connection to Beatrice through Castruccio, and only thinking of her as an unfortunate pilgrim) “sent a servant to the nunnery of St. Ursula, which was on the road the pilgrim was to follow, with a loaded basket of fruits, wine and other food, and a message to the nuns to watch for and receive the unhappy stranger. All passed as she desired. The pilgrim entered the convent; and, after praying in the chapel, and silently partaking a frugal meal of fruit and bread, she went to rest in her lowly cell. The next morning the abbess had intended to question her, and to win her to some comfort; but, before the dawn of day, the pilgrim had left the convent; and, with slow steps and a sorrowing heart, continued her way towards Rome” (276). Later, when Euthanasia learns more about Beatrice from Castruccio, she sends sends messengers after her “for tracing her steps, and inducing her to return” (277). These messengers trace her “From Lucca to Pisa” (277) which suggests that the convent of St. Ursula is in Lucca. I was unable to find any historical record of a convent of St. Ursula in or near Lucca. Consequently, I pinned the Chiesa di San Francesco, which is a church that existed at the time in Lucca (in fact, the real Castruccio’s remains are buried there).

Coordinates

Latitude: 43.845435900000
Longitude: 10.510975300000