True, I have served three Popes; but that was a matter of necessity." Earlier, in 1543, he had written to the same effect: "When you correspond with me, do not use the superscription _Michelangelo Simoni_, nor _sculptor_; it is enough to put _Michelangelo Buonarroti_, for that is how I am known here." On another occasion, advising his nephew what surname the latter ought to adopt, he says: "I should certainly use _Simoni_, and if the whole (that is, the whole list of patronymics in use at Florence) is too long, those who cannot read it may leave it alone." These communications prove that, though he had come to be known as Buonarroti, he did not wish the family to drop their old surname of Simoni.

The reason was that he believed in their legendary descent from the Counts of Canossa through a Podesta of Florence, traditionally known as Simone da Canossa.

This opinion had been confirmed in 1520, as we have seen above, by a letter he received from the Conte Alessandro da Canossa, addressing him as "Honoured kinsman." In the correspondence with Lionardo, Michelangelo alludes to this act of recognition: "You will find a letter from the Conte Alessandro da Canossa in the book of contracts.

He came to visit me at Rome, and treated me like a relative.

Take care of it." The dislike expressed by Michelangelo to be called _sculptor_, and addressed upon the same terms as other artists, arose from a keen sense of his nobility.