Who was Fiammetta in Giovanni Boccaccio’s literary works?

In the literary works of Giovanni Boccaccio, Fiammetta represents a central figure who dominates much of his writing leading up to the Decameron.1

While some have attempted to identify Fiammetta as a historical figure—specifically a natural daughter of King Robert of Naples—these claims are considered untrustworthy, as there is no documentary evidence that such a person ever existed.1

Within his body of work, Fiammetta serves as a recurring presence, appearing notably in his earlier writings and as a character in the Decameron who shares traits with her earlier literary incarnations. She is also the titular subject of his prose novel, the Elegia di Madonna Fiammetta (c. 1343), which highlights the influence of Classical literature on Boccaccio’s developing style.123