The Tragedies of the Medici

-"Il Ma

-"Il Pen

i!" "Si

h the lofty Council Chamber of the famous Palazz

s, who, from time to time, visited the city and claimed toll and fealty from the citizens, had never been addressed as "Signori"-"Lords and Masters." The "Spirito del C

Signori de' Medici!" "Signori!" "Signori!" "Evviva i due figli della Domina Lucr

Medici, made quite freely and spontaneously by the dignified Lords of t

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his will, was completed that same evening. He had, during his short exercise of power as Capo della Repubblica, given a page

old Porta Faenza, to debate the question of filling the vacant Headship of the State. Why such a remote locality was chosen is not s

Messer Tommaso Soderini, by reason of seniority of years and priority of importance, was called upon to preside. "Being one of the first

so's uncle-Ser Francesco-was one of the principal opponents in the city counsels of Cosimo-"il Padre della Patria." Messer Niccolo, his brother, carried on the fe

chief counsellor and intimate friend, but as the principal adviser of his two young sons-Lorenzo and Giuliano. He had, mo

f action, being quite remarkable for his display of that most pronounced charact

death. In a longer and more serious oration, on the conditions politically and socially of Florence and of the whole State, he put before his hearers two uncontrovertible considerat

ully he bowed his acknowledgment, but, with much feeling, declined the rare honour offered him. Then he went on to say that as the supreme

of the Medici; and he urged upon the assembly to offer their allegiance to Piero's

t all events the adhesion of such pronounced ante-Mediceans as Gianozzo de' Pitti and Domenico de' Martelli, and led to a fusion, there and then, of the two parties, "del Poggio" and "del Piano." Unanimity was the more readily reached when those who demurred perceived that

came to our house to condole with us in our bereavement, and to offer me the direction of the Government in succession to my grandfather and father. I hesitated to accept

ouncil Chamber of the Palazzo Vecchio, and was attended by a full concourse of senators and other prominent citizens, deputations from the Guilds, and representatives

His speech was repeatedly interrupted by cries that he should reconsider his decision and accept then and there the Headship of the State. He again

rk habiliments of mourning. Domina Lucrezia threw back her thick black veil, revealing upon her kindly face a sorrowful expression and her eyes suffused with tears. Making a

ears regarded the Domina as the model of what a woman and a wife, a mother and a queen, should be. She had no rivals and no detra

charity, and her unsparing unselfishness had not been without powerful effect upon every one of those hard-headed, hard-hearted citizens. The

ci-"the hope of Florence"-they recognised in the former a statesman, already a ruler in the making. Young though he was, he had widely gained a reputation for shrewdness and energy, for Piero had taken his eldest son early into his confidence, and had entrust

great weight in Florentine opinion. In figure and physiognomy he very greatly resembled his grandfather. His dignified bearin

s physical charms appealed to every one, for most Florentines were Greeks of the Greeks. A precocious

he "x+y" sign of absolute assurance had its match and equal in the "x-y" sign of restrictive deference. If one Messer arrived at some degree of prominence, then the best wa

began to reflect that the best way, after all, for settling the contentious question of the Headship of the Republic, was to rule every one of the "magni

ried out "Lorenzo," and some "Giuliano," and others "I tutte due"-but shouts for Lorenzo

ces and the nervous tension of their frames indicating the fervency of their emotions. In a few well-chosen sentences Lorenzo expressed his pleasure and Giuliano's, and the gratitude of their m

great bell of the Palazzo boomed forth the news to the waiting crowd outside. The wool-workers had ceased their toil, the artists

iumph, they could scarcely make their way, short as it was, to the Via Larga, for everybody pressed forward to kiss and stroke their hands. Never had there been anything like so popular an electio

s, their banks, and their offices, more or less pleased with the morning's work. Not a few reflected, rather grimly, that they had placed two you

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is plans as to the best government of the State. The yearly symposia in the Casentino had been productive of much good in the training of th

sions of the least friendly of the citizens. Lorenzo was clearly set upon the aggrandisement of his house and the dependence of all others. A

f his famous ancestors, Salvestro, Giovanni, and Cosimo, for nothing. Indeed Piero, his father, in writing to his sons at Cafaggiuolo to acquaint them with t

e love of Florence, with all her enthusiasm for what was pure, cultured, philanthropic, and religious. Niccolo Macchiavelli, somewhat unwill

ied himself in questions of State policy and in the affairs of the family, Giuliano drew to himself all the younger men in phy

ts and jousts with which Lorenzo and he delighted the citizens. Whilst devoting most of his time to fun and frolic,

's fond hope was that he should be named a Cardinal, not merely a Papal princeling, nor of course a religious reprobate-as, al

en the only serious romance of his life, and therein he never aroused Marco de' Vespucci's jealousy by his attentions to his young wife. Indeed the loves of "Il b

lity such as Florentines, and the strangers within their gates, had never witnessed. Banquets, ballets and pageants succeeded one another in rapid succession. Church and national f

purse; but actually the Capo della Repubblica was playing rather fast and loose with his opulent patrimony. There came a day when the stra

ereigns was gorgeous, and filled the people of Florence with amazement; but their wonder was tenfold greater when Lorenzo displayed still greater

al members were Domenico de' Martelli, Agnolo della Stufa, Bongianio de' Gianfigliazzi, and Donato de' Acciaiuolo. Whilst the mission and its wealth of offerings were received graciously by the Roman Court, Sixtus by no means extended a cordial welcome to Lorenzo. The request which he made for the bes

to negotiations concerning the sale of the costly jewels which had been collected by Pope Paul II. I

luable works of art. Sixtus, noting his artistic tastes, sent him many handsome gifts, and promised, at his soli

ame daily more and more madly in love. Whether his infatuation went at all beyond the bounds of Platonic affection is doubtful. His lovely innamorata was the wife of his best friend

ancesco de' Pazzi. He and his brothers declined the invitation to the Giostra, and abstained from participation in the genera

two camps-those who were content with the status quo, and those who were not. The latter made less and less effort to conceal their real sentiments, and at length set about to question Lorenzo's motives, and defeat his projects. He wa

to put his foot on my throat!" This threat-for so it was accounted by those who wished to discredit him-was

he nervously articulated constitution of Florence. The greatest genius of his age, he was not only the master of the Government, but the acknowledged chief of the Platonic Academy, the first of living poets,

d the village fairs in the Mugello, for amusement and good fellowship: indeed they brought him inspiration and popularity as well. When in residence in the Medic

of him: being at Pisa, he chanced to see among the students of the University-which, by the way, he was instrumental in re-establishing and re-endowing-a youth who squinted. He remarked with a laug

support. He soon became out and away the most popular man in Florence, notwithstanding the unworthy sneer of that ill-conditioned and self-opinionated monk, Girol

ather's succession to the Headship of the Republic difficult. The very men who had, for their own ends, misguided Piero, of course were no longer p

obody understood better the men of Florence, their manners and their moods. Long and serious were the deliberations of mother and son. With her pregnant assistance

t of the leading Signori as ambassadors to foreign courts and communes. The one great absorbing ambition of all pr

ssion to the Headship of the State, but principally to proclaim the grandeur, the wealth, and the power, of the great Tuscan Republic. It was a mast

ach embassy, and by the promise of knighthood upon the return of the ambassadors, scarcely a man of those nominated held back. The sche

nolo de' Niccolini, and Piero Filippo de' Pandolfini. Their departure was the signal for the advancement of many less known men,-frie

oposal-at once the most popular and most dangero

rthy and experienced of his peers. His whole-hearted loyalty to the cause of the Medici, and the consistency with which he maintained the position he had taken up, at the p

y who had a grievance-real or imaginary-against the government of Lorenzo, sought Messer Tommaso's advice and sympathy, so that the situation became charged with difficulties and embarrassments. The very merest change in t

n every respect, but he expressed, quite emphatically, his disinclination to undertake such an arduous duty. Not only did he plead the infirmities of age, but declared that his wife, Madonna Dianora

ming the scruples of his uncle and aunt to his mother. Her efforts were entirely successful, and Lorenzo, with a deep sigh of relief, hand

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i-he has very appropriately been called "the Cataline of Florence." Possessed of immense wealth, much of which had come to him from his father,

e same time remorselessly exposing his intentions, and vowing that no Pazzo should "go round the corner" for a Medico! Messer F

ntry about Fiesole. Leaders of men, they became adherents of the aristocratic party-the Ghibellines-and were consistent and energetic in their allegiance to the Emperor. The junior b

ation of the Pazzi and many other notable families from the exercise of the fra

nd opponents not only in domestic and commercial enterprise, but also in political advancement, and no love was lost be

Messer Andrea, next after Cosimo the most influential citizen of Florence, was elected to the Priorate in 1435, and in 1

ous family-some historians say he had nineteen children by his wife, Madonna Fiammetta de' Guigni! None of them, however, made their mark in th

with great restless, staring eyes. He perpetually tossed his head about from side to side, as though afflicted with St Vitus' dance. Giacopo was unmarried, a libertine, notorious as a gambler and a blasphemer, a spendthrift, and jealous-beyond bounds-of the popularity and pre-eminence of Piero and Lorenzo de' Medici. He was pointe

uance of a good understanding. None of Cavaliere Giacopo's illegitimate children arrived at maturity, and, on account of the failure of his elder brother's sons to achieve distinction, the proud banner of the family was clutched by

g that most fashionable of streets-the Borgo degli Albizzi. The Palazzo de' Pazzi doubtless was commenced by their grandfather, whose e

agencies in all the chief cities of Europe and the East, but their reputation for avarice and sharp dealing was proverbial. Perha

to her son Filippo, at Naples. "I must bid you remember," she wrote, "that those who are upon the side of the M

ain that the marriage of their eldest daughter, Bianca-"Piero's tall daughter" as she was called-to the elde

rticipation in public office. It was an extreme measure and not in accordance with his usual tact and circumspection, and of cou

e inherited the fortune without demur, under the express will of her father, who died intestate; but, at Lorenzo's command, the estate was passed on to Beatrice's cousin, Carlo Buonromeo, who was the winner of the second prize in

o families, but the affair of Giovanni and Beatrice was resented with peculiar bitterness by all

ually light-coloured hair dressed at the barber's and his face salved and puffed at the apothecary's to conceal his muddy complexion, he was reckoned, in the Mercato Nuovo, as little better than an ill-condit

im, even though it cost him his life." Macchiavelli says: "He was the most unscrupulous of his family." "A man of blood," Agnolo Poliziano

f to Lorenzo is but half the truth, for he was greatly perturbed with respect to the influence which such a passionate and reckless rival would have upon his relations with the Holy

Girolamo de' Riari. The Archbishop and Francesco were no strangers to one another; their families had risen to affluence an

and declined to grant him the temporalities of the See. The Pope yielded very ungraciously to the representations of the Florentine Government and named Rinaldo d'Orsini, Lo

, who conspired to prevent him taking possession. The Archbishop was, according to Agnolo Poliziano-the devoted historian and poet-laureate of Lore

er, a natural child of the Pope. The three were treated with parental affection by the pontiff, and had their h

o Archbishop Orsini in Florence, but his action was prompted by a motive, which was firmly fixed in his heart. This was nothing less than the supplanting of Lorenzo de' Medici

ion stopped not at character and reputation. He was bent upon the permanent aggrandisement of all the branches of the Delle Rovere family. Casting about for territorial d

e knew perfectly well that negotiations were on foot for the acquisition of the property and title by Lorenzo, on behalf of the Florentine Government. Nevertheless he sent a secret mission to G

nzo and all the leading men in Florence. What made the Pope's conduct more despicable, was the knowledge that he regarded this matter as the fi

liness a severe rebuke for his interference in the affairs of Florence. The relations between the two Governme

ic, and his appointment as Commander-in-Chief of the Papal forces. This manoeuvre was regarded with alarm by

iance, but, apparently, they failed of their object. The Duke was fri

bank. Sixtus was delighted with his new and wealthy adherent, and forthwith gave the presidents of the Medici bank in Rome notice that they no longer retained his confidence as Papal bankers, and that, accordingly, he had transferred the accounts of the Curia to the care of the

iati, and Cavaliere Francesco de' Pazzi. The Pope exulted openly in what capital he could make out of tales and gossip about Lorenzo and his entourage. Two prominent Florentines fomented this factious spirit. Giovanni Neroni-the Archb

f the Pope led all observant men to the conclusion that he proposed to assume the r?le of arbiter in the affairs of all the Italian State

name is somewhat open to criticism, for, although the Pazzi were the chief instruments employed, and exceeded all othe

less the Pope was much in the power of sycophants and adventurers-all immoral rulers are. Each knew his m

lord the Pope do as we

e declaration! It was r

ficantly, "and we mean

di

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wished to upset the Government of Florence and banish Lorenzo and Giuliano by direct means. When, however, it was borne in upon him that the immense popularity of the Medici wou

Papal throne, whilst he purposed handing over the triple tiara to his son, Cardinal Piero de' Riari. Nevertheless, there was some idea in the mind of Sixtus, which he conveyed to his

ng ear to those overtures, but a saner view is t

ano-one spirit

his, truly, I, you

, "a love surpassing that of women." He consistently submitted h

eration of other influences. Rome unaided could not cope with Florence, backed as she was by France, Venice, Milan, Ferrara, and Mantua. Sixtus consequently broached

y, offered to the young prince. He at once acceded to the Pope's invitation, and, as good as his word, he despatched his son, the Duke of Calab

that the Papal fief of Imola required protection. Of course the real purpose was

on of Lorenzo's removal. He at once rejected the proposition that resort should be had to violent or secret

readiness to lay down their lives for the undoing of the Medici. They first of all took into their confidence one of the Papal Condottieri, a man of undoubted courage and ability-Giovanni Battista da Montesicco, a native of the Roman Camp

feelings, and, if possible, secure his adherence. At first the old man was "as cold as ice"-so Montesicco said in his confession later on

e, "has sent me straight to your Honour to

Giacopo, "I

, just beyond the Porta Rosso, on the high road to Bologna. Consultations between the heads of the two families, Pazzi

Giuliano to honour the sport with their presence. Needless to say, Francesco de' Pazzi's return to Florence, in com

and especially to observe the persons and the habits of the two Medici princes. Furthermore, he was directed to seek a personal interview with

dreamt that foul play was intended. Montesicco was greatly impressed by the Magnifico's ingenuousness and nobility of character, and still more by the evident esteem and affection in whi

e Lorenzo to Rome in the name of Sixtus. Such a step would be regarded as a proof that the Pope no longer opposed Lorenzo's government, but that a modus vivendi had been reached, agreeable to all parties.

ey made no profession of any virtue," wrote Ser Varillas, in his Secret History of the Medici, "either mor

nst the hated Medici, he took into his personal confidence his brother, Giacopo de' Salviati

service for insolence and rapacity"; Giovanni Perugino, of San Gimignano, a physician attached to Cavaliere Giacopo's household; Giovanni Domenico, a bridle-maker and athlete, but "an idle

thy father,"-Messer Bernardo de' Corsi of the ancient Florentine house of that ilk. Two ill-living priests were also added to the roll of the conspirators -Frate Antonio, son of Gherardo de' Maffei of Volterra, and Frate Stefano, son of Niccolo Piovano da Bagnore. The former was exasperated against Lorenzo for the reckless s

d arise in the fulfilment of the design; the fear of espionage and leakage was ever present to the minds of the leaders. Bu

years of age, and "very tender in the heart of the Pope." Early in 1478 Sixtus had preconised him Cardinal of San Giorg

for the purpose of paying his respects to Lorenzo. There was, of course, much more in this apparently innocent proceeding than appeared at first vie

the name of the Pope-"men who were perfectly trustworthy a

able to all parties if he could see his way to entertain the Cardinal. Both he and the Archbishop, who was in the co

hed visitors were approaching the city, than a dignified deputation of Signori set o

r were Archbishop Francesco de' Salviati, with the Ambassadors-Giovanni Morino, representing Ferrante, King of Naples; Filippo Sagramoro, the Duke of Milan; and Ercole di Bendio, the Duke of Ferrara

opportunities to effect their dastardly purpose during the festivities. They were doomed to disappointment, for at the last moment,

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Maria del Fiore. Lorenzo announced his intention of personally conducting his eminence to the Duomo, and requested him to honour t

ion of the plot. In secret session it was arranged that, at the moment of the Elevation of the Host, Giovanni Batt

plan was not easy to arrange. Francesco de' Pazzi seemed inclined to step into the breach, but detestation of Lorenzo checked his ardour-he would not soil his hands with the blood of such a contemptible tyrant, a menial s

ite the best that could be made, because, at the Cathedral, Lorenzo and his immediate entourage would be placed with the clergy, within

ed building was packed with worshippers and spectators. In full state Lorenzo, accompanied by

uck his keen eyes, as he passed to his place, that there seemed to be an unusually large muster of adherents of the Pazzi and Salviati. Probably he reflected that the

other of Lorenzo il Magnifico. The Domina Lucrezia, who had suddenly retired from the prominent position she held at the Court of

tion seized upon the conspirators, for the slaughter w

was bowed before the symbol of the cross. Hesitation on the part of the confederates meant ruin, and, perhaps, death: this no one knew better than Francesco d

oom of the chamber conducted them into the young prince's apartment. Giuliano was nearly dres

ave come to conduct you to the Duomo." Giuliano was in a gleeful mood, and joked his visitors

of feeling whether he was wearing armour under his blue velvet tunic. With Bandino on the other side, the three made the rest of their way thro

their knees, ready to prostrate themselves as the celebrant held aloft the Sacred Host. Near Lorenzo were Giovanni de' Tornabuoni, his uncle,-famous for his wealth, influence at Rome, and his probit

, who had followed him closely, whipped out his sword, at the very moment of the Elevation, and ran the devou

t of nineteen gaping wounds and dyeing his scarlet robe deep purple. Francesco's frenzy was diabolical, for he leap

nour, who vainly threw himself forward to shield his unhappy young patron, and he cut him down to the gro

service, suddenly attacked him with daggers, but unskilfully. Lorenzo scrambled to his feet, and, casting his heavy mantle of State over his shoulders, drew his sword in self-defence. Turning to see who

all, holding his gory dagger in the air, and making for the chairs of estate-it was Bernardo Bandino. Commending the Domina Clarice to the care of his uncle, Lorenzo passed hurriedly up the

e," wrote Filippo Strozzi, in his family Ricordi-he was an eye-witness of the tragedy-"a great tumult in the church. Messer Bongiano and other knights, with whom I was conversing, were stupefied, one fled hither and another thither, loud shouts filled the building, and the hands of fr

al doors were incessantly battered from without, but no one dared to open them, and Lorenzo remained where he was until the hubbub in the Duomo appeared to be abating. Then another page, Sismondo della Stufa, climbed up i

uilds to assemble for the defence of the city and the maintenance of their liberties. Loud cries of "Liberta!" "Liberta!" rolled up the street,

the way, made some excuse for not assisting ministerially at the Mass, but took up his station close to the north door of the Duomo. Directly they saw Giuliano struck to the ground, th

ur respects to the Gonfaloniere, as in duty bound." Messer Cesare was at lunch, but, rising from table, he welcomed the Archbishop, who

anner seemed so strange, and his errand so irregular, that Petruccio's suspicions were aroused, and raising the arras, he saw the pass

ze the person of the Gonfaloniere and possess themselves of the Banner

leave the palace, and that the guards had been withdrawn from the gate and every door was bolted, the populace br

iovanni da Perugia, up to the lantern of the Campanile, and, thrusting their bodies through the machicolations, hung them head do

viati that he had seized the Gonfaloniere and the palace, and then to ride fully armed with a retinue of mercenaries and Montesicco's bodyguard of th

he gruesome human decoration of the Campanile. Without a moment's hesitation, spurring his hor

with the bluest blood of Florence, was swiftly crossed by the sword of retribution. Francesco was dragged forth, naked as he was from his bed, buffeted, pelted, and spat upon, they thrust him with staves, weapons, hands and feet, right through the Piazza della Signoria; up they forced him to the giddy gallery of the Campanile, and then, flinging his bleeding, battered body out

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e good Misericordia. His terrible wounds were reverently washed and his godlike body prepared for sepulture. News of his assassination had been swiftly carried out to Ca

Ah! how with tender fingers they counted each gaping wound. Ah! how gent

mmense concourse of people-stayed for a while from their savage man-hunt. To the Medici shrine of Sa

e of Lorenzo in this time of trouble, to offer him his person and his property-such was the p

ked them for their devotion and assistance, but entreated them, for his dear, dead bro

o. Bleeding heads and torn limbs were everywhere scattered in the streets; door-posts and curb-stones were dashed with gore; men and women and the children, too, were a

re they sold him for fifty gold florins. His shrift was short, for his purchasers, adherents of the Medici, hacked off his head in the street, and carried it upon a pole to the Ponte Vecchio! Buried at Santa Croce, in the chapel of the Pazzi, his

wo priests, Antonio and Stefano, were, two days after the tragedy in the Duomo, brought out of the cellars of the Badia of the Be

e all other considerations. He worked his way through the struggling crowd in the Cathedral and got out by the south portal. Luckily enough, the Cardinal's horse had been l

neto just in time to board a ship bound for the East, and at the point of weighing anchor. At Galata he went ashor

a. Put in irons by the Sultan's command, communication was made with Lorenzo. An envoy was despatched to Constantinople, to whom the wretch was handed, and, two months after his crimes in Santa Maria del Fiore, his liv

of the conspiracy; indeed, they were all away from Florence, except the fourth, Renato, and he was beheaded "fo

nder guard to Florence. Giovanni de' Pazzi, Francesco's brother, who had married Beatrice Buonromeo, hid, for a time, in the monastery of Degli Angeli, and then, with his wife, was banished

zo and Giuliano's sister, was protected by Il Magnifico, and

e' Vespucci, father-in-law to "La bella Simonetta"-"Il bel Giulio's" innamorata,-who as

ofession, he was a religious man, and just. He drew back from his bargain as soon as he had experience of Lorenzo's character, and he refused point-blank to slay him in a spot "where Christ could see him," as he said. It does not appear that he was inside the Cathedral that dread April morning, but remained on watch to see what transpired. On the defeat of the conspiracy he fled, with ma

the tragic occurrences in Florence, but openly deplored the failure of his scheme to replace Lorenzo by Girolamo. Furthermore, he issued a "Bull," which be

rity of the Florentine merchants in Rome were arrested, their property confiscated, and, to add insult to injury, Sixtus demanded from the Signoria the immediate banishment of Lorenzo. He expressed his keen sorrow for the deaths of the Pazzi a

eave Florence in the train of the young Cardinal, immediately before the reception of the Interdict. He returned to Rome and abandoned himself to a life of profligacy;

n, threw the Pope frantically into the arms of the King of Naples. He persuaded him to join in a combined and powerful invasion of

hatred wherewith I have been attacked, and my brother slain, I cannot but grieve; but when I reflect with what eagerness and zeal, with what love and unanimity, on the part of the whole city, my brother has been avenged and myself defended, I am moved not merely to rejoice, but even to glory in what has transpired. For, if I have found t

rs, but all vowed to support him in resisting the enemy at the gate. "Take cour

pany Lorenzo whenever he went abroad, and to protect him in his palace or at his villas. Doubtl

errible "Conspir