The Tragedies of the Medici

er's V

n my family!" roared o

Florence, in the f

her's wrath flashed in the face of Heaven! Duchess Eleanora made one swift step forward, intent upon shielding her child, but she s

rcy. Thrusting him from him, and spurning him with his heavy hunting-boot, he plunged furiously

ot behold the gruesome deed, but over the autumn sun was drawn a grey purple mist, and gloom settled upon the Maremma. And as the elements paled and were silent, a hush overspread wild

nd, and, whilst the courtiers in the company hastened to her assistance, the huntsmen reveren

eing gently borne by tender loving hands-it was Gio

wo virgin souls were winging their flight to join t

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nown as "Giovannino" to distinguish him from his father Giovanni, "Il Popolano"-was destined from his cradle to a military career. With such a mother

of his youthful relative. If not a caster of horoscopes, he was a reader of character, and, son as he was of Lorenzo

han out of his teens. His splendid physique and his prowess in friendly encounter, revealed the lion that was in him. The leader in all boyish pranks and rivalries, he displayed intrepid courage and unfailing resourcefulness

ortune, attracted by his fame, rallied to his banner. Very soon the "Bande Nere," as Giovanni's force was called, gave evidence that they had no equals in equipment and efficiency. T

i de' Medici. Although born outside the "City of the Lily," and the child of a non-Florentine mother, he and his were always on terms of good relationship with the gentl

inancial prominence-rivalling that of his own, and Messer Giacopo's three girls were noted for good looks and clever brains. Whether love, or money, was the magnet,

Madonna brought into the world, one wintry day in February-it was the nineteenth-1519, her first-born, a son. Cosimo they christened him, perhaps after his great ancestor Cosimo "Padre della Patria"- "Cosimonino." W

young soldier as one of his most trusty lieutenants. Designing, as he did, to create Giuliano,-later Duke of Nemours,-King of Naples and Southe

ngent of the Imperial army, but his success as commander was checked by a disastrous peace concluded by the Pope. The early years of young Cosimo's life were critical in the affairs of Tuscany; a fierce struggle for the suzerainty of all Italy was being fought out between Francis I. and Charles

The campaign continued and Giovanni was always in the front rank of battle until, outside Mantua, he was

nd over his head he beheld a royal crown! In the morning he did not tell Madonna Maria what he had seen in the night-watches, but something prompted him to test the

o her hold of her babe. The boy leaped from her arms into the air, and, whilst the distracted mother uttered a wail of anguish, Giovanni deftly caught his little son in his arms. The child chortled merril

n was no fantastic picture-my bonnie boy wi

years old-and, under her parental roof in the Via del Corso, she engaged some of the best teachers of the day to undertake

werful, and by all accounts so relentless, that her life became a burden in her ef

father as a gain for his personal ambition, he feared the life of his child would peril his hopes for Alessandro, his own illegitimate

of her sight and keeping. She took him away to remote parts of Italy with trusty attendants, that the Pope might not discover their whereabouts. Then she chose a faithful friend of her family, Maestro

studies being the heroic doings of the ancient Greeks and Romans. This was the usual curriculum for growing boys, and d

ati, and he again protested in person both to Clement in Rome and before the Signoria in Florence, against the creation of Alessandro as Head of the Republic. Once more this "loyal citizen" withstood the bastard Duke, when he

er's prudence. At fifteen, his character appeared to be already formed. He was grave of aspec

or him and received him with marked cordiality. Observing the young man's bearing and evident force of character, Charles took him by the arm and, placing

ess, nor did he enter into any relations with him. What dealings he had with Lorenzino and Giuliano, his cousins, are unknown. They were nearer the succession to the ducal throne than himself-indeed, the

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remained quiet and self-controlled. "Everybody," as Benedetto Varchi has recorded, "spoke out quite fully, as though no one doubted but that the Greater Council of the city would at once be summoned. They debated as to wh

and Francesco de' Vettori had constituted themselves, in a sort of way, mentors and advisers to the murdered Duke, who was onl

d intimated plainly their intention to seek an adult Head of the Government. Full powers were given to the triumvirate to carry on State business during the interregnum-a decision

Cardinals, Salviati, Gaddi, Pucci, and Ridolfi. Paul III.-naturally anxious to have a finger in the pie-despatched Roberto negli Strozzi with fifteen hundred mounted men to hold Monte

to meet him, and to take counsel with her concerning his claims on Florence. Instructed by his astute mother, the young man paid great court to the two visitors, and charmed them exceedingly. The Cardinal was at once con

errante de Silva, Conte de Cifuentes, the Spanish ambassador, who was

ops from Lerici-where they were in garrison, partly with a view to overawe the Council, and partly for the protection of the widowed Duchess Margaret. It was concurrently repor

Head of the State. At once Palla de' Rucellai rose in opposition, but his party in the Council was in the minority. The deliberations were disturbed by the entrance of the French ambassador, who

ing on, and the cries of the people penetrated the windows of the Council Chamber-"Evviva il f

as quite ready to accept the popular verdict. As they regained the street they saw a youthful cavalier, with a small mounte

he populace, and they hailed him as heir to Duke Alessandro, with marked affection. Affecting neither grief nor joy, he rode on with an air of serene importance, showing rather his merit for the throne than his wish for it. Dismountin

of the State, not Duke

ice indifferently

ree with the poli

he death of Du

ee illegitimate chi

th of nineteen years of age at the time of his opportune arrival in Florence, Cosimo at once showed his intention of assuming personally and untrammelled the government of the State. Cardinal Cibo and Francesco de' Guicciardini, who had been the first to r

ad of the State," Cosimo obtained from the Emperor Charle

the King of Spain's Viceroy at Naples. She was certainly no beauty, but a woman of estimable qualities, and profoundly imbued with the spirit of devotion. Hardly, pe

ge girl of Trebbio, and others, a young gentlewoman of Florence. Only Cosimo's mother, Madonna Maria, knew, and she refused to reveal the girl's identity, but she admitted that "La Bia" was Cosimo's child. Ele

uke were neither few nor uninfluential. Encouraged by the Clementine coterie in Rome, the members of which had from the first

Duke and an abettor of Lorenzino's "devilries," fled precipitately from Florence, and sought the protection of the Duke of Milan. Lorenzino's confession was written partly with a view of removing suspicion from his brother

the command of Filippo negli Strozzi's two sons, Piero and Roberto, who had married Lorenzino's sisters, La

ial sanction and promise of co-operation-were important factors in his resolution. Cosimo gathered together what men he could rely upon in Florence

d Baccio Valori were taken prisoners to Florence, bound upon broken-down farm-horses, and their forces were dispersed. It was reported that in the heat of the battle Otto da Montanto

milies of Tuscany. Filippo negli Strozzi, who was regarded as the leader of the anti-Cosimo party, was taken prisoner and cast into the fortress of San Giovanni. Apparently his aim wa

ith wholesale annihilation. It has been computed that in the latter year alone, nearly five hundred men and women, chiefly of good

dicis, he had also become possessed of some of the brutality of the Sforzas, through his grandmother Caterina, natural daughter, by the lovely but dissolute Lucrezia Landriani, of Galeazzo Maria, Duke of Milan

poor little "La Bia" had flown back to Heaven, as lovely and as precious a gift as ever came to gladden th

third day of the same month, and she was registered in the name of Maria Lucrezia." Alas, the joy of that natal day was marred by the solicitude which the delicacy of the frail

red and sallow like his Spanish mother. He was christened Francesco, after the patron saint of his day of birt

f Landesnechte which he had sent to Florence to defend the Medici Palace and its inmates duri

mondo da Cardona, and who had helped in the terrible sack of Prato. They were a menace to pe

conceal her dislike for Florence and its people. At Santa Maria Novella she endowed a chapel for Mass, wh

mother of a little daughter-Isabella Romolá they called her, in compliment to beloved Spain. She was, like

on of the conditions and activities of the great Trade Guilds. The College of Science was due to his patronage; and, in 15

ified, and entrenched camps and bastions were erected at San Martino in Mugello, and at Terra del Sole. He kept his hand upon the pulse of Florence: no slackening of restraint was possible. The men

nd in honour of good St John the Baptist, the patron saint of Florence. Lucrezia followed in 1544, and then there came and went in 1545 and 1546 Antonio and Piero. Garzia was born in 1547. A year sped by, and in 1549, Ernan

sel. "Tall for her age, with a face not only pretty, but intelligent, and as merry and as full of life as was possible. Her broad forehead wa

proved to Duke Cosimo that the convent was no place for her, and, although he placed Alessandro's illegitimate little daughters, Giulia and Porczia, with the good nuns, he resol

ncouraged and, if by chance, or by intent, a boy killed his rival, nobody cared and few lamented. The spirit of revenge was openly cultivated, and cruelties of all kinds were not reprimanded. Whether Cosimo's children shared in the general juvenile depravity, it is impossible to say: they were, as they left the nursery, kept hard at work with their lessons-Maria certainly

. The very learned Maestro Pietro Vettori, when he joined the household of the Duke as teacher of Greek and philosophy to Don Francesco, was greatly st

in Greek and Latin, and, possessed of a remarkably sweet and sympathetic voice, she was able to

s he did to show that he was absolute ruler of Tuscany as well as head of the Medici family. With the skilled assistance of Tasso, the architect, and Vasari,

i, for 9000 gold florins, and laid out the adjacent gardens. There the Du

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nch of the family held the Marquisate of Roncofreddo, and their stronghold was the castle of Montecodruzzo. Marquis Leonida de' Malatesti was the happy father of many s

e on that memorable day in 1537. A younger boy, Malatesta, followed his brothers' example, for, in 1548, in the li

the attention of the Duke, and his pretty looks and fair hair charmed the Duchess. One other recommendation the young boy had-his father's fidelity and worthy services, and he was looked upon as a pet of the pal

Pisa, in the winter of 1550, had a tragic ending. In the pages' common room the lads were playing with shot-guns, which were supposed to be unloaded. Picking up one of these, by mere chance, Malatesta aimed it joki

, was sent for in all haste from Florence, and everything was done for the unfortunate lad

ce, but all took Malatesta's part. The young Medici were eager and united in their version of the affair, moreover Donne Maria and Isabella were filled with pity for the unhappy

him instructions to set the boy at liberty, after administering the useful punishme

athetic letters in return: that to the Marchese was as follows: "... Consideration has been given ... it has not been found that there was any malice between the boys.... Do not trouble yoursel

terprise was beyond his scope, no obstacle insurmountable. Intercourse between the princes and princesses and himself became naturally less familiar, but the affect

was precisely the opposite for girls. Very especially severe were the restrictions imposed upon the growing daughters of the Duchess Eleanora. Bro

and troublesome to all who were about them. Maria and her younger sisters were literally shut up within the narrow limits of the apartme

. Rarely were they seen at Court functions, and rarer still in the city. If they were allowed a day's liberty in the country, the

sex was absolutely wanting. It was in vain that Cosimo expostulated with his consort; she was inexorable, and, indeed, she stretched her sys

ou see, Eleanora, Maria and Isabella are of the same complexion as mysel

lips. She was in 1556 betrothed to Prince Alfonso d'Este, eldest son of the Duke of Ferrara. He was certainly not in the category of lovers, even at sight, for he had never seen his bride to be. That was an entirely unimportant incident in matri

nd sobriety was not of the best. Directly Maria was told of the arrangement she expressed her disgust and her determination not to submit to parental dictation. Her r

f, and him whose heart was hers. No one suspected that a life so guarded could, by any means, be filched from its restraints; but so it was, and the first goss

Hill, the old fellow thought he heard voices, and, approaching a grove of la

her husband. Cosimo reflected long and acted warily, for he made no move for many days. Stealthil

-with the loss of all his honours and the confidence of his Sovereign. The boy pleaded in vain, and testified to the innocence of the love-making without effect, except to raise the Duk

n, plucking out his poignard from its hidden sheath, he stabbed his child to the heart! Drawing forth the gory weapon, he flung it

ead, by brethren of the Misericordia, who had been summoned by the Duke. Malatesta was thrown into prison, and there he languished for seven long years, without any

r the immediate removal and interment of her body. The brethren of the Misericordia might have enlightened the grief-stricken mother, only they were sworn to secre

re was universal grief in Florence where the unhappy Princess, though rarely seen in public, had become the favourite of the peop

s of remorse had turned his natural reserve into moroseness. He was like one beside himself, his wonted firmness and self-control, at times, failed to stay him, and he

ents he reflected, as Muzio has suggestively written: "Maria was very beautiful, as beautiful as any child of earth, most courteous and gentle, her seriousness compelled everyone to respect her, her s

s," and his one and consuming thought was of escape. His conduct seems to have been exemplary, and he gained the sympathy and friendship of his gaolers

, but, flying to the coast, boarded a vessel bound for Candia, a fief of Venice, and outside Duke Cosimo's jurisdiction. Various tales are told of his future career-some affirm that assassi

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s essentially a man of action, prompt, eager and able: probably no one ever had a more thorough confidence in his ow

autocracy. Cosimo was bent upon being absolute ruler of Tuscany, and the development of his will raised against him and his Governmen

although he covered them with the fragrant silk gloves of plausibility. With this idea ever present, he was bent upon retaining the advantage he had gained over Duke Ercole in the matter of poor young Donna Maria's betrothal, for he had other daughters to consider.

es and pomp of state ceremonial, Lucrezia de' Medici was married to Alfonso II

the match, and feared, perhaps superstitiously, the portent of a second unlucky alliance. Anyhow the preparations for th

action. As soon as the marriage festivities were over, he set out with a small suite of expert surveyors and agriculturists to

tments suitable for agricultural pursuits, and to encourage the settlement of vigorous working peasant-tenants. A certain portion of the estates he set apart to his own use for the

ok the matter up: he re-established all that had been done by his illustrious predecessor, and endowed a number of professorial chairs-especially in chemistr

ative and not so rigorous in winter as that of the higher Val d'Arno. Then, too, they were there within easy reach of their favourite

which science he especially interested his eldest son, Francesco, he excelled in his knowledge of botany. With passionate devotion to

onfines of the monastery of San Marco, he printed, bound, and published, literary works of all kinds. Torrentino, Paolo Giovio, Scipione Ammirato,

still bear the marks of his supervision. Benvenuto Cellini, Michael Angelo Buonarroti, Baccio Bandinelli, Giovanni da

. Alexandre Dumas has well summed up the character of Cosimo de' Medici: "He had," he says, "all the vices which rendered his private life sombre, and all the v

oroughly, and shared more frequently than he, in the layman's privilege of assisting in the choir of the Duomo at the singing of the "Hours." Musical reunions in

he hunting-field. No one rode faster than he, always in at the death, whether buck or boar, he was second to none as a falconer. He

old-accompanied by a limited suite, left the Palazzo Pitti for a progress through South Tuscany and the Maremma. At Fuicchio and Grosseto

nd his years, amenable to the dictates of conscience, and attracted by the offices of religion. In many ways he resembled his mother, and was physically more of a Spaniard than a Florentine. From his earliest years he evinced a remarkably docile submission to all who were placed over him as teachers or governors. He was gifted with great ability, for, sharing as he did, the studies and duties of his brothers, he very soon surpassed

he following year, he invited young Giovanni to visit Rome, and immediately conceived an immense fancy for his charming visitor. Giovanni was preconised Cardinal-Deacon, with the title of Santa Maria in Domenica, and the Pope presented him his own private residence, with its appointments and household. The y

Sforza had previously visited the Tuscan Court, and had rec

uch a bearing that it would have been difficult to have found anyone more attractive, more seemly in his morals, and very sensible." In Rome Giovanni gave himself up especially

his letters and literary compositions, "wherein are noble and benevolent expressions of his affection for his father

h as he had not reached the age prescribed for holding ecclesiastical preferments, Canon Antonio da Catignano was appointed Administrator of the spiritualit

nsent, remarking that "a prince of his house was more distinguished than a consecrated prelate." As a set-off to this discourteous reply to Pius, the Duke, whilst at Pisa, founded the mil

within his diocese. One is dated 24th October, 1562, and was addressed to the Bishop of Arezzo, abo

of making himself known personally to the various Sovereigns, and of looking out for a suitable consort,-and the Princess Maria Garzia of Portugal. The proposition was backed up by an offer of the kingly title to the Duk

years, and not until 29th June, 1550, was he held at the ancient font in the Battisterio di San Giovanni, having for his sponsor Pope J

is father's family, he was the merriest among his brothers and sisters. Mischievous, and passionate too, at

not unlike his own, and an instinctive love of arms. Garzia then was from the first years of boyhood destined for a m

leet at Pisa, naming as his Vice Admiral, Baccio Martelli, the most valiant and best experienc

would have thought that Duchess Eleanora would have regarded with special delight and love the son who most resembled herself in appearance and disposition; but perhaps the

he house. The good air and the charm of country life were specific, and the invalids regained their vigour and their good spirits, and all were eager

llied forth, with little Piero, to meet the returning-hunting party. Upon the ever-memorable twenty-sixth of November the Duchess had been persuaded by Don Giovanni to go with them,

k, quietly browsing upon the fresh green grass. Garzia seems to have sighted the animal first, but whilst he was somewhat slow in bringing his weapon to his shoulder, the Cardinal aimed, fired, and dropped the game. He at once dismounted and ran to claim the prize. High words followed, and, when Giovanni mad

and of himself, struck a blow at his brother which wounded him severely in the groin. Giovanni fell to

buskins were saturated, and Garzia was weeping piteously, and crying out despondently, "Oh God, I have killed Giovanni! Oh God,

lcade was preparing to move on to seek further assistance. They had not proceeded very far when the Duke and his attendants rode upon the scene.

have killed Giovanni," he

in her sedan-chair, terribly agitated by the cries she had heard in the forest. She approached her husband and found him standing lost

woon, and she advanced to aid him. Garzia heard his mother coming towards him

tions. Then, turning to his son, grovelling at his feet. "Behold, thy brother's blood," he cried with bitterness, "asks vengeance of God and of me, thy miserable father; and now I shall deal with thee alone. Certainly it is a heinous crime for a father to kill his son, but it would be

rrible calamity, fell upon her knees and prayed aloud to Heaven to save the poor, young boy, and spare her own broken heart. Shutting her eye

e Divine wrath, and for peace for the souls of his young sons. Then, bending towards the unconscious Garzia, he exc

arzia fell away, crying, as he

bid her sternly to act the woman. She was speechless and demented, and at the sight of her dear son's crimson blood colo

ning four of the most trusty of his retainers, he bade them pick up the dead body of the young prince and be

ung princes were arranged for burial. Upon baring Don Garzia's body, a fresh wound was discovered in his back, but whether by the hand of Don Giovanni no one ever knew. This fac

y was left there, whilst the burial of poor Don Garzia was completed by a simple service in San Lorenzo in Florence. The cause of the twofold lamentable occurrence

co returned in haste, from his tour of the Courts, and did much, by his loving sympathy, to revive his stricken mother. Still of no real avail were all the remedies, for she breathe

ged man, aged by a good ten years, silent, morose,

mbled prelates and assistants. Masses were offered for ten days for the repose of the souls of Giovanni and Garzia, and devotions were addressed

indulging in every sensuality within his power, executed an instrument of abdication of his sovereignty, nam