Lorenzo, upon the count's affairs, he obtained an interview with
Francesco and Jacopo de' Pazzi, when the latter gave his consent to
their enterprise. They then discussed the means of carrying it into
effect. Jacopo de' Pazzi was of opinion that it could not be effected
while both the brothers remained at Florence; and therefore it would
be better to wait till Lorenzo went to Rome, whither it was reported
he had an intention of going; for then their object would be more
easily attained. Francesco de' Pazzi had no objection to Lorenzo being
at Rome, but if he were to forego the journey, he thought that both
the brothers might be slain, either at a marriage, or at a play, or in
a church. With regard to foreign assistance, he supposed the pope
might assemble forces for the conquest of the fortress of Montone,
being justified in taking it from Count Carlo, who had caused the
tumults already spoken of in Sienna and Perugia.
Still no definite arrangement was made; but it was resolved that
Giovanni Batista and Francesco de' Pazzi should go to Rome and settle
everything with the pontiff. The matter was again debated at Rome; and
at length it was concluded that besides an expedition against Montone,
Giovan Francesco da Tolentino, a leader of the papal troops, should go
into Romagna, and Lorenzo da Castello to the Val di Tavere; that each,
with the forces of the country, should hold himself in readiness to
perform the commands of the archbishop de' Salviati and Francesco de
Pazzi, both of whom were to come to Florence, and provide for the
execution of their design, with the assistance of Giovanni Batista da
Montesecco. King Ferrando promised, by his ambassador, to contribute
all in his power to the success of their undertaking. Francesco de'
Pazzi and the archbishop having arrived at Florence, prevailed upon
Jacopo di Poggio, a well educated youth, but ambitious and very
desirous of change, to join them, and two others, each of the name of
Jacopo Salviati, one a brother, the other a kinsman, of the
archbishop. They also gained over Bernardo Bandini and Napoleone
Franzeni, two bold young men, under great obligations to the family of
the Pazzi. Besides those already mentioned, they were joined by
Antonio da Volterra and a priest named Stefano, who taught Latin to
the daughter of Jacopo de' Pazzi. Rinato de' Pazzi, a grave and
prudent man, being quite aware of the evils resulting from such
undertakings, refused all participation in the conspiracy; he held it
in abhorrence, and as much as possible, without betraying his kinsmen,
endeavored to counteract it.
The pope had sent Raffaello di Riario, a nephew of Count Girolamo, to
the college of Pisa, to study canon law, and while there, had advanced
him to the dignity of a cardinal. The conspirators determined to bring
this cardinal to Florence, as they would thus be better able to
conceal their design, since any persons requisite to be introduced
into the city might easily be made to appear as a part of his retinue,
and his arrival might facilitate the completion of their enterprise.
The cardinal came, and was received by Jacopo de' Pazzi at his villa
of Montughi, near Florence. By his means it was also intended to bring
together Giuliano and Lorenzo, and whenever this happened, to put them
both to death. They therefore invited them to meet the cardinal at
their villa of Fiesole; but Giuliano, either intentionally or through
some preventing cause, did not attend; and this design having failed,
they thought that if asked to an entertainment at Florence, both
brothers would certainly be present. With this intention they
appointed Sunday, the twenty-sixth of April, 1478, to give a great
feast; and, resolving to assassinate them at table, the conspirators
met on the Saturday evening to arrange all proceedings for the
following day. In the morning it was intimated to Francesco that
Giuliano would be absent; on which the conspirators again assembled
and finding they could no longer defer the execution of their design,
since it would be impossible among so many to preserve secrecy, they
determined to complete it in the cathedral church of Santa Reparata,
where the cardinal attending, the two brothers would be present as
usual. They wished Giovanni Batista da Montesecco to undertake the
murder of Lorenzo, while that of Giuliano was assigned to Francesco
de' Pazzi and Bernardo Bandini. Giovanni Batista refused, either
because his familiarity with Lorenzo had created feelings in his
favor, or from some other reason, saying he should not have resolution
sufficient to commit such a deed in a church, and thus add sacrilege
to treachery. This caused the failure of their undertaking; for time
pressing, they were compelled to substitute Antonio da Volterra and
Stefano, the priest, two men, who, from nature and habit, were the
most unsuitable of any; for if firmness and resolution joined with
experience in bloodshed be necessary upon any occasion, it is on such
as these; and it often happens that those who are expert in arms, and
have faced death in all forms on the field of battle, still fail in an
affair like this. Having now decided upon the time, they resolved that
the signal for the attack should be the moment when the priest who
celebrated high mass should partake of the sacrament, and that, in the
meantime, the Archbishop de' Salviati, with his followers, and Jacopo
di Poggio, should take possession of the palace, in order that the
Signory, after the young men's death, should voluntarily, or by force,
contribute to their assistance.
CHAPTER II
Giuliano de' Medici slain--Lorenzo escapes--The archbishop
Salviati endeavors to seize the palace of the Signory--He is taken
and hanged--The enterprise of the conspirators entirely fails--
Manifestations of the Florentines in favor of Lorenzo de' Medici--
The conspirators punished--The funeral of Giuliano--The pope and
the king of Naples make war upon the Florentines--Florence
excommunicated--Speech of Lorenzo de' Medici to the citizens of
Florence.
The conspirators proceeded to Santa Reparata, where the cardinal and
Lorenzo had already arrived. The church was crowded, and divine
service commenced before Giuliano's arrival. Francesco de' Pazzi and
Bernardo Bandini, who were appointed to be his murderers, went to his
house, and finding him, they, by earnest entreaties, prevailed upon
him to accompany them. It is surprising that such intense hatred, and
designs so full of horror as those of Francesco and Bernardo, could be
so perfectly concealed; for while conducting him to the church, and
after they had reached it, they amused him with jests and playful
discourse. Nor did Francesco forget, under pretense of endearment, to
press him in his arms, so as to ascertain whether under his apparel he
wore a cuirass or other means of defense. Giuliano and Lorenzo were
both aware of the animosity of the Pazzi, and their desire to deprive
them of the government; but they felt assured that any design would
be
attempted openly, and in conjunction with the civil authority. Thus
being free from apprehension for their personal safety both affected
to be on friendly terms with them. The murderers being ready, each in
his appointed station, which they could retain without suspicion, on
account of the vast numbers assembled in the church, the preconcerted
moment arrived, and Bernardo Bandini, with a short dagger provided for
the purpose, struck Giuliano in the breast, who, after a few steps,
fell to the earth. Francesco de' Pazzi threw himself upon the body and
covered him with wounds; while, as if blinded by rage, he inflicted a
deep incision upon his own leg. Antonio and Stefano, the priest,
attacked Lorenzo, and after dealing many blows, effected only a slight
incision in the throat; for either their want of resolution, the
activity of Lorenzo, who, finding himself attacked, used his arms in
his own defense, or the assistance of those by whom he was surrounded,
rendered all attempts futile. They fled and concealed themselves, but
being subsequently discovered, were put to death in the most
ignominious manner, and their bodies dragged about the city. Lorenzo,
with the friends he had about him, took refuge in the sacristy of the
church. Bernardo Bandini, after Giuliano's death, also slew Francesco
Nori, a most intimate friend of the Medici, either from some previous
hatred or for having endeavored to render assistance to Giuliano; and
not content with these murders, he ran in pursuit of Lorenzo,
intending, by his own promptitude, to make up for the weakness and
inefficiency of the others; but finding he had taken refuge in the
vestry, he was prevented.
In the midst of these violent and fearful deeds, during which the
uproar was so terrible, that it seemed almost sufficient to bring the
church down upon its inmates, the cardinal Riario remained close to
the altar, where he was with difficulty kept in safety by the priests,
until the Signory, upon the abatement of the disturbance, could
conduct him to their palace, where he remained in the utmost terror
till he was set at liberty.
There were at this time in Florence some people of Perugia, whom party
feuds had compelled to leave their homes; and the Pazzi, by promising
to restore them to their country, obtained their assistance. The
Archbishop de' Salviati, going to seize the palace, together with
Jacopo di Poggio, and the Salviati, his friends, took these Perugini
with him. Having arrived, he left part of his people below, with
orders that when they heard a noise they should make themselves
masters of the entrance, while himself, with the greater part of the
Perugini, proceeded above, and finding the Signory at dinner (for it
was now late), was admitted after a short delay, by Cesare Petrucci,
the Gonfalonier of Justice. He entered with only a few of his
followers, the greater part of them being shut up in the cancelleria
into which they had gone, whose doors were so contrived, that upon
closing they could not be opened from either side, without the key.
The archbishop being with the gonfalonier, under pretense of having
something to communicate on the part of the pope, addressed him in
such an incoherent and hesitating manner, that the gonfalonier at once
suspected him, and rushing out of the chamber to call assistance,
found Jacopo di Poggio, whom he seized by the hair of the head, and
gave into the custody of his attendants. The Signory hearing the
tumult, snatched such arms as they could at the moment obtain, and all
who had gone up with the archbishop, part of them being shut up, and
part overcome with terror, were immediately slain or thrown alive out
of the windows of the palace, at which the archbishop, the two Jacopi
Salviati, and Jacopodi Poggio were hanged. Those whom the archbishop
left below, having mastered the guard and taken possession of the
entrance occupied all the lower floors, so that the citizens, who in
the uproar, hastened to the palace, were unable to give either advice
or assistance to the Signory.
Francesco de' Pazzi and Bernardo Bandini, perceiving Lorenzo's escape,
and the principal agent in the enterprise seriously wounded, became
immediately conscious of the imminent peril of their position.
Bernardo, using the same energy in his own behalf that had served him
against the Medici, finding all lost, saved himself by flight.
Francesco, wounded as he was, got to his house, and endeavored to get
on horseback, for it had been arranged they should ride through the
city and call the people to arms and liberty; but he found himself
unable, from the nature of his wound, and, throwing himself naked upon
his bed, begged Jacopo de' Pazzi to perform the part for which he was
himself incapacitated. Jacopo, though old and unaccustomed to such
business, by way of making a last effort, mounted his horse, and, with
about a hundred armed followers, collected without previous
preparation, hastened to the piazza of the palace, and endeavored to
assemble adherents by cries of "people," and "liberty"; but the
former, having been rendered deaf by the fortune and liberty of the
Medici, the latter was unknown in Florence, and he found no followers.
The signors, who held the upper part of the palace, saluted him with
stones and threats. Jacopo, while hesitating, was met by Giovanni
Seristori, his brother-in-law, who upbraided him with the troubles he
had occasioned, and then advised him to go home, for the people and
liberty were as dear to other citizens as to himself. Thus deprived of
every hope, Lorenzo being alive, Francesco seriously wounded, and none
disposed to follow him, not knowing what to do, he resolved, if
possible, to escape by flight; and, accompanied by those whom he had
led into the piazza, left Florence with the intention of going into
Romagna.
In the meantime the whole city was roused to arms, and Lorenzo de'
Medici, accompanied by a numerous escort, returned to his house. The
palace was recovered from its assailants, all of whom were either
slain or made prisoners. The name of the Medici echoed everywhere, and
portions of dead bodies were seen borne on spears and scattered
through the streets; while everyone was transported with rage against
the Pazzi, and pursued them with relentless cruelty. The people took
possession of their houses, and Francesco, naked as they found him,
was led to the palace, and hanged beside the archbishop and the rest.
He could not be induced, by any injurious words or deeds, to utter a
syllable, but regarding those around with a steady look, he silently
sighed. Guglielmo de' Pazzi, brother-in-law to Lorenzo, fled to the
latter's house, and by his innocence and the intercession of his wife,
Bianca, he escaped death. There was not a citizen of any rank whatever
who did not, upon this occasion, wait upon Lorenzo with an offer of
his services; so great were the popularity and good fortune which this
family had acquired by their liberality and prudence. Rinato de' Pazzi
; was at his villa when the event took place, and on being informed of
it, he endeavored to escape in disguise, but was arrested upon the
road and brought to Florence. Jacopo de' Pazzi was taken while
crossing the mountains of Romagna, for the inhabitants of these parts
having heard what had occurred, and seeing him in flight, attacked and
brought him back to the city; nor could he, though he frequently
endeavored, prevail with them to put him to death upon the road.
Jacopo and Rinato were condemned within four days after the murder of
Giuliano. And though so many deaths had been inflicted that the roads
were covered with fragments of human bodies, not one excited a feeling
of regret, except that of Rinato; for he was considered a wise and
good man, and possessed none of the pride for which the rest of his
family were notorious. As if to mark the event by some extraordinary
circumstance, Jacopo de' Pazzi, after having been buried in the tomb
of his ancestors, was disinterred like an excommunicated person, and
thrown into a hole at the outside of the city walls; from this grave
he was taken, and with the halter in which he had been hanged, his
body was dragged naked through the city, and, as if unfit for
sepulture on earth, thrown by the populace into the Arno, whose waters
were then very high. It was an awful instance of the instability of
fortune, to see so wealthy a man, possessing the utmost earthly
felicity, brought down to such a depth of misery, such utter ruin and
extreme degradation. It is said he had vices, among which were gaming
and profane swearing, to which he was very much addicted; but these
seem more than balanced by his numerous charities, for he relieved
many in distress, and bestowed much money for pious uses. It may also
be recorded in his favor, that upon the Saturday preceding the death
of Giuliano, in order that none might suffer from his misfortunes, he
discharged all his debts; and whatever property he possessed belonging
to others, either in his own house or his place of business, he was
particularly careful to return to its owners. Giovanni Batista da
Montesecco, after a long examination, was beheaded; Napoleone Franzesi
escaped punishment by flight; Giulielmo de' Pazzi was banished, and
such of his cousins as remained alive were imprisoned in the fortress
of Volterra. The disturbances being over, and the conspirators
punished, the funeral obsequies of Giuliano were performed amid
universal lamentation; for he possessed all the liberality and
humanity that could be wished for in one of his high station. He left
a natural son, born some months after his death, named Giulio, who was
endowed with that virtue and felicity with which the whole world is
now acquainted; and of which we shall speak at length when we come to
our own times, if God spare us. The people who had assembled in favor
of the Pazzi under Lorenzo da Castello in the Val di Tavere, and under
Giovan Francesco da Tolentino in Romagna, approached Florence, but
having heard of the failure of the conspiracy, they returned home.
The changes desired by the pope and the king in the government of
Florence, not having taken place, they determined to effect by war
what they had failed to accomplish by treachery; and both assembled
forces with all speed to attack the Florentine states; publicly
declaring that they only wished the citizens to remove Lorenzo de'
Medici, who alone of all the Florentines was their enemy. The king's
forces had already passed the Tronto, and the pope's were in Perugia;
and that the citizens might feel the effect of spiritual as well as
temporal weapons, the pontiff excommunicated and anathematized them.
Finding themselves attacked by so many armies, the Florentines
prepared for their defense with the utmost care. Lorenzo de' Medici,
as the enemy's operations were said to be directed against himself
alone, resolved first of all to assemble the Signory, and the most
influential citizens, in the palace, to whom, being above three
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