CHAPTER I.

PAZZI CONSPIRACY.

State of Affairs at Home and Abroad—Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Pazzi—Causes of Enmity—Attitude of Sixtus IV. and Girolamo Riario towards the Medici—The Plot against the Medici—Girolamo Riario, Francesco de’ Pazzi, and Francesco Salviati—Preparations for the Enterprise—Invitation to Lorenzo to visit Rome—Consultations in Rome—Giovanni Batista da Montesecco—Meeting of the Conspirators—The Conspirators and the Papacy—Francesco de’ Pazzi and Montesecco in Florence—Agreement with Jacopo de’ Pazzi—Francesco Salviati and Cardinal Raffael Riario—The other Participators in the Plot—The 26th April, 1478—Attempt in the Cathedral—Death of Giuliano—Rescue of Lorenzo—The Archbishop of Pisa in the Palace of the Signory—Conflict around the Palace—Deeds of Blood in the Palace and in the Streets—Executions and Murder—Lorenzo’s Address to the People—Legal Measures against the Pazzi—The Funeral of Giuliano de’ Medici—His Son Giulio 313