Chapter VIII

DISTURBANCE IN THE ROMAGNA. TUSCAN AND UMBRIAN NEIGHBOURS.

Girolamo Riario in Imola and Forlì—Death of Girolamo
Riario—Catarina Riario Sforza—Disturbances in Forlì—Forlì
remains in the Possession of the Riarii—Dispute about
Piancaldoli—Conflicting Interests in the Affairs of
Romagna—Dissatisfaction against Milan—Faenza and the
Manfredi—Murder of Galeotto Manfredi—Revolt in Faenza—Lorenzo
de’ Medici and Giovanni Bentivoglio, and the Disturbances in
Faenza—Caterina Riario Sforza—Unhappy State of Affairs in the
Romagna—Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Neighbouring States—Piombino
and Siena—State of Parties in Siena—Lorenzo de’ Medici and
Siena—Lorenzo de’ Medici and Lucca—The Connection of Città di
Castello and Perugia—Franceschetto Cybò in Perugia—Lorenzo de’
Medici’s Opinion of Affairs in Perugia—Victory of the Baglioni
Faction in Perugia—Violence of the Factions—Affairs of Ascoli—The
Papal Authority and the Jealousy of Neighbouring States—The
Orsini in connection with the Pope and Naples—Gentil Virginio and
Niccolò Orsini 294

SIXTH BOOK.

_LATER YEARS OF LORENZO DE’ MEDICI’S LIFE._

CHAPTER I.

FLORENTINE STATE AFFAIRS. MATTERS PUBLIC AND FINANCIAL ABOUT 1490.

The Ruling Party and Old Enemies—Albizzi, Soderini,
Pazzi—Francesco Guicciardini’s Description of Florentine
Affairs—Alessandro de’ Pazzi on the Position of Lorenzo de’
Medici—Progressive Personal Authority—Supplications and
Recommendations—Alessandro Farnese—Requests and Compliments of
Foreign Princes—Friends and Dependants of the Medicis—Giovanni
Lanfredini—Lorenzo’s Behaviour towards his Dependants—The
Gonfalonier Neri Cambi—Weakness of the Administration—Committees
for the Choice of Magistrates and for Finance—Reform of the
Coinage and Currency—Finance of the Medicis—Losses of the
Banks—Employment of Public Moneys—Institution for the Dowry of
Daughters—Reduction of the Payments of the Institution—The Bank
in Lyons, and Philippe de Commines—Commines’ Last Letter to
Lorenzo de’ Medici 317

CHAPTER II.

LIFE IN FLORENCE.

Benedetto Dei’s Comparison of Florence and Venice—Description of
Florence in the latter Part of the Fifteenth Century—Industry
and Trade—Interest on Money and Money-Lenders—Mode of Life
of the Higher Classes—Splendour of Festivities—Benedetto
Salutati’s Banquet at Naples—Life in Florence—Town and
Villa—Amusements—Athletic Exercises—Hunting—Plays—Religious
Representations and Processions—The Potenza and
its Growth—Carnavals and Parades—Reaction against
Carnavals—Historical and Mythological Processions—Bartolommeo
Benci’s Carnaval Procession—Buffoonery—Piovano Arlotto—The
Fat Carpenter—Good and Bad of the Social Condition—Benedetto
Varchi’s Description of the People of Florence—System of Family
Life—Distinguished Women—Knighthood—Cavalieri di Popolo—The
Embassies—Splendour of Embassies in the Fifteenth Century 338

CHAPTER III.

HOUSE AND FAMILY OF THE MEDICI.

The Medici as Collectors and Art Patrons—Wealth of the House
of Medici—Traders and their Purchases—The Garden and Casino of
San Marco—The Villas of the Medici—Poggio a Cajano—Lorenzo de’
Medici’s Mode of Life—Meal-times—Grandeur and Simplicity—Visit
of Count Eberhard of Würtemberg—Horses and Races—Hawking—Visits
to Pisa—Agnano and other Estates—Journeys to the Baths—The
Baths of San Filippo and Vignone—Love Affairs—Bartolommeo Nasi
Benci—Embassies and Presents of the Egyptian Sultan—Festal
Reception of Travellers—Companions and Friends at
Home—Lorenzo de’ Medici in Confidential Intercourse—Musical
Entertainments—Antonio degli Organi—Music and Poetry—Piero
and Alfonsina Orsini de’ Medici—Lorenzo’s Daughters—Homely
Appearance—Lorenzo in Jest and in Earnest 366

CHAPTER IV.

GIOVANNI DE’ MEDICI’S CARDINALSHIP.

Innocent VIII. and Franceschetto Cybò—Lorenzo de’ Medici’s
Intercession for Franceschetto—Giovanni de’ Medici and Church
Benefices—The Abbeys of Passignano and Monte Cassino—The Dignity
of Cardinal—Giovanni Lanfredini—Lorenzo’s Impatience at the
Pope’s Hesitation—Giovanni de’ Medici created Cardinal—Rejoicings
in Florence—Lorenzo’s Thanksgiving—Impression made by the
Nomination—Death of Giovanni Lanfredini—Canonisation of
Archbishop Antoninus 394

CHAPTER V.

ISSUE OF THE CONTEST BETWEEN INNOCENT VIII. AND FERRANTE OF
ARAGON.

King Ferrante’s Behaviour towards the Pope—Niccolò Orsini
as Papal Captain-General—Lorenzo de’ Medici on the Quarrel
between Pope and King—Position of Milan and Venice—The Pope’s
Proceedings against the King—Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Proposals—The
Pope on the Interference of Foreign Powers—Ferrante’s Opposition
to an Alliance—French Propositions to the Pope—Innocent
VIII.’s Complaints of the King—Innocent VIII. and Foreign
Countries—Giovanni Pentano on the Agreement of 1486—Neapolitan
Proposals for a Treaty—Peace between the Pope and Naples—French
Affairs—King Ferrante’s Family Troubles—Gian Galeazzo Sforza
and Ludovico il Moro—Breach between Alfonso of Arragon and il
Moro—Neapolitan Embassy to Milan 408

CHAPTER VI.

OPPOSITION TENDENCIES. FRA GIROLAMO SAVONAROLA.

Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Clergy—Girolamo Savonarola in his
Youth—Savonarola’s first Residence in Florence—Fra Mariano
of Genazzano and the Monastery of San Gallo—Fra Mariano and
Lorenzo de’ Medici—Fra Mariano as Preacher—Savonarola’s
increasing Zeal for Teaching—Savonarola as Preacher—Francesco
Guicciardini on Savonarola’s Influence—The Philosophers and
the Monks—Representations of the Medici Circle concerning
Savonarola—Savonarola’s Excesses—Savonarola and Fra Mariano 425

CHAPTER VII.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF GIOVANNI DE’ MEDICI’S CARDINALSHIP.

Giovanni de’ Medici in Pisa—Delayed Publication of the Brief
making him Cardinal—Doubtful State of Health of Innocent
VIII.—Publication of the Brief—Festival in the Abbey of Fiesole
and in Florence—Giovanni de’ Medici’s Journey to Rome—Reception
in Rome—Lorenzo’s Letter to his Son the Cardinal 440

CHAPTER VIII.

DEATH OF LORENZO DE’ MEDICI.

Lorenzo de’ Medici’s Illness—Remedy for his Sufferings—Changes
between Better and Worse—Lorenzo’s Intention of transferring his
Affairs to his Son Piero—Political Position—Moral and Religious
Views—Lorenzo’s Advice to his Son—Lorenzo with Angelo Poliziano
and Pico—Savonarola at the Death-bed—Death of Lorenzo de’
Medici—Prodigies and Obsequies—Decree concerning the Position
of Piero de’ Medici—Roman Obsequies—King Ferrante on Lorenzo’s
Death—Innocent VIII. and the House of Sforza—Entombment in San
Lorenzo—Elegy by Angelo Poliziano 453

CONCLUSION.

Lorenzo’s Characteristics—His Public Policy—His Tampering
with the Constitution—His Financial System—Progress
towards Monarchy—Lorenzo’s Son Piero—King Charles VIII. in
Florence—Fruits of Florentine Culture 469

APPENDICES.

I. Chronological Review 477

II. Pedigree of the Medici 483

” ” Pazzi 484

” ” Soderini 485

” ” Visconti and Sforza 486

III. Last Hours of Lorenzo de’ Medici 487

FOURTH BOOK—_continued_

SECOND PART

_TIME OF LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT._