The Stage is Set
Arriving with Pope Sixtus IV's nephew, Raffaele Sansoni Riario - the young Cardinal of San Giorgio of Genoa - in Florence during the week leading up to Easter, Archbishop Salviati used the Cardinal's visit to set up the assassination. The Cardinal, a seventeen year old Law Student at the University of Pisa, was easily convinced that "extra" retainers had to accompany him to Florence for his protection. It was by this means that Bernardo Bandini Baroncelli, a banker who was allied with the Pazzi; Antonio Maffei and Stefano da Bagnone. two priests who were eager to win the favour of the Archbishop; Jacopo Bracciolini, a humanist writer and classic scholar; and others were planted by Archbishop Salviati into the Cardinal's entourage.
Lorenzo de' Medici agreed to host a luncheon banquet in honour of the Cardinal at his own villa north of Florence in the diocese of Fiesole on April 19. The location was perfect; It was far enough outside the city to give the conspirators time to send word to the needed troops and it was in the same hills as La Loggio, the main Pazzi Villa in Montughi where the Cardinal and his party were staying. Once the brothers were murdered, the Pazzi, Archbishop Salviati and their co-conspirators would ride into Florence in victory at the head of a column of soldiers.
On the day of the luncheon, Francesco de' Pazzi and Archbishop Salviati arrived with the Cardinal along with the entourage. Lorenzo welcomed them to his home and the luncheon began, but the conspirators noted the absence of Giuliano. Lorenzo explained that his brother was indisposed, having injured his leg and would not be joining them. After a quiet investigation revealed that Giuliano was still at the Medici Palace in Florence, Francesco de' Pazzi and Archbishop Salviati agreed to put off the assassination - both Medici brothers must die at the same time or the coup would fail. Frustration amongst the conspirators was high.
Taking advantage of his host's legendary hospitality, the Archbishop sent a message to Lorenzo the next day telling him that the Cardinal longed to visit the Medici Palace in Florence to view the Medici collection of art and sculpture. His relations with Pope Sixtus IV being strained to say the least, Lorenzo might have seen this as an opportunity to spend time with the Cardinal and begin to heal the rift between the Medici and the Papal offices. He quickly agreed not only to receive the Cardinal and his entourage, but also to host another luncheon to mark the occasion. But again, Lorenzo stymied the conspirators by also inviting the ambassadors from Naples, Milan, Ferrara and some of Florence's honoured knights. To assassinate Lorenzo and Giuliano during a luncheon crowded with dignitaries was risky, but Francesco de' Pazzi insisted the plan go ahead.
Archbishop Salviati agreed that the Cardinal and his party would meet Lorenzo and Giuliano in the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore just before High Mass and would afterward walk to the Medici Palace together.
Next: April 26