because you had letters from the King to send here concerning the
affair about which I wrote. If you have them it would be well to send
them as I can assure Your Magnificence that if the friend takes up
the business I have good hopes of success. Whatever Your Magnificence
does in this and other matters about which I shall write will be well
done, as I am certain that Your Magnificence values my well-being
and my honour as much as I do myself. I commend myself to Your
Magnificence, _et quam Deus felicem conservet_.--Rome, November 27,
1468. _Magnificentie Vestres_,
_Filius_ Phy. Archiepiscopus Pisanus,
_manus propria_.
I said above that I had good hopes if the letters are sent, not
because I rely on the benevolence of him who is to do the affair, but
because he, if he wishes to gain a place, must give his companion a
share, who will either do nothing or be obliged to act according to
the will of the other. But he has a great desire to succeed, and will
not give heed to what people say, and therefore will not care much
for those who may claim their share at any cost. The afore-mentioned
affair [the marriage] has not been announced yet to our Lord the
Pope, because it did not seem good to Monsignore to do so before the
contract is here.[126]
Francesco Tornabuoni, Lorenzo de’ Medici’s uncle, who together with
his brother Giovanni was in the Medici bank at Rome, did his best to
inspire his nephew with love for the girl suggested by Giovanni as his
bride by writing flowery descriptions of her.
Francesco Tornabuoni _to his nephew_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
Not a day passes that I do not see your Madonna Clarice, who has
bewitched me: she improves every day. She is beautiful, she has the
sweetest of manners and an admirable intelligence. It is about eight
days since she began to learn to dance, and each day she learns a
new one; no sooner is it shown her than she knows it. Master Agnolo
had begged her to write to you with her own hand, but nothing would
induce her to do so. Then I begged of her, and she said she would,
only she told me you were evidently extremely occupied with this
tournament; and then arrived Donnino who brought no letter from you.
As you cannot visit her in person at least write to her often, it
would give her great pleasure. Of a truth you have the most perfect
bride in Italy.--January 4, 1469.
Your Francesco di Filippo Tornabuoni in Rome.
Francesco’s letter had the desired effect, and Lorenzo wrote to his
bride. Unfortunately his letters are not to be found. Her answers are
touching in their girlish simplicity, but they show that Clarice,
brought up in strictly clerical surroundings, was not the woman to
captivate the brilliant, rather sceptical Lorenzo.
Clarice Orsini _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
_Magnifico consorte, recommandatione_, &c.,--I have received a letter
from you and have understood all you write. That you liked my letter
rejoices me, as I am always desirous to do what pleases you. Then you
say that you write but little; I am content with whatever is your
pleasure, living always in hope for the future. Madonna, my mother,
sends you her blessing. I beg you to commend me to your and my father,
to your and my mother, and to the others you deem right. I always
commend myself to you.--At Rome the 28th day of January 1469.
Your Clarice De Ursinus.
Francesco Tornabuoni _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici, _his nephew_
In the name of God, on the 16th day of February 1469.
_Magnifice vir et maior honorandissime_,--This day letters from
Giovanni have come, saying how you jousted in the tournament, and
that Your Magnificence was unhurt and had achieved great honour. As
soon as I heard the news, I went to tell your Madonna Clarice, and
took her a letter from Giovanni, which gave her more pleasure than I
can describe. For four days she has been sad by reason of her fear for
Your Magnificence in the tournament, she also had a slight headache;
as soon as she heard the news the headache disappeared and she was
quite merry. Of Madonna Maddalena [Orsini] I say nought, for it is
impossible to say how contented and happy she is; the only thing she
desires is that you should come here for Lent, for she says she wants
you to see your merchandise before you take it home: it improves every
day. Enclosed you will find a letter from her. Madonna Clarice would
not write, and she bids me say from her that she has a great secret
to tell you which she will entrust to no one, neither will she write
it for fear the letter should go astray. Indeed she longs to see you,
and now the tournament is over you have no valid excuse. She commends
herself to Your Magnificence, and to the Magnificent Piero and Madonna
Contessina, and to Bianca, Nannina, and Giuliano. I have bought some
purple cloth from London for a petticoat _a la romanesca_, which will
I think suit her; she intends to visit all the _perdoni_ (relics) to
pray God for you.
Nought is talked of here but the splendour of the entertainment given
by you and especially of your own doings; they say no paladin ever
did more than Your Magnificence, and every one rejoices, particularly
your friends. Messer Giovanfrancesco, son of the Marquess of Mantua,
commends himself to Your Magnificence, and sends you many compliments.
I have no more to say at present save to commend myself to Your
Magnificence, praying that God may keep you from all ill.
Your Francesco di Filippo Tornabuoni, in Rome.[127]
Clarice Orsini _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
_Magnifice consorte, recommandatione_, &c.,--I have received a letter
from you which was most pleasing to me, telling me of the tournament
wherein you gained much honour. I am most glad that you have been
satisfied in a thing which gives you pleasure; and if my prayers have
been granted in this, I, as a person who desires to do something to
give you pleasure, am well satisfied. I beg you to commend me to my
father Piero, to my mother Lucretia, to Madonna Contessina, and to all
others you think right. I commend myself to you. No more.--In Rome the
25th day of February 1469.
Your Clarice de Ursinus.
The tournament of which Clarice writes was held on February 7, 1469,
in honour of the marriage of Lorenzo’s great friend, Braccio Martello,
and is recorded in a poem by Luigi Pulci.[128] It took place in the
Piazza S. Croce, and cost, as Lorenzo notes in his _Ricordi_, 10,000
ducats. This estimate, however, can only refer to the structures and
decorations in the Piazza S. Croce, and cannot include the money
expended on personal adornment. The dress of Giuliano alone, then
a handsome boy of fifteen, was said to have cost 80,000 ducats. It
was made of silver brocade strewn with pearls. Lorenzo’s, with its
jewels, must have cost a great deal more. He rode to the lists on a
magnificently caparisoned horse given to him by Ferrante, King of
Naples. Over his surcoat he wore a broad silk scarf, with fresh and
withered roses embroidered round his motto, _Le Tems Revient_, written
in pearls. In his black velvet cap studded with pearls was a feather
of gold filagree set with diamonds and rubies, and on his shield were
displayed the three golden lilies of France on an azure ground, the
privilege of bearing which was granted to his father Piero in 1465
(see p. 86), while in the centre of the shield blazed the great Medici
diamond, _Il Libro_. In the Piazza he mounted a charger presented to
him by Borso d’Este, Duke of Ferrara, and buckled on armour sent by the
Duke of Milan. His prowess is celebrated by Luigi Pulci as rivalling
the deeds of Orlando and Achilles, and the first prize, a helmet
of silver with a figure of Mars, was assigned to him. Lorenzo more
modestly states that he was not well versed in the use of weapons and
the delivery of blows.
These Italian tournaments, which we read about so frequently as forming
part of the festivities attending weddings among the richer citizens of
Florence and other Italian towns, were more processions and pageants
than the rough-and-tumble feats of arms among northern nations. At one
of the tournaments held during the sitting of the Diet of Augsburg we
are told by a spectator that six competitors were killed: at another
that Ferdinand, King of the Romans, was thrown violently and his horse
rolled on him, endangering his life. We never hear of such accidents
attending the tame tournaments of Italy.
Rinaldo Orsini _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
_Magnifice affinis ac frater honorande, salutem_, &c.,--A few days
ago I heard, but not by any letter of yours, of the tournament and
the honour done to you. God be praised for all, and especially that
you emerged safe and unhurt; in which I think you were aided by the
prayers of your Clarice. Now I have been informed of the wishes of the
Magnificent Piero and your own as to Clarice’s journey to Florence.
Although I should have certainly desired, albeit I have not been
consulted, that your wishes should be followed in this matter, always
subordinate to those of Madonna our mother, who is very sorrowful at
her departure, yet it would only have been seemly if I, as well as
other people, had been written to about this business, for you have no
nearer relation here, nor one who is more desirous to please you in
this and in other matters. So when you want an explanation or anything
done, write openly to me and I shall do my best to satisfy you. Say
also to the Magnificent Piero that in future he is not to apply to
middle-men, for he must dispose of me as he would of a son. _Bene
valete._--Rome, February 26, 1469.
Rainaldus De Ursinus,
_Apostolice Sedis subdiaconus_.[129]
Maddalena Orsini _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
_Magnifice vir, et mi fili benedicte, salutem_,--I have had a letter
from you which is most welcome, in which you say that your coming here
depends upon the will of the Magnificent Piero and the opinion of his
Lordship the Cardinal. I am quite content with whatever pleases them.
How glad I should be to see you before sending my daughter I cannot
express, but I am sure the Magnificent Piero knows best, and that we
shall never err by carrying out his commands. At all events I hope you
have the wish to know me and all your relations here. No more. God
preserve you ever in good health and happiness. Clarice is well and
commends herself to all.--Rome, March 4, 1469.
Maghdalena De Ursinus.[130]
Filippo de’ Medici, _Archbishop of Pisa_, _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
_Magnifice vir et frater honorande_, &c.,--I hardly know how to
express to Your Magnificence with what pleasure and contentment I
have this day espoused in your name the Magnificent and noble Madonna
Clarice degl’ Orsini, a maiden whose looks, carriage, and manners I
conceive merit the bridegroom who was I think destined for her by
Heaven. For this Your Magnificence ought devoutly to thank God who
in this, as in other matters wherein you have been so well treated
by fortune, has protected you; and I, who desire your well-being
and honour as ardently as any one, for many reasons have longed for
this day and congratulate Your Magnificence _ex intimo cordis_; may
it be productive of all good. I pray our Lord Jesus Christ to grant
to both a happy and a long life together and to let you see _filios
filiorum vestrorum usque in quartam et quintam generationem_. I will
say no more because from Giovanni [Tornabuoni] you will have heard
everything. If I can do aught for your service let me know, and I will
do it as willingly as any one alive, as I am sure Your Magnificence
knows _quam Deas diu felicem conservet_.[131]
Lorenzo in his _Ricordi_ writes: “I, Lorenzo, took to wife Clarice,
the daughter of Signor Jacopo Orsini, or rather she was given to me
(_i.e._ betrothed), in December 1468 and the marriage was celebrated in
our house on the 4th June 1469. Till now I have by her two children,
a daughter called Lucrezia ... years old, and a son called Piero ...
months old. King Ferrante is the godfather of the girl. She is again
with child. God spare her to us for a long time and preserve her from
all ill” (see p. 153).
The following description of Lorenzo de’ Medici’s wedding is taken from
a contemporary manuscript existing in Codex 574, Class xxv. of the
Strozziani MSS. in the National Library of Florence. There is no record
of the writer in the manuscript, but his name appears in the catalogue
of the Library as Piero di Marco Parenti, and it may be that it was
on the cover which is wanting. Born in Florence in January 18, 1450,
Parenti died in May 1519, and according to Moreni was the author of
several other works which still exist in manuscript in the Library. The
name of the person to whom the letter was written does not appear, but
from people mentioned, and other indications, he may have been Filippo
di Matteo Strozzi, the builder of the fine Palazzo Strozzi in Florence,
who was then in Naples.
_An Account of the Wedding of_ Lorenzo di Piero di Cosimo, _according
to what was told me by Cosimo Bartoli, one of the principal Directors
of the Festival, particularly as regards Sweetmeats and Sugar-plums,
and also what I saw myself_.
On Friday, which was the 2nd of June, the presents offered by the
countryside began to arrive from the principal towns, Pisa, Arezzo,
and other communes, villas, and castles. All presented eatables, such
as calves, fowls, geese, wine, sweetmeats, wax, and fish. I send you
the exact list as far as I could get it. The presentations of these
went on all day on Saturday with great noise and rejoicings: and on
that day pieces of veal of from 10 to 20 lbs. in weight were given to
800 citizens. You and I were among the number.
Calves, 150.
More than 2000 couples of capons, geese, and fowls.
Sea fish and trout in large quantities. I do not yet know how many.
Sweet things in abundance; sugar-plums as big as arbutus berries,
almonds, pine-seeds, sweetmeats, also the imitations thereof from
there [Naples?]. The number I do not yet know.
Wax I know not how much.
Many hundreds of flasks of wine and several casks of foreign wines,
such as malvasy and the like, and of native red wine.
Of corn, oats, and the like, I do not think there was much.
On Sunday morning the bride left the house of Benedetto degl’
Alessandri on the big horse given to Lorenzo by the King [of Naples],
preceded by many trumpeters and fifers, and surrounded by the
youths usually in attendance on marriage festivities, well clothed.
Behind her came two cavaliers, Messer Carlo and Messer Tommaso, on
horseback with their retainers, who according to the usage of the city
accompanied her to her husband’s house which was most sumptuously
adorned, and where a stage had been erected in the street for
dancing. As she dismounted the bride’s retinue arrived from the house
of the Alessandri: thirty young matrons and maidens most richly
dressed, and among them was your Fiammetta, one of the two handsomest
there. They were accompanied by another set of youths dressed for
dancing and preceded by trumpeters. Thirty other maidens were in
Lorenzo’s house to receive the bride and her retinue. After the olive
tree, to the sound of much music, had been hauled up to the windows,
all went to dinner. The tree was arranged in a vase like those used on
the triumphal cars for the feast of S. Giovanni and was almost like a
_trionfo_.
The order of the banquets, of which there were five, was alike on the
mornings of Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.
The bride, with about fifty maidens who were the dancers, ate in the
garden under the loggia which you know, and the tables were set at
the sides as far as the doors, one of which leads into the house,
the other outside. In the loggia which surrounds the courtyard of
the house sat the citizens who had been invited. The tables were
placed on three sides, beginning from the garden, and following the
wall were six tables: here sat from seventy to eighty citizens. In
the ground-floor hall the youths who danced, about thirty-two or
thirty-six, were seated. Forty or more men of more mature age were
occupied in marshalling the banquet, and at every table were two who
acted as seneschals. On a balcony in the great room upstairs dined
the women of a certain age, among them was your mother-in-law Monna
Antonia, and like her were about forty others in the company of Monna
Lucrezia. In short, at the principal tables dined about two hundred
people.
The order observed in serving was marvellous. For all the dishes were
brought in at the door opening into the street, preceded, as is the
custom, by trumpets. The bearers turned to the right in the loggia
and returned to the foot of the staircase up which some went, while
others passed into the hall to the youths, and others to the maidens
in the garden, and others again remained under the loggie where were
those who had been invited, so that all were served at the same time.
The like order was observed in taking away the dishes, and each man
knew his service and his place and did nought else. The dishes were
according to the tables, and among those who brought them in were the
stewards, each of whom directed his own men to the proper table. There
were fifty large dishes, the contents of each of which were sufficient
to fill two trenchers, and one trencher was placed between every two
guests, a carver being in attendance.
The banquets were prepared for a marriage rather than for a
magnificent feast, and I think this was done _de industria_ as an
example to others not to exceed the modesty and simplicity suitable
to marriages, so there was never more than one roast. In the morning
a small dish, then some boiled meat, then a roast, after that wafers,
marzipan and sugared almonds and pine-seeds, then jars of preserved
pine-seeds and sweetmeats. In the evening jelly, a roast, fritters,
wafers, almonds, and jars of sweetmeats. On Tuesday morning, instead
of the roast were sweet pies of succulent vegetables on trenchers; the
wines were excellent malvasy, trebbiano,[132] and red wine. Of silver
plate there was little.
No sideboards had been placed for the silver. Only tall tables in the
middle of the courtyard, round that handsome column on which stands
the David,[133] covered with tablecloths, and at the four corners were
four great copper basins for the glasses, and behind the tables stood
men to hand wine or water to those who served the guests. The same
arrangement was made in the garden round the fountain you know. On the
tables were silver vessels in which the glasses were put to be kept
cool. The salt-cellars, forks, knife-handles, bowls for the fritters,
almonds, sugar-plums, and the jars for preserved pine-seeds were of
silver; there was none other for the guests save the basins and jugs
for washing of hands. The tablecloths were of the finest white damask
linen[134] laid according to our fashion.
About four hundred citizens were invited to these five banquets, and
among them the first of your house was your Lorenzo, and then Agnolo
and Lodovico; I was also there.
On Monday morning to all who had received veal, jelly was given,
and then about 1500 trenchers full were presented to others. Many
religious [monks and nuns] also received gifts of fowls, fish,
sweetmeats, wine, and similar things.
After the guests at the first tables had finished many hundreds ate.
They say that between the house here and that of Messer Carlo[135]
more than a thousand people ate, and at Messer Carlo’s every day one
hundred barrels of wine were drunk.
In the house here, where the marriage feast was, every respectable
person who came in was at once taken to the ground-floor hall, out of
the large loggia, to refresh himself with fruit, sweetmeats, and white
and red wine. The common folk were not invited.
The feasting began in the morning a little before dinner-time, then
every one went away to repose. At about the twentieth hour (4 o’clock)
they returned and danced until supper-time on the stage outside, which
was decorated with tapestries, benches, and forms, and covered in with
large curtains of purple, green, and white cloth, embroidered with
the arms of the Medici and the Orsini. Every time a company came on
to the stage to dance they took refreshments once or twice, according
to the time. First came the trumpeters, then a great silver basin,
then many smaller ones full of glasses, then small silver jars full
of water, then many flasks of trebbiano and then twenty-three silver
bowls full of preserved pine-seeds and sweet conserves. To all was
given in abundance and all the dishes were emptied; and the same with
the flasks of wine. The account has not been made, but from five to
... thousand pounds of sweetmeats and sugar-plums were consumed.
The bride has received about fifty rings, costing they say from ten to
fifty or sixty ducats each; one piece of brocade; a sweetmeat dish of
silver, and many other such things; and a small book of the offices
of Our Lady, most beautiful, the gift of Messer Gentile,[136] written
in letters of gold on blue vellum and covered with crystal and worked
silver, which cost about two hundred florins. On Tuesday the bride
left (a tournament was held first), and returned to the house of the
Alessandri in the same dress in which she came to be married. This
was a robe of white and gold brocade and a magnificent hood on her
head, as is used here. She rode the same horse and was accompanied
by the same youths, whose rich dresses of silver brocade embroidered
with large pearls and jewels baffle description. From what they tell
of courts of great princes nothing was ever seen like it save certain
jewels of great value worn by some great Lords. Of the women I say
nothing! Such jackets and robes of silk, all of them embroidered with
pearls. I rather blame than praise this height of civilisation. And
thus ended this marriage.
One day it rained; on the Monday, just when the feast was at its
highest. It seemed as though done on purpose. It enveloped everything
and wet the beautiful dresses, for the rain was so sudden and so heavy
that many could not get under shelter soon enough. But the youths and
the women had not put on the finest clothes which they had reserved
for that day, the most important of the feast, so that to many it
seemed their money had been spent in vain, not being able to wear
them. However, on Tuesday morning when the bride went to hear mass in
S. Lorenzo, accompanied by all the youths and maidens who had attended
her at the wedding, every one was in their finest clothes. I warrant
you that there were about fifty maidens and young girls and as many or
more youths, so richly dressed that I do not think that anywhere among
so many people could such a splendid and fine spectacle be seen.
I know that though I have written you many things and in much detail
there is much still to be said; and although it is not worth your
reading or my writing, yet I have done so for your information, as I
know you to be curious, and that you like to know exactly how things
went. So I have written thus thinking it would please you better than
a more serious style.[137]
Rinaldo Orsini _to his sister_ Clarice de’ Medici
Magnificent sister, _salutem_. From Messer Giovanni [Tornabuoni] we
have heard all the excellent news about your family, so that we are
most happy and contented, and could have received no better news. We
all beg and advise you to conduct yourself in such manner with every
one that you will become even dearer to Piero, Lorenzo, Giuliano,
Madonna Contessina, and Madonna Lucrezia, and to your sisters-in-law,
and generally to all relations and other persons you meet. If we can
do anything here for Lorenzo or any of your family offer me to them,
for nothing shall be left undone to fulfil any desire of theirs. Also
if there is aught you wish done tell me, and I shall show that I hold
you as dear as I do Organtino, who, as a male, and careful of the
interests of our house, I love as I do my own life. Commend me to the
Magnificent Piero and the ladies, and salute Lorenzo and Giuliano from
me. _Item_ it is necessary that Messer Baptista da Augubio [Gubbio]
should go to Florence, you know how devoted he is to us; if needs be
ask Piero and Lorenzo, for love of us, to favour him.--Rome, June 1469.
Rainaldus de Orsini.[138]
Giovanni di Bentivogli _from Bologna to_ Piero de’ Medici _at Florence_