Naples and Benedetto Salutati writes that you have been well served,
so, if you wish, as soon as I get it I can send it on to you. I
delayed, if you remember, until my return. Tell me what to do and your
commands shall be obeyed. I think we shall be here all September. I
have no more to say save that I commend myself to Your Magnificence,
and if any friend of yours is at present Vicar of San Giovanni, I beg
you to keep me in mind, for I should do you honour. Valete.--In Rome,
August 4, 1480. Your servant,
Papinio di Artimino, _Cancellarius_.[284]
Papinio di Artimino, _from Rome, to_ Lucrezia de’ Medici
_Magnifica atque honestissima Domina, post recomandationem_ &c.,--In
my last of the 2nd instant I replied to a letter of Your Magnificence
of the 26th of last month, and informed you of what had happened until
now.
Now I must tell Your Magnificence that this morning while visiting
the ambassador of H.M. the King to hear whether there was any fresh
news, he told me that he had heard from the Venetian ambassador that
the Turkish camp which was at Rhodes had been broken up, and the army
had returned to Constantinople, the Venetian ambassador said he had
letters to this effect. If true, this seems to me good news.
On Monday morning a school-building here fell and it was feared that
more than twenty boys had been killed. But only the master perished,
which is looked upon as a great miracle. The loud screams of the
fathers and the mothers cannot be described. God, at that moment,
shielded innocence. He continues to work great wonders. Let us pray
that He will not look at our great sins.
Messer Antonio Ridolfi, the ambassador of our Republic, bears himself
in such guise that all the citizens are much indebted to him, he never
ceases day or night to solicit and press forward their affairs. I have
hopes in Almighty God and His glorious Mother the Virgin Mary that he
may return with great honour and an end be put to so much tribulation.
May God be pleased to do this.
By my letter of the 23rd of last month I suggested, in case you and
the Magnificent Lorenzo approved, that His Magnificence should
write a letter to the Cardinal of Milan and one to the Cardinal of
Portugal advising and begging them to accelerate this holy enterprise;
for although they are well disposed yet I know it would help
matters much. I see their Seigneuries often and they are favourably
inclined. _Valete._--_Ex Roma, die 8 Octobris 1480. Vester servitor
fidelissimus._
Papinus de Artiminus, _Cancellarius_.[285]
Lorenzo de’ Medici _to the_ Doge of Venice
I cannot refrain from thanking Your Serenity for deigning to write
to one of your servants, by whom your letters on any subject are
so highly valued and esteemed. This is the case now that Your
Serenity informs me that the Magnificent Messer Andrea Cappello and
his brothers are satisfied. I do not feel that I need trouble Your
Serenity with any explanations about this business as I have written
to Giovanni Frescobaldi [Florentine ambassador at Venice] to explain
some points by which Your Serenity will see that I have fulfilled
_ad unquem_ the obligations imposed on me by those known to Your
Excellency. I beg humbly that you will deign to listen favourably to
the reasons Giovanni will state in my defence and to rest assured that
as I have never yet broken faith with any man I shall not be found
wanting in far more important affairs than those now under discussion
by those Magnificent Citizens. I trust that the friendship that has
always existed between us will be preserved by the intervention of
those who have concluded this business between us and will enable me
to continue to act according to my precepts. I confide in the great
goodness and clemency of Your Serenity when you hear my justification,
and I desire and hope to retain the good opinion and the friendship
of Your Excellency, which has been gained by the long service
of my ancestors and myself to that Illustrious State and to Your
Serenity.--1480. To whom, &c.[286]
_To_ Albino, _dear to me as a brother, Secretary of the Illustrious_
Duke of Calabria, _from_ Lorenzo de’ Medici[287]
Albino my dear and good Brother,--I cannot decide whether your letters
of 2nd and 8th May give me more pleasure than pain. With the strongest
desire for the fame of our Lord Duke, which has begun so well by the
good beating of those Turkish dogs on the 18th, comes a fear that His
Lordship may not come to some harm by his courage. Those skirmishes
which you describe, at which His Lordship often assists, made me turn
pale more than once, for I have read and re-read your letter. If
possible, my Albino, send us news often, and implore His Lordship to
be cautious. I will say no more because I feel nervous as I write. Bid
him to take care of his person for the sake of God and himself, and
for us his servants, and do what is needful at the peril of others and
not of his own. You, who are by his side, must see to this even at
the price of your own life, and if you do not on your own account do
it for mine, if you love me. Commend me to His Lordship. I anxiously
await your reply to hear whether this my friendly recommendation has
any effect without hindering what I look upon as certain, and that
is that His Lordship will return from the expedition wreathed with
laurels. So I expect from day to day to have your news.--Florence, May
18, 1481.
Laurentius de Medici.[288]
These and other extracts from despatches of the various Ferrarese
ambassadors are inserted as they give such vivid pictures of Lorenzo
and of the condition of Florence. Day by day rumours, gossip, and their
own conversations with Lorenzo were noted down for the information of
their master Ercole d’Este, Duke of Ferrara and Modena.
_From_ Bartolommeo Sgnippi, _Clerk of the Embassy, to_ Antonio
Montecatino, _Ambassador of the Duke of Ferrara (who had gone to
Ferrara for a few days) to the Florentine Republic_
Magnificent Ambassador,--I make known unto you that the day before
yesterday in the evening a certain Moroto Baldovinetto was arrested,
and yesterday morning Battista Frescobaldi, who were about to
assassinate the Magnificent Lorenzo de’ Medici with poisoned daggers.
Their ancestors were great people, but these fellows are of no
standing. Moroto was at Rome several days with Count Girolamo (Riario)
and has only just returned; as yet it is not known whether the Count
is mixed up in the affair ... June 3, 1481.[289]
The confession of these two ruffians who wanted to assassinate the
Magnificent Lorenzo and who were hung this morning at eleven o’clock
in the palace of the Bargello, is that Baptista Frescobaldi, the
man who arrested Bernardo Bandini at Constantinople,[290] told the
Magnificent Lorenzo that he had spent so much for the said arrest
and that he did not consider the Magnificent Lorenzo had paid him
_secundum eius rationem_ and claimed more money, which was refused.
Seeing that he could not revenge himself in any other way six months
ago he determined to murder the said Magnificent Lorenzo. Being at
Rome he spoke about it to Neri Acciaiuoli who encouraged him to do the
evil deed. Moroto being at the same time at Rome the two began to
talk about the government of Florence. Knowing Moroto to be a man of
great courage, Neri persuaded him _ad idem scelsus_. Aware that such
an undertaking could not succeed without accomplices he brought Moroto
and Battista together and thus it was settled. They suggested telling
Count Girolamo,[291] but Neri said it would be better to say nothing
as the Count, having been blamed enough already, would certainly
refuse to join. But he would undertake to provide _quod ille nunquam
deficeret, et etiam_ would get Obietto (del Fiesco) to lend them
men-at-arms, and when everything was ready, would come to Castellina
and double the pay for every eventuality in Romagna. He hinted at
help from other people and said he had influential and well-known
citizens at his back. Now though all this was told to them by Neri,
in their confession they declared they did not much believe in him,
but thought he did it to encourage them. Through him they obtained a
few arms and some money, for it appears that Moroto on being asked
whether he had arms said he had a cuirass in pawn. They were given
certain chain mail, and stuff for poisoning daggers which he brought
to them in a small phial with soap on the top. When they arrived here
they tried, following their instructions, to persuade a few hot-headed
opponents of the government, &c., to join, but without entering into
particulars, save with Francesco Balducci. To him they unbosomed
themselves and he promised every help. Balducci having fled, his
brother, to whom he had told the project, was arrested. It seems that
_post multas cogitationes tandem_ they settled to do the deed on one
of the three days of the coming feast of the Holy Spirit in the church
of S. Liberata, and afterwards to take refuge in some safe house until
part of the people had risen. Then, with a banner taken from a church
with the arms of the Commune, to parade the streets crying “_Viva
il Popolo_,” &c., _et præsertim_ in the lower parts of the city to
breach casks of wine for the poor. Battista was deputed to give the
blow, the other two were to defend him. It appears Moroto only joined,
persuaded by the words of Neri, for the honour and glory of the thing.
They are considered _hominis insani_. The shirts of mail belonging
to them were found. This is all that is known of their confession
and they say no one else is implicated either here or abroad. Three
have been hung, Francesco Baldovinetto, Moroto, and the brother of
Francesco Balducci.--Florence, June 6, 1481.[292]
The ambassador hastened back to Florence and wrote to the Duke.
I arrived here on the 6th, at one of the night, and found that the
three who had conspired to assassinate Lorenzo had been hung that
morning.... It is stated that they had no sympathisers in the city but
acted like reckless and desperate men ... though they sounded many
they found none willing to listen. I believe people were afraid: but
if the deed had succeeded everything would have been topsy-turvy--of
this I have no doubt. They showed great hopes and determination. When
told they were to die next morning several citizens visited them and
exhorted them to take courage. They answered laughing that they feared
not death, but that they were grieved not to have been able to free
them from such servitude and had only done what any other citizen
ought to do, and that if they were only given two hours of freedom
they would show what they could do. It is supposed, although not
admitted, that others in the city are implicated. They say it does not
appear that they had friends abroad, but from what D. Bernardo said
to Girolamo it is thought that Neri Acciaiuoli was agreed with Count
Girolamo, but did not confide in others. Here, however, they pretend
not to believe this; but suspect it the more because so many of their
enemies have left for Rome.... Your Excellency must know that these
men ought _de jure_ not to have been hung, for as they committed no
overt act they did not deserve death. So the Signoria, together with
the Seventy, determined that it was _crimen lesæ maiestatis_, alleging
that they had tried to curtail liberty and change the government
which depended upon Lorenzo; so it was declared that whoever attacked
Lorenzo commits _crimen lesæ maiestatis_, thus giving to him great
honour. Some say this will rather injure than benefit him, because the
more he is elevated above others the more enemies he will have....
June 9, 1481.[293]
Lorenzo de’ Medici _to the_ Duchess Eleonora d’Aragona d’Este _at
Ferrara_
_Illma. Domina mea_,--The duty I owe Your Excellency compels me to
communicate to you the terrible and disastrous blow that has to-day
befallen me through the death of my most beloved mother Madonna
Lucrezia. This leaves me utterly desolate as Your Excellency can
think, for I have lost, not only a mother, but the only person I
could turn to in many vexations and who aided me in many troubles.
It is true that we ought to submit patiently to the will of God, but
in this case my heart refuses to be comforted. I pray He may perhaps
send me patience and comfort, and grant her peace and happiness. Your
Excellency to whom I thus pour out my grief for such a loss, and to
whom I turn for comfort in such sorrow, will understand the state in
which your attached servant, who commends himself to you with all his
heart, finds himself.--Florence, March 25, 1482. Your Excellency’s
Servant,
Laurentius de Medicis.[294]
Lorenzo de’ Medici _to the_ Duke Ercole d’Este
_Illme. Domine mi_,--Although in tears and in great grief I cannot
but inform Your Excellency of the terrible loss I have sustained by
the death of my most dear mother Madonna Lucrezia; who to-day quitted
this life. I am more full of sorrow than I can say, as besides losing
a mother, at the mere thought of whom my heart breaks, I have lost
the counsellor who took many a burden from off me. It has pleased God
that this should be and we neither can nor ought to contest His will.
Much I grieve that I have not the necessary constancy nor strength of
mind, but I pray our Lord God to grant me patience and to her soul
peace, as I firmly hope He will on account of her upright life. I
write in order that Your Excellency may know the condition in which
is one of his good servants who commends himself to you with all his
heart.--Florence, March 25, 1482. Your Excellency’s Servant,
Laurentius de Medicis.[295]
The peace of November 1480 did not last long. Sixtus IV., entirely
under the influence of his nephew Girolamo Riario, had deposed
Antonello Ordelaffi in order to give Forli to Riario, who was known
also to covet Faenza. This was a direct menace to Florence whose road
to the Adriatic would have been cut off. Ferrara likewise attracted
him; he visited Venice, where he was received like a king and made a
patrician of the Republic, to plan an attack on Duke Ercole. Venice
was to take the Duchy of Modena, which belonged to the Duke, while
Riario added Ferrara to his other possessions. A pretext was easily
found. The Venetians claimed the sole right of supplying salt to North
Italy from Cervia and summoned the Duke to cease collecting it at
Comacchio. He refused and war was declared in May 1482. Preparations
for resisting Riario and Venice, and defending Ferrara, were pushed
forward in feverish haste, as is shown by the letter from the Duke
of Urbino to Lorenzo, while those from Ugolino Baccio relate to that
simple-minded, scatter-brained Slav, Andrea Zuccalmaglio, a Dominican
Archbishop of Krain. Sent to Rome in 1479 as ambassador by the Emperor
Frederick III. he was intensely shocked by what he saw and did not
hide his feelings. The Pope showed his displeasure and the Archbishop
was recalled. Before he could leave Rome he was imprisoned in Castel
S. Angelo, and on his release went to Basel determined to proclaim
a Council. He assumed the titles of Cardinal and Papal Legate, and
made a clever notary of Trier, Peter Numagen, his secretary, who in
his _Gesta Archiepiscopi Crayneris_ describes his master as touched
in the brain. On March 25th he denounced Sixtus IV. during service in
the cathedral and solemnly proclaimed a Council. On July 20th he cited
the Pope thus: “Francesco of Savona, son of the devil, you entered
your Office not through the door, but through the window of simony.
You are of your father the devil and labour to do your father’s will.”
Sixtus excommunicated him and laid Basel under an interdict, of which
no notice was taken. He was both angry and alarmed as he suspected the
Emperor of secretly abetting the Archbishop, while Milan and Florence
sent envoys to see how matters stood. The Florentine evidently at
first sided hotly with the Archbishop, and believed in the possibility
of a reforming Council. But Lorenzo was cautious. He left Baccio’s
letters unanswered, to the poor man’s discomfiture. The Archbishop was
disavowed by the Emperor, and the magistrates refusing to give him up
to the papal Legate he was imprisoned in Basel, and hanged himself in
his cell in November 1484.
Frederick, _Duke of Urbino_, _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
_Magnifice frater carissime_,--By the copy of a letter I have written
to the Illustrious Duke of Ferrara which I send to the Honourable
Eight of the Balìa, Your Magnificence will see that I have had news of
the loss of the fortress of Melara. The enemy evidently means to join
that force with their navy and to follow the course of the river to
attack Ferrara. There is no doubt that if the Illustrious League does
not instantly provide reinforcements in that quarter they may succeed
in their attempt, because that Illustrious Lord is not strong enough
to resist without help as Your Magnificence knows.
In this state of imminent peril it is imperative that the Honourable
Signoria of Florence should send me in all haste as many men-at-arms
as possible, particularly from Romagna and Valle de Lamone, who are
nearer, and being better trained men are more useful than any others.
As soon as the Illustrious Duke of Milan sends me the foot and horse I
have asked for, I shall advance into the Ferrara territory to keep the
enemy in check. If the Illustrious League provide what, for their own
honour and advantage, is necessary to enable me to confront the enemy
I shall not be found wanting, but there is a great difference between
projecting a thing and carrying it through. I do not enlarge on this
as I know Your Magnificence will understand how important it is, and
_cum omne diligentia_ will give the requisite orders.
I remind Your Magnificence about hastening to despatch the troops we
arranged were to come into the State of the Signor Constanzio [Sforza]
and into Urbino. This is pressing as I have summoned my men to join
me here, but until those troops arrive they cannot move as our lands
cannot be left defenceless.
My opinion is that the said Signor Constanzio should advance into
Tuscany and take up a position between Arezzo and Anghiara, which
will not only protect the State of the Honourable Signoria of
Florence, but my own and that of Signor Constanzio and perhaps, if
fortune favours us, be a means of offending the enemy. It would be
a good move and I beg Your Magnificence to send orders from there
without losing a moment. I have already given this same advice to His
Excellency.--Rovere, May 4, 1482.[296]
Ugolino Baccio, _from Basel, to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
_Magnifice vir_, &c.,--I arrived here on the 14th, and by the aid
of a citizen here, called Giovanni Hermin, very friendly to your
house, was introduced to Craina.[297] I offered him your help in
his undertaking, praising him and alluring him _ut moris est_. After
exchanging many sweet speeches (_chiaverini_) we came at last to
essential matters, to which, although he enlarged _et vultu et verbis_
as much as he could, I do not attach more faith than is necessary
unless he adduces better evidence. He shows nothing from the Emperor
[Frederick III.], which proves there is no great eagerness in that
quarter. He talks much about France and other countries, particularly
about Savoy, but I believe what I see; there are many ruffians to be
found, but I am a cut-throat.
Who does please me is the chief personage. In capacity, talent, and
doctrine, he seems to be fit for any great enterprise, _et quod magis
me movet_ has great knowledge and experience of the world, for many,
many years he has been employed in grave affairs and honourable
legations.
_Accedit_ he is a friar, which is the summit, or the adornment, of all
his other qualities, and he has so confident and fearless an air that
he would make a man dance a gagliarda[298] against his will, whoever
he might be.
Secondly the town chosen pleases me. It is convenient, handsome,
healthy, and there is ample accommodation for congresses, vehicles,
and ships.
Thirdly the citizens are most well-disposed, which pleases me most
of all. I have proof of this because they will not permit their
priests to observe the interdict and support the Archbishop _quantum
possunt_. Yesterday they despatched their Chancellor to the Emperor to
complain of the Pope _propter interdictum_, and to remind him not to
allow the Council to depart, as if it is not held in Basel it will be
transferred elsewhere to his loss and shame, &c.
Another of their ambassadors went to the Emperor a month ago and a
courier later with letters. There is as yet no news of either, but
they expect an answer from day to day. The Milanese envoy and I are
idly waiting and do not know what to do with ourselves. We came here
as private persons without any show and have not kept our attendants
with us, in order not to spend much money in case nothing comes of
this business, and so we shall remain for the present.
If a favourable answer comes we shall present ourselves officially to
the Commune. Perhaps I shall do so before, without the Milanese, as a
guarantee to our persons _in omnem eventum_; particularly as they know
through Craina that I am here for this affair, and it might rather
cause suspicion and give them a bad opinion of me if I do not announce
myself openly and show that I am informed of what is going on. But I
have not yet made up my mind and shall follow God’s inspiration.
If, owing to the Emperor, the Council is not held here, we have talked
of transferring it to Pisa or elsewhere in Italy. His Paternity does
not think the idea a bad one. Consider about this and let me know.
Pisa would be convenient to the Spaniards and to many other kingdoms,
who perhaps would serve our purpose better than Germany. His Paternity
is ready to do anything to upset the Pope and the Count [Girolamo
Riario]. I have said enough.
I do not write at any length so that you may not be bored. If
you desire to know more, ask the Eight to show you what I have
written to them with far more details. I commend myself to Your
Magnificence.--Basel, September 20, 1482.[299]
Ugolino Baccio _to_ Lorenzo de’ Medici
Magnificent Lorenzo,--By the Milanese courier who left this on the
20th I wrote very fully to the Eight and also to Your Magnificence, of
what had occurred.
Since then nothing of any importance has happened; things seem more
favourable than otherwise. The adverse Legates have made no sign,
they are still in a Swiss town called Torego, _alias_ Suringg, a long
day’s journey from here. We suppose they do not like to risk coming
here on account of the anger excited by the interdict, and that
they are feeling their way how to approach without danger. This is
the opinion of the Council. Perhaps they have other designs and are
waiting in order to give us a heavier blow. Who knows their secrets?
We have no fear of them, if they have of us; but this is uncertain.
The fact is they have not come, and as things are they would only
arrive here in pieces.
The citizens are strongly in favour of the Council, and unless forced
by the Emperor I do not think they will let it drop, particularly as
it brings them great gain and honour.
The ambassador sent to Duke Sigismondo has returned bringing, they
say, a most favourable reply. I know no particulars as yet, for these
people are much more taciturn than we are, and very strict observers
of public honour. Unfortunately that friend of the house of Medici has
been sent on an embassy, so it is hard fishing for secrets. _Tamen si
quid erit, haud diu nos latere potest._
No reply has yet come from the Emperor. But as the road is long and
there is war in the countries the messenger must traverse this is
not to be wondered at. An answer is expected every day, so it seems
to me that _pendeant leges et Prophetæ_. Other help appears to me
vain. We will see what God sends, and I shall inform you of all _cum
diligentia_. I have suggested Pisa to Monsignore several times in case
Basel fails us, but at present he hopes in Cæsar. Think well about
this so that (_quod Dii prohibeant_) we are not left with our feet out
of both stirrups.
Monsignore has told the people here that we have come in favour of
their cause, and as on account of the delay of these envoys I feared
they might draw back seeing Monsignore unsupported, I informed the
town council that I was sent officially by our Signoria, presented
the letters, &c., and made a long oration _in favorem Consilii_,
praising the holy enterprise and Craina, and condemning the Sixtine
government, and showing the necessity for a Council; all which they
heard with great pleasure, particularly as I offered not only help and
favour, and embassies and prelates from the Florentines, but promised
to confirm this in their name and in that of the League.