Commentary on the Pazzi Conspiracy

...one thousand four hundred and seventy-eight, and he had postponed it until the very Sunday before the Day of Ascension. He was a man of great intellect, much counsel, and a sagacious mind, extremely dexterous in accomplishing matters, and certainly not inexperienced in these things. Salviati and the conspirators had placed great trust in him. The matter itself now requires that we explain the plan of the conspiracy. The Medici family was, as it always is in most things, splendid and most magnificent, especially in receiving illustrious guests. Never has any famous man sought out Florence or the Florentine territory toward whom that house has not exercised this type of magnificence. Therefore, when Raphael, the Cardinal—born from the sister of Count Girolamo—had arrived at that suburban villa of Jacopo, where we showed above the conspiracy was formed, a short time before, the conspirators seized this opportunity for such a great crime. They announced in the name of the Cardinal to the twin brothers that they should receive him at Fiesole, which is their suburban villa. Lorenzo and I myself went there with the boy Piero, the son of Lorenzo. Giuliano remained at home because he was hindered by ill health. That fact delayed the act itself until the very day we have mentioned. Again, the man's familiar announced that the Cardinal also wished to be received at a banquet in Florence, to inspect the adornments of the noble house, the clothing, the tapestries, the gems, the silver, and all the precious furnishings. The excellent young men suspected no treachery. They prepared the house, brought out the ornaments, laid out the clothing, placed the silver and engraved works in the open, and brought forth the gems into the storehouse. The banquet was prepared most magnificently. Behold, before the time, the band of conspirators asks: where is