Maddalena

**Maddalena** is Cosimo's lover in Venice and Florence.

Maddalena is initially a slave girl given as a gift for Cosimo from the Doge of Venice during Cosimo’s exile there.

We first see Maddalena in Temptation when the Doge of Venice shows her off to Cosimo as his “latest acquisition” and serving wine. Later that night, she is found in Cosimo’s bed, stating she is “a gift from the Doge”. Cosimo, married, tells a naked Maddalena to get dressed and leave. They have a brief discussion about the plans for the library Cosimo intends to build. After asking Maddalena about returning her to the palace, and she replies “they won’t be happy”, Cosimo let’s her stay the night whilst he goes to another room.

The next day, Maddalena and Cosimo discuss plans for building the larger dome for the cathedral in Florence. Mesmerised by how real it looks, Maddalena says it’s a trick and calls it “magic”. Cosimo tells her it’s not magic and explains it is illusions. They are then interrupted by Lorenzo who comes to inform that his and Cosimo’s cousin has arrived. Maddalena overhears Cosimo speaking with his cousin Mario about the treaty with Duke Visconti.

Upon being excused by Cosimo, Maddalena is asked by if she has received any important information to which she replies that she has not and to give her more time. Later, Maddalena is attacked by, who accuses her of hiding information and threatens to kill her if she does not confess. Luckily, she is saved by Cosimo, who says that he will pay “however much the Doge requires” for Maddalena, responds with “you can keep her. She’s not worth it”. Whilst cleaning Maddalena’s dagger scratch, Cosimo and Maddalena kiss and later have sex.

In Ascendancy, Maddalena comes to Florence with Cosimo upon his return from exile. She is welcomed warmly by Marco Bello. Later that evening, she and Cosimo spend the night together.

The following day, Maddalena asks Cosimo if she can draw something more interesting than the bowl of fruit on the table, to which he replies “anything but me” and as Cosimo leaves the chamber, Contessina spots them. She is later tested by her when asked to go to Cosimo’s room and find some plain robes for his Holiness (the pope, their guest) and adding “assuming you already know the way”. Maddalena is shown drawing in the gardens of Florence and is confronted by Emilia who says “Messer Cosimo will soon tire of you and then you will be no more than a slave again”. After, she has a brief talk with Marco, who comforts her with reassurance that she has a friend here. Later that evening, she knocks on Cosimo’s door but he doesn’t answer.

In Purgatory, Maddalena confesses to Marco about her thoughts of possibly running away and they reveal their feelings and thoughts to each other. They eventually kiss which is witnessed by Cosimo. Marco then departs for Cosimo’s sake, leaving Maddalena heartbroken.

In Epiphany, it is revealed that Maddalena is pregnant when Contessina asks her if she knows who the father of her child is, and says she “can’t hide it forever” Contessina asks her if she knows who the father is. Maddalena replies that she knows with certainty and that it isn’t Marco Bella’’s and that if it was she would have told Marco before he left and that he would have taken her with him. She insists that it is not possible for her baby to be Marco’’s because she says “he always treated me with respect..” Maddelena infers to Contessina that is can only be Cosimo’s baby. Contessina then thanks Maddelena for her candor and tells Maddelena that if she ever speaks to her like that again that Maddelena “will be on her way to the slave market in Genoa.”.. Maddelena is then seen serving the Medici’s their dinner.

She later visits Ugo and says that Marco Bello couldn’t have killed Cosimo and Lorenzo’s father, Giovanni, since the receipt for the hemlock that was found in Marco’s saddlebags were only acquired a fortnight ago,. She says to Ugo “iIf you were a murderer, would you be so foolish as to transfer the proof of your guilt from an old bag to a new one?” She goes into say that whoever put the bill of sale into Marco’s saddlebag, did it to make Marco look guilty and that it must be a member of the Medici household. Ugo tells her not to breathe a word of this to anyone. Ugo says that Marco is gone and even an exoneration will not bring him back.

Maddalena is last seen standing on the side in the crowd with Emilia as the pope leaves Florence.

Maddalena has a son, Carlo di Cosimo de Medici, (and is in fact Cosimo’s son), who is a priest and is featured in the future series.

## Behind the scenes

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