Lorenzo the Magnificent

**Lorenzo di Piero de' Medici** (1 January 1449 – 8 April 1492), also known as **Lorenzo the Magnificent** (*Lorenzo il Magnifico*), was an Italian statesman, banker, de facto ruler of the Florentine Republic and the most powerful and enthusiastic patron of Renaissance culture in Italy.

## Early life

Lorenzo was born into the Medici family in 1449. Being an apple of everyone's eye Lorenzo always received the best care and attention from his grandfather Cosimo de' Medici and also learned a great deal of political affairs from him in a much early age. Lorenzo had a keen interest in poetry and wrote many sonnets for his beloved Lucrezia Donati while he was a teenager. Lorenzo later fell in love with Clarice Orsini and married her. Thus breaking off his relationship with Lucrezia. He had 3 children with Clarice. Being much loved by the citizens of Florence Lorenzo was eventually able to take his father's place among the Lord Priors and the Medici bank, thus later being an unofficial ruler of Florence.

## Personality

Despite being raised in the richest family of Italy, Lorenzo had never been a spoiled child. He has always carried a great amount of compassion for the people and devotion for his family. Lorenzo being very maverick had always tried to find a better way to deal with hostile conditions and rivals such as the Pazzis. Being a peacemaker, Lorenzo had always prevented war by bringing more diplomatic ways considerations, however he never had any zeal for the accounting matters of the bank and therefore proved to be a better diplomat and ruler rather than being a good banker like his father.

## Family

Lorenzo de' Medici is the eldest son of Piero de' Medici and his wife, Lucrezia Tornabuoni. He has two siblings; a sister, Bianca de' Medici, and a brother, Giuliano de' Medici. He also has an uncle Carlo Medici (who is close to his age) who was the illegitimate son of his grandfather, Cosimo de’ Medici, and a slave Woman named Maddelena

## Marriage and Issue

Lorenzo married Clarice Orsini, a noblewoman from a Roman elite. With her he has one child, Piero di Lorenzo de' Medici by the end of Season 2. By the end of Season 3, he is the father of three children; Piero, Giovanni, and Maddalena. His wife, Clarice was pregnant when she died, hence he also had another miscarried child with her.

## Old Scores

The episode opens up in 1469 Tuscany, where Lorenzo is hanging out with Sandro Botticelli and Angelo Poliziano, who are debating whether art or philosophy, respectively, is more important than the other. Lorenzo, using his diplomatic skills to ease the tension between the two, tells them that God is the reason that both exist, so they are both right. At this point, Lorenzo's sister Bianca informs him that his mother is looking for him.

Outside of their home in Tuscany, Lorenzo helps his father, Piero, move some luggage into a cart and apologizes for staying up late. His father however is understanding of his circumstances and tells him to take advantage of the youth he has as it will not last forever.

He then speaks with his brother, Giuliano, while they saddle their horse and follow their father back to Florence.

At some point during their travel, the caravan is attacked by a group of assassins who kill a few guards and the carriage driver, causing the wagon to roll down the path on its own and its eventual tipping.

Lorenzo and Giuliano run to assist him under heavy fire of arrows from the treeline. They fend off the attackers to the best of their ability after helping their father out. Piero is shot in the leg and wounded by an arrow from the woods, so Giuliano pulls him to safety as Lorenzo hunts down the assassin in the woods, killing him after a brief struggle.

They arrive at Florence and Lucrezia has Piero taken care off as Lorenzo hears news that the Priori has been called by Jacopo de' Pazzi. Lorenzo automatically suspects him of having some involvement in the plot to kill the Medici.

The members of the Priori discuss possible masterminds behind the attack, and all of them believe that it was pulled off by foreign agents hired from Venice, Florence's rival.

Lorenzo speaks out against the possibility of Venice being behind the attacks and says that the perpetrator might be one of the people within the city who disagree with Medici rule. He also says that a war with Venice would not be good for the economy of Florence.

After the meeting, the Medici brothers head home and speak to their mother about what happened and that they are going to find the perpetrators of the attack. Lucrezia disagrees as the assassins still might be after them, but this does not sway their plans. He then tells his mother of his guilt in killing one of the assassins, but his mother assures him, he made the right move.

He then goes to visit his resting father, and has a flashback to when his grandmother, Contessina de' Bardi, shows him artwork depicting the Medici family and his eventual leadership of the Medici Family.

Later, Sandro and Giuliano return with news of the assassination reporting that a seal of the Pazzi family was found in one of their bags. They then assume that they are the ones behind the attack. Bianca disagrees with this, but Lorenzo doesn't think about her response as Giuliano says they should tell the Priori about this discovery. Lorenzo disagrees with him on this and says they should go to Jacopo to see if he can prove his innocence before souring their name in the Priori.

The three of them go to the Pazzi residence and meet with Jacopo and his nephews Guglielmo de' Pazzi and Francesco de' Pazzi. There they provide the seal, but instead of giving an answer, they taunt the Medici. Lorenzo keeps a cool head, but Giuliano acts out and draws his sword injuring Jacopo. Francesco orders the guards to arrest him, and after a few failed pleas to prevent it by Lorenzo, Giuliano drops his weapon and allows himself to be arrested.

Once Sandro and Lorenzo leaves to be greeted by an angry mob and are forced to flee before violence breaks out in the streets.

Lorenzo then returns home and goes to his father's chambers to tell him that Giuliano has been arrested. Piero orders good food and water for him as he doesn't want a repeat of what happened to his father, Cosimo de' Medici. He then hears that his father has overextended the bank and that General Galeazzo Sforza of Milan will repay his father's loans. This satisfies him and Lucrezia for the moment.

Later on, he overhears his mother and Galeazzo talking about his repayment of the debt and discovers that it will not be re-payed in cash.

He then rushes out to meet his lover, Lucrezia Donati, a married woman he was having an affair with. After making love, he talks to her about his personal struggles with his father. He then hears the morning bells and heads out to present their case against Jacopo being the one behind their assassination attempt.

Jacopo waits for them to arrive and then calls his witness, Arturo Fanti. Arturo says that the coin belonged to him, but he sold it as he needed money to pay back a loan that Piero had recalled from him. Jacopo then says that their accusation is baseless as he would never hire an assassin with such an obvious form of payment that would tie them to the assassination.

Giuliano then says that the Pazzi are the only ones who hate his family and are rich enough to be able to attempt on assassination on them, but Jacopo shoots him down and offers a resolution to the trial. He offers forgiveness for his assault and accusation against them in exchange for an apology from Giuliano. Lorenzo apologizes for him as he knows Giuliano would never do such a thing. He then takes Lorenzo's apology and walks out inadvertently accusing the Medici of planting the medallion in the assassin's bags.

After leaving the courthouse, Medici hears from Luca Soderini and his son, Bastiano, that the Pazzi have been speaking ill of their name throughout the city and that they are taking their clients by dealing with their debt. These acts would eventually lead to the bankrupting of the Medici Bank and the enriching of the Pazzi Bank.

Lorenzo then comes home to see that Giuliano had been attacked by Francesco Pazzi. His mother demands justice from the Priori for the assault, but Lorenzo has figured out what Piero has planned. Piero tells him that Galeazzo and his men will sack the city at midnight as he believes that is the only way the Medici will stay in power.

Lorenzo takes a moment to think, and then asks his sister to write messages for the members of the Priori to meet in the Medici household.

Once the Priori arrives, he tells them that Galeazzo has arrived at Florence with an army that would take the city easily. He then tells them that he will take his father's place at the head of the Medici Bank and send the Duke of Milan home as well as cancelling all the debt recalls his father ordered, on the account that he takes his father's seat in the Priori.

He gains the support of the Pazzi in this vote by forgiving the Pazzi Family for the assault of his brother making the vote unanimous.

As he heads out to speak to Galeazzo, Luca tells him that the debts won't disappear and he is offering his son's hand in marriage to Lorenzo's sister in order to create an alliance between the Medici Bank and Soderini Bank. He quickly accepts the proposal and leaves the gates of Florence.

He tells Galeazzo that he is now in charge of the bank and that him being in Florence with an army is illegal. He then tells him, he will write him a letter that says he was merely protecting the city, so his reputation isn't ruined in Italy and he will be seen as a hero. Galeazzo agrees and starts the march back to Milan.

He and Sandro go back into the city with the knowledge that they may have saved the city today, but they now have many enemies due to the circumstances of his sudden rise in power.

## Standing Alone

Lorenzo has a flashback where he is being taught jousting by a Marco Bello. His grandmother tells him that he learns jousting because Medici men must be good at everything they do, and they are not to be put down by defeat as they will find victory later. His jousting master disagrees and says that all of Florence will count on him, so he should always win, no matter what.

He returns to 1469, where he and Giuliano speak about the decision he made in forcibly removing his father from the head of the bank and his seat on the Signoria.

His mother then tells him his father is ready to see him. Once there, Lorenzo tells him that Galeazzo has returned to Milan with his men, and Piero believes they are doomed. Lorenzo assures him, that they are fine and that the Priori has given them time to repay their debt in exchange for his retiring as head of the bank. Piero accuses the Pazzi Family of doing this, but Lorenzo admits he planned it.

He feels betrayed by his son and then his wife, when she says, she supports Lorenzo in his decision. He then tells Lorenzo that he is not ready to run the family, but Lorenzo disagrees and says he is going to speak with Pope Paul II for an extension. Piero tells him that Jacopo will take advantage of Lorenzo's absence and take control of Florence.

His brother and friends say goodbye to Lorenzo on his way to the wagon and they head off to Rome.

Lorenzo and Lucrezia arrive at Rome and speak about the differences of the Roman banks and the Florentine banks. During this conversation, he sees a woman, Clarice Orsini, enter a hospital for the sick and is taken by her right away.

Lorenzo meets his uncle, Carlo de' Medici have a brief chat before speaking with Paul, Francesco della Rovere, Francesco Salviati, and Giambattista Orsini. Paul tells him that Lorenzo and the Medici banks have to pay their dues at once, or they risk losing the Papal Account.

As they are about to head back to Florence, Cardinal Della Rovere tells them to stay for a banquet and that his mother will know what he means.

At the banquet, he meets Maddalena Orsini and her daughter Clarice. He finds that he has very little in common with Clarice, but his mother tells him that the main reason she came to Rome was to try and arrange a marriage between him and Clarice as it would benefit his goals in the city. Carlo tells them that Clarice wishes to become a nun, but his mother says Lorenzo could convince her otherwise.

Lorenzo heads out to the balcony where Clarice is and tries to convince her to agree to the marriage proposal between the two families. She tells him, however, that she has no desire to marry.

Lorenzo returns to Rome and is greeted by his friends and Giuliano. He tells them that he failed in his plans in Rome. Bianca walks in and smacks him after she discovered that her hand had been promised in marriage to Bastiano without her consent. Lorenzo says that is of no matter and that he is being forced to marry also. She tells him that she won't marry Bastiano and storms off.

He makes a visit to his lover and she discovers that he is intended to be married off to Clarice. She tells him to leave after finding out as she feels it will change things between them.

He then sees his father and tells him that he has failed in his mission in Rome, and he asks whether or not the marriage worked out. He tells his father that Clarice intends to take vows to the church. His father then tells him to win the joust the following day.

While he prepares his brother's armor the day of the joust, Francesco Pazzi approaches them and tells them he will see them in the finals.

Lorenzo stands on the sidelines, while Giuliano and Guglielmo joust and then it is his turn. The first round is a draw as neither he nor Francesco fall of their horses. In the second round he falls off his horse due to tampering by Jacopo. In the third round he goes armor-less with Francesco and Lorenzo wins. Lorenzo then goes to help him up, but Francesco gets up on his own, and says that Lorenzo should of killed him. Lorenzo goes to claim the silver helmet for his victory.

He then gets word from Rome that Lucrezia has been successful in all grounds. Carlo stood in proxy to his marriage to Clarice, she has established Rinaldo Orsini as Archbishop of Florence, and that Cardinal Orsini has convinced an ailing Paul to extend the Medici credit.

Lorenzo, Giuliano, and Sandro all rush up to their father's room to present him with the silver helmet and his wife's success in Rome, but find Bianca crying as Piero has died to natural causes.

## Obstacles and Opportunities

Lorenzo is at his lover's home working out what to do about the sudden death of Pope Paul II. He explains that the new Pope, Sixtus IV, may no longer support the Medici as others might influence his decisions. He then tells her that he and Giuliano are to ride to Milan to secure their alliance with the Duke.

They arrive at Milan and are taken to meet Galeazzo who is sitting in the chapel with his family, listening to some choir boys sing. He then tells Lorenzo about how he rules Milan, and has a man and his wife brought out for execution due to an assassination attempt on him.

As Galeazzo is about to kill the man, Lorenzo tells him that there will be no mercy to those who do not show it, implying that if he kills these people now, he will suffer later.

Galeazzo releases the prisoners and speaks to Lorenzo about his outstanding debt. Galeazzo says he could repay it all, but at the cost of their alliance. Lorenzo wanting to maintain their alliance, instead suggests that he will extend his loan in exchange for the trade that he sends through Bologna, through Florence instead. Galeazzo agrees to this and the Medici brothers go on their way.

As they saddle up to ride back to Florence, they find that the man who was arrested has been killed after all. Lorenzo says that he did so to save his image that he presents to his people.

They arrive back in Florence to meet his mother. She tells him that they needed the money right away as Sixtus would only wait so long for them to repay their debt. He tells her that the debt will be re-payed as soon as the Priori agrees to the treaty. His mother retorts and tells him, that some didn't want a treaty in the first place. He just tells her he knows and speaks to Sandro about getting his own workshop. All Sandro has to do is create a painting for one of the members of the Priori, Marco Vespucci. Sandro agrees right away.

Lorenzo wonders why he agreed so easily and Giuliano tells him that Sandro has an interest in his wife, Simonetta Vespucci.

Lorenzo goes to the Priori and as he is getting ready he hears that one of of the older members Messer Martino, has fallen ill and been replaced by Francesco Pazzi. The Gonfaloniere then lets Lorenzo take the floor. He tells them that he has visited Milan and made a treaty that would make Florence prosper. He then explains the treaty. Jacopo gets up and tells everyone that they are only doing this to empower their bank and that a trade alliance with Florence would be better. Lorenzo then reminds everyone that Jacopo wanted war with Venice not too long ago, but before it can sink in, Francesco tells everyone that the Medici are only trying to enrich themselves. Lorenzo tells them, that a stronger Medici banks is a prosperous Florence.

On the streets. Jacopo tells Lorenzo that he is ruining Florence by helping the common rabble when he should be helping the noble families who deserve the power. Lorenzo states that a divided Florence is a weak Florence.

Lorenzo comes home to see that Clarice has arrived in Florence. After a brief conversation about the book Ovid, Luca tells him that the Archbishop of Pisa has died, and needs to be replaced before the Pazzi can put someone in his place. Lorenzo tells him that he would have his tutor Gentile de' Becchi take his place.

Lorenzo prepares for his wedding celebration and after giving a quick poem to his friends, he can see that Bianca is visibly upset. She tells him that she loves Guglielmo. He tells her that sometimes duty comes first and that he need Soderini's support in the vote to approve the treaty with Milan.

At the feast Lorenzo meets a few old friends including Stefano Maffei and his son Antonio Maffei. Stefano makes a toast to the Medici. Later, Lucrezia Donati tells Lorenzo that she met Clarice and feels protective of her. She then asks when she will meet him again. He tells her he will send word as she goes on her way.

Later that night, Lorenzo and Clarice make love and in the morning he finds out that Bianca has run off with Guglielmo and sends guards to hunt them down.

Lorenzo and Francesco meet later on and Francesco tells Lorenzo that if he does not dismantle the treaty, then the Pazzi will expose what Bianca has done. Lorenzo says that the treaty is too important to Florence, but he wants to save both the reputation of his sister and Guglielmo while keeping the treaty.

Once Bianca is returned home, she tells Lorenzo that they attacked Guglielmo. He says they will be punished but she shouldn't have disobeyed him.

Carlo arrives in Florence and tells Lorenzo that Sixtus has rejected Gentile and appointed Salviati as the new Archbishop of Pisa. Carlo says that he has tried to slow the appointment down by having Pisa closed down in order to prevent Salviati from entering the city.

Lorenzo meets Jacopo later at night and tells him that he has barred Salviati from entering Pisa. Lorenzo says he will open the gates in exchange for his blessing in the union of Bianca and his nephew, Guglielmo. Jacopo agrees and says that he will be an easy opponent to crush.

In the Priori, Luca and Bastiano are upset with Lorenzo about his canceling of the marriage between Bastiano and Bianca. Lorenzo then tells him that if Luca votes in his favor, the Soderini's will receive half the rights of the agreement. Luca agrees to the terms.

Lorenzo then tells Bianca that she is betrothed to Guglielmo and are to be married. She thanks him and he heads to vote on the treaty.

Lorenzo, Luca, Marco and Francesco are among the ones who agree to the treaty making it a four-four split, leaving the Gonfalioniere to cast the vote. He votes for the treaty, ratifying the treaty with Milan. Francesco's vote was the least expected as he was a Pazzi and was expected to vote in opposition of the vote.

Lorenzo thanks Francesco who tells him he only voted in their favor for his brother. Lorenzo then goes to shake his hand to welcome him into the family as they are to be brother-in-law to each other now, but he ignores him and walks away.

## Blood with Blood

The episode opens with a young Lorenzo and Francesco standing by a well talking about where Francesco is going to end up as his father, Antonio de' Pazzi, has just died alongside his mother. Jacopo calls both Guglielmo and Francesco and tells Lorenzo's grandmother that the engagement between Bianca and Guglielmo is off. Contessina disagrees, but it is to no avail. Francesco refuses to come, and Jacopo slaps him. Lorenzo jumps to his aid and stands up to Jacopo, until his mother tells him to back down. His jousting master, then tells him that it is good that he is a loyal friend, but he should choose his fights wisely.

Back to 1469, Lorenzo is speaking with Donati after one of their sessions and tells her that he is worried about the future of his family's bank and his sister's wedding to Guglielmo.

Lorenzo returns home to have a meal, when he is told that Stefano Maffei has arrived and needed to see Lorenzo immediately.

Stefano congratulates Lorenzo on another Medici wedding and shows him pure alum. Lorenzo has to decide whether or not to pursue this chance to create a source of income. If he pursues it, he risk war with Sixtus, but if he doesn't, he loses out on a lot of money. Giuliano asks what he is going to do about the alum, and Lorenzo says he will just ride to Volterra in the morning with Stefano.

They arrive in Volterra and Lorenzo meets Stefano's son again and they go to the Priori. Stefano shows up with Lorenzo and some of the members, most notably Messer Vaccari, who says that Lorenzo should go right back to Florence as the Priori of Volterra will make their own decisions without Medici influence.

Lorenzo tells him that Volterra should make their own decisions and he is there to make sure they protect themselves financially and militarily. Lorenzo then tells him about the Law of Supply and Demand. He tells Vaccari that at the moment the price of alum is so high because the supply is limited, but if the market is suddenly flooded with it, then the price will go down as there will be more of it. He then goes on to say that this will not only affect the people of Volterra, but also the pope as his sales in alum will go down which will lead to the taking of the city by force.

Lorenzo then makes an offer for them. He says he will sell their alum for three ducats per load of alum as it is the exact price the pope sells his for and it will not undermine the pope or make the Volterran's lose money.

At Florence, Lorenzo meets with Andrea Foscari and proposes an alliance with Venice. Lorenzo is proposing a marriage between Giuliano and Andrea's daughter, Novella Foscari. Lorenzo then attends his sister's wedding. Lorenzo speaks with Francesco after the wedding and proposes that they jointly sell the alum from Volterra.

During a dance, Clarice tells him that it is strange for Donati to be present at the wedding, and he says he invited her because her husband Niccolò Ardinghelli is an important ally, but she doesn't buy it.

Later that night, Lucrezia and Lorenzo wait in Giuliano's chambers and tell him of their plans to marry him to Novella, but he denies them, because he will not be forced to marry someone he doesn't love.

Lorenzo is later confronted by Clarice, who tells him that she fells disrespected because of his constant visits to Donati. Giuliano then tells him there is a problem.

He goes to the Priori and sees Lucrezia and Luca waiting. They tell him that Volterra is selling their alum at a price that undercuts the pope. Lorenzo then says he will have Stefano find out who is making the sales, but Giuliano and Lucrezia both agree that there is not time and that Galeazzo should use his army to scare Volterra into submission. Lorenzo then sticks with his solution.

He is then meeting with Andrea who is upset about the fact that there will be no marriage between his daughter and Giuliano and he will not push for an alliance between Venice and Florence. Lorenzo tries to make an offer, but he is interrupted by Clarice who tells him that there is urgent news.

Stefano and Antonio tell him that they have been ousted from the Priori and Vaccari has taken his place. Stefano also reports that their agreement has been rescinded for more favorable terms. Lorenzo assumes the Pazzi are behind this, and that they need proof. Yet again both Giuliano and Lucrezia think they should send Galeazzo and his army to force them into submission. Lorenzo blocks them again and instead orders the gates of Volterra be shut and any exports from the city are to be blocked.

Lorenzo meets with Francesco and they reminisce about the past and then asks him for help in proving his uncle is making side deals in Volterra to undercut him. Francesco says that Jacopo is his family, but Lorenzo tells him that he is family too and that proving the Pazzi are behind the undercutting in Volterra, they could prevent a war.

Lorenzo spends one more night with Donati and then returns home where Francesco waits and gives him a slip of paper with the name of the one being payed by Jacopo.

Lorenzo receives word that Stefano has been murdered in rebellion of his declaration. They go to the Priori where Jacopo pushes for war with Volterra, but Lorenzo says war is not the answer. Jacopo calls him afraid of war, but he says he needs time to find proof that someone was influencing the city. Jacopo then calls for a vote for war. Lorenzo, Giuliano, and Francesco then split up. Giuliano goes to make sure the men don't invade the city, while Lorenzo and Francesco look for proof of Jacopo's tinkering in Volterra.

Lorenzo and Francesco find the man they are looking for murdered and they ride for Volterra and find it has already been invaded and in flames. He finds Giuliano covered in blood walking down the path, who claims they are victorious.

Lorenzo returns home weary and finds out from Clarice that she has negotiated a marriage between Francesco and Novella. He tells Clarice that he failed in finding a peaceful solution to the issue with Volterra. Clarice tells him he has not failed as he tried to do the right thing.

## Ties That Bind

A year after the previous episode, Lorenzo and Clarice have a new son, Piero, and Francisco has been made his godfather. After the baptism, Lorenzo tells his mother and Luca that Galeazzo has acquired Imola and that he is thinking of buying the city. Luca disagrees with this as he does not like Galeazzo and he does not believe a city can be run by the people.

Lorenzo heads to Milan, where he attends a marriage between the Duke's daughter, Caterina Sforza, and her betrothed, Giralomo Riario, nephew of Sixtus IV. At the dinner party, Lorenzo questions Galeazzo and his decision to marry her off so young. Lorenzo and Galeazzo talk about the possibility of making a deal for Imola after Galeazzo's wife knows he is there for that reason alone.

Lorenzo returns to Florence and tells his mother that a deal was made and that he is considering putting Francesco in charge. Lucrezia recommends he put Giuliano there instead to make him feel needed. Lorenzo offers Giuliano Imola, but he refuses as Lorenzo suspected he would.