CHAPTER I.

PAZZI CONSPIRACY. State of Affairs at Home and Abroad—Lorenzo de’ Medici and the Pazzi—Causes of Enmity—Attitude of Sixtus IV. and Girolamo Riario towards the Medici—The Plot against the Medici—Girolamo Riario, Francesco de’ Pazzi, and Francesco Salviati—Preparations for the Enterprise—Invitation to Lorenzo to visit Rome—Consultations in Rome—Giovanni Batista da Montesecco—Meeting of the Conspirators—The Conspirators and the Papacy—Francesco de’ Pazzi and Montesecco in Florence—Agreement with Jaco…