#pazzi medici relations

[oldmanpazzi]

Contessina was having none of Jacopo’s shit and I love her for that. She really said this one’s beyond help good luck with the next generation Lorenzo

[thiswaycomessomethingwicked]

due to my love of all things Cavalcanti and Ficino related, I went on a search for Cavalcanti's home. And la, I found at least what currently exists as the former Cavalcanti estate.

[...] as far back as the Middle Ages the Cavalcanti, a powerful Florentine Guelph family, owned numerous holdings in the locality of Murlo between the Pesa river and its tributary, the Virginio. The old feudal property was destroyed by the Ghibellines after their victory over the Guelphs at the Battle of Montaperti. What remained of the estate was divided up between various members of the Cavalcanti family, and Lorenzo Cavalcanti undertook the task of reconstruction and improvement, as well as buying back neighbouring land, as recorded in a survey from 1498.

I presume this is the same Lorenzo Cavalcanti who was near Lorenzo de' Medici during the Pazzi Conspiracy and helped to save him from the would-be assassins.

The present structure, commissioned in the early 18th century by the Baldocci family, and was designed by the architect Bernardino Ciurini. Between 1723 and 1740 teams of artists decorated the structure, including the stucco artist, Giovan Martino Portogalli. Also employed were the Bolognese painters Anton Domenico and Giovan Filippo Giarré who executed the frescoed classical landscapes, vedute, in the salons on the ground and first floors. At the south west end, those parts of the villa dating from the 16th century were enlarged, incorporating the old 15th-century workers' house.

The above is an aerial shot of the current villa. Now this isn't what Giovanni would have lived in, but it's a good view of the lands that belonged to the family. No wonder Ficino wrote to Giovanni one time saying something like "I understand why you've not returned to me Florence because where you are is so beautiful."

Yeah, I think I could live here happily enough.

I can see why Ficino was so happy to stay with Cavalcanti for extended durations of time. I'd happily write philosophy if I had some of the views presented from this vantage point.

Now, I'm not sure if Giovanni had access to this specific land and whatever house/palazzo was on it during his lifetime given that the land had been divvied up between family members. But they all were in roughly the same area, so it gives a good idea of what he and Ficino would have been looking at while writing their Very Married We Have A Shared Email Account joint letters to people.

[maranzalla]

okay so after reading @sparrow-in-boots 's Cristina Vespucci post, here is my own post

Absolutely agree that the game's current treatment of Cristina is like, 0,001% of what could have been done with her. So here's what happens in the version of the ACII - ACB - ACR that lives in my head

Cristina is definitely Ezio's fiancee. They're engaged and have been engaged since they teens, when Lorenzo de' Medici brokered the alliance between the Auditore and Vespucci families which are, in-game, both Medici-adjacent

This works because we know Lorenzo spent a lot of time fixing marriages between Florentine nobility as a way to foster relations and keep friendly faces in powers. It also works nicely if you believe, like I do after speaking with @robin-in-the-library , that the Auditore were instrumental in ensuring the Medici / Rome connection and that they might have presented Clarice Orsini to Lorenzo in Rome

This also works because know the morning-after guard chase scene having basically 0 consequences beyond Giovanni chuckling works way better if it's just a matter of time before Ezio and Cristina officially tie the knot - sure it's a scandal or whatever, but if the contracts are signed and everything it's basically done

After the treason accusations, of course the Vespucci have to hastily cancel and not even Lorenzo can do or say anything - it just wouldn't do. In fact, it's all the Vespucci can do to avoid the accusation of being damaged goods

So Ezio has to leave Florence with the knowledge that he not only is leaving his beloved behind, he definitely destroyed all her chances of future stability with his connection

So Cristina is off Ezio's radar for years, let's say about until halfway the revenge Pazzi tally

One day you get a mission to kill a mid-level Templar goon and you do. Lo and behold, it's Cristina's husband! Much drama ensues when your once beloved fiancee sees you effectively ruining her life, again, by making her a widow.

This could play off twice : you thought you had ruined her life by disappearing, and you went and did it again by your actions. Much drama, much trauma, memory sequences getting fucked and having to be manually restored.

It's important at this part that her husband's death is not played as a rescue mission but rather as Ezio yet again destroying a loved one's peace of mind with his actions. Like he marred relations with his sister and mother by getting consumed in revenge and leaving them in Monteriggioni for years, he effectively lets the Templar / Assassin war claim what small measure of happiness Cristina had managed to build for herself

(It's important that her husband is not a cartoonishly evil Templar, just someone boring involved in middle-level fraud or something. She definitely has no idea what he actually does, but it's peaceful enough and she's content now)

So Ezio ruins her life, again.

At this point however Cristina must decide to take action herself for once. I would say she finds the legal artifice to gain power over her husband's fortune (he's rich, and it could be done at the time, it was just a hassle) and I really want it to be something that Paola and Teodora are taking care of, on the side. It's a crime that we get characters such as Paola and Teodora and have them do basically nothing for two games and a half-

This way, Cristina could become a financial power in her own right, like Grazia Nasi historically did. And she could act as a financial broker for the Brotherhood, perhaps by helping on the Monteriggionin venture, or by financing Claudia's brothel in Rome when Ezio refuses to.

This allows her to confront Ezio again, on equal footing this time. He's forced to acknowledge that he hurt her in many ways, but he's also forced to acknowledge how she grew and the choices she made (it's not as easy as saving the girl!) They can rekindle the relationship, but it's an on and off thing

(you can have Clay or any of the non-Desmond descendants be the result of this)

They stay friends all their life and Sofia often goes to tea there at Vespucci's to talk books.

Oh and this? This allows Cristina to namedrop her cousin Amerigo, this time only it can be spun as a plotline that actually makes sense. Perhaps she can use him to help the Assassin establish a presence in the early voyages to counter the undoubtedly fucked up shit that the Templars are pulling with the Spaniards

thanks! this was my "Fridging Cristina was stupid and a cop-out" post, hope you enjoyed it!

[katabay]

hello!! I've really been wanting to learn more about the Italy and the Catholic church/papacy, and I was wondering if you had any recommendations on specific events/people I should research or any good resources to start with??

also interested in the medici family and don't really know where to start there either bahaha

anyway hope you are having/have a wonderful day, your art is gorgeous (and the poeticness and the ay you do expression AND COMPOSITION IS SO MWAHHH) and you really inspire me and make me excited about history even more so!!

so the history of Italy and the Catholic church/the papacy is a Very Broad subject of study and also includes France. I'd honestly pick a pope or cardinal that sounds interesting to you and go out from there, and remember to cross reference shit they say with their actual decrees because around this era is when you get a lot of the foundational ground work for the justifications for imperialism, colonization, forced conversions, and slavery making an appearance.

since I don't respect the papacy, I'd start with the cardinals and go with Brill's Companion to the Early Modern Cardinal! it'll touch on all aspects of the Catholic church and the absolute fuckery of politics that was happening in the Vatican court.

alternatively, have you ever watched The Borgias (Showtime) because you should watch The Borgias. related to the Borgia family, almost every single english language Borgia (and papacy) family biography sucks, but Johannes Burchart's records and diaries are thee most immediate view of the day to day running of things in the Vatican and Church, 10/10 resource.

also!! I have a whole italian renaissance tag over on my history blog @sforzesco that you can browse through that has text recommendations & excerpts if you want to preview them before committing to a whole book!

.....

.........

so I hate the Medici family, I'm a 24/7 Medici hate account. I despise them like it's my full time job, and I've never called out sick. I'm a Pazzi family apologist and sympathizer first and foremost. all my recs are inherently critical of the Medici, I would FULLY recommend asking anyone else but me about the Medici family unless you're interested in my Medici Hate Club Agenda

anyway, tysm anon!! I'm so so happy that my art could make history exciting for you 🥺💗💕💖💗 I hope you're having a nice day also!!!!!

[minetteskvareninova]

Minette watches Medici, part 15 (Betrayal)

- This is probably going to be a short one, because I don’t have much to complain about this episode? Like, the whole thing is questionable from the historical perspective and has a lot of problems carried over from the previous episodes, but overall the buildup to the Pazzi plot kinda slaps? Who knows, maybe I’ll fill this one with compliments instead.

- First off, one thing I forgot to mention in the previous entry: the decision to tie Galeazzo’s murder to the Pazzi conspiracy. And I mean, those two things were related, in that they were both attempts to remove an autocratic ruler and reinstate the old semi-oligarchical order, but they weren’t literally perpetuated by the same people. With that said, as far as deviations from history go, this is one of the better ones, because it fits very well into the main plot. Like, if they are going to disregard the history completely, they might as well give us something this good.

- Look, I hate to say this, because she was a great gal and shit, but... They should’ve killed Simonetta sooner. I don’t hate some of the things they were trying to do with Giuliano here, like him being distracted by women, wine and general fucking around, untill he falls in love with a girl who inspires him to take his responsibilities more seriously even after she dies. But like... The whole thing was too little too late. Instead we spend most of Simonetta and Giuliano’s time together with their dumb courtship and even dumber drama with her husband and Sandro.

- Also, the whole “Sandro loves her as an object of artistic adoration, while Giuliano loves her as an actual person” would be a great angle to take if it wasn’t for the fact that a) again, too little too late; b) if Giuliano really loved or at least respected her as an actual person, he would’ve left her alone at the first “get lost” and none of this drama would happen. These two had no fucking chemistry, but honestly that’s to be expected, I’ve yet to see a tsundere girl x presumptuous fuckboy pairing that isn’t pure trash. This is the kind of couple that gives enemies to lovers trope a bad name.

- Another thing that was too little too late? The whole thing with Giuliano finding his place as the hard first of the bank, while Lorenzo is the brain and friendly face. I don’t love either of them as characters, but they have a solid dynamic this show refuses to play on for some reason.

- Also let me clown a little on the whitewashing of Sixtus IV., like, I get that The Borgias did the whole “morally ambiguous pope” thing sooner and better, but come the fuck on. Also was his cardinal nephew supposed to be part of the conspiracy, because IRL he very much was...

- Whitewashing of the Medici family is bearing some really nasty fruits here in the form of tragic flattening of the Pazzi conspiracy. Like, where are my liberatores vibes? The Caesar references?! Halooo??? THIS SHIT COULD’VE BEEN SO POIGNANT ASFJG...

- The flashback was... Eh? Contessina’s death had me rolling my eyes, which - you know you’ve fucked up when a best girl is literally dying and my reacting is a fucking eyeroll. At the same time, we finally got some glimpses of an alternate timeline where Francesco de’ Pazzi had a decent characterization. His pride, his penchant for violence, his contentious relationship with his uncle... This dude could’ve been so interesting with some better writing! As it is, my interest in him as a character lives off of scraps and his mighty cheekbones. Ugh.

- But, I cannot emphasize this enough, despite all of my minor complaints, this was a fucking great episode! The plot was well-thought out, fast paced, the chase at the beginning kicked ass, the twists and turns of the plot were exciting, yet made perfect sense, and Carlo, oh my poor sweet Carlo, my heart goes out to you... Also my girls Clarice and Mamma Lucrezia, god how I love them. Like, so much for my conviction that I’ll end this show without any new blorbos. It’s just that I am better at complaining than praising, sorry about that.

[markantonys]

[elellan-merlin]

Not really Merlin related, but...

Watching I Medici season 2 just to see Bradley James acting as Giuliano -> getting enraged in remembering what will most surely happen at the end with la congiura dei pazzi -> immediately imagining a fic with an angsty romance between Giuliano and Francesco Pazzi so that all may end well.

[all-is-fair-in-love-and-war]

Maddalena de' Medici (Borgias OC)

Name (full name): Maddalena de Medici

Nickname: Daughter of Florence, Daughter of the Magnificent.

Age: 19 in 1492

Gender: Female

Status (Single/Married/etc.): Single

Sexual Orientation: Straight

Face claim: Beren Saat

Birthday: July 25th

Personality: Maddalena is very close to her family, specifically her mother.

Family/Relations:

Father: Lorenzo the Magnificent

Mother: Clarice Orsini

Brother: Piero

Brother: Giovanni

Cousin: Giulio

Sister: Contessina

Sister: Lucrezia

Personality: As any Medici, Maddalena had a fruitful education, and her mother made sure she spent time on her bible studies as well. She is very smart, and quite the politician. Growing up in a darker time in Florence, she learned to be careful and play the game of politics. She is proud to be a Medici and a Florentine and would protect her family and her city with all that she is. She is incredibly close to her family, and loves them very deeply, even if she does not always agree with what her eldest brother does. She is a sweet woman, and kind. She cares for those lesser than she and wants to help them, but you should not mistake her kindness for weakness.

History: While Maddalena was only five when the Pazzi Conspiracy she saw and felt the shift in her father, and all of Florence. She had a short childhood, after the Pazzi conspiracy, it became about survival and her father was never around as much. In part, she understood that. He was fighitng for Florence, for their family. But even when he was around, there was always something dark about him. Something that had not been there before the conspiracy. She spent a lot of her childhood away from Florence, in the Villas with her mother and siblings as her father fought. She did not remember much from the war with the pope, but she knew it was bloody and costly. She lived in Florence more as she grew, and like those before her, she fell in love with the city. Her father was around more once things had settled down, and she enjoyed reading with him, but she could still see the conflict in his face, and the weight on his shoulders. The golden age of Florence ended with the Pazzi Conspiracy.

Despite the obvious hardships while growing up, Maddalena was still incredibly close to her family and she learned what it was to be a Medici. They lived and served Florence and the people of Florence.

Strengths/Weaknesses: She always tries to look for the good in people and the world but at the same time it can affect how she sees things, and how she reacts. Even though she is a woman she is well versed in politics and always aware of the current situation her family is in.

[40sbarnes]

Medici: Spymasters of Florence

Chapter 12: Out of Luck

hope you enjoy this chapter! we are finally getting some actual lorenzo x reader content lmao

pairings: lorenzo x reader (fr), francesco c reader (friends)

tag list: @brynthebulldozer @mythicalamphitrite @nana035 @valravnsraven @hannahhistorian92 @not-thatweird @isaac-lahey-is-bae @angrygardendeer <3

“May I ask," your attention was pulled to Lorenzo by his words, "why the sudden change of heart?" His interest appeared genuine, no ulterior motive. You had halted your journey as night began to fall, the horse needing the rest more than either of you. You stood across from each other in the tavern room you were holed up in for the night. It wasn't as if you could rent two rooms without suspicion, especially with you being a woman.

"The truth?" You sighed, your fingers pulling at the strings of your cloak. Lorenzo hummed as a reply, eyes watching you intently. You didn't see a reason to lie to Lorenzo anymore, and he was the only person you could truly talk to this about anyways. "I delivered the message to Orsini today," Lorenzo's lips parted, but he didn't say anything, "for Pazzi. Orsini didn't take any notice of course. I knew you'd taken care of it." Worry flashed throughout your eyes for a second, realising Lorenzo might be upset you didn't double check with him.

"That must have been difficult," he took a step towards you, still leaving plenty of space, "but what you did was not in vain, y/n, not then, not now." He reassured you, you were surprised that was where his mind had gone.

You just nodded slightly, now holding your cloak in your arms, as if you were a child holding their favourite blanket. "So you came with me because...?" Lorenzo pried.

"Because you were right," you hated admitting it, "a break wouldn't kill me. Perhaps the opposite..." A soft grin fell onto Lorenzo's lips, "and because right now, I don't feel like being around the people I care for," you were precise with your words, not quite meaning the harsh intent they held. But you didn't wish to be around Francesco or Guglielmo as of right now. The guilt would seep right out of you and into their fingertips, ready to be dropped into their Uncle's lap.

Lorenzo chuckled slightly, looking down at the ground as he raised his eyebrows. "I see. I know the feeling."

"I didn't-" you weren't quite sure what to say, or why you cared that you might've offended him, "what of your predicament? Any more rejections from noble women?" You settled on changing the subject instead.

He laughed again, standing taller as he thought of an answer, "Not yet. But I fear my mother’s mind has settled on marriage now. It only makes sense now that I'm head of the family, but I guess I'd never truly considered it before," he shrugged, resting his hand on the end of the bed frame.

"Because of Lucrezia Donati?" You pushed, intrigued. He seemed taken aback, clearly not used to people being so brazen with him.

"I knew I could never marry Lucrezia. Honestly that might've been the beauty of it," he kicked off his shoes as he uttered the statement, acting as if it was a casual thing to say.

"I suppose I hold some fortune in that, then," you pushed your hair off your shoulder, setting your cloak down on the bed, sitting beside it. Lorenzo moved onto his over shirt once he was finished with his shoes, shooting you a glance to tell you to elaborate.

"For all your riches, and lack of mine, at least I needn't worry for my standing, or marriage, for the most part," your eyes couldn't meet Lorenzo's, so they fell to your lap. You didn't have a family to sell you into marriage, and although one day you may be forced to convince some poor man to take your hand, you were doing a good job of preventing yourself from that fate for now. You knew most women weren't as lucky, and you did well not to take your situation for granted.

"The most part?" Lorenzo questioned, his tone serious as he sat to your right on the opposite side of the bed, you lying down to stretch out your legs.

"Well, it's only a matter of time before you convince me to give you my hand in some scheme," you teased, still slightly in disbelief he'd gotten you on this trip.

Lorenzo scoffed, not enjoying your joke. "What a deluded thing to say," he shook his head. You furrowed your brows, turning your torso fully to face him.

"The reason my mother is pushing me to marry is for noble blood. Not for whatever runs through your veins," he spoke the words as if they weren't dripping with venom.

You turned away from him, "A simple jest, Lorenzo. Not everything has to be about how I am so very much beneath you," in that moment, it was pure hatred running through your veins.

"Y/n- please, we both know you'd never marry me, I was simply-" he began, you closed your eyes, as if it would shut out his horrid voice.

"You're right. I could never be so lucky," you squeezed your eyes shut tight, "all this talk of how I'm such a peasant has truly tired me out. If you would please let me sleep...goodnight Lorenzo."

Silence ensued. Your anger soon subsided, and you felt yourself drifting, sleep guiding you away from that small room.

Lorenzo's voice was the quietest you had ever heard it, but it filled the air nonetheless. "I'm sorry. It is I who is out of luck."

You didn't have the energy to respond, not that you even had a response.

—-

You woke at the crack of dawn the next morning, finding the blankets had been placed over you. You spun on your side, looking for a sign of Lorenzo. The chair across the bed was empty, as was the bed beside you. You sat up, worry setting in, until you saw his messy locks resting on the bottom of the bed. You glanced over him, he was resting against blankets, sitting on the floor. You felt bad for a fraction of a second, before you recalled the events of last night.

Carefully, you rose from the bed, doing your best not to disturb Lorenzo. You truly didn't feel like talking with him just yet. Instead, you opted to retrieve your cloak from where it had fallen on the floor, and replaced it around your shoulders. You danced across the room, reaching the door without a noise, only to slam it after you. You hoped it would wake him up, and he could get ready without you having to wait, and put up with his presence.

You skipped down the steps of the inn, making it outside to take in the colours of the sunrise. You breathed in the fresh air, before heading to the stables, going to check on Callus. Lorenzo didn't know the horse’s name, which shocked you, so you'd insisted on naming the helpful creature. You gave him a quick pat, not used to dealing with horses.

"Heading out already?" The stable girl appeared beside you.

"Yes, must make the most of the day," you acted with an air of class, the girl just grinned up at you, before climbing over the gate to the horses.

"I'll get her ready for ya," she began saddling 'her'. You had assumed it was a male, from all Lorenzo's 'faster boy’s as he pushed the horse to go faster. Now you weren't sure Callus quite fit. You stopped your trail of thought before it could completely escape you, and your eyes fell back on the girl as she worked. You were going to Venice. It would be easier to run away from there, you'd already have so much distance down. You could perhaps become like this girl? She didn't seem so miserable. Definitely much happier than you currently were. You didn't have long to consider your thoughts as a stressed Lorenzo came flying out the inn. He was notably in a different outfit than yesterday, clearly having packed for the trip, unlike you. He slowed his pace as he caught sight of you.

"Good morning," you greeted him, leaned on the fence.

"I thought you'd run off," he lowered his voice, speaking through gritted teeth.

You swallowed, feeling slightly guilty as you watched the tension in his back dissipate, relief washing over him. You hadn't done it of course, just thinking about it constantly.

"And you'd care?" You seethed, not looking his way.

Lorenzo stood back, straightening his clothes as he did, he had clearly put them on in a rush. "Clearly."

You spared him a glance, his eyes burning into your own, and you were unable to look away.

"I need you, y/n," your heart froze, his face was but inches from yours, "you're integral to the plan," you turned back to watch the stable girl, moving away from him.

"Well, I'm here," you spoke, your voice flat. Lorenzo continued his stare until Callus was ready, and you both stepped back from the gate to let it creak open. The reigns were handed to Lorenzo, and he began attaching his bags to the saddle.

"Thank you," you took the stable girls hand into yours, sliding a few coins into it before closing it over as Lorenzo paid no notice.

She bowed slightly, "You are more than welcome, Madonna," that caught Lorenzo's attention, his gaze falling onto you once again, before he straightened out the saddle, getting ready to mount.

The young girl took your hold on her hand to pull you in closer, "I wish my betrothed looked at me the way your husband does," she made sure to keep her voice low. You stifled a laugh at the irony, until your heart sank in realisation.

"Your betrothed?" She seemed far younger than yourself, nowhere near the age for marriage.

She nodded, "Well, in two years, when I am of age," the pain in her eyes didn't go unnoticed by you.

"He won't look at you the same. He will treat you with far more respect than I am given," you promised her, not wanting her to idealise whatever your relation to Lorenzo was.

"Y/n," as if on cue, Lorenzo's name fell from your lips, although not as harsh sounding as usual.

The girl shot you one last sad smile, before she returned to her work and you yours.

Facing back to Lorenzo, he assisted you onto Callus, before pulling himself up. He took the reins into his hands and you continued your journey without another word.

—-

You came to a stop once again in a town just outside Venice. All three of you were hungry, and the sun had yet to reach its peak. Lorenzo was planning on attending the banquet for Vitelli’s grandson’s birth, a celebration of the continuation of the bloodline, which wasn't until tonight. You had plenty of time.

Once you had found Callus a safe stable to rest in, you led Lorenzo to the centre of the town, where the market was bubbling.

"You wouldn't find these in Florence," you nudged Lorenzo slightly from where you stood in front of the blacksmith, half teasing as you knew his love for your city, but also in awe at the swordsmanship.

He smirked at your words, also admiring the fine blades. "I'd like to see their art," he bragged, always finding a way to one up.

"Maybe this is it," you suggested, marvelling at the different daggers.

"Come along, I'm starved," he spoke after a moment. You did as he said, as your hunger was getting the best of you also.

You soon found a seedy public house, not much different from the Florentine ones. Lorenzo bought you both meals, and you picked away at it, trying your best to ignore the rowdiness of your fellow customers.

"Is that the only gown you brought?" Lorenzo questioner, motioning to the dress you were wearing.

You nodded, swallowing the food you were chewing before replying. "I truly hadn't planned on joining you."

"It won't do for the banquet. You'll be serving drinks by the end of the night," you bit back all the horrid remarks you wished to make, about Lorenzo and his constant condescension.

"Well sorry, your highness, an arrogant man burnt my banquet gown," you huffed.

Lorenzo grinned as he held back a laugh, "I do apologise for that. But that doesn't change our current circumstance. We'll have to get you a new gown. Hopefully this town’s dressmaking holds up to their forgery."

You just nodded, feeling odd about the situation. Pazzi had loaned you a fancy gown once or twice before for similar purposes, the idea wasn't foreign to you, but it felt particularly peculiar with Lorenzo. Especially with last night’s conversation still fresh in mind.

—-

You stepped out of the fitting room, feeling incredibly vulnerable in the dress. It was half an inch too tight, making you stand up that little bit straighter to hold your poise. Your shoulders were bare, and you were oddly aware of the cool air around them. The dress was quite plain, a deep crimson colour, the sleeves falling to your wrists, where they hung wide around them. The skirt was much more constricting than you were used to, and you imagined if you were to don your usual blade on your thigh it would make for a terrible silhouette.

You stood in Lorenzo's line of sight, and he sat up taller from where he was slouched in his chair. He surveyed you for a moment, before his gaze switched to the seamstress beside you.

"Doesn't she look splendid?" The seamstress asked, pushing for her sale. You had stumbled upon her small shop after you'd eaten.

"Danger often takes shelter in beauty," he mused, sharing a grin with you, the tailor barely taking notice. "How much?"

[therepublicofletters]

Hi my name is Giuliano di Piero de Medici and I have long brown hair (that’s how I got my name) with curls that brush my forehead and dark brown eyes eyes like limpid tears and a lot of people tell me I look like Filippino Lippi (AN: if u don’t know who he is get da hell out of here!). I’m not related to Palla Strozzi but I wish I was because he’s a major fucking hottie. I’m a popolano but I don’t act like it. I have olive skin. I’m also a banker, and I work at my family’s bank in Florence where I’ve worked my whole life (I’m 25). I’m a pallesco (in case you couldn’t tell) and I wear mostly red. I love wool and all my clothes are made of it. For example today I was wearing a red tunic with ermine edging around the neck and a brocaded doublet, white stockings, and leather shoes. I was walking in Piazza della Signoria. It was snowing and raining so there was no sun, which I was very happy about. A lot of other bankers stared at me. I put up my middle finger at them.

“Hey Medici!” shouted a voice. I looked up. It was…. Francesco dei Pazzi!

“What’s up Francesco?” I asked.

“Nothing.” he said shyly.

But then, I heard my friends call me and I had to go away.

[talesofafangirlwithadvr]

MAY PICKS!

WELCOME BACK TO ANOTHER MONTH OF TV/MOVIE WATCHING! 

Does it feel like it was just April or that it can’t even be May and yet it is coming to an end? I get it. Quarantine is doing weird things to my head and I can’t believe how far in the year it’s been. Looking back on my picks for this month I noticed that I have seemed to escape the world through historical period shows or movies. But that isn’t the entire bulk of the month (just half of it). Without further ado, here we go!

As always..spoilers....

THE HALF OF IT

This Netflix original movie was an early watch for me during this month and it came at the right time. I was looking for a movie, rather than a TV show, and something that was contemporary and not overly serious (although, there are serious themes in this film). As it repeatedly says, “it’s not a romance” yet it has that YA/teen romance feel. (Yes, I used YA/teen in the same description.) I really loved the Elle Chu and Paul Munsky friendship. While watching the trailer, I could tell this film would be highlighting a healthy friendship as its focal point and how your other half doesn’t have to be a romantic soulmate. A lot of times, these kinds of stories can seem very repetitive, but with the new plot of Elle and Paul in love with the same girl we encounter a new kind of obstacle. I think the resolution was pretty solid for both plot lines and I liked the train scene at the end. Certain shots felt long at times. There were lots of pauses, which I didn’t 100% like. Also, the awkwardness could feel pretty cringey. Overall, it is definitely worth the watch. I liked it and would watch it again. Paul might be one of my heartthrobs of 2020. I’m always a sucker for a sweet jock with a heart of gold. 

THE OFFICE LADIES

Yes, I know I’m late to the show as this podcast started last year, but better late than never and what better time than quarantine. Plus, I don’t have to wait each week for a new episode (even though know I’m catching up, so eventually...) At first, I was worried when I would have time because of not spending as much time in the car for commuting, but I found it’s really soothing to listen to as I’m cleaning. It feels like I’m in the room with Angela and Jenna and we’re all BFFs. I love how they’re best friends in real life and how close they are. They give the trivia you really can only get from two people who were on the show. They also have several guest stars from actors on the show to writers, directors and producers. One of my most recent listens had Creed Bratton in the studio with them and they talked about the Halloween episode. It was great. Listening to their podcast is really making me want to rewatch the series for the 100th time. As an uber fan, I already get all of their references, but with the new Easter eggs I can’t wait to go back and see them.   

STAR WARS RISE OF SKYWALKER

Not just in honor of May the 4th, but to finish up the Star Wars watch through that I was taking with my sister. I hadn’t seen it yet and while not a die heart fan, I still wanted to see the conclusion. I liked the Force Awakens a lot, but felt eh about Last Jedi. In ways this one kind of felt like a stand alone. It had a different vibe compared to the previous two. After watching I heard there was a different director for all three movies, so that makes sense-I guess. (It’s weird they wouldn’t have kept at least one to do two of them.) It also had a kind of fan fiction feel. SPOILERS! SPOILERS! SPOILERS! Bringing Palpatine back reminded me of Lord Voldemort having a kid in Cursed Child. BACK FROM SPOILERS! I’m happy that Rey’s parentage/lineage was revealed because it was such a major point in this series. I loved the Rey/Finn/Poe relationship. It was great to see them in the same story line and reminded me of the original three: Luke/Han/Leia. Leia :( It was so sad, but I always knew it had to happen, due to Carrie Fischer. It didn’t make it any easier to watch. MORE SPOILERSSSSS! I knew Kylo would turn back. It was nice to see that his mom was able to spark that. I did like his fight scene. I just didn’t love the connection him and Rey have/had. LOVED the ending. I’m cool with her taking the Skywalker name and the suns shot with the force them at the end had me screaming. 

OPHELIA

From one Daisy Ridley film to another. This movie just recently got added to my list when I was channel surfing. I vaguely remembered it being advertised, but it felt like a while ago. I’m a sucker for a re-telling, so I was immediately intrigued to watch it. This film was adapted from a novel by the same name. It follows Ophelia from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and gives her more of a story and character development. If you are familiar with the original, you know that Ophelia is only briefly mentioned and her character’s motives are really driven by her love for Hamlet. Even her famous death scene is very ambiguous. When this film begins, a voice-over narration by Ridley immediately brings us to her death scene and tells the audience “that there is more to the story than we think we know.” I really loved the twist and re-invention of this story through her point of view. I think Daisy Ridley was fantastic in the role. I haven’t seen her in a lot of other things, so it was great to see her here in a completely different role from Star Wars. The re-telling is very creative and very feminist. You get to see how Hamlet and Ophelia meet and then see him off to school. With this addition you can really get behind this relationship and see the mutual attraction and feelings between them. When relating back to the original, I like how they cut out scenes that Ophelia was not physically apart of and instead rely the events that happened. (Specifically with Polonius’ death.) I also enjoyed the new perspective of scenes. You really can tell that Ophelia is not mad, but it is the mask she must put on to survive. The ‘get thee to a nunnery’ scene takes on a whole different meaning now. There’s also a lot echoes to other Shakespearean plays and tropes which were fun to explore. Whether you’re a Shakespeare/Hamlet fan or not, I would definitely check this one out if you’re a fan of the time period, re-tellings or a strong female lead.   

MEDICI THE MAGNIFICENT SEASON 3

I literally just finished this show this afternoon and I couldn’t wait to write about it. (Sorry if this post is pretty long, but that just shows you that you need to watch it.) I was very excited for the third and final season of Medici because I enjoyed season 2, so much. While this one might have taken me a little longer to watch, it was still a good time and I’m sad it’s over. 

Watching this season I was super impressed by Daniel Sharman’s acting. He has great range as he goes from a young Lorenzo in season 2 to an adult and father and then an elderly man. I think he was convincing throughout each stage and I’m happy they kept the same actor. His make-up to help him age looked a lot more natural, compared to Richard Madden’s, in my opinion. I feel on shows like this it’s often hard seeing a jump in time (it helps with seeing the kids grow up), so when Lorenzo starts to get sick/age I at first, was like whoa, but then it was further explained (by inheriting his father’s illness, etc.) 

Compared to season 2, I definitely liked the previous more. I not only enjoyed watching the more idealistic Lorenzo, but also plot-wise. In season 2 the Pazzi are the main antagonist/objective. Here in season 3 there were several obstacles/antagonists: The Pope, Riario, and Savonarola. Every time we thought there was a moment of peace...nope. Now, I get this is based on history and we need drama so you can only change so much, but I missed the Medici being at the top and being respected. I also know we covered A LOT of time. (I guess that shows you how connected I felt with them and the show.) 

All of the history Easter Eggs were cool. Obviously, the Renaissance was extremely relevant, but it was cool seeing the big names like Botticelli (especially with his painting at the end, which I recognized), Da Vinci, and Michelangelo. I can’t get over how many of these famous painters were recognized by the Medici family. It just shows you how important and influential they were. Also, when Nico revealed his last name as Machiavelli. JAW DROP! This show has continually brought me back to researching (and mainly using Wikipedia). The writing at the end was accurate to what I found. Wish we had another season with the legacy to see it continue. I’m surprised I got teary eyed at the end. 

WORLD ON FIRE

It may be listed last once again, this month, but it is definitely not least. The show may have finished its season a few weeks ago, but I still have two episodes left on my DVR. The last one I watched was when they were in Dunkirk and that was an intense time. I knew it was going to be, but it still didn’t prepare me. In this episode, we see many characters FINALLY meet up and join each other’s plot lines. I think that was one of my favorite parts of the episode/series. Some already knew each other, while others were meeting for the first time. While I am excited to see how it all turns out, I’m also not ready to say good-bye. Right now, I saw a potential for a season 2, but not sure if that was a fan made article or not. I’m hoping all of my favorite characters survive and get what can be considered a happier ending than what they are currently experiencing. I also hope we don’t end on too much of a cliffhanger. Either way, I’m happy I checked this show out. 

RE-WATCHING

iZOMBIE

Currently I’m in the beginning of the second season. Sometime last month I felt the pull to start re-watching this show. It’s one that I have tried once or twice to watch again from the beginning, but now that it’s been finished for almost a year, it felt like time. It was a great decision, although right now there’s some character plots that are frustrating me and that I forgot about. But there’s some great brains that Liv has experienced and it was great seeing Lowell again (for as short-lived as it was). I’m excited to continue re-watching. 

I DIDN’T DO IT

The re-watch for I Didn’t Do It basically began when it hit Disney Plus a few months ago. I just recently made it to season 2, which I remember enjoying more than season 1. One reason for this was because they get rid of the flashback format for each episode. I’m really early on, like episode 4, so I still have many more to go. Once I finish it I don’t know if I’ll explore a new Disney Plus show or watch another that I’ve seen before. 

I also have a few things on DVR that I’m still finishing up. I haven’t watched the finale of Batwoman yet and I know it’s going to be weird now that Ruby Rose has left the show. I just finished the Flash and felt blah about the whole season, so I’m unsure if I’ll watch next season. But I am enjoying Stargirl. You can find my thoughts on the first episode here. I’m excited to see the rest of the season. 

[mermaidsirennikita]

If you watched The King and were like damn that attempted meditation on power did not have enough like, human relationships or real politicking or drama to keep me interested when RPattz wasn’t on screen, might I suggest Medici: The Magnificent (not, and I cannot emphasize this enough, Medic: Masters of Florence the inferior and only very very very tangentially related “first season”) as an alternative?

It has EVERYTHING.  Family drama, pretty costumes, arranged marriages that turn into real love matches, a villainous Sean Bean and his prettyboy angst nephew, Daniel Sharman as a soft boy-turned-ruthless Lorenzo de’ Medici, a random shot of his ass for absolutely no reason, THE PAZZI CONSPIRACY--

[scorpion-flower]

I was tagged by the lovely @itsagoodluckkiss

Rules: Choose any three fandoms (in any order) and answer the questions, then tag ten people you want to get to know better.

I tag @ladyboleyntyrell @disneyprincessbuffyannesummers @aslytherinsgrace @meridianrose @love-4-mistress-west @madamelamarquys @cute-poison20102014 @lafemmedemon @bluesbrothers & @dreamingofwonderlannd

I choose Da Vinci’s Demons, Dominion & Game of Thrones

The first character you loved:

Leonardo Da Vinci

Alex Lannon

Tyrion Lannister

The character you never expected to love so much:

To be honest, everyone who’s not Leonardo...

David Whele

Jaime Lannister, Brienne of Tarth, Davos Seaworth, Sansa Stark and Sandor Clegane

The character you relate to the most:

I see parts of me to most of these fandoms’ characters but I don’t think I should compare myself to them we’re not worthy! we’re not worthy!

The character you’d slap:

Sixtus, the Pazzis, Carlo, the royal family of Naples (yes I have forgotten their names) and Lupo

William Whele, Zoe Holloway and Julian

Cersei Lannister and Daenerys Targaryen

Three favorite characters (in order of preference):

Get away from me satan! I cannot choose :(

A character you liked at first but don’t anymore:

None

Claire Riesen

Daenerys Targaryen

A character you did not like at first but now do:

Girolamo Riario

Gabriel

Jaime Lannister, Sansa Stark and Sandor Clegane

Three OTPS:

Giuliano de Medici x Vanessa Moschella, Clarice Orsini x Lorenzo de Medici, Leonardo da Vinci x Girolamo Riario & Leonardo da Vinci x Zoroaster (yes, 4, because I can)

Claire Riesen x Gates Foley, Alex Lannon x Noma Banks & Michael x Gabriel (don’t judge me *hides face in shame*)

Jaime Lannister x Brienne of Tarth, Gendry Waters x Arya Stark, Ned Stark x Catelyn Stark

[markantonys]

i’ve decided to call this the pazzi theme because i thiiink it’s unique to season 2 and as far as i can recall it seems to play only during pazzi-related moments (i.e. the montage of francesco sneaking around digging up dirt on jacopo for lorenzo, francesco/lorenzo flashbacks, jacopo’s hanging, etc)

[historybehindassassinscreed]

In Game:

Lucrezia Borgia was the illegitimate daughter of Rodrigo Borgia, and the younger sister of Cesare Borgia. She was a member of the Templar Order, and later became the Duchess of Ferrara.

In January of 1500, Lucrezia accompanied her brother, Cesare Borgia, in his siege of Monteriggioni. During the battle, the Borgia were able to capture Caterina Sforza and Mario Auditore. Afterwards, Lucrezia returned to Rome with her brother and his generals, holding an Apple of Eden as their prize.

In 1501, she escorted the captive Caterina Sforza to prison cells within the Castel Sant'Angelo. There, Cesare briefly visited Lucrezia, and the two exchanged an intimate moment. After they kissed, Cesare promised Lucrezia that when he ruled all of Italy, she would be his queen.

Soon afterwards, Lucrezia confronted Caterina in her cell, where she jealously demanded to know of Caterina's trip to Rome with Cesare. Caterina only spat an insult in reply, and Lucrezia struck her violently with a metal rod, injuring her hip.

However, after Lucrezia had taken the cell's key from the prison guard and left, the Assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze arrived to rescue Caterina. He sought Lucrezia out in the castello garden to retrieve the key, where she recognized and greeted him, before alerting the guards to his presence.

Though Lucrezia ran from him, the Assassin eventually caught her and brought her back to the prison chamber, despite her trying to bite him and anger him with tales of how Lorenzo de' Medici had erased the Pazzi family from history for their betrayal. Once the cell was unlocked, Lucrezia tried calling for the guards again, only for Caterina to knock her out by slamming her head against the door frame and then lock her in the prison.

On August 18th, 1503, Lucrezia found out her father had taken possession of her supply of cantarella poison from the Castel Sant'Angelo. When she subsequently heard that Cesare was also meeting with her father that day, she immediately realized Rodrigo's intentions.

Hurrying to the Papal apartments, Lucrezia entered just in time to discover Cesare eating an apple that Rodrigo had left out for him, and was able to warn him of the poison within it before he had eaten too much.

Furious at the attempt on his life, Cesare forced the rest of the apple down Rodrigo's throat, all the while demanding the Pope to tell him the location of the Apple of Eden. Lucrezia, in an attempt to save her father, yelled to Cesare that she knew where it was hidden.

Cesare went on to threaten her instead, seizing her by the throat and rebuking any of her attempts to calm him. Tearfully, she asked him if he had ever loved her, but Cesare only answered that he saw her as his sister and nothing more. At this, she spat in his face, and was only slapped and further choked as he continued to interrogate her.

Ezio, who had watched the scene unfold from outside a window, rushed to Lucrezia's aid, but reached her only moments after she had given in to Cesare's demands. Lucrezia watched as Ezio paid Rodrigo his last respects and closed his eyes, before deciding to inform him of the Apple's location as well.

In 1506, Lucrezia was visited once again by Ezio Auditore, who sought her out inside her palazzo. At first, she calmly asked him if he was there to take her life, but he only answered that he was there for the da Vinci paintings that had been taken by the Borgia during the siege of Monteriggioni.

Lucrezia refused to give them to him, and suggested that they "comfort" each other. Ezio appeared to agree and seduced her, thus she decided to tell him the locations of the paintings he needed, as well as give him the only one she had kept. However, as they kissed, Ezio tied Lucrezia to the curtains of the room, before swiftly leaving. Lucrezia cried for her guards, but the Assassin was able to escape with the last da Vinci painting she owned, leaving a very annoyed Lucrezia behind. 

In Real Life:

Lucrezia Borgia was born on April 18, 1480, the daughter of Rodrigo Borgia (later to become Pope Alexander VI) and his mistress Vannozza Cattanei, who was also the mother of Lucrezia's two older brothers, Cesare and Giovanni.  Nobody believed for one moment that the child’s father was Vannozza’s husband, as Vannozza had been Borgia’s favorite mistress for many years.  Lucrezia was slender with light blue-green eyes and golden hair, which she later bleached to maintain its goldenness.

Adriana daMila, Rodrigo’s cousin, was said to have raised Lucrezia. While living in a palace in Rome, Lucrezia was educated at the Convent of St. Sixtus on Via Appia. Lucrezia reportedly spoke and wrote several languages, among them Italian, French, Latin, and Greek. She was also taught music, singing, and drawing, which enabled her to move with ease in the highest court circles. Her education is common for a woman of her social stature but uncommon for someone of her gender. Unlike educated women of her time, hers came from within the sphere of intellectuals in court and close relatives. For most women who wanted to be educated, convents were the primary source for knowledge.

She was also rumored to have been sexually abused by her father and brothers.

Lucrezia was married for the first time before entering her teenage years. She was engaged to one nobleman and then another before her father had the engagements dissolved so that he could arrange for her to be married to Giovanni Sforza, 15 years her senior, who was Lord of Pesaro and Count of Catignola. At the time of Lucrezia’s marriage to Sforza, her husband was twenty-seven and she was twelve.

Four years later, Lucrezia's marriage became less politically advantageous, and Pope Alexander VI sought to have it annulled under the pretense of the relationship never having been consummated, although that is a matter of debate. Sforza had also accused Lucrezia of paternal incest.

Giovanni Sforza was offered her dowry in return for his cooperation of the divorce. The Sforza family threatened to withdraw their protection should he refuse. Giovanni finally signed confessions of impotence and documents of annulment before witnesses.

In 1498, while she was living within the San Sisto convent after the end of her marriage, Lucrezia fell in love with one of her father's messengers, Perotto Calderon. Reports of her pregnancy were initially refuted, but in March 1498 a son, Giovanni, was born in secret (he wouldn’t be publically revealed until three years later). Lucrezia was eighteen at the time of her first son’s birth. Rumors circulated around the child, gossip around Rome debating whether he was the product of incest, or whether Lucrezia was truly his mother. His paternity was acknowledged by both Alexander and Cesare in two separate Papal bulls.

(Image source)

Later on that year, in July of 1498, Lucrezia married Alfonso of Aragon, the 17-year-old Duke of Bisceglie and son of the late king of Naples, and they had a child together (Rodrigo of Aragon, who was born in 1499 and predeceased his mother in August 1512 at the age of 12). Unfortunately for Alfonso, by 1500, Pope Alexander and Lucrezia’s brother Cesare sought a new alliance with France, and Lucrezia's marriage to Alfonso was a major obstacle.

On July 15th, 1500, hired killers attacked Alfonso, stabbing him several times. On August 18th, as Alfonso was recovering, Cesare Borgia reportedly sent hired men to strangle Alfonso to death as he lay recovering from his previous stab wounds.

Left a widow at the age of twenty, Lucrezia spent most of her time weeping over the loss of her husband. Tired of watching her mourn, her father and brother sent her to Nepi in the Etruscan Hills. On her return to Rome in November 1500, she began assisting her father as a sort of secretary, often opening and responding to his mail when he was not in residence.

Once again politics determined Lucrezia's marriage to the twenty-four-year-old widower Alfonso d'Este, eldest son of Ercole d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, when Lucrezia was twenty two. She had eight children during this marriage and was considered a respectable and accomplished Renaissance duchess, effectively rising above her previous reputation and surviving the fall of the Borgias following her father's death.

Neither partner was faithful: beginning in 1503, Lucrezia enjoyed a long relationship with her brother-in-law, Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua. Francesco's wife was the cultured intellectual Isabella d'Este, the sister of Alfonso, to whom Lucrezia had made overtures of friendship to no avail. The affair between Francesco and Lucrezia was passionate, more sexual than sentimental as can be attested in the fevered love letters the pair wrote one another. The affair ended when Francesco contracted syphilis and had to end sexual relations with Lucrezia.

Several rumors have persisted throughout the years, primarily speculating as to the nature of the extravagant parties thrown by the Borgia family. Many of these concern allegations of incest, poisoning, and murder on her part; however, no historical basis for these rumors has ever been brought forward beyond allegations made by rival parties 

(Image source)

After a long history of complicated pregnancies and miscarriages, on June 14th, 1519 Lucrezia gave birth to her tenth child, named Isabella Maria in honor of Alfonso's sister Isabella d'Este. The child was sickly and – fearing she would die unbaptized – Alfonso ordered her to be baptized straightaway with Eleonora della Mirandola and Count Alexandro Serafino as godparents.

Lucrezia had become very weak during the pregnancy and fell seriously ill after the birth. After seeming to recover for two days, she worsened again and died on June 24th the same year, when she was 39. She was buried in the convent of Corpus Domini.

Sources:

https://www.biography.com/people/lucrezia-borgia-9220136

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/archaeology-and-history/magazine/2017/01-02/lucrezia-borgia-renaissance-italy-scandal-intrigue/

http://www.notablebiographies.com/Be-Br/Borgia-Lucrezia.html

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/oct/24/biography.features

[theblackbooknerd]

Very conflicted. On one hand, this is going to further strain relations between the Pazzi & the Medici- the animosity is going to be mad. They’re literally opps. On the other hand, Bianca should be able to control her narrative. She could marry him quick fast & consumate the marriage. What can they do then? But then, there the whole thing about her reputation etc etc. There’s too many risks! It’s a dangerous game.

Me understanding Bianca’s situation and being sympathetic in regards to her position as well as angry on her behalf (her ability of full autonomy being taken away), whilst simultaneously being annoyed by her (imo) unrealistic expectations/antics and her Romeo & Juliet bullshit. It smells of tragedy.