Pazzi Conspiracy

Francesco Salviati

The Salviati were much less distinguished, but they nevertheless had good standing in the city. Francesco Salviati's career lay in the Church and he even had hopes of becoming Archbishop of Florence. He was, however, never in favor with the Medici and when the archbishopric came open it went to the brother of Lorenzo's new wife.

Bitterly disappointed, and convinced it was a personal slight, Salviati then turned to Pope Sixtus, who named him to the archbishopric in Pisa. To do this was not only a slap in the face to the Medici, it was an insult to the city of Florence; for it had been customary for the pope to consult with the city in the naming of an archbishop in Pisa. Florence had acquired control of that city at the beginning of the fifteenth century, and was still sensitive about its prerogatives.

Lorenzo was so furious that he ordered the gates of Pisa closed, so that Salviati could not enter and take up his office. Francesco Salviati spent three years stewing in Rome, nursing his anger. He'd finally been allowed to assume his seat in 1475, but he held a deep grudge.

The Salviati Famiglia

Francesco naturally turned to his relatives for support in the conspiracy. Chief among these were Jacopo Salviati and Bartolomeo Salviati, his cousins. Both were at the cathedral on the day of the assassination.