Pazzi Conspiracy
Lorenzo Resigns
It was in this context that Lorenzo made a dramatic speech (June 12) to the Signoria. He and his family had always served the city. He was well aware that the dangers the city now faced were because of the great enmity borne toward him personally by the pope. Since he had been shown more favor and honor than any other citizen in the past, it was only right that he should be called upon to offer greater sacrifice. He was ready, he said, for exile or even death, if it would serve the common good.
It moved the Signoria to tears. They declared that the interests of Florence and the interests of the Medici were one in the same. They would stand or fall together. The very next day, Lorenzo was elected to the council of Ten, which directed war efforts. He was also given the right to have a bodyguard of twelve armed men, and other guards were assigned to his family.