Pazzi Conspiracy

Peace With Naples

It was not all parties, however political they might be. Lorenzo spent many hours in conversations with King Ferrante himself. These often appeared to be no more than social visits—they went hunting together—but it was all calculated to win the king's favor. Ferrante was notoriously difficult to read; "no man knew when he was angry or pleased," said Commines. Lorenzo was given courteous hearings and kind words, yet weeks slipped by and no agreement was reached. He grew discouraged. Things were getting bad back in Florence and he was needed there. Ferrante had his proposals. There was little else to do.

Finally, after ten weeks, Lorenzo sailed back to Florence. Up to the last, Ferrante begged him to stay on a bit longer, but he couldn't. In fact, the two men were generally agreed and the last points were small and technical, yet many an agreement had foundered on the details. It was Ippolita Sforza who tended to the finishing and got Ferrante's seal of approval. The agreement was signed and sent only a few days later, by galley in the wake of Lorenzo.

When he got back home, Lorenzo was given a hero's welcome, for word of the agreement preceded him. Peace terms were not very favorable, but then Florence had been losing the war anyway. The Duke of Calabria got money. The pope got the release of the remaining members of the Pazzi family. Sixtus was furious, but without Ferrante he could do little. Lorenzo was still excommunicated and Sixtus continued to demand that he come to Rome in person, but the threat of interdict was lifted.