User:Mr.PrimusImperium

 Hello, fellow readers my name  Primus Imperium this my research paper about Italy’s historical families. This is not for school this something I wrote in my free time so I hope you enjoy it. 

Excellence is in the blood of the members of these families. Italy would not be where it is now. Without their work and influences, they change all of Europe.

                                         Rise of Sforza 
The Sforza's are an Italian family that was founded by Muzio Attendolo in 1411. They first took power in Milan in 1450. Francesco, I Sforza created the duchy for the Sforza in Milan. Francesco Sforza ruled as Duke of Milan from 1450 to 1466.                                             Creating the succession that would last for 80 years of Dukedom. But

Sforza found and lost it. Sforza’s long battle against none stopping foes It will be the fall for Sforza. Sforza allowed certain things to happened that were the core reasons for their downfall. Sforza’s first found Trouble in Milan against Francesco Piccinino in 1440 in the Battle of Anghiari.

                                          The Battle of Anghiari 

The Battle of Anghiari was fought in the center of Tuscany. Papal forces led by Cardinal Ludovico Trevisan. Who led about 4000 men to battle along with Francesco Piccinino.

Francesco Piccinino was adopted son of Condottiere Niccolò Piccinino who fought in the war of Lombardy against the league of Pope Eugene IV. Who was a great warrior creating his astounding reputation in Italy Also, these traits he taught Francesco Piccinino. Francesco first found glory when serving Visconti Duchy of Milan and Pope Martin V as a condottiere. He triumphs under those wars he partakes making him a gallant warrior. Until the excruciating loss in 1440 by Francesco I Sforza and another in 1444. Francesco, I stood triumph against the siege by Francesco Piccinino in 1440. Sforza's finally gained their respect. Sforza gained their power by a sword. All of Italy heard the giant who stood his ground. The Battle of Anghiari was the first major victory for Francesco I.

Francesco Piccinino was defeated again in 1444 by Francesco I. Six years later he takes the duchy giving the Sforza power in 1450. After Francesco took power, he needed allies so he

started the alliance that would last for years with the Cosimo de Medici, Master of Florence.

                                           Cosimo de Medici 

 Cosimo de Medici is otherwise known as The Elder or father of the Fatherland was born on September 27, 1339. Cosimo de Medici created successful banking as we know today. Cosimo De Medici was the first of the Medici to rule Florence and also became the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Cosimo saw the beauty in Florence. He saw what it could be. When he was younger, he wanted to be an artist but his father said otherwise. Listening to his father he got involved in politics and became a part of the Medici’s most prized accomplishment was the finish the dome of Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (translation is Saint Maria of the Flower) Florence Cathedral. Cosimo de Medici and Filippo Brunelleschi came together to the Florence Cathedral in 1437. (Brunelleschi began working with Cosimo; it was like a dream that Cosimo always wanted. Brunelleschi was born in 1377 in Florence, Italy. Who became a painter and architect and one of the first modern engineers. Brunelleschi sketched out the dome for The Florence Cathedral using

what called the mirror perspective. He applied a single vanishing point to a canvas discovered a method of calculating depth. When Brunelleschi began working with Cosimo; it was like a dream Cosimo always wanted. Cosimo always desired to finish the Florence Cathedral. He loved art and wanted to become an artist working with Brunelleschi, he did that. After the completion of Florence Cathedral Cosimo loved what he commissioned. Years later Cosimo would align himself with the Sforza’s and start the Treaty of Lodi.

                                                        The treaty of ages 

 Treaty of Lodi was a peace agreement with Milan, Venice, Naples, Florence, and the Papal States on April 9, 1454. This Treaty was signed in Lombardy on the bank of the Abba. This treaty ended the ongoing wars in Lombardy and functioned to temporarily institutionalize a regional balance of power. Also recognizing Francesco, I Sforza was Duke of Milan. This treaty created a 25-year mutual defense pack in any case if their wars or imminent threats they will defend one another. This created the Italian league recognized and proclaimed by Pope Nicholas V on March 5, 1455. After the Treaty of Lodi, things started to change at the turning point of Florence.

 In 1469 Lorenzo de Medici took power at 20 years old. Lorenzo de Medici was born on January 1, 1449, in Florence, Italy Lorenzo the Magnificent changed the world. From the death of his father, Lorenzo de Medici became the Ruler of Florence. He was always astonishing and showed promise in his early years. From watching his father and grandfather it didn’t take long for him to understand his purpose. As a young child, his family called him the chosen one. Excellence and culture were something he wanted more of in Florence. He wanted to expand on the beauty. But his desires had to take hold when his father died December 21, 1469, He became the leader of The Medici bank and unofficial ruler. But the Signoria was not too excited about Lorenzo yet. They felt worried about the lack of what his father did not do and the uncertainty of Lorenzo. Frankly, they thought he was an inexperienced young man not ready to assume power. When taking the position, he saw the problems and fixed them quickly. (Florence was sinking in debt from lacking in keeping up with spending and failure to manage the money.) Lorenzo had to find a way and settle the debts and it came from Rome. Lorenzo de Medici went to Rome and made a deal with Pope Sixtus IV to manage the Papal Finances. (Little known fact: Father Carlo or known as Carlo de Medici works in the clergy for the Pope having an influence on the Pope and persuading him to agree with Lorenzo. Father Carlo played a huge role with Lorenzo in politics. And he helped Lorenzo find his wife.) Which he did and balanced the debt and restored Florence to normal. The Florentine people were beyond happy with the great work Lorenzo de Medici did. And in 1472 Florence had one of the worst years for harvesting, with bad harvest they were low on grain.  But Lorenzo The Magnificent saved the day once again by importing grain. While Lorenzo was keeping his city from falling to destitution, Galeazzo Sforza was falling to his inevitable fate.

Galeazzo Sforza the Duke of Milan son of Francesco I Sforza. The tyrant who brought shame to Sforza's name. After the death of Francesco, I Sforza in 1466 his son Galeazzo Sforza took power becoming the worst of the Sforza’s. Raping women and killing innocent men a true shame until his assassination in 1476. This was not a huge shocker, to Lorenzo but his death did lose some protection for the Medici’s. (One of the main reasons is because the new Duke of Milan wanted to stay out of the controversy and wanted peace. One of the reasons is when he was raised to the duchy, he was so young at the age of 8.) But the biggest threat was the Pazzi Conspiracy on 1478 April 26 at Mass.

The Pazzi Conspiracy was the day that Italy will remember forever. The assassination attempt of Medici brothers at Mass, In Front of everyone. Giuliano is the brother of Lorenzo he is the youngest of the family but the first to die.

 The Pazzi Conspiracy was a plan to overthrow the power of government and take the Medici from the throne once and for all. This plan was orchestrated by Giovanni Battista da Montesecco, Antonio Maffei da Volterra, Stefano da Bagnone, Bernardo Bandini de Baroncelli, Jacopo di Poggio, Bracciolini Jacopo de' Pazzi, Rinaldo Orsini, Federico da Montefeltro and Francesco Pazzi who conspire in the attack. (Each person had their own involvement in this attack. Some conspirators invested money, there even talk of a small mercenaries force outside of the walls of the city.) Pope Sixtus Iv supported this attack even though he didn't sanction the killing but he did agree with removing the Medici from power.
 Lorenzo de Medici was slightly wounded but escaped with his life. Jacopo de’ Pazzi and Francesco Pazzi thought their problems were solved as they raced to Signoria claiming they were the new rulers. But soon many people found Lorenzo wasn’t dead. The people of Florence gathered at Medici’s and supported him. They chased down the alleged attackers and brought them to justice. Lorenzo orders them to hang outside of the window of The Signoria for everyone to see. The Pazzi family was defeated once and for all. Any remaining Pazzi family members were banished. Guglielmo Pazzi the husband to Bianca de Medici, Bianca is the sister to Lorenzo and Giuliano. Bianca witnessed her brother’s death at the Cathedra.l Guglielmo Pazzi was banished from Florence because he was the brother of  Francesco Pazzi but Bianca couldn’t let him go so she went with him living in exile.  But this led to war with the Papal States and a nation that will surely be the end of Lorenzo but in fact, it was the beginning of something new.
The new war with the Papal States and Naples. The Kingdom of Naples was everyone’s main attention. Naples is located south of Florence and it's expanding every day. But everything changes when the Papal States and Naples attack Ferrara laying siege with the help of Venice. But who’s leading this attack is Girolamo Riario, nephew of Pope Sixtus IV. But Girolamo may have the help of the uncle the Bishop of Rome also he is wedded to Caterina Sforza. Or known as The Tigress. Caterina Sforza is a critical piece in the Papacy and downfall of Girolamo Riario. But before I get to her let's talk about Girolamo Riario. Girolamo Riario is Captain-General of the Papal States who helped plan out the attack on the Medici brothers in the Pazzi Conspiracy. Girolamo Riario leading this attack was personal for Girolamo he wanted to dethrone Lorenzo he saw him as a tyrant and to be killed. But Girolamo Riario still was surprised by Lorenzo that he didn’t pursue him into war. Lorenzo allows Ferrara to be attacked because he didn’t want to break the treaty of Lodi that’s been made oh so long ago. After taking Ferrara starving the city. Girolamo's forces were approaching Florence Lorenzo knew he had to save the city again. With his brilliant thinking, Lorenzo goes to Naples and negotiates with King Ferdinand I.
 Ferdinand I of Aragon King of Naples Husband to Isabella of Castile rule over Naples a dynastically unified Spain. King Ferdinand, I was not just ruler man of treachery and tyranny and all things that are against God and Canon Law. Completely ruthless and not a man to reckon nor reasoned either. But Lorenzo has fought many dragons and slain them all, warrior proclaimed by the people. In 1483 or 1484 Lorenzo discussed a deal with the King urging him to don’t attack but let us be in alliance.  Lorenzo de Medici was held captive for while a treaty was being discussed. Asking Ferdinand I to spare the city and stop his son (Commander of Naples Army) Alfonso II not to sack Florence. And bringing condemnable evidence that Girolamo Riario and Pope Alexander VI was not trustworthy, Ferdinand I agreed. Ferdinand, I was not pleased with his holiness and disgusting reputation and finding his involvement in Pazzi Conspiracy.  Saving the city again. Lorenzo would go to the most extreme heights to help his city. Soon later King Ferdinand dissolved the alliance with the Pope. Leaving the Papal States army alone forcing them to retreat from sacking Florence. Lorenzo de Medici came to an agreement with King Ferinand I to manage his finances and other deals.  (Also, Lorenzo made a deal with the Mehmed II Sultan of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) to trade through Florence and use the Medici bank.) Lorenzo saves the city again. On the 7th of August 1484, the Treaty of Bagnolo was signed.  This concluded in Venetian victory. Also, the Duke of Ferrara Ercole ceded the territory of Rovigo. Venetian forces withdrew the territory they owned. In Ferrara. Lastly, Venetian expansion in the Terra Firma. All across Italy from the Pope to Florence to  Venetian territories. This treaty is ceded in the town of Rovigo. Also, this treaty ended the feud between Lorenzo De Medici and Pope Sixtus IV.  Then 5 days later Pope Sixtus IV died. New Pope arises and for the first time it benefits Lorenzo but when one power rises another fall.
With the death of his Uncle Pope Sixtus Iv in 1484, Girolamo Riario is unprotected even with the backing of his wife's family he is still in a corner. Scared and lost he tries to persuade the cardinals to elect a Pope that is in his interest. That doesn’t work so he goes into aggressive negotiations. Girolamo Riario and Caterina Sforza entered the Castel Sant'Angelo with troops to put pressure on the Cardinals. After a week of chaos and petrifying the Cardinals and holding them hostages Riario stopped. Finally agreed with the terrified Cardinals that he would withdraw his troops and his wife's occupation of the Castello in return for 7,000 ducats. After his reign of terror, the conclave finally began. Electing a new Pope and his name was Pope Innocent VIII. Girolamo was hurt feeling his place was lost as the commander of the Papal States and his protection. Pope Innocent VIII would not bow Riario. Riario lost his power. The former Captain-General had no say in the Papal business. Even though he couldn’t slow down Lorenzo, someone else did a Priest from Ferrara, Italy named Girolamo Savonarola. 
                               
                                                        Girolamo Savonarola

Girolamo Savonarola was born on September 21 1452 in Ferrara, Italy. Girolamo saw the pain and conflict of war and politics. As a young man, Girolamo was highly invested in the church and medicine. Girolamo did a lot of work in Florence even having a decent relationship with Lorenzo. In the early 1480s, Girolamo was under the protection of Lorenzo but all that changed. When he left Florence to further his education in Bologna, he was sent to many different locations to preach between the years 1486 to 1489. During time away from Florence he started to have visions of change of government and reformation in the church. He said these visions are from God himself. He thought Florence could be the new Jerusalem. Riario believed the church was losing its pureness.  In 1490 Lorenzo de Medici used his influence and persuaded Girolamo to come and preach for the people of Florence. Girolamo wasn't the same priest he originally knew. Girolamo changed. Lorenzo thought having him back at Florence would help the people’s hearts and minds. But in fact, it did but it’s the downfall of Medici reign. Girolamo Savonarola spoke out against the tyrannical government of the Medici. Girolamo thought the government was supposed to be a republic no one ruler. But he didn’t like the beauty of art he thought it was heresy only thinking should be expressed through reading or words from a priest. 

 Lorenzo has met his biggest foe yet.  Unfortunately, Lorenzo was too sick to fight back. Two years later Lorenzo the Magnificent de Medici dies in 1492. As Girolamo predicted and Pope Innocent VIII as he predicted as well.  The Florentine people were finished with Medici’s losing their trust they fought so hard for. Piero de Medici assumed power after the death of his father. But two years later he loses it when Charles VIII King of France marches through the city of Florence. Demanding pay or the city will be sacked. Piero de Medici or known as Piero the Unfortunate gives 400,000 ducats bankrupting the city. Florentine people forced him to abdicate power and exiled the Medici from Florence.  Girolamo takes power as the spiritual leader and secular leader. He finally got what he wants. He wanted to rule. But like I said when one power rises another fall. But in this case when he rises another one does as well.
                                                 The Rise Of Rodrigo Borgia 
Rodrigo Borgia the canon lawyer, cardinal, and Bishop of Rome. Changes everything starting with new alliances and new rivals. But you know him as Pope Alexander VI. Pope Alexander was one of the worst Popes of them all being corrupt, devious, and disastrous. But Pope Alexander watched from the best. Born from January 1, 1431, Xativa, Spain had a great interest in politics and power which led him to the Papacy. Pope Alexander graduated from the University of Bologna with a degree in canon law. He showed promise and skill and skill eventually led him into the Papacy in 1456. At the age of 25, he became a cardinal. Cardinalized by his uncle Pope Callistus III after his election in 1456. Pope Alexander got his chance and now his career begins. 
  Cardinal Borgia is in the Papacy learning the ways of power, learning the way of Pope. Cardinal got one step closer by being elected vice-chancellor a year later. His plan was almost complete but there much he still had to learn. Years progress vice-chancellor Cardinal Borgia was named Pope in 1492. Completing his plan. But he didn’t earn though. His close friend Ascanio Sforza (yes another Sforza) helps along with his son Cesare Borgia (future Cardinal) and Giovanni Borgia (future captain-general) bribe the Cardinals to vote for vice-chancellor Borgia. (Now, many people know about Pope Alexander VI but what many people don't know is more information that was revealed by one of his most trusted subjects John Burchard. But I’ll get back to that a little later.)
The rivalry between Pope Alexander VI and Girolamo Savonarola. Pope Alexander like Girolamo and wanted him to pronounce his prophecies but Girolamo had something different in mind. Girolamo preached against the new Pope since he was named Bishop of Rome. Pope Alexander saw the words of non-blandishment and put Savonarola on his radar. (Little Known fact: Savonarola was the original reformist long before Martin Luther; this is where Martin Luther got his inspiration for the church. But that for a later story.) Pope Alexander needed to crush Savonarola, On the 21 of July 1495, he sent Savonarola a letter of ex-communication. Savonarola didn’t care only to add fuel to fire Savonarola began to preach more and more and his followers grew behind him. Savonarola wasn’t only disliked in Rome but Duke of Milan Francesco Maria Sforza (sixth duke of Milan) despised Savonarola as well. Savonarola having great enemies near and wide he back inches closer to the wall. But that didn’t stop him; he had something else in mind to aggravate them more. In 1497 the Bonfire of 7 took place. Authorities and followers of Savonarola searched the city to burn art, cosmetics, playing cards, musical instruments, anything that tempts one to sin, during the Shrove Tuesday festival. Destroying the beauty of Florence. But his reign would not last soon. 

                                                            The death of the friar

 In 1498 Savonarola stepped away from public preaching under the stress of ex-communication. But he comes from the fault of his word. Savonarola was overall a good man, knight of christ but when he gained power he got ahead of himself. Savonarola hinted at performing ‘ ’miracles’’ to prove his divine mission. But a rival Franciscan preacher proposed a test for that mission. This is called the trial by fire. The preacher said if he could walk through fire untouched he was truly appointed by God. Girolamo had stated he was not so docile about this mission. But he felt it was too officious the people of Florence demand he go through.  He walks through but not untouched he was scorn severely. Losing the trust of his people. Soon after his’’ trial by fire’’ he was hauled off to Rome to face imprisonment and execution. His death was the most painful. He was forced to confesses and recants for his preachings after days of torture.  Savonarola and two other friars were hanged and burned at the square of Rome on 1498 April 7. 
            
Years later Medici returned to power and Sforza lost their power but what they did will live on. Thank you so much for reading my research paper. This paper was not for school, it's something I did in my free time. I hope you find this helpful, maybe you're doing a paper about Italy’s history. I hope this could help you have a better understanding. 

References The Diary of John Burchard of Strasburg Tuohy, Thomas (1996). Herculean Ferrara: Ercole d'Este Italy in the Central Middle Ages by David Abulafia Reformation and Conflict FRom the Medieval World to the Wars of Religion by Rudolph W. Heinze