TO THE MEMORY OF MY FATHER THOMAS STALEY

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

THE TRAGEDIES OF THE MEDICI

CHAPTER I — The Pazzi Conspiracy — Lorenzo, “Il Magnifico” — Giuliano, “Il Pensieroso”.

CHAPTER II — The First Tyrannicide — Ippolito, “Il Cardinale” — Alessandro, “Il Negro” — Lorenzino, “Il Terribile”.

CHAPTER III — A Father’s Vengeance — Maria, Giovanni, and Garzia de’ Medici — Malatesta de’ Malatesti

CHAPTER IV — Three Murdered Princesses—Lucrezia, Duchess of Ferrara and Creole de’ Contrari — Eleanora Garzia, wife of Piero de Medici, Alessandro Gaci, and Bernardino degl’ Antinori — Isabella, Duchess of Bracciano — Troilo d’Orsini and Lelio Tore

CHAPTER V — True and False Lovers — Francesco, “Il Virtuoso” — Bianca Cappello, “La Figlia di Venezia” — Pietro Buonaventuri — Cassandra de’ Borghiani — Pellegrina Buonaventuri, wife of Ulisse Bentivoglio — Antonio Riario.

CHAPTER VI — Pathetic Victims of Fateful Passion — Eleanora degli Albizzi and Sforza Almeni — Cammilla de’ Martelli — Virginia de’ Medici e d’Este — Cardinal Ferdinando de’ Medici.

A SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY

INDEX