Francesco de' Pazzi
Francesco de' Pazzi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Florence, Republic of Florence |
| Died | April 26, 1478 (aged 34) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, nobleman |
| Known for | Orchestrating the Pazzi conspiracy against the Medici family |
Francesco de' Pazzi (born 28 January 1444, died 26 April 1478) was a Florentine banker and a distinguished member of the noble Pazzi lineage, famously recognized for orchestrating the Pazzi conspiracy, an attempt to depose the Medici family's dominance over the Florentine Republic. His uncle, Jacopo de' Pazzi, played a leading role in planning this scheme.
On Easter Sunday, 26 April 1478, Francesco, alongside fellow conspirators, endeavored to assassinate Lorenzo de' Medici and his brother Giuliano during the High Mass at Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral. Giuliano was lethally stabbed multiple times by Francesco and Bernardo Baroncelli, while Lorenzo survived despite sustaining injuries. After the attack, Francesco returned to his uncle’s villa, reportedly bearing a self-inflicted wound to his leg incurred during the assault.
The conspiracy ultimately failed, resulting in the capture and execution of most involved. Francesco was seized by an enraged crowd in Florence and publicly hanged from the Palazzo della Signoria together with fellow conspirator Francesco Salviati. Shortly after, his uncle Jacopo suffered the same execution.
In popular culture
In Ruggero Leoncavallo's 1893 opera I Medici, Francesco de' Pazzi was portrayed by bass Ludovico Contini.
He is featured as an antagonist in the video game Assassin's Creed II, where Andreas Apergis provides his voice. Within the game’s narrative, Francesco is depicted as a Templar Order member responsible for the Pazzi conspiracy and has a son named Vieri. Both characters are eliminated by Ezio Auditore, who rescues Lorenzo de' Medici.
Elliot Levey took on the role of Francesco in the television series Da Vinci's Demons.
A modern descendant of Francesco appears in the film Hannibal as Chief Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi, who attempts to capture Hannibal Lecter for a bounty but encounters a fate reminiscent of his ancestor’s.
Additionally, Matteo Martari portrays Francesco in the second season of Medici: Masters of Florence.