Guglielmo de' Pazzi
Guglielmo di Antonio de' Pazzi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Republic of Florence |
| Died | July 6, 1516 (aged 78) |
| Occupation(s) | Aristocrat, financier, statesman |
| Known for | Lord of Civitella, member of the Pazzi family, alliance with Medici dynasty |
Guglielmo di Antonio de' Pazzi, known as the Lord of Civitella (born in the Republic of Florence on 6 August 1437, died 6 July 1516), was an Italian aristocrat, financier, and statesman. His marriage to Bianca de' Medici, sister to Florence’s ruler Lorenzo the Magnificent, strengthened the alliance between the Pazzi family and the influential Medici dynasty.
Biography
Guglielmo was born in Florence to Antonio di Andrea de' Pazzi and Nicolosa degli Alessandri, one of their nine offspring. His union in 1459 with Bianca de' Medici, daughter of Piero de' Medici, paved the way for significant political appointments: he served as Priore of Liberty in 1467, VIII of Balia and Guardia in 1469, Officer of Monte in 1471, and Mint Consul in 1475.
The conflict between the Medici and Pazzi families culminated in the Pazzi conspiracy of 1478, orchestrated by Guglielmo’s uncle Jacopo and brother Francesco with the intent to assassinate Lorenzo and Giuliano de' Medici. Although Guglielmo was not directly involved, he faced exile and a fifteen-year prohibition from political engagement; his family joined him in exile. His wife Bianca passed away in 1505.
While exiled, Guglielmo occupied roles in Tortona (1495) and acted as envoy to Charles VIII of France. He later held offices in Mugello and Scarperia during 1497–98, participated in military actions against Pisa in 1501, and served as Commissioner for Val di Chiana and Arezzo in 1502. In 1513, he reached the distinguished rank of Gonfaloniere, the highest office in Florence.
Following this, Guglielmo acquired the fiefdom of Civitella located in Romagna, assuming lordship over it. He died on 6 July 1516.
Family
Guglielmo and Bianca were parents to sixteen children: nine sons and seven daughters:
- Antonio de' Pazzi (1460), who died during infancy;
- Giovanna de' Pazzi, wed Tommaso Monaldi in 1481;
- Antonio de' Pazzi (1462–1528), diplomat, politician, and Gonfaloniere di Giustizia in 1521; he became the second Lord of Civitella;
- Contessina de' Pazzi, married Giuliano Salviati in 1486;
- Alessandra de' Pazzi (1465), who married Bartolomeo Buondelmonti in 1486;
- Cosimo de' Pazzi (1466–1513), served as archbishop of Florence from 1508 until his passing;
- Piero de' Pazzi (1468), deceased in infancy;
- Lorenzo Alessandro de' Pazzi (1470–1535), a merchant, patron of the arts, and Latin scholar;
- Cosa de' Pazzi, who married Francesco di Luca Capponi;
- Renato de' Pazzi, a goldsmith merchant;
- Lorenzo de' Pazzi, engaged in politics and diplomacy;
- Luigia de' Pazzi, married Folco di Edoardo Portinari in 1494;
- Maddalena de' Pazzi, who wed Ormanozzo Deti in 1497;
- Alessandro de' Pazzi (1483–1530), ambassador and scholar of Greek studies;
- Lucrezia de' Pazzi, allied through marriage with the Cattani di Diacceto and Martelli families;
- Giuliano de' Pazzi (1486–1517), lawyer by training, abbot, and canon at Florence’s Metropolitan Cathedral.