Clarice Orsini Timeline 1450-1488

Clarice Orsini was born to Iacopo Orsini and his wife Maddalena Orsini in Rome.

Clarice Orsini was given a devout Catholic education.

Clarice and Lorenzo de Medici were married by proxy. The marriage had been arranged by Lorenzo’s mother who wanted her son to marry into a noble family.

Clarice and Lorenzo de Medici were married in Florence. It was celebrated with a jousting competition which Lorenzo won.

Lorenzo became head of the Medici family when his father, Piero de Medici, died of gout and lung disease. He ruled Florence with the help of his younger brother Giuliano. Lorenzo was given the nickname the Magnificent because of his political acumen and patronage of the arts.

A daughter, Lucrezia de Medici was born to Lorenzo and Clarice Orsini in Florence.

Lorenzo de Medici made an agreement with Pope Sixtus IV that the Medici bank would continue to handle the Papal accounts.

Clarice was delivered of twins who died shortly after birth.

A son, Piero di Lorenzo de Medici was born to Lorenzo and Clarice Orsini in Florence.

A daughter, Maddalena de Medici was born to Lorenzo and Clarice Orsini in Florence.

Clarice used her influence with Lorenzo to have her brother Rinaldo, appointed Archbishop of Florence.

A daughter, Contessina Beatrice de Medici was born to Lorenzo and Clarice Orsini in Florence. She died shortly after birth.

A son, Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici was born to Lorenzo and Clarice Orsini in Florence.

A daughter, Luisa de Medici was born to Lorenzo and Clarice Orsini in Florence.

Clarice objected to the curriculum devised by her children’s tutor, Angelo Poliziano and insisted that it should have a more religious focus.

Pazzi Conspiracy
Members of the Pazzi family, supported by Francesco Salviati, Archbishop of Pisa and indirectly by Pope Sixtus IV, planned to simultaneously murder Lorenzo and Giuliano de Medici. Francesco Salviati would overthrow the Signoria (government of Florence) paving the way for the Pazzi family to take control of Florence. They initially planned to lure Lorenzo to Rome where he would be killed while at the same time Giuliano would be killed in Florence. When Lorenzo declined an invitation to Rome it was decided that the murders would be done at a banquet held by Lorenzo. However, Giuliano did not attend the banquet and sent apologies that he was ill. The conspirators decided that they had no choice but to commit the deed in the Cathedral during the Easter Service.

Pazzi Conspiracy
During the Easter service Lorenzo and Giuliano were attacked by Members of the Pazzi family. Lorenzo was injured but managed to get to the safety of the sacristy. Giuliano died after being struck on the head by Bernardo Bandini dei Baroncelli and stabbed 19 times by Francesco de Pazzi.

Francesco de Pazzi and Archbishop Francesco Salviati were hanged. Jacopo de Medici escaped.

Jacopo de Medici was captured and hanged.

Clarice and her children left Florence and went to Pistoia.

A daughter, Contessina Antonia Romola de Medici was born to Lorenzo and Clarice Orsini in Pistoia.

Pope Sixtus IV excommunicated Lorenzo de Medici and placed Florence under interdict for executing an Archbishop. He also persuaded Ferdinand I of Naples to attack Florence on behalf of the Pope. However, Lorenzo managed to persuade Ferdinand to help him make peace with the Pope.

Lorenzo’s nephew Giulio di Giuliano de Medici was born illegitimately to Fioretta Gorini and posthumously to Lorenzo’s brother Giuliano. He was raised by his godfather Antonio da Sangallo.

A son, Giuliano di Lorenzo de Medici was born to Lorenzo and Clarice Orsini in Florence.

Lorenzo took charge of his nephew Giulio and raised him as his son.

Clarice’s daughter, Luisa de Medici died.

Clarice’s daughter, Maddalena de Medici, married Franceschetto Cybo, son of Pope Innocent VIII.

Clarice’s daughter, Lucrezia de Medici married Jacopo Salviati.

Lorenzo was taken ill and travelled to Bad Filetta near Siena to try to improve his health.

Clarice, died in Florence.