akingswhore: Lucrezia Donati (1447 - 1501) Mistress of: Lorenzo de’ Medici, Lord of Florence.Tenure:
akingswhore: Lucrezia Donati (1447 - 1501) Mistress of: Lorenzo de’ Medici, Lord of Florence.Tenure: c. 1465 - 1469.Royal Bastards: None.Fall From Power: He married someone else. Lucrezia Donati was a 15th century noblewoman from Florence, famous for being the muse and mistress of Lorenzo de’ Medici (Lorenzo the Magnificent). Lucrezia was a young lady “of rare beauty, honesty and nobility” but from a poor family with little prosperity and stature. Lorenzo was perhaps her exact opposite, being the prodigal yet plainly unattractive son of wealthy and powerful parents. Lucrezia had just married the respectable textile merchant Niccolo Ardinghelli when she caught the attention of Lorenzo, who was around two years her junior. Contemporary records mention the couple together during the marriage of Lorenzo’s friend, Braccio Martelli, in the Spring of 1465, where it was noted that Lorenzo “[bestowed] Lucrezia with a clutch of violets.” These flowers were a symbol Lorenzo used throughout his poetry, though his friends caused him much grief over it. Braccio went so far as to tell everyone that Lucrezia’s husband had a “cock like the horn of a bull” and that Lucrezia had little need of anything Lorenzo could offer, though Niccolo was often away on business. Nevertheless, Lorenzo was smitten. It was unfortunate, then, that his mother found him a suitable bride in the middle of his romance. Accepting his fate, and in preparation of his marriage, Lorenzo organized a grand equestrian tournament, supposedly in celebration of his engagement, though in reality it was for Lucrezia. The young woman was frequently his honored guest and a number of magnificent shows Lorenzo put on were for her. Lucrezia attended the show (which was also attended by his bride-to-be) dressed in a newly ordered livrea (dress) adorned with enormous pearls. Lorenzo and his companions attended the celebration wearing matching outfits, which must have been very awkward for the fiance. In June 1497, Lorenzo married Clarice Orsini in a four-day celebration and dismissed Lucrezia. Lorenzo and Clarice enjoy a harmonious and fruitful marriage, even if the groom was not in love with his bride. Lucrezia and Niccolo welcomed their only child, Piero, in April 1470; interestingly enough one of his godmothers was Clarice. Lucrezia died in 1501, and was buried in the Ardinghelli Chapel in the Basilica di Santa Trinita in Florence. It is worth noting that contemporary sources disagree over whether or not Lorenzo’s affair with Lucrezia was ever actually sexual. Sources Bust of a ”Lady with Primroses” by an Andrea del Verrochio, dated 1475 – 1480 (left) and a detail of ”La Fortezza (Fortitude)” by Sandro Botticelli, 1470. Both artworks are said to have been modelled after Lucrezia Donati. Pernis, Maria. Lucrezia Tornabuoni De’ Medici and the Medici Family in the Fifteenth Century. Peter Lang (2006). ISBN: 9780820476452. Unger, Miles. Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo De’ Medici. Simon & Schuster (2009). ISBN: 9780743254359. -- source link