Palleschi
Encyclopedia
The palleschi, also known as bigi, were partisans of the Medici
family in Florence. The name derived by the Medici Coat of Arm, containing six 'balls' (palle).
Massimo D'Azeglio, an Italian writer and historian, in his "Niccolò de' Lapi, or the Palleschi and the Piagnoni", http://books.google.it/books?hl=it&id=CscXAAAAYAAJ&dq=niccolo%27+de+lapi&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=Z0dlCyZdIA&sig=xQdEezwFOzqDZZwdjJo4sMR8OGE&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result wrote explicitly: "the part of the citizens which improved their reputation and got rich under the Medici.... was called pallesca" (D'Azeglio, 1866)
On April, 26th 1478, at the end of the so called "Pazzi
Conspiracy" which resulted the death of Giuliano de' Medici (brother of Lorenzo, which was himself seriously wounded) the people of Florence responded to the cry "Freedom, Freedom!" by Jacopo de' Pazzi with "Palle, palle!", in a clear reference to the Medici coat of arms and, more broadly, to their partisans palleschi. Aldo Arcangeli, in his book 'The Strozzavolpe Castle' says that the conspirator Jacopo Bracciolini, secretary of Girolamo Riario, 'was hung by the Palleschi because of the Pazzi conspiracy" (Arcangeli, 1960).
The substantial equivalence between Palleschi and Medici partisans is confirmed by the letter written by the florentine philosopher, writer and politician Niccolò Machiavelli
"Il ricordo ai Palleschi del 1512" http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ITA1109/_PFW.HTM, a plea to the Palleschi, returned in Florence after twenty years of exile, in favor of the Gonfaloniere Piero Soderini "exiled by the government of the Florence Republic" (Vivanti, 1997).
Likewise, the rivalry between the Palleschi, partisans of the Medici family, and the Piagnoni, followers of Girolamo Savonarola
developed into conflict. Massimo D'Azeglio in "Niccolò de' Lapi" says that "the parts of Piagnoni and Palleschi, rivals for old rancors and new insults, kept the city divided' (D'Azeglio, 1866).
After the death of Savonarola, the interests of the Palleschi became differentiating from the Medici, as testified by the "Storia Fiorentina" of Benedetto Varchi (Firenze 1503-1565) in relation to the opposition of the Palleschi against the Pope Clemente VII Medici (Varchi, 1857).
The fortunes of the Palleschi were nevertheless strictly connected to the Medici. For example, during the siege of Florence by Charles V when the Florentine government hardly repressed "the enemies within the walls", references the Palleschi who stayed in the city (Bertelli, 1986)
Many of them preferred the exile to Venice, Bologna or Rome so as to avoid being arrested or falling victim to the violence described by D'Azeglio in "Niccolò de' Lapi" (D'Azeglio, 1866)
Medici
The House of Medici or Famiglia de' Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de' Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. The family originated in the Mugello region of the Tuscan countryside,...
family in Florence. The name derived by the Medici Coat of Arm, containing six 'balls' (palle).
Massimo D'Azeglio, an Italian writer and historian, in his "Niccolò de' Lapi, or the Palleschi and the Piagnoni", http://books.google.it/books?hl=it&id=CscXAAAAYAAJ&dq=niccolo%27+de+lapi&printsec=frontcover&source=web&ots=Z0dlCyZdIA&sig=xQdEezwFOzqDZZwdjJo4sMR8OGE&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result wrote explicitly: "the part of the citizens which improved their reputation and got rich under the Medici.... was called pallesca" (D'Azeglio, 1866)
On April, 26th 1478, at the end of the so called "Pazzi
Pazzi
The Pazzi family were an ancient, noble Tuscan family who had given up their titles so that members could be elected to public office. Their main trade, during the 15th century was banking. They are linked to the "Pazzi conspiracy"—to assassinate Giuliano de' Medici and simultaneously attempt...
Conspiracy" which resulted the death of Giuliano de' Medici (brother of Lorenzo, which was himself seriously wounded) the people of Florence responded to the cry "Freedom, Freedom!" by Jacopo de' Pazzi with "Palle, palle!", in a clear reference to the Medici coat of arms and, more broadly, to their partisans palleschi. Aldo Arcangeli, in his book 'The Strozzavolpe Castle' says that the conspirator Jacopo Bracciolini, secretary of Girolamo Riario, 'was hung by the Palleschi because of the Pazzi conspiracy" (Arcangeli, 1960).
The substantial equivalence between Palleschi and Medici partisans is confirmed by the letter written by the florentine philosopher, writer and politician Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò Machiavelli
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was an Italian historian, philosopher, humanist, and writer based in Florence during the Renaissance. He is one of the main founders of modern political science. He was a diplomat, political philosopher, playwright, and a civil servant of the Florentine Republic...
"Il ricordo ai Palleschi del 1512" http://www.intratext.com/IXT/ITA1109/_PFW.HTM, a plea to the Palleschi, returned in Florence after twenty years of exile, in favor of the Gonfaloniere Piero Soderini "exiled by the government of the Florence Republic" (Vivanti, 1997).
Likewise, the rivalry between the Palleschi, partisans of the Medici family, and the Piagnoni, followers of Girolamo Savonarola
Girolamo Savonarola
Girolamo Savonarola was an Italian Dominican friar, Scholastic, and an influential contributor to the politics of Florence from 1494 until his execution in 1498. He was known for his book burning, destruction of what he considered immoral art, and what he thought the Renaissance—which began in his...
developed into conflict. Massimo D'Azeglio in "Niccolò de' Lapi" says that "the parts of Piagnoni and Palleschi, rivals for old rancors and new insults, kept the city divided' (D'Azeglio, 1866).
After the death of Savonarola, the interests of the Palleschi became differentiating from the Medici, as testified by the "Storia Fiorentina" of Benedetto Varchi (Firenze 1503-1565) in relation to the opposition of the Palleschi against the Pope Clemente VII Medici (Varchi, 1857).
The fortunes of the Palleschi were nevertheless strictly connected to the Medici. For example, during the siege of Florence by Charles V when the Florentine government hardly repressed "the enemies within the walls", references the Palleschi who stayed in the city (Bertelli, 1986)
Many of them preferred the exile to Venice, Bologna or Rome so as to avoid being arrested or falling victim to the violence described by D'Azeglio in "Niccolò de' Lapi" (D'Azeglio, 1866)