#galeazzo

When reading modern books/biographies about Lorenzo (note: books, not peer reviewed journals or studies, so less research is usually done), the authors tend to blame Galeazzo for causing Lorenzo more trouble than what's worth. I don't think it's really fair to do so since being allies doesn't mean always accommodating for the other party. Man's got a duchy to run, obviously he'd put his own people first.

Anyway, Lorenzo did not hate Galeazzo or vice versa. The latter making the former godfather of his children (not just because of the gift) shows as much. Them being childhood friends also helped relations between Florence and Milan.

Some concept sketches of a one Galeazzo Maria Sforza. I have his hair as strawberry blonde or even blonde with red highlights, and am using that duomo statue/his own son Gian Galeazzo Sforza's appearance (who was said to resemble his father) as a reference for my design.

A letter from Galeazzo Maria Sforza to his friend and ally Lorenzo de Medici, requesting the sale of a rare book that once belonged to King Alfonso I of Naples. At this time, Galeazzo was looking for gifts to bequeath to his mistress Lucia Marliani, whom he seemed to be lovestruck by. He had already given her various articles of clothing, precious jewels, and ownership of property. This time, he wanted to gift a 10,000 ducat book that Lorenzo had in his collection. Galeazzo was probably racking his brain thinking of something that Lucia didn't already have and then remembered the Medici library and art collection. The letter reads:

To Lorenzo de Medici, by the prince's own hand.

Lorenzo, you will have heard about my lover for whom I have the greatest love, and I try as much as it is possible for me to give to her all the pleasures in this world. I know that you have the so-called "balassio", that book said to have belonged to Alfonso. Now, I beg of you, as much as I know and can, do not tell of this to anyone and pass it on to the present envoy, Hieronymo da Sena, my sottocameriero*. And name any price you wish, for I will send you the money immediately. Hieronymo will write a receipt of the goods. I hope to receive this from you with singular pleasure, and as much as can be received in the world at this time.

Letter 13 May 1475

Galeazzo Maria,

In my own hand

*A Sottocameriero was a junior cameriero, AKA chamberlain. Galeazzo had sottocamerieri run certain errands and usually got them to help with matters pertaining to Lucia.

So essentially, if Galeazzo hadn't pushed for the cancellation of the marriage agreement, our 2 favourite bickering sisters would never have been born. Thank you Galeazzo 🙏

I agree with the author here. A lot of what has been said about Galeazzo is most likely hearsay, or even outright smears. I've talked about it before, but a lot of differing accounts regarding his conduct don't really add up. If Galeazzo remained in power, barring Ludovico from taking the throne, the French probably would not have been so bold as to speedrun taking over Italy.

There would've been no need to in the first place since the conflict between Ludovico and Naples would not have arisen. In the end, Galeazzo, the one who got the short end of the stick in history, wasn't the one to bring ruin to his house (and Milan). It was Ludovico, who somehow gets praise and credit for being "cultured" despite essentially having been the root cause of the Italian Wars, as well as bringing about end of the Sforzas.