Cordoglio e speranza. In margine a due documenti su Caterina de’ Medici, Piero Strozzi e i fiorentini di Lione

Abstract

The article draws inspiration from the discovery of two new letters relating to the relationship between Catherine de’ Medici, queen regent of France, and the Florentines in Lyon, including one written by Catherine herself. Both dating to August 1558, the documents revolve around the death in battle of Piero Strozzi, leader of the anti-Medici republican exiles, as well as the visit paid to the queen by Battista Alamanni as a representative of the Florentines in Lyon. The two letters provide an opportunity to reflect on several aspects of
a very delicate historical moment, characterized by the political and military crisis of the anti-Medici exiles and their insistent pursuit of the support of the French Crown. The documents show that, despite facing many difficulties, the Florentines did not give up and nurtured hopes that sometimes went beyond realism.