But there was another woman . . .

Like every year at carneval time, in 1469 the Guelph Party organized the traditional joust in Piazza Santa Croce, appropriately decorated and enclosed. The participants in the event were young nobles from the leading Florentine families, as well as famous condottieri and foreign knights.  The joust of 7 February 1469 is documented by contemporary sources that describe it in detail, in particular, La giostra by Luigi Pulci and the anonymous Ricordo, transcribed by Pietro Fanfani.

In the “mostra” or parade that preceded the equestrian contest, the mounted participants with their respective corteges made up of damsels, grooms and trumpeters, flaunted apparel, harness, standards, arms and other objects of the most superb quality and precious workmanship.

The star of the joust was the young Lorenzo di Piero de' Medici who dedicated his victory to Lucrezia Donati, to whom the female figure portrayed on his standard may allude.  (from the archives at the Medici-Riccardi Palazzo).


Quite the bachelor party!  And just to put that dowry in perspective, the accoutrements of Lorenzo and his ‘brigade’ or retinue, were valued at 10,000 florins!

And this dedication to Lucrezia Donati is not the last we hear of her . . .