In twenty-first-century travel magazines, people could read that the assassination attempt on Lorenzo and Giuliano took place at the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower. Tour guides would even tell tourists that when Lorenzo hid in the sacristy, his wife was still outside, crying out his name.
It was a touching scene. Lorenzo's wife, Clarisse, had been born into an aristocratic family, yet she did not look down on Lorenzo for his "commoner" origins at all, even though she knew the marriage was intended to raise the Medici family's social standing.
Yet in Machiavelli's book, the assassination took place at the Basilica of Santa Reparata. April 26, 1478, was Easter, so a High Mass was held, and nearly every notable figure in Florence attended. If Lorenzo's wife had been outside the sacristy, and the assassins could not force open its door, would they have taken Clarisse hostage and threatened Lorenzo into opening it?
If they had done that, it would have been before all of Florence's notable figures. Taking action inside a church had already violated a taboo.
Likewise, although Lorenzo had temporarily hidden in the sacristy, he could not hold out for long. This was not merely because there was no food, water, or other supplies inside, but because the situation outside was changing. If the office of Gonfaloniere of Justice fell into the hands of the Pazzi family or their allies, then even if Lorenzo survived, he would be expelled from Florence. Reclaiming power afterward would not be so easy.
Mass was usually held during the day, but Easter was different. On the night before Easter, there was a vigil, much like Christmas Eve before Christmas. Most families shared a lavish dinner, and some then went to church for Mass, which usually ended at midnight.
Choirs would