Murder of a Medici Princess

Murphy is a superb storyteller, and her fast-paced narrative captures the intrigue, the scandal, the romantic affairs, and the violence that were commonplace in the Florentine court. She brings to life an extraordinary woman, fluent in five languages, a free-spirited patron of the arts, a daredevil, a practical joker, and a passionate lover. Isabella, in fact, conducted numerous affairs, including a ten-year relationship with the cousin of her violent and possessive husband. Her permissive lifestyle, however, came to an end upon the death of her father, who was succeeded by her disapproving older brother Francesco. Considering Isabella's ways to be licentious and a disgrace upon the family, he permitted her increasingly enraged husband to murder her in a remote Medici villa.

To tell this dramatic story, Murphy draws on a vast trove of newly discovered and unpublished documents, ranging from Isabella's own letters, to the loose-tongued dispatches of ambassadors to Florence, to contemporary descriptions of the opulent parties and balls, salons and hunts in which Isabella and her associates participated. Murphy resurrects the exciting atmosphere of Renaissance Florence, weaving Isabella's beloved city into her story, evoking the intellectual and artistic community that thrived during her time. Palaces and gardens in the city become places of creativity and intrigue, sites of seduction, and grounds for betrayal.

Here then is a narrative of compelling and epic proportions, magnificent and alluring, decadent and ultimately tragic.

"Murphy's book swoops and dazzles like the best fiction." --Entertainment Weekly

"This supple, smart account of a lesser-known daughter will engage modern readers as it vivifies both Renaissance Florence and an extraordinary woman who paid the ultimate price for flouting her era's traditional gender roles."--Publishers Weekly

"a fast-paced and detailed account of Italy's raciest princess."--Richmond Times-Dispatch

"Isabella de' Medici (1542-1576)was the daughter of Cosimo de' Medici, Duke of Florence. Murphy vividly chronicles Isabella's provocative, brief life (she was murdered at age 34), liberally drawing on quotes from letters sent by a variety of key figures...This enjoyable page-turner would make a fantastic biopic."--Kirkus Reviews

"In Murder of a Medici Princess, Murphy takes her readers on a compelling ride through the dark allure of Renaissance Italy, taking us deep into the drama of the Medici hierarchy in a story that brims with both beauty and corruption."--The Electric Review

"Caroline Murphy has brought to life an independent-minded Florentine princess and the loves, family conflicts, political plots and violence in which she was enmeshed. A gripping tale told with consumate historical skill."--Natalie Zemon Davis, author of The Return of Martin Guerre

Murphy is a superb storyteller, and her fast-paced narrative captures the intrigue, the scandal, the romantic affairs, and the violence that were commonplace in the Florentine court. She brings to life an extraordinary woman, fluent in five languages, a free-spirited patron of the arts, a daredevil, a practical joker, and a passionate lover. Isabella, in fact, conducted numerous affairs, including a ten-year relationship with the cousin of her violent and possessive husband. Her permissive lifestyle, however, came to an end upon the death of her father, who was succeeded by her disapproving older brother Francesco. Considering Isabella's ways to be licentious and a disgrace upon the family, he permitted her increasingly enraged husband to murder her in a remote Medici villa. To tell this dramatic story, Murphy draws on a vast trove of newly discovered and unpublished documents, ranging from Isabella's own letters, to the loose-tongued dispatches of ambassadors to Florence, to contemporary descriptions of the opulent parties and balls, salons and hunts in which Isabella and her associates participated. Murphy resurrects the exciting atmosphere of Renaissance Florence, weaving Isabella's beloved city into her story, evoking the intellectual and artistic community that thrived during her time. Palaces and gardens in the city become places of creativity and intrigue, sites of seduction, and grounds for betrayal.

Here then is a narrative of compelling and epic proportions, magnificent and alluring, decadent and ultimately tragic.

Part I: A Medici Childhood

1. The New Medici

2. "I have never seen a more beautiful baby girl"

3. Growing Up Medici

4. The Medici as Teenage Girls

Part II: A Medici Princess Grows Up

1. A Bridegroom for Isabella

2. Medici Weddings

3. Zibellini and a Hat Full of Musk

4. The Duke and Duchess of Bracciano

5. My Brother and I

6. Overcome By Sorrow

Part III: The First Lady of Florence

1. After Eleanora

2. At Home With Paolo and Isabella

3. Debt

4. Conflict

5. The Baroncelli

6. The Theatre of Isabella

1. Fidelities

2. Troilo

3. A 'Clandestine' Affair

Part IV: Medici Machinations

1. The Imperial Sister-In-Law

2. Family Lives

3. Grand Duke

4. Cammilla

5. I Turchi

6. Lepanto, and Don Giovanni

7. Putti

8. Bianca

9. The Assassination

10. The Best of Times

Part V: The Troubles of a Medici Princess

1. The Decline of Cosimo

2. The Children's Negotiation

3. My Coming

4. The New Ambassador

5. Leonora

6. The Dueling Season

7. The Pucci Conspiracy

8. Troilo, Bandito

9. A New Year

Part VI: Final Acts

1. A Trip to Cafaggiolo

2. Cerreto Guidi

3. Post Mortem

4. A Culling Continued

5. The Assassin's Tale

Epilogue