The design of my going into Italy was, to adjust a difference between two illustrious families, very eminent in those days. One was the family of the Medicis, the other of the Pacis[40]; which last being supported by the Pope[41], and Ferrand King of Naples[42], endeavoured to cut off Laurence de Medicis[43], and all his adherents. They failed in their design upon Laurence de Medicis; but they slew his brother Julian[44] in the great church in Florence[45]; and with him one Franquein Noli[46], a servant of the house of Medicis, who threw himself before Julian in hopes to have saved him. Laurence was severely wounded[47], but made his retreat into the vestry of the church, whose doors were of copper, and had been given to the church by his father.[48] A servant[49], whom he had delivered out of prison only two days before, did him good service, and received several wounds which were aimed at Laurence. This assassination was committed at the time of high mass; and the moment appointed for its execution was when the officiating priest should begin the Sanctus. But it fell out otherwise than was designed; for, supposing all sure, some of the conspirators[50] ran to the palace to kill the senators who were there (which senate, consisting of about nine persons, has the whole administration of the affairs of that city, and is changed every three months); but they were ill supported, and having run upstairs into the palace, somebody shut one of the doors behind them; so that when they were got up, there were not above four or five of them, and those in such a terrible consternation, that they knew not what to say or do.