ABSTRACT
The significant social, political and economic costs for the Medici of exile is nicely encapsulated in the life of Alfonsina Orsini, wife of Lorenzo's eldest son Piero de' Medici, who described the period from November 1494 until September 1512 as '19 years out of the house'. The women members of exile families who remained in Florence rather than joining their male relatives played a vital role in maintaining a base for the exiled men of their families within Florence, often battling to ensure that the interests of these men were protected with a view to their eventual political, social and financial rehabilitation. The severe crisis for the Medici and their supporters caused by Piero's exile demanded that Alfonsina be involved in these negotiations, which were firmly in the domain of the political. The Medici's second period of exile again provided an opportunity for the women of the family to engage in direct political action when required.
