House of Medici

The House of Medici was one of the strongest houses in Florence in the late 15th century. Lorenzo de' Medici il Magnifico was the house's patron, and a close ally to the Auditore family (as well as their Assassin connections). They are the constant target of Templar attacks due to their de facto control over Florence.

At a High Mass, Lorenzo's brother Giuliano de' Medici was killed in the Pazzi Conspiracy. Meaning the only known heir to the Medici House was Giuliano's newphew and son (technically legitimate through a loophole in Florentine law ), Giulio de' Medici.

The Medici Cape was given to Ezio Auditore da Firenze by Lorenzo as a symbol of faith and trust soon after he saved Lorenzo's life during the assassination attempt by the Pazzi.

Later in the game, during the corrupted Memory Sequences 12 and 13, Lorenzo de' Medici dies and control of Florence turns to Girolamo Savonarola. In which, Ezio stopped Savonarola for Medici control in the DLC, Bonfire of the Vanities.

Trivia

 * The Medici are the only family in Assassin's Creed II to rule two regions: Florence and San Gimignano.
 * Besides Pazzi guards, civilians, and thugs; Medici Guards are the weakest in-game.