Upon the death of Sixtus IV, anarchy broke out in Rome. Caterina Riario, nee Sforza, seven months pregnant, rode on horseback from the family's Roman home to Castel Sant'Angelo on behalf of her husband and to watch after the Riario family interests until a new Pope was selected.
Lucrezia de Medici, Lorenzo's mother, died in March, 1482, two years before the events of this episode.