What happened 1478 AD

In January 1478, Leonardo received an independent commission to paint an altarpiece for the Chapel of St. Bernard in the Palazzo Vecchio, an indication of his independence from Verrocchio's studio.

Leonardo's political contemporaries were Lorenzo de' Medici (il Magnifico), who was three years older, and his younger brother Giuliano, who was slain in the Pazzi conspiracy in 1478. Leonardo was sent as an ambassador by the Medici court to Ludovico il Moro, who ruled Milan between 1479 and 1499.

Lorenzo de'Medici was attacked and Giuliano de'Medici was killed in Florence.

George, Duke of Clarence, who was sentenced to death for treason against his brother Edward IV of England, was drowned in a butt of wine at the Tower of London.

The Duke of Clarence was hanged privately and drowned in wine.