In 1510, Niccolò di Pitigliano held great influence over the town, with connections both in the local government and church. However, his lavish spending, as well as his habits of growing drunk and boasting of greatly exaggerated military exploits, led to the distaste of many of the civilians. Later that year, Francesco Vecellio, a member of the Assassin Order, was sent to Lonigo on a mission to kill Niccolò; which he did successfully, with the help of several of Lonigo's citizens.