The Medicis were considered the Godfathers of the Renaissance period because of their great wealth and political influence. However, they were not famous as members of nobility but due to their own hard work and skills as bankers and merchants.
Their power and authority over Florence, Italy spanned from the 13th to the 17th century. The Medicis were able to produce popes, rulers and eventually members of the French and English royalty. They were one of the leading families of the Italian Renaissance which also included the Visconti and Sforza families of Milan, the Este family of Ferrera, and the Gonzaga family of Mantua, among many others.
The Medicis first became popular in Florence, Italy when Ardingo de Medici was elected as Gonfaloniere (standard bearer of the high ceremonial office) in 1296. The family experienced some decline during this period but with the Medici Bank and the respect and trust of their clients, was able to amass great wealth in the 13th century.
The Medicis’ influence and wealth grew through the next century with Salvatore de Medici as one of the family’s most prominent member because aside from being Gonfaloniere, he also led the common people in the revolution of the ciompi or the small artisante. Salvatore became the de facto dictator of the city but became very brutal and was then banished in 1382.
It took another member of the Medici family to have their wealth and influence restored in the succeeding years, this was Giovanni di Bicci de Medici. He made the Medici the wealthiest family in Italy and maybe the whole of Europe. Thus Giovanni was considered as the founder of the Medici family and the first of the great Medici’s. It was through him that the subsequent years until the mid-1700s, the Medici reigned over all of Florence.
The most notable members of the Medici family aside from Salvatore and Giovanni were:
- Cosimo the Elder – the founder of the Medici political dynasty
- Lorenzo the Magnificent – ruled Florence during the Golden Age of the Renaissance
- Giovanni de’ Medici - became Pope Leo X
- Giulio de’ Medici - became Pope Clement VII
- Cosimo I the Great – the First Grand Duke of Tuscany who restored the Medici lustre
- Catherine de’ Medici – married King Henry II and became the Queen of France
- Alessandro Ottaviano de’ Medici – became Pope Leo XI
- Eleonora de’ Medici - became Duchess of Mantua
- Marie de’ Medici - became Queen and Regent of France
- Anna Maria Luisa de’ Medici - the last of the Medici line
Pictured to the right is a Florentine Tiara Manus, an exact replica of a historic piece of jewelry taken from the archives of the powerful Medici family. The gothic ring Florentine Tiara Manus contains 7 large Swarovski crystals that contain 32% lead to maximize refraction. The crystals are set into Florence lily crest; bracelet part is one-sized adjustable, with ring available in all sizes.
Want more goodies from the fascinating Renaissance period, visit realmcollections.com.