The Family Medici : the hidden history of the Medici dynasty

First Title Value for Searching:

Personal Author:

Hollingsworth, Mary

Edition:

First Pegasus Books hardcover edition.

Physical Description:

480 pages : color illustrations, photographs, maps, genealogical tables ; 24 cm.

Summary:

Having founded the bank that became the most powerful in Europe in the fifteenth century, the Medici gained massive political power in Florence, raising the city to a peak of cultural achievement and becoming its hereditary dukes. Among their number were no fewer than three popes and a powerful and influential queen of France. Their influence brought about an explosion of Florentine art and architecture - Michelangelo, Donatello, Fra Angelico, and Leonardo were among the artists patronized by the Medici. Thus runs the "accepted view" of the House of Medici. However, Mary Hollingsworth argues that the idea that the Medici were enlightened rulers of the Renaissance is a fiction that has now acquired the status of historical fact. In truth, the Medici were as devious and immoral as the Borgias - tyrants loathed in the city they illegally made their own. In this dynamic new history, Hollingsworth argues that past narratives have focused on a sanitized view of the Medici - wise rulers, enlightened patrons of the arts, and fathers of the Renaissance - but that "in fact" their past was reinvented in the sixteenth century, mythologized by later generations of Medici who used this as propaganda for their legacy. Hollingsworth's revelatory retelling of the story of the family Medici bridges a fresh and exhilarating new perspective to the story behind the most powerful family of the Italian Renaissance.

Contents:

Prologue: A city under siege: 'Florence in ashes rather than under the Medici' -- 1. Migrants: Bonagiunta, Chiarissimo and their descendants, 1216-1348 -- 2. Survivors: Salvestro, Foligno, Bicci and Vieri, 1348-1400 -- 3. The fortune: Giovanni di Bicci, 1400-1425 -- 4. Politics: Giovanni di Bicci, Averardo and Cosimo, 1426-1433 -- 5. For honour and profit: Cosimo the banker, 1434-1450 -- 6. The republican toga: Cosimo the politician, 1451-1464 -- 7. The succession crisis: Piero the Gouty, 1464-1469 -- 8. Youth at the helm: Lorenzo and Giuliano, 1469-1479 -- 9. Pride: Lorenzo the Magnificent, 1480-1492 -- 10. Nemesis: Piero and Cardinal Giovanni, 1492-1503 -- 11. Exile: Cardinal Giovanni, Giulio and Giuliano, 1504-1512 -- 12. Age of gold: Pope Leo X, 1513-1521 -- 13. Age of iron: Pope Clement VII, 1521-1530 -- 14. Imperial poodles: Pope Clement VII, Ippolito, Alessandro and Cosimo, 1531-1543 -- 15. The new Augustus: Cosimo I, 1544-1559 -- 16. Grand Duke: Cosimo I, 1560-1574 -- 17. Adultery: Francesco I and Cardinal Ferdinando, 1574-1587 -- 18. Cardinal to Grand Duke: Ferdinando I, 1587-1609 -- 19. The unlucky prince: Cosimo II, Christine of Lorraine and Maria Magdalena of Austria, 1609-1668 -- 20. Science and religion: Ferdinando II, 1628-1670 -- 21. Vanity: Cosimo III, 1670-1723 -- 22. Extinction: Gian Gastone, 1723-1737 -- Epilogue: Revival.

Subject Term:

Renaissance -- Italy.

Added Corporate Author:

Pegasus Books Ltd

Publication Info:

New York : Pegasus Books Ltd, 2018.

Subject:

Renaissance -- Italy.

Florence (Italy) -- History -- 1421-1737 -- Biography.

Florence (Italy) -- Politics and government -- 1421-1737

Medici, House of

House of Medici

Renaissance -- History

Renaissance -- Europe

Revival of letters

SAILS ISBN:

9781681776484

Available:

Library	Shelf Number	Shelf Location	Status
Searching... Attleboro Public Library	945.511 HOL	NONFICTION	Searching... Unknown
Searching... New Bedford Free Public Library	945.511 HOL 2018	NONFICTION	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Norfolk Public Library	945.5 HOLL	NONFICTION	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Seekonk Public Library	945.5105 HOLLINGSWORTH	NONFICTION	Searching... Unknown

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Summary

A fresh, revelatory, and shockingly revisionist narrative of the rise and fall of the House of Medici, by the acclaimed author of The Cardinal's Hat and The Borgias .

Having founded the bank that became the most powerful in Europe in the fifteenth century, the Medici gained massive political power in Florence, raising the city to a peak of cultural achievement and becoming its hereditary dukes. Among their number were no fewer than three popes and a powerful and influential queen of France. Their influence brought about an explosion of Florentine art and architecture. Michelangelo, Donatello, Fra Angelico, and Leonardo were among the artists with whom they were socialized and patronized.

Thus runs the "accepted view" of the Medici. However, Mary Hollingsworth argues that this is a fiction that has now acquired the status of historical fact. In truth, the Medici were as devious and immoral as the Borgias. In this dynamic new history, Hollingsworth argues that past narratives have focused on a sanitized view of the Medici--wise rulers, enlightened patrons of the arts, and fathers of the Renaissance--and their story was reinvented in the sixteenth century, mythologized by later generations of Medici who used this as a central prop for their legacy.

Hollingsworth's revelatory re-telling of the story of the family Medici brings a fresh and exhilarating new perspective to the story behind the most powerful family of the Italian Renaissance.

Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Unimpressed with the celebratory legend, British scholar Hollingsworth (The Borgias) builds on her previous work regarding the Italian Renaissance to show how the ambitious Medici family moved beyond their banking origins to acquire the power to essentially strangle burgeoning republicanism in Renaissance Florence. Each generation receives an unsentimental overview centering on its most prominent male member, showcasing the public achievements and transgressions that gave the family enormous power and wealth. Well-known figures such as Lorenzo the Magnificent and Duke Cosimo I appear in short, enjoyable chapters, but Hollingsworth strives for fairly equal representation, which benefits the later, lesser-known family members who rarely receive book-length treatments. Images of well-known period art, much of which resulted from Medici patronage or revealed a link to the family, adorn each chapter. The visuals provide a break from the never-ending machinations that Hollingsworth details, such as Cosimo's manipulations of the electoral process and Lorenzo's use of art "as a political tool." She admirably handles political maneuvers elsewhere, especially in Central Europe. If there's a flaw here, it's a minor one-the odd decision to avoid discussing, beyond a mere mention, Henry VIII's attempts to gain an annulment from Medici Pope Clement VII, which led to the English Reformation. Hollingsworth's clear, concise family chronology serves as an excellent introduction or handy reference guide to one of the Renaissance's most infamous families. Illus. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

Kirkus Review

A fascinating warts-and-all history of the rise and fall of the Medici.Hollingsworth (The Borgias: History's Most Notorious Dynasty, 2011, etc.) effectively debunks the myths surrounding this legendary family, from the first moneylenders who moved into Florence in the 13th century through the end of the dynasty in 1737. Throughout the centuries, the author amply shows, the Medici lied, cheated, inveigled, and sweet-talked their way into absolute diplomatic and political power. They built up their banking business through the generations, and it became the basis for the family wealth. The Medicis understood the power of local politics and used their money to control it until Florence was no longer a republic but rather a dictatorship. Some of the best elements of this eye-opening book are the casts of characters and their relationships, which begin each chapter. Since so many Medici shared the same first name, these lists are extremely helpful in keeping the players straight. Equally illuminating are the dozens of illustrations. A major event in the family's history occurred in 1420, when Giovanni di Bicci relinquished control of the bank to his sons, Cosimo and Lorenzo, who, despite his later appellation of "Magnificent," was an inexperienced playboy who lacked political acumen. His blatant embezzling, plus the decline of the economy, gave rise to the attacks of Savonarola on the materialism and corruption of his administration. Hollingsworth also points out that Florence was not the only important city during the Renaissance; Milan, Rome, Venice, Naples, and Mantua were also significant. Florence certainly profited from the architects, artists, and writers of the period, but the Medici's use of those artists was for the greater glory of Medici, not Florence. The true builder, Cosimo I, came to power in 1544 and became the first Grand Duke of Tuscany. He grew the economy and city and laid the foundation for the persisting perception of Medici greatness.A vital acquisition for anyone who studies the Renaissance and seeks the true role of the Medici in the history of Florence. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Library Journal Review

This is a revisionist view of the celebrated Medici family written by scholar Hollingsworth (The Cardinal's Hat), known for her publications on the Italian Renaissance. Hereditary dukes of Florence, Italy, the Medici family produced three popes as well as a queen of France, and remain a pervasive presence in the Italian city. This highly readable narrative traces the history of the family over the course of 500 years, from their origins in the early 1200s to the death of the last Medici in 1737. The author's goal is to demythologize the family as benevolent, patriarchal leaders who used deceit, oppression, and manipulation to enrich themselves; often failing to distinguish their own private interests from those of the state. The author enriches her text with illustrations of art and architecture from the period. Hollingsworth disputes the claim that Florence was the cradle of the Renaissance, another Medici "myth" that overshadowed the contributions made by other cities, churches, and religious institutions. VERDICT Although general readers may find themselves overwhelmed by the complexities of Renaissance politics, features such as maps and genealogical charts add to the book's value. For informed readers interested in the Renaissance and Italian history, culture, and travel.-Marie M. Mullaney, Caldwell Coll., NJ © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A Note to the Reader	p. 9
Prologue: A City Under Siege: 'Florence in ashes rather than under the Medici'	p. 10
1 Migrants
Bonagiunta, Chiarissimo and their descendants, 1216-1348	p. 23
2 Survivors
Salvestro, Foligno, Bicci and Vieri, 1348-1400	p. 43
3 The Fortune
Giovanni di Bicci, 1400-1425	p. 63
4 Politics
Giovanni di Bicci, Averardo and Cosimo, 1426-1433	p. 79
5 For Honour and Profit
Cosimo the banker, 1434-1450	p. 97
6 The Republican Toga
Cosimo the politician, 1451-1464	p. 115
7 The Succession Crisis
Piero the Gouty, 1464-1469	p. 133
8 Youth at the Helm
Lorenzo and Giuliano, 1469-1479	p. 151
9 Pride
Lorenzo the Magnificent, 1480-1492	p. 171
10 Nemesis
Piero and Cardinal Giovanni, 1492-1503	p. 191
11 Exile
Cardinal Giovanni, Giulio and Giuliano, 1504-1512	p. 209
12 Age of Gold
Pope Leo X, 1513-1521	p. 225
13 Age of Iron
Pope Clement VII, 1521-1530	p. 249
14 Imperial Poodles
Pope Clement VII, Ippolito, Alessandro and Cosimo, 1531-1543	p. 269
15 The New Augustus
Cosimo I, 1544-1559	p. 291
16 Grand Duke
Cosimo I, 1560-1574	p. 309
17 Adultery
Francesco I and Cardinal Ferdinando, 1574-1587	p. 327
18 Cardinal to Grand Duke
Ferdinando I, 1587-1609	p. 347
19 The Unlucky Prince
Cosimo II, Christine of Lorraine and Maria Magdalena of Austria, 1609-1628	p. 369
20 Science and Religion
Ferdinando II, 1628-1670	p. 387
21 Vanity
Cosimo III, 1670-1723	p. 407
22 Extinction
Gian Gastone, 1723-1737	p. 429
Epilogue: Revival	p. 437
Genealogical Trees	p. 442
Maps	p. 450
Bibliography and Sources	p. 452
Notes	p. 460
Image Credits	p. 466
Acknowledgements	p. 468
Index	p. 469

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Summary

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Reviews (3)

Publisher's Weekly Review

Kirkus Review

Library Journal Review

Table of Contents