PREMATURE DEATHS, THE RISE OF HOMOSEXUALITY, OR SIMPLY CONFUSED HISTORY: ANOTHER MEDICI BRANCH WITHERS

The branch of Medici perpetuated from Charissimo (the second) gave birth to many children. Though he gave birth to two sons, only one of those sons, Filippo, married, giving birth to four sons, two of whom married, producing five sons in total. That generation: Andrea, Bartolommeo, Salvestro, Vieri, and Giovanni were part of the Florentine population during the middle years of the 14^th century. The two with confirmable dates, Salvestro (1331-1338) and Vieri (1323-1395) would, given the average life expectancy of men during this era was 50 years, allow for the theory that all the brothers lived and died near to the same years. Could have…were it not for the upheavals Florence—and the Medicis—underwent during those years.

Traveling along the Silk Road, it is believed the Black Death originated in China and Central Asia, carried to other parts of the world by virulent rodents. It reached its peak in the two year period of 1348-1350. Known then as the Great Pestilence, the Great Plague, or the Great Mortality, the Black Death as it now known (a moniker given by Dutch and Swedish chroniclers of history) was

responsible for reducing the European population by thirty to sixty percent, depending upon location. In Florence, the numbers are narrowed to twenty-five to fifty percent. It can easily be theorized, then, that one or more of these Medici sons for which there are no records fell to the horrific disease.

But there were other powerful forces at work in Florence at the time.

These five men, these sons of Medici, were the first to be born during a recently established Renaissance, though they, like all of their contemporaries, could not know what they were witnessing. They would have been among the first to read the works of Dante and Petrarch as established masters in literature…the first to see the works of Giotto, bringing painting into the new realm of realism.

The Renaissance (thus named in the mid 16^th century by Giorgio Vasari in his work The Lives of Artists) was an explosion of discovery and exploration, both in the external world and in self-enlightenment, an explosion including a change in sexual mores. In Daily Life in the Renaissance, author Charles L. Mee, Jr. states, “Sex was not a taboo subject, and sexiness, both female and male was widely admired in their lives and in their art.” And though sodomy was an act punishable with death, it too was explored like never before. Donatello’s feminine David is an example of the gender bending art of the age. It is possible then that the lack of progeny from some of these five brothers could be due to their sexual preferences.

Of the brothers Andreo and Bartolommeo, there is nothing of record in the many book, studies, and programs on the Medici, other than listing them as a brother to Salvestro. And while often confused with a later (and greater) Giovanni de’ Medici, this particular offspring shows no discernible contributions of note either.

Vieri de’ Medici, while not receiving the attention his brother Savlestro does in history, might well have made the most important contribution to the clan to date. Though many of his ancestors and contemporaries became embroiled in conflicts and rebellions, Vieri kept himself to irreproachable conduct, beginning the high esteem Florentines would feel about the Medici, for the most part, for the duration of the family’s existence. Additionally, Vieri was a prodigious businessman, amassing a great fortune. There are morsels of fact left on the trail of history that indicate Vieri established a structured banking system (the original and lasting source of the Medici empire). Some sources, however, site that Vieri’s banking trade eventually failed. It does seem conceivable, however, that he retained a fortune that would allow succeeding generations (though not his own children, of which there is a vague mention) to begin the true dynasty of the Medici.

As for Salvestro there exists a great deal of confusion, perplexity stemming from the repetition of name in generation after generation and among first cousins themselves. Charissimo (the first, one of two brothers to immigrate from Mugello to Florence) would eventually have two, three-times great-grandsons named Salvestro, one Salvestro di Alamanno de’ Medici, and one Salvestro di Averado de’ Medici (the middle names indicating the names of their fathers). While many ‘quick’ histories place Salvestro di Alamanno as the political revolutionary involved in the Ciompi revolt (see next post coming early September), it is the overwhelming consensus that such a life belonged to Salvestro di Averado. Di Alamanno, however, did serve as Gonfalonieri of Florence from 1370 to 1378. And, once again, there is mention of a wife and children, though not confirmable by the rule of three.

It seems unlikely that if Vieri and Salvestro did have children, that there would be no impression of them left on history, especially in light of their cousins’ contributions, not only to Florence but to the world, accomplishments so vast that they will have their own unique posts here…when The Medici Series continues.   

KATE QUINN, NATIONAL BEST SELLER INSIDE THE WRITER'S STUDY!

As talented as she is witty, National Best Selling author, Kate Quinn (Empress of the Seven Hills, Daughters of Rome, and Mistress of Rome) gets delightfully real...Inside the Writer's Study:





What is your favorite word? 
Can I have two? “Check enclosed,” to borrow a bon mot from Dorothy Parker. 

What is your least favorite word? “
Mew.” I read a book where a character mewed with passion, and it scarred me for life. 

What turns you on? 
Men with swords.

What turns you off? 
Men with tapered pants. 

What sound or noise do you love? 
Falling rain

What sound or noise do you hate? 
The crack of the bat as any Yankee hits a home run in Fenway Park. 

What is your favorite curse word? 
Scheisse. German for shit—swearing in German is much more satisfying.

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? 
Opera singer. I trained as one, and I've still got the high C's. 
What profession would you not like to do? 
Anything involving sewage or bureaucracy. 

If heaven or the after-life exists, what would you like to hear God, The Source (or whatever Deity you may believe in) say when you arrive at the pearly gates? 

“Let me introduce you to all those historical figures you've been writing about.”
In one sentence, describe your newest or most recent release. 
Take a vivacious blonde with floor-length hair, add a cynical dwarf on the hunt for a serial killer, toss in one fiery cook with a dangerous past, then stir to a boil, light on fire, and serve for a hell of a read! 

http://www.katequinnauthor.com/index.htm

THE MEDICI SERIES: A BRANCH DIES OUT IN A BLAZE OF GLORY

The years of war (see previous post on the Medici, the Guelphs and the Ghibellines) left the people of Florence fearful of both tyranny and despots. For many years, the Florentines shuffled their cards furiously in an effort to retain control of a neighboring city of Lucca whose territory, at this point in history, extended from the Magra to Pistoia to Volterra. On the death of Castruccio, the Duke of Lucca, Louis the Bavarian, conferred Lucca on Francesco, a relative and enemy of Castruccio. The Lucchesi, however, ceded themselves to John of Bohemia who, in 1333, pawned the city to the Rossi of Parma, who gave it to Mastino della Scala (1335), who sold to the Florentines for 100,000 florins (1341). The angered Pisans then occupied the city (1342). Far crueler to Florence was the decision of Milan, Mantua, Parma and, eventually, Padua to side with Pisa to keep Lucca out of Florentine control, an act especially egregious as Milan and Mantua had been decidedly allied to Florence, a city still functioning within a communal hierarchy of authority. Their pleas for help to Robert of Naples and the Avignon Papacy were rebuffed, both urging Florence to make peace, and the years of battle for the locality, and huge unpaid debts by the English to Florentine banking houses had left the great city bankrupt.

In May of 1342, the civic government of Florence appointed as its new captain and as 'conservator' of the commune, one Walter of Brienne, duke of Athens (whose titles also included Count of Brienne, Conversano, and Lecce), who had, in 1326, acted as vicar of Florence for Charles of Calabria. As the grandson of Huge of Brienne, Walter was heir to property in many parts of the Mediterranean as well as France. He spent the majority of his life traveling between them, involving himself in the politics and wars of each location.

Instead of bringing Lucca under Florentine control, one bought and paid for, Walter of Brienne did nothing as Lucca negotiated its own surrender in 1342. Walter then, knowing Florence's weakened condition, used the military forces entrusted to him and took control not only of Florence, but of Pistoia and Arezzo, declaring himself 'lord for life' over these territories.

Florence put up little fight at first, too disabled economically to do little else. It is theorized that support for the duke's 'tyranny' came from the upper and lower classes, the grandi (the landholding noble families of the country side) and the popolo minuto (the craftsmen and laborers who were forbidden to organize into guilds and consequently to hold any political office). The grandi support came for obvious reasons, while that of the minuto blossomed in hopes that Walter would break the power of the group in the middle, the popolo grasso (the wealthy and influential professionals and guild members who controlled trade and civic administration, the nouveau riche, who created their own aristocracy as the old feudal nobility died out).

But Walter tried to curry favor for too much with the popolo minuto, allowing them to form guilds as well as persecuting and executing those of the grassi, including one Giovanni de' Medici. It was not long before his light began to dim. No fewer than three conspiracies were plotted which merged to form a unified uprising against the despot in July of 1343; Walter of Brienne's 'reign' had not even lasted a year. After an eight-day siege, Walter came to terms with the insurgents and renounced all and any authority on the condition that he and the men he had brought with him to Florence were allowed safe passage out. They showed him the door of the city gate and let it slam shut in his retreating face.

A new government formed out of the patricians who led the revolt, one formed of a council of fourteen, seven from the grandi and seven popoloni. Of the seven drawn from the two lower classes--a mixture of the newly rich merchants and the craftsmen, one name stands out, Francesco di Ardingho de' Medici.

Francesco played a major role in the revitalization of his beloved city, the reinstatement of the Ordinances of Justice and the four quarters of Florence. In addition, the  new government instituted rule by Lord Priors and of a Gonfaloniere of Justice, but this time, all of whom must come from the popoloni. It was a major advancement in the republican rule of the great city.

Francesco prospered personally as well, marrying none other than the Contessina Adimari. The Adimari family finds historical mention as far back as the Middle Ages, mention in works by Dante as of 'small descent' (not noble) but becoming part of the nobility when one of them married a daughter to Bellicione Berti, a noble and wealthy Florentine. Considering Francesco's own social standing, it can be fairly well presumed that their's was a love match.

One that would not last very long.


The outbreak of the Black Death in 1348 reduced the population of the city from over 90,000 to less than half that. All indications point to the demise of both Francesco and his contessina in its rampage before they could produce any children to carry on their legacy.

LAUREN WILLIG: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLERMAKES A VISIT TO THE WRITER'S STUDY

Bestselling, Yale graduate, and multi-award winning author, Lauren Willig spent some time Inside the Writer's Study. The author of the extremely popular Pink Carnation Series--a collection of Napoleonic-Era British spy novels inspired by the Scarlet Pimpernel--reveals her uniqueness through the distinctive questions of the Proust questionnaire.



What is your favorite word?
Ontomatopeaia: the sound of falling peas and tomatoes.

What is your least favorite word?
Huh. That’s a tough one. I’ve seldom met a word I didn’t like. I guess I’d have to go with “classy”. Because the word “classy” by definition isn’t. 

What turns you on?
What if. Anything that gets me speculating about characters or ideas—it could be seeing a play where the characters don’t behave quite as I expect or overhearing a chance conversation in the street. Anything that gets me thinking “what if you took that concept and transposed it in such and such a way….” And I’m off and running. 

What turns you off?
Anything administrative. I go to incredible lengths to avoid accomplishing routine tasks. 

What sound or noise do you love?
The clip clop of horses’ hooves. I live right across the street from Central Park and on quiet nights, when there aren’t too many trucks backfiring, I can close my eyes, listen to their steady tread, and imagine myself back in the nineteenth century. 

What sound or noise do you hate?
Whatever vehicle it might be that makes those really loud noises outside my window at three in the morning. Garbage truck, perhaps? 

What is your favorite curse word?
Drat. (Although, after a memorable Deanna Raybourn interview—Deanna knows what I’m talking about!—there was a time when it was briefly supplanted by a vehement “bugger damn!”) 

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Is reigning monarch an option? I’m all about the tiaras, and I love court intrigue. 

What profession would you not like to do?
I’d really rather not go back to being a lawyer…. Wait. Was that my outside voice? 

If heaven or the after-life exists, what would you like to hear God, The Source (or whatever Deity you may believe in) say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
“Welcome.” (Infinitely preferable to, “Would you mind lining up by that down escalator over there? And you won’t be needing that pashmina down there. It’s rather… warm… where you’re going.”) 

In one sentence, describe your newest or most recent release.
Hailed as “a reader’s treat”, THE ASHFORD AFFAIR is a sweeping family saga stretching from the inner circles of Edwardian society to the red-dirt hills of 1920s Kenya and the skyscrapers of modern Manhattan. To read an excerpt (or listen to an audio sample), just pop by my website at http://www.laurenwillig.com/books/ashford.php.





Thank you, Lauren, and a big congratulations of the birth of your daughter, Madeleine Elizabeth Radcliffe, July 24th!

THE FAMILY—THE POWER—GROWS: THE MEDICI SERIES CONTINUES

The next generation of Medici, the sons of Bonaguinta, Filippo, and Alamando (those born in the late thirteenth/early fourteenth centuries) number no less than seven; among there number were many hard working, devoted Florentine citizens, contributing to the growing glory of the city, including two men who served as priors and, ultimately, as Gonfaloniers…Governors of Florence.

 Bonaguinta’s son Ardingho boasts a most impressive resume, including the first of the clan to hold the office of Gonfaloniere of Justice. The name itself derives from the early Italian medieval word gonfalone and from the ancient word confalone. In both cases, the word described a type of heraldic flag or banner (pictured here the gonfalone of Florence). As Gonfaloniere it came to imply the ‘banner’ of authority. Ardingho also held the post of Prior twice, once before and once after his election to Gonfaloniere in 1296. The Gonfaloniere of Justice was elected from the nine citizens who formed the government, specially the Priori, positions held by different men every nine months. However, once a gonfaloniere, the prestige would linger forever, on both the individual and his family. Thus began the true political influence of the Medici family.

With Ardingho, we find, for the first time, the name of his wife (though pictorial family trees ‘connect’ offspring to the mother, previous historical records give no indication of the names of the wives and mothers; a telling omission in and of itself). Though little, in truth nothing, is known of Gemma de’ Bardi herself, the Bardi would become an influential family in Florence, in the realm of banking, no doubt influenced by the Medici themselves, though never reaching the Medici scope and power. Known and interesting is the fact that one of Gemma’s familial descendants, one Simone de’ Bardi would marry one Beatrice Portinari (pictured), the Beatrice of Dante’s unrequited heart and the inspiration for his Divine Comedy.

Little is known of Ardingho’s brother, Guccio who was birthed late in his mother’s life and lived for only seventeen years.

Filippo was the busiest of his generation, giving birth to four sons, the jackpot for a medieval Italian family. The oldest, Arrigo, appears to be a persona non grata, as does his closest sibling, Alamanno (please keep in mind that these men are not to be confused with men of the same names in subsequent generations of the Medici, men who would make their mark on the world). Third son, Giovanni—one of the first of many by that name—held the office of Treasurer of the Commune; he did not marry or reproduce.

Cambio de’ Medici, the last-born son of Filippo seems to have lived a quiet life out, perhaps holding the position of Prior at some point, but doing so with little merit.

Alamanno’s only son Averedo I would be the offspring of his generation to esteem the most distinction; making great use of his short life of thirty-three years. Serving once as a Lord Prior, he served as Gonfaloniere not once but twice, in 1299 and 1314. He also married well, to Mandina Argucci, a prominent and long established Florentine family. Averedo was also the first Medici to begin purchasing land, launching a vast operation of acquisition in the Mugello area of the Florentine district, completing the circle of the Medici family that began there. With Mandina, Averedo I would make the greatest contribution yet to the Medici clan…giving birth to men who would not only change the fortunes of the Medici family, but who would change the very landscape of Florence itself.   

ACCLAIMED AUTHOR BEVERLY SWERLING: INSIDE THE WRITERS' STUDY

The Los Angeles Times has called her work, 'near perfect historical fiction.' Beverly Swerling, the critically acclaimed author of five previous novels, including the City of Dreams series, a four-volume historical saga set in old New York, pulls up a chair...Inside the Writers' Study!

What is your favorite word?  

Has to be two: and then

What is your least favorite word?  

Suddenly

What turns you on?  

Stroking

What turns you off?  

Demanding

What sound or noise do you love?  

Foghorns off the New England coast

What sound or noise do you hate? 

Screams

What is your favorite curse word? 

Sh!t

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? 

Chef

What profession would you not like to do? 

Accountant

If heaven or the after-life exists, what would you like to hear God, The Source (or whatever Deity you may believe in) say when you arrive at the pearly gates?  

He's here, waiting for you.

In one sentence, describe your newest or most recent release:

BRISTOL HOUSE from Viking is a book about forgiveness, and the circularity of time, wearing the clothes of historical fiction – or at least some of them.  http://www.beverlyswerling.com/bristol-house/story-begins/

GUELPHS AND GHIBELLINES, NERI AND BIANCHI, DANTE AND BANISHMENT THE MEDICI DYNASTY-The Series Continues

The brothers Charissio and Bonagiunta had settled well into their lives in Florence when last we visited with them. While both served their city and their government, subsequent generations lived modestly and unambitiously. As can be seen from the pictured portion of the family tree, not even their birth and death dates were noted.

Though no monumental contributions were made by these branches of the family tree, they were diligent, hard working, and ambitious. Through their work, partnerships formed and marriages made, these generations inculcated the family Medici more and more with life of Florence itself, gaining prestige and power bit by bit. But it would not always be an easy climb up the ladder.

Coinciding with the estimated years of life of the last generation on this particular portion of the Medici family tree, it can be deduced that one or two were involved with the great conflict between the factions of the Guelphs and Ghibellines (quick background...the struggle between the Pope and the Holy Roman Emperor began in the 12th century; their two factions--those who fought for one side or the other--were called the Guelphs--for the Pope--while the Ghibellines were the Imperial party). It is an interesting point of trivia to note that the Montecchis were Ghibellines; the Capuletis were Guelphs--names more than reminiscent of Montague and Capulet. As a result of the Battle of Campaldino, the Guelphs would reign supreme in Florence, but they would not reign united.

There are theories that the Florentine Guelphs broke apart due to the level of Papal support each member supported. But there is another postulation, one far more entertaining and interesting, offered by none other the famous and infamous Nicolo Machiavelli himself. In his History of Florence he lays claim that the division between the Nera (the Blacks) and the Bianca (the Whites, the faction more opposed to Papal power) all began...because of children's spat. While both children were of the Cancellieri family, but of two different branches, cousins in fact. As the divisivness escalated, those who descended from Bianca came to be known as the Bianci; it was only logical for the others to adopt the moniker of the Neri.

"These two parts, Blacks and Whites, members of a family whose name Cancellieri, which is divided: for some relatives were called Whites, Blacks others, and so the whole city was divided."

( Dino Fellow, Chronicler of the things necessary in 'his time , Book I, 25)

From the childhood spat arose to one of deadly animosity.  At the head of the Bianchi stood Vieri de Neri faction. The so-called dead Scandal, vicolo dello Scandolo, a winding alley snaking between the Corso and Via degli Alighieri, was created in the fourteenth century to divide the properties of the two factions, to prevent them from destroying the interior walls connecting the two family homes and assaulting their enemy--their family--in the dead of the night.

'Cerchi, while Corso Donati led the

Donati and the Neri could name such high citizenry as the whole of the Pazzi, the Bisdomini, Manieri, Bagnesi, Tornaquinci, Spini, Buondelmonti, Gianfigliazzi, and the Brunelleschi. But other names, other influential families, lined up behind the Bianchi: the Adimari, the Abati, a part of the Tosinghi, of the Bardi, of the Rossi, of the Frescobaldi, of the Nerli, and of the Manelli; all the Mozzi, the Scali, Gherardini, Cavalcanti, Malespini, Bostichi, Giandonati, Vecchietti, and Arrigucci. There were two other names associated with the Whites, one being that of Dante and the other...Medici.

Violent ambushes, poisonings, accusations of witchcraft...the rift escalated. The Council of One Hundred, which included Dino Fellow and Dante Alighieri as a priori, decided to intervene, to confine the heads of the two factions in an attempt to cool tempers. The arrangement had no result, and Dante himself traced his intervention in the government to his downfall. 

More violence, and the involvement of the Pope and Charles de Valois of France found the Whites--Dante and the Medici among them--exiled from Florence. But for some, for those for whom evil is a in their core, good is never good enough. With the expulsion of the Whites, the Blacks began to turn in upon themselves and more violence erupted between Corso Donati and Rosso della Tosa. The city could take no more...Corso Donati was assassinated, the remainder of the Donateschi were expulged, and the political and social life of Florence began to return to normal once more. And new families began their rise.

While there is no confirmable history to say which of the Medici were involved and exiled, it is assumed from their marriageless and childless lives, and the most logical in terms of where they fall in the chronology of the family, the two most probable members were Amigo and Giambuono (marked with a red star on the family tree). And those these men fathered no children, their nephews were quick to take up the reigns of political involvement and ambition their uncles began.