Contessina de' Bardi

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Contessina de' Medici
Lady of Florence
Giovanni de' Medici
FatherAlessandro di Sozzo de' Bardi, count of Vernio
MotherCamilla Pannocchieschi

Contessina de' Bardi (1390–October 1473[1]), was an Italian noblewoman from the House of Bardi. Her marriage into the House of Medici provided her husband's family with much needed nobility, prestige, and military support as they established their power in Florence.[2]

Bardi family

The

Medici
called on them in this guise, on certain occasions, for armed support of the Medici's political hegemony.

Contessina's parents were Alessandro di Sozzo Bardi, count of Vernio, and Camilla Pannocchieschi, daughter of Raniero di Guido Pannochieschi, count of Elci.[3]

Life

Around 1415, Contessina de' Bardi married Cosimo de' Medici [3] and they went to live with his parents, Piccarda Bueri and Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici.[4] Like Giovanni's marriage to Piccarda, this marriage brought noble connections to the common family of the Medici.[3] Contessina was known for being careful with money and the managing of their household.[5]

Together the couple had two sons:

Giovanni de' Medici.[1] Additionally, Contessina agreed to take charge of Cosimo's illegitimate son by a Circassian slave, Carlo de' Medici.[6]

She survived her husband by about ten years. He died in 1464

Giuliano di Piero de' Medici, was close from their childhood and allowed her political influence as they became leaders.[8] This influence included negotiating tax benefits for those she supported.[9] She was also regularly involved in negotiating and approving marriages for the more important families in Florence.[8]

Contessina died between 26 September and 25 October 1473.[10] Her grandson Lorenzo named one of his daughters Contessina de' Medici in honor of her.

Fictional depictions

Contessina is portrayed by

Medici: Masters of Florence.[11]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c Tomas 2003, p. 7.
  2. ^ Tomas 2003, pp. 16–17.
  3. ^ a b c Tomas 2003, p. 16.
  4. ^ Pernis & Adams 2006, p. 9.
  5. ^ Pernis & Adams 2006, p. 13.
  6. ^ Pernis & Adams 2006, p. 12.
  7. ^ a b Pernis & Adams 2006, p. 15-16.
  8. ^ a b Tomas 2003, p. 46.
  9. ^ Tomas 2003, p. 47.
  10. ^ Tomas 2003, p. 64.
  11. ^ "Medici: Masters of Florence". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 24 December 2016.

References

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Contessina_de%27_Bardi&oldid=1218006716"