Individual Details
Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici
(1360 - 28 Feb 1429)
Giovanni was born in Florence in 1360, the son of Averardo di Bicci-Medici and Giovanna Spini. With his wife Piccarda (Nannina) Bueri, daughter of Odoardo Bueri, Giovanni had several sons of whom two, Cosimo and Lorenzo, would have progeny.
He started his working life in a bank owned by a cousin Vieri de' Medici, as well as trading in refined and dyed wool. Due to his efforts he became one of Italy's wealthiest bankers. With money provided by his friend Giovanni, Baldassare Cossa was probably able to buy his cardinal's hat, subsequently becoming anti-pope John XXIII (1410-1415), while Giovanni became the papal banker.
Even though the Medici bank had branches in Rome, Venice, Genoa, Naples and Gaeta as well as in his native Florence, over half of the profits came from Rome.
Giovanni supported John XXIII against Louis III, duke of Anjou, titular king of Naples, and when the pope was deposed and imprisoned he remained loyal and secured his release. When Oddone Colonna became Pope Martin V in 1417, Giovanni lost his monopoly but still did business with and for the papacy.
He was honest and understanding, did not seek political office, and used his money to his own advantage as well as to assist the people of Florence by easing their tax burden. Giovanni died in February 1429.
Source: Leo van de Pas
He started his working life in a bank owned by a cousin Vieri de' Medici, as well as trading in refined and dyed wool. Due to his efforts he became one of Italy's wealthiest bankers. With money provided by his friend Giovanni, Baldassare Cossa was probably able to buy his cardinal's hat, subsequently becoming anti-pope John XXIII (1410-1415), while Giovanni became the papal banker.
Even though the Medici bank had branches in Rome, Venice, Genoa, Naples and Gaeta as well as in his native Florence, over half of the profits came from Rome.
Giovanni supported John XXIII against Louis III, duke of Anjou, titular king of Naples, and when the pope was deposed and imprisoned he remained loyal and secured his release. When Oddone Colonna became Pope Martin V in 1417, Giovanni lost his monopoly but still did business with and for the papacy.
He was honest and understanding, did not seek political office, and used his money to his own advantage as well as to assist the people of Florence by easing their tax burden. Giovanni died in February 1429.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Events
| Birth | 1360 | Firenze | |||
| Death | 28 Feb 1429 | Firenze | |||
| Marriage | Picarda "Nannina" Bueri |
Families
| Spouse | Picarda "Nannina" Bueri ( - 1432) |
| Child | Cosimo de' Medici - il Pater Patrie (1389 - 1464) |
| Child | Lorenzo de' Medici - il Vecchio (1395 - 1440) |
| Father | Averardo di Bicci de' Medici (1335 - ) |
| Mother | Giovanna Spini (1340 - ) |