Individual Details
Pier Francesco de' Medici
(1417 - 1476)
Pier Francesco was born in 1417, son of Lorenzo 'the Elder' de' Medici and Ginevra Cavalcanti. He was generally called Pier Francesco 'the Elder' to distinguish him from his grandson of the same name. He was sixteen when the family were banished, and he accompanied his father in their exile in Venice in 1433. In the following year they returned, and in a short time his uncle Cosimo 'Pater Patriae' became the chief power in the state. The death of his father in 1440 left Pier Francesco head of his branch of the family. Like his father, he preferred a retired life. Although his share of the family wealth, divided between him and his uncle Cosimo in 1453, was nearly as great as that of his uncle, he lived very quietly, taking little part in public affairs, and confining himself to the banking business of the family. Nor did he nourish any jealousy towards his uncle Cosimo and his cousins, Piero and Giovanni, over the more exalted position they had come to occupy in the state. He was fifty when Cosimo 'Pater Patriae' died, and he survived his cousin, Piero 'il Gottoso', seeing the first seven years of the rule of the latter's son, Lorenzo 'il Magnifico'.
In 1451, somewhat late in life, Pier Francesco married Laudomia Acciajoli, daughter of Jacopo Acciajoli and Costanza de' Bardi. The marriage produced two sons, Lorenzo and Giovanni, who were aged respectively thirteen and nine when their father died; both would have progeny. None of this younger branch possessed the financial talent which distinguished the elder branch, so that their wealth, instead of increasing, gradually diminished, but nevertheless Pier Francesco at his death left his two sons very rich. He died in 1476 aged sixty-one.
Source: Leo van de Pas
In 1451, somewhat late in life, Pier Francesco married Laudomia Acciajoli, daughter of Jacopo Acciajoli and Costanza de' Bardi. The marriage produced two sons, Lorenzo and Giovanni, who were aged respectively thirteen and nine when their father died; both would have progeny. None of this younger branch possessed the financial talent which distinguished the elder branch, so that their wealth, instead of increasing, gradually diminished, but nevertheless Pier Francesco at his death left his two sons very rich. He died in 1476 aged sixty-one.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Events
| Birth | 1417 | ||||
| Marriage | 1451 | Laudomia Acciaioli | |||
| Death | 1476 | ||||
| Biography |  |  |
Families
| Spouse | Laudomia Acciaioli ( - ) |
| Child | Giovanni de' Medici (1467 - 1498) |
| Father | Lorenzo de' Medici - il Vecchio (1395 - 1440) |
| Mother | Ginevra Cavalcanti (1400 - ) |
Notes
Biography
Pier Francesco was born in 1417, son of Lorenzo 'the Elder' de' Medici and Ginevra Cavalcanti. He was generally called Pier Francesco 'the Elder' to distinguish him from his grandson of the same name. He was sixteen when the family were banished, and he accompanied his father in their exile in Venice in 1433. In the following year they returned, and in a short time his uncle Cosimo 'Pater Patriae' became the chief power in the state. The death of his father in 1440 left Pier Francesco head of his branch of the family. Like his father, he preferred a retired life. Although his share of the family wealth, divided between him and his uncle Cosimo in 1453, was nearly as great as that of his uncle, he lived very quietly, taking little part in public affairs, and confining himself to the banking business of the family. Nor did he nourish any jealousy towards his uncle Cosimo and his cousins, Piero and Giovanni, over the more exalted position they had come to occupy in the state. He was fifty when Cosimo 'Pater Patriae' died, and he survived his cousin, Piero 'il Gottoso', seeing the first seven years of the rule of the latter's son, Lorenzo 'il Magnifico'.In 1451, somewhat late in life, Pier Francesco married Laudomia Acciajoli, daughter of Jacopo Acciajoli and Costanza de' Bardi. The marriage produced two sons, Lorenzo and Giovanni, who were aged respectively thirteen and nine when their father died; both would have progeny. None of this younger branch possessed the financial talent which distinguished the elder branch, so that their wealth, instead of increasing, gradually diminished, but nevertheless Pier Francesco at his death left his two sons very rich. He died in 1476 aged sixty-one.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Endnotes
1. Genealogics.org, Leo van de Pas online [http://www.genealogics.org/index.php], accessed 2008 on, http://www.genealogics.org/getperson.php?personID=I00005000&tree=LEO.