Individual Details
Giovanni de' Medici
(21 Oct 1467 - 14 Sep 1498)
Son of Pier Francesco I de' Medici and Laudomia Acciajuoli, Giovanni was born on 21 October 1467. Giovanni and his brother Lorenzo quarrelled continually with their younger cousin Piero, son of Lorenzo 'the Magnificent' and head of the senior branch of the family. The two brothers did nothing to disguise their animosity towards the senior branch, or their intention to abandon it to its enemies in any future struggle for power.
The opportunity arose in the invasion of Italy in 1494 by Charles VIII of France, intent on enforcing the Angevin claim to the kingdom of Naples and to the kingdom of Jerusalem that came with it. When Charles demanded of Piero the right of passage through Tuscany and the use of Tuscan fortresses to protect his army's rear, Piero decided to resist the French advance, to the dismay of the leading citizens of Florence, urged on by Girolamo Savanarola, who were convinced that Florence would be ruined.
Anxious to disassociate themselves from Piero's anticipated defeat, Giovanni and Lorenzo sent messages to the French camp assuring Charles that they were completely in sympathy with the French invasion, and would promote it in Florence. Their message being intercepted, the brothers were arrested, but escaped and joined Charles' headquarters.
When Piero and his family fled Florence, the French sacked the Medici Palace of the main branch. Giovanni and Lorenzo hastily changed their name to Popolano and took down the Medici arms from the walls of their palace.
In 1497 the 28-year-old Giovanni became lover, political advisor and secret third husband of Caterina Sforza, countess of Forli, and they had one son, who would be known as Giovanni delle Bande Nere de' Medici, the father of the great Cosimo I de' Medici, grand duke of Tuscany. Giovanni died on 14 September 1498 in San Pietro de Bagno.
Source: Leo van de Pas
The opportunity arose in the invasion of Italy in 1494 by Charles VIII of France, intent on enforcing the Angevin claim to the kingdom of Naples and to the kingdom of Jerusalem that came with it. When Charles demanded of Piero the right of passage through Tuscany and the use of Tuscan fortresses to protect his army's rear, Piero decided to resist the French advance, to the dismay of the leading citizens of Florence, urged on by Girolamo Savanarola, who were convinced that Florence would be ruined.
Anxious to disassociate themselves from Piero's anticipated defeat, Giovanni and Lorenzo sent messages to the French camp assuring Charles that they were completely in sympathy with the French invasion, and would promote it in Florence. Their message being intercepted, the brothers were arrested, but escaped and joined Charles' headquarters.
When Piero and his family fled Florence, the French sacked the Medici Palace of the main branch. Giovanni and Lorenzo hastily changed their name to Popolano and took down the Medici arms from the walls of their palace.
In 1497 the 28-year-old Giovanni became lover, political advisor and secret third husband of Caterina Sforza, countess of Forli, and they had one son, who would be known as Giovanni delle Bande Nere de' Medici, the father of the great Cosimo I de' Medici, grand duke of Tuscany. Giovanni died on 14 September 1498 in San Pietro de Bagno.
Source: Leo van de Pas
Events
| Birth | 21 Oct 1467 | ||||
| Marriage | 1497 | Caterina Sforza Countess of Forli | |||
| Death | 14 Sep 1498 | San Pietro de Bagno | |||
| Biography |  |  |
Families
| Spouse | Caterina Sforza Countess of Forli (1462 - 1509) |
| Child | Giovanni "delle Bande Nere" de' Medici (1498 - 1526) |
| Father | Pier Francesco de' Medici (1417 - 1476) |
| Mother | Laudomia Acciaioli ( - ) |
Notes
Biography
Son of Pier Francesco I de' Medici and Laudomia Acciajuoli, Giovanni was born on 21 October 1467. Giovanni and his brother Lorenzo quarrelled continually with their younger cousin Piero, son of Lorenzo 'the Magnificent' and head of the senior branch of the family. The two brothers did nothing to disguise their animosity towards the senior branch, or their intention to abandon it to its enemies in any future struggle for power.The opportunity arose in the invasion of Italy in 1494 by Charles VIII of France, intent on enforcing the Angevin claim to the kingdom of Naples and to the kingdom of Jerusalem that came with it. When Charles demanded of Piero the right of passage through Tuscany and the use of Tuscan fortresses to protect his army's rear, Piero decided to resist the French advance, to the dismay of the leading citizens of Florence, urged on by Girolamo Savanarola, who were convinced that Florence would be ruined.
Anxious to disassociate themselves from Piero's anticipated defeat, Giovanni and Lorenzo sent messages to the French camp assuring Charles that they were completely in sympathy with the French invasion, and would promote it in Florence. Their message being intercepted, the brothers were arrested, but escaped and joined Charles' headquarters.
When Piero and his family fled Florence, the French sacked the Medici Palace of the main branch. Giovanni and Lorenzo hastily changed their name to Popolano and took down the Medici arms from the walls of their palace.
In 1497 the 28-year-old Giovanni became lover, political advisor and secret third husband of Caterina Sforza, countess of Forli, and they had one son, who would be known as Giovanni delle Bande Nere de' Medici, the father of the great Cosimo I de' Medici, grand duke of Tuscany. Giovanni died on 14 September 1498 in San Pietro de Bagno.
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=I00004101&tree=LEO.