Caterina Maria Romula de’ Medici, who was destined to become Queen of France as wife of King Henri II of France, was born at around 11 o’clock on the 13th of April 1519 in Florence. Her father was a Italian nobleman and scion of the ruling Medici House of Florence...
Marriage of Catherine de’ Medici and Prince Henri, Duke d’Orléans
Royal weddings were rarely fascinating fairytales of love – they aimed to foster allegiances and cement alliances. Soon after his return home, Prince Henri, Duke d’Orléans (future King Henri II of France), found himself at the center of his father King François I’s marial plans for him. Henri and his...
Jacopo Peri known as Il Zazzerino: the inventor of opera
The Italian artist Jacopo Peri, who was known under the pseudonym Il Zazzerino, was born on the 20th of August 1561 (died on the 12th of August 1633). Born in Rome, he was a composer and singer of the transitional period between the Renaissance and Baroque styles. Il Zazzerino is...
Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de’ Medici: the cultural heir of Lorenzo de’ Medici Il Magnifico
Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco de’ Medici was born in Florence on the 4th of August 1463 to Pierfrancesco the Elder and his wife, Laudomia Acciaioli. Pierfrancesco the Elder belonged to the junior Medici branch, which descended from Lorenzo di Giovanni de’ Medici known as Lorenzo the Elder, son of Giovanni di...
Ferdinando I de’ Medici: a Cardinal who ascended to the ducal throne
Ferdinando I de’ Medici was born on the 30th of July 1549. He was the fifth son of Cosimo I de’ Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany, and his first wife, Eleanor of Toledo. Ferdinando’s older brothers were: Francesco, Giovanni (died of malaria at the age of 18), Pietro (passed away...
Isabella de’ Medici: death at the hands of her husband for alleged adultery
Isabella Romola de’ Medici, daughter of Cosimo I de’ Medici and his first wife, Eleanor of Toledo, died on the 16th of July 1576. She was Duchess of Bracciano by marriage. Born in Florence, the girl was raised with her brothers and sisters in the Palazzo Vecchio and later in...