Albizzi Family

Albizzi Family
   Wealthy mercantile family of Florence whose head, Maso degli Albizzi, led a junta of wealthy families who seized control of the city by force in 1382. This event reversed a period of democratizing political reform (1343-1382) and left a faction of rich families headed by Maso in charge. While their successes in defending the city from the aggressive Giangaleazzo Visconti of Milan and conquering the seaport city of Pisa made their domination tolerable, there was resentment at the way in which the Albizzi corrupted the republican constitution and put effective control into the hands of a junta.
   When Maso died in 1417, his son Rinaldo degli Albizzi (1370-1442) became the faction leader. Unlike his father, Rinaldo had an aloof manner and exerted his political power openly, stirring up resentment even among Albizzi partisans. Faced with political unrest generated by his failed attempt (1429-1433) to conquer the city of Lucca, Rinaldo decided to strike down the most popular potential leader of political opposition, Cosimo de'Medici, who had tried to avoid direct confrontation but had opposed the rash attempt to conquer Lucca. Rinaldo had Cosimo put on trial for treason before a special judicial commission (batía). Although the Albizzi dominated the batía, there were enough moderate members that the body decided to sentence Cosimo to exile rather than executing him.
   This arbitrary treatment of a popular and respected citizen merely increased resentment. Just a year later, in 1434, a newly selected signoria reversed the sentence against Cosimo. Rinaldo attempted an armed coup, but the signaría had taken effective measures to prevent his seizure of power. Sympathizers with Cosimo now created a special court (batía) to reform the government. The recall of Cosimo was confirmed, and Rinaldo himself, together with his closest political supporters, was banished. Rinaldo's fall from power marks the beginning of 60 years (1434-1494) of almost unbroken Medici political dominance of the republic.

Historical Dictionary of Renaissance. . 2004.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Albizzi family —    Originating in Arezzo, the Albizzi moved to Florence in the 12th century where they came to play a major role in the city s government. After the Ciompi Revolt of 1378, they were exiled from Florence, only to return in 1382 to head an… …   Dictionary of Renaissance art

  • Alberti Family — ▪ Florentine banking family also called  Alberti Del Giudice,         wealthy Florentine merchant banking family that was influential in European politics in the second half of the 14th century and notable for its patronage of the arts and… …   Universalium

  • House of Albizzi — The Albizzi family was a Florentine family based in Arezzo and rivals of the Medici and Alberti families. They were the centre of Florence oligarchy from 1382, following the Ciompi revolt, to the rise of the Medici in 1434. The most infamous and… …   Wikipedia

  • Medici Family —    Florentine mercantile and banking family that played a significant part in local politics and from 1434 dominated the political system of Florence through a combination of careful po litical alliances and outright corruption of the electoral… …   Historical Dictionary of Renaissance

  • Rinaldo degli Albizzi — (1370 1442) was a member of the Florentine family of the Albizzi. Together with Palla Strozzi, he was the main opponent of Cosimo de Medici s rise in Florence.After the Volterran revolt against Florence in 1428, Rinaldo degli Albizzi was sent to… …   Wikipedia

  • Medici family tree —           & …   Wikipedia

  • Medici family —    The Medici originated in the valley of the Mugello and moved to nearby Florence in the 13th century. In 1397, Giovanni di Bicci de Medici established a bank. Soon he opened branches all over Italy and Europe and became involved in papal… …   Dictionary of Renaissance art

  • Florence —    Principal city of the Italian region of Tuscany, located on the Arno River. Although other cities of northern and central Italy also played an important role in the development of Renaissance culture, Florence was the most creative center for… …   Historical Dictionary of Renaissance

  • Ludovico Racaniello — (1352 ndash; 1441) was an Italian condottiero active in Tuscany. BiographyLudovico was born in Todi, the first child of Riccardo, and a descendant of the Racaniello family of Umbrian origin.He dedicated a number of years to the study of law under …   Wikipedia

  • Florence — • Located in the province of Tuscany (Central Italy) Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Florence     Florence     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”