The Medici Family Tree

The family tree of the Medicis illustrates the political impact of wealth accumulated through trade, commerce, and banking. In 1441, the Medici bank already had branches in Rome, Venice, Ancona, Bruges (in Flanders), and Geneva (now in Switzerland). In 1442, they added a branch in Pisa; in 1446 a branches went up in London and Avignon, former residence of popes during the Great Schism; in 1452 they set up a branch in Milan. By 1450, in short, the Medicis were active in every major European market.

Their ascent had been staggering: Cosimo de' Medici (1389-1464) counted as the most prominent Florentine businessman; his grandson, Lorenzo "the Magnificent" (1449-1503) was banker to the crowned heads of Europe. His children, inturn, included a Pope, Giovanni (1475-1521), i.e., Pope Leo X; a duke, Giuliano de' Medici (1479-1516), the Duke of Nemours; Lorenzo's great granddaughter, Catherine (1519-1589) was Queen of France. And that was only one branch of the family. Another line produced Pope Leo XI (Alessandro de' Medici, 1535-1605). The descendants of Cosimo de' Medici's brother Lorenzo (great-uncle of Lorenzo the Magnificent) spawned a line of Grand Dukes of Tuscany, beginning with Cosimo I (1519-1574), and another Queen of France, Marie de' Medici (1573-1642).