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Thread: By what means did the Medici achieve and maintain their power in Florence from 1434-94

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    Default By what means did the Medici achieve and maintain their power in Florence from 1434-94

    By what means did the Medici achieve and maintain their power in Florence from 1434-94

    The Medici were not a major family in Florence during the first few centuries of the second millennium. From small beginnings though they managed to gain near complete political control of a fiercely republican city. Bruni said as late as 1428, only six years before Cosimo Medici gained hegemony over Florence, that ‘Liberty is equal to all’. They, through the work of several generations of smart and savvy men, managed to subvert the operations of a republican constitution using wealth and wits. Their ability to do so is a testament to their leaders, men such as Cosimo, Piero and Lorenzo. On first examination of the rise of the Medici it seems to be swift and absolute. With the return of Cosimo de Medici in 1434 from his brief exile in Venice they ascended to power, and held it through several crises for over half a century. By examining their beginnings, their inspiration to achieve ultimate power in Florence, and in understanding their fall from their position of power at the end of the 15th Century, I hope to come to a conclusion about how they did so.
    The Medici were a relatively new family in Florence, compared at least to the illustrious families of the Bardi or Strozzi. The first mention of a Medici in the city of Florence only occurs in 1216[1]. They came from the Mugello district, an agricultural area to the north of the city, and their family name implies that they were, at first at least, doctors. They rose in Florentine society, having the necessary property holdings to qualify for the offices of state. The family as a whole held, between 1291 and 1343, twenty-eight council seats[2]. They were an active, if not prominent, family and at this early stage they did hold the vast fortunes which would help propel them to power. In records of forced loans made by the Florentine Republic they were only required to contribute three hundred and four florins, a small sum compared to the much wealthier and established Strozzi family which was required to lend the state two thousand and sixty three florins. It was the work of Giovanni de Medici, sometimes called Giovanni di Bicci, the father of Cosimo, who laid the ground work for their later ascent to being leaders of the city-state. He was the one who founded the famed Medici bank[3] which was to be the basis and reason for their later power, and made it into a financial force, something which his son was to continue. In 1413 he became chief banker to the Papacy, which vastly increased his wealth and was quite a coup[4]. He was an active citizen, though one who did not search out honours, but in Florence to become inconspicuous, as it seems Giovanni wanted to, it was better to participate dutifully than withdraw from public life. He held several important offices, including being an ambassador to other cities, and carried these duties out well, but careful not to appear ambitious[5]. However, he did help establish his son on a firmer footing for political life than he had inherited. The Medici were not an eminent family in Florence, a place which looked upon lineage and history as well as wealth as a mark of distinction. He linked by marriage Cosimo to the Bardi, a family which had lacked in wealth compared to Medici, but to whom the Medici lacked in history compared to them[6]. Thus Giovanni set up for his son the means by which he could become a powerful political player in Renaissance Florence.
    Florence was a city which had a deep suspicion of those ambitious for power, and had several rigorous safeguards written into its constitution to protect against a family, party or single figure assuming power over the city. It achieved this by spreading power, making appointment as much due to luck as to ability and by making terms of office short and disbarring men from holding the same office within three years of each other, and barring family members succeeding each other in those offices[7][8]. These were the obstacles in the way for the Medici to assume power. However, it was not just for want of power that they strove for it. Instead Cosimo wanted to be able to protect the family’s new found wealth, and increase it, and saw in political power the means to do so[9]. When Cosimo succeeded his father as head of the family things had already been put in place for a rise to power. A discrete ‘political’ party had been assembled, consisting of family members, those marriage alliances and ‘friends’ of the family, people which the Medici bank had patronised and acted favourably to[10]. In a city suspect of such arrangements, it was necessary to keep any organisation informal and discrete. The rise of the Medici was as much to do with opportunism as it was to do with foresight and able planning. In 1428 Florence entered into a war of aggression against Lucca. This war dragged on for years, and bred mistrust and hatred between many of the traditional ruling families. As well as this many of the ‘old guard’ of the traditional families died and there were no able replacements to replace them[11]. The main ruling faction of the time was the Albizzi, led by Rinaldo di Albizzi, who began to distrust the growing influence of Cosimo, who had begun to construct a vast palace in Florence. They used this as evidence for their accusations that Cosimo was trying to make himself greater than a citizen and sought to undermine the Republic[12], a serious accusation for which the penalty was death. When, in 1433 a pro-Albizzi Signoria was pulled from the bags, as well as a friendly Gonfalonier of Justice, Cosimo and several of his allies were arrested[13]. Though Rinaldo was unable to get the death penalty for his political rivals, he succeeded in October 1433 in exiling Cosimo and some close relatives from Florence for ten years[14]. Cosimo had taken steps to protect the bank’s and his wealth, including hiding it in monasteries, moving it from Florence, putting it in a different name, and secreting it away with relics, which fell out of the Republic’s court’s jurisdiction. He also had many friends outside Florence, through his banking connections, which helped him prepare for a return to the city[15]. Rinaldo’s treatment toward the Medici was looked upon with suspicion by the general population, who increasingly saw Cosimo as a political martyr, a victim of Rinaldo’s bullying and bribing, and he gradually began to lose support[16]. It was less than a year before a pro-Medici majority emerged in a newly drawn Signoria, which was appointed by lot every two months, as well as a sympathetic Gonfalonier of Justice. They promptly overturned Cosimo’s exile and he returned less than a year after his original exile to a joyous reception from the population[17]. Cosimo wasted no time in petitioning for a Balie, an emergency committee which was made up of fewer men than the Signoria, had wide ranging powers, but was only appointed in times of crisis and for short periods. To this Balie he had a majority of his own men appointed, as well as some Albizzi men to placate the more conservative elements of Rinaldo’s party[18][19]. This Balie past several reforms, including a ‘scrutiny’ of the bags, in which potential members of the Signoria could be removed from the bags which they were traditionally drawn from, as well as giving a committee, of Cosimo’s near own choosing, the power to greatly reduce the number of potential names in the bag, and choose those which did go in, and the exile of Rinaldo Albizzi and several of his allies[20][21]. He also was able to take over the accoppiatori, the council which oversaw elections, and have his own men put in power for five years, an unprecedented amount of time[22].This a mano election or appointment was to be the basis of the Medici’s power for the next two decades. This was the means by which the Medici achieved power and maintained it. Power was never officially given to Cosimo, he held offices but his résumé does not seem to be that of the sole leader of the city, and the political control which Cosimo did exercise was informal, taking place during dinners and at meetings between him and his supporters[23]. Cosimo was more of an eminence gris than any kind of official leader.

    In Florence there was still a desire to return to the old style of Republicanism, and this caused the Medici severe problems in trying to consolidate power. Cosimo faced many of these issues, and overcame them through manipulation of the Republican offices and committees, intimidation and opportunism. During the latter years of Cosimo’s life, he was successful in narrowing the power of the Signoria and instituting a new committee, the Cento or Council of One Hundred, a more permanent but less powerful council similar in some aspects to the Balie, but which was drawn from men who had held the high offices of state, at this time nearly all of whom were Medici men[24]. He also had the support of the ottimati, the name which the nobles of Florence gave themselves, who preferred the stability of Cosimo’s rule than the potential instability of rival factions taking over the Signoria and other offices on a rotational basis[25]. He was more eminent in foreign policy, with his relationships fostered through the banking world giving him a large degree of autonomy. Foreigners were also more akin to dealing with a single man in power, something alien and abhorrent to the Florentines, and were more easily accepting of Cosimo as the sole representative of Florence[26]. There was a backlash against investing power so much in one figure in Florence, and several of the votes needed to get the Balie into power, and to get legislation passed narrowing power, were only won by a small majority or were rejected all together[27]. The two decades after 1434 were a time of consolidation, and it was not all together clear that Cosimo would have his way. In the latter part of the 1450s it looked as if Cosimo would lose power, and the Republic would be restored to the people. Mandates for his accoppiatori ran out, which caused a cessation of the a mano elections so vital to Cosimo’s control. Laws were passed limiting the power of the Balie, one of the most powerful instruments that Cosimo had used in the past to cement his rule. This led to a crisis which came to a head in 1458. Cosimo used troops supplied by the friendly Duke of Milan, Francesco Sforza, to intimidate a parliament, a general assembly of the people which could pass constitutional change, as well as use subversion, the reading of his bill was quiet and could not be heard by everyone, to reinstate the full power of the Balie and also form the Cento[28]. This use of outside force, supplied by other friendly autocrats, was to be a vital part of the successful conclusion, for the Medici, in the next crisis they faced. After the death of Cosimo in 1464 his son Piero di Cosimo de Medici, called the Gouty, became leader of the party. Several men, many from within the Medici circle itself, sought to end the rule of the Medici, which looked like it was becoming hereditary with the ascension of Piero[29]. An examination of the bank’s accounts showed that it was nearing a crisis, and Piero called in outstanding loans, which bankrupted many merchants in Florence and pushed them into the anti-Medici camp. This camp was led by Diotisalvi Neroni and Lucca Pitti, who were prominent in the regime of Cosimo, who favoured a return to a more strict form of Republican government. In 1466 this simmering resentment of Piero came to a boil and there was an attempted coup to oust him from power[30]. The ottimati and poppolo were not united for long in their attempt against Piero. Soderini, an idealist Republican, proposed during his stint as Gonfalonier of Justice reforms which split the anti-Medici party. Piero himself faced setbacks during his fight against the coup, especially when his principle foreign ally, the Duke of Milan, died[31]. However, Piero managed to overcome these obstacles like Cosimo before him, by use of intimidation, opportunism and subversion of the Republic’s government and constitution. Lucca Pitti changed sides, agreeing to a private deal between him and Piero, which broke the ranks of the anti-Medici faction, already fracturing under internal differences. The Baron d’Este had been moving troops toward Florence to help wrest control from the Medici once Piero was ousted, but Milan now sent troops to aid Piero. He also brought down many Medici men from the Mugello, their traditional home, and it seemed was prepared to fight for the city[32]. As well as this a pro-Medici Signoria was drawn from the bags, which brought the crisis to an effective end. Taking advantage of the breaking of his opponent’s power Piero was able to put in place a new constitution which was effective in stabilising Medici power in Florence for the next thirty years. The reforms introduced include permanent ending of election by lot, appointment to the accoppiatori managed by the Cento, a body which was hugely influenced by the Medici[33]. Piero had thus been able to consolidate and maintain power in the face of adversary. During this period it was the unity of the Medici party which had been effective, as it had in the past, as well as opportunism and intimidation.
    The Medici rule of Florence was not all easy from this stage forward. Lorenzo the Magnificent, the son of Piero who succeeded him as leader of the Medici and of Florence, did not face a succession crisis as Piero had done, but he faced other difficulties. One of these was the Pazzi conspiracy, though this was as much more to do with jealousy and commercial interests than it had to do with political idealism hoping to restore true Republican government[34]. Though Lorenzo’s brother Giuliani was killed in this attempted coup, Lorenzo was only injured[35], and the conspirators were soon captured and killed. It was only through luck, for the main part, which allowed Lorenzo to survive this, and thus maintain his grip on power[36]. The ending of this first period of Medici rule took place in 1494 during the reign of Piero the Unfortunate, Lorenzo’s son, who did not have neither the wits nor the support to keep his hold on the office. The support of the Papacy was lost, with the ascension of Alexander VI, or Rodrigo Borgia, and he failed in keeping an alliance of the northern cities together, which the three previous Medici’s had used to maintain peace and further their business interests[37]. He also caused a split in the unity of the Medici, something which was central to their power in the face of more argumentative rival factions, by arresting his cousins for personal slights[38]. His fall was swift in the face of the invading French king, especially when he seemed to be the target, rather than Florence, which the French were able to make the people believe by targeting the Medici institutions in France[39]. Piero signed a disastrous treaty with the French, which was rejected by the Signoria and people of Florence, who declared Piero an outlaw and exiled him from the city[40]. He demonstrated the means by which the Medici had won and maintained power by throwing them into stark contrast with his own actions. Instead of fostering good relations abroad, he antagonised foreign allies, such as the Duke of Milan and the Pope. He split the unity of his family faction, vital in the past, and was unable to compromise because of his own character flaws. In studying Piero the Second we can see in his actions and how they differed from his predecessors, that which had allowed the Medici to win and maintain their power.
    The Medici were a family from humble beginnings, but by making use of what they had, and by the industry of the heads of the family, they managed to create a dynasty which survived. The second exile of the Medici, as the first one of Cosimo, was not to last and soon they returned to power in Florence. They wielded power effectively, for their own ends and the ends of their city. Their use of violence, or the threat of violence, was present in nearly all their actions, as was the speed and opportunity with which they responded. More importantly, they managed to maintain a united front against the enemies of their family, and work together behind the auspices of their leader.

    Bibliography

    Lorenzo de Medici, J. Hook, Hamilton, London, 1984
    History of Florence: 1200-1575, J. M. Najemy, Blackwell Publishing, England, 2006
    The Medici: Volume 1, G. F. Young, John Murray, London, 1909
    Florence and the Medici: The Pattern of Control, J. R. Hale, Thames and Hudson, 1977
    The Medici: A Tale of Fifteen Generations, J. Cleugh, Doubleday, New York, 1975



    [1]Florence and the Medici: The Pattern of Control, J. R. Hale, Thames and Hudson, 1977, p. 10
    [2] Ibid.
    [3] Ibid. p. 12
    [4] Ibid. p. 13
    [5] Ibid. p. 14
    [6] Ibid.
    [7] Ibid. p.16
    [8] Ibid. p.9
    [9] Ibid. p.20
    [10] Ibid. p.21
    [11] Ibid. p.21-22
    [12]The Medici: Volume 1, G. F. Young, John Murray, London, 1909, p. 68
    [13] Hale, p. 22
    [14] Ibid.
    [15] Ibid. p. 23
    [16] Young, p. 72
    [17] Hale, p.9 & p.24
    [18] Young, p. 73
    [19] Hale, p. 24
    [20] Young, p. 74
    [21] Ibid. p. 37
    [22] History of Florence: 1200-1575, J. M. Najemy, Blackwell Publishing, England, 2006, p. 282
    [23] Hale, p.39,41
    [24] Ibid. p. 295
    [25] Ibid. p. 291
    [26] Hale p. 40
    [27] Najemy p.
    [28] Najemy p. 295
    [29] Ibid. p. 299
    [30] Ibid. p.299-300
    [31] Ibid. p. 301
    [32] Ibid. p. 302
    [33] Ibid. p.305
    [34] Lorenzo de Medici, J. Hook, Hamilton, London, 1984, p. 94
    [35] Ibid. p. 99
    [36] Ibid. p101-3
    [37] The Medici, J. Clough, p. 196-7
    [38] Ibid. p. 200
    [39] Ibid. p. 202
    [40] Ibid. p. 203


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    Namorath's Avatar Libertus
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    Default Re: By what means did the Medici achieve and maintain their power in Florence from 1434-94

    very well done

    i read a booked called the 48 laws of power and Cosimo D'Medici is brought up when discussing the law "never appear to perfect" and it goes on to say that Cosimo would dress modestly, ride a donkey, was polite and to all people he met travelling through the city. It gave him the apperance of a humble man that endeared him to his people even though he controlled the republic of florence from behind the scenes. His home looked modest and normal on the outside but it was opulent inside.

    Cosimo is famous for saying "envy is the weed that should not be watered"

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    StealthFox's Avatar Consensus Achieved
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    Default Re: By what means did the Medici achieve and maintain their power in Florence from 1434-94

    Overall, your writing is good, although there is always room for improvement. One thing I noticed was the absence of commas where they should be. You also need to work on your organization, your arguments, and the overall flow of your writing. Break your arguments into smaller paragraphs with clear transition to give the reader a sense of direction and idea of where your paper is going. As it is now, it's hard to find what exactly you're trying to say and prove.

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    Lucius Malfoy's Avatar Pure-Blood
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    Default Re: By what means did the Medici achieve and maintain their power in Florence from 1434-94

    I just read an excellent book that capitalizes what you are explaining. Its called The House of Medici: its Rise and Fall by Christopher Hibbert. If you haven't read it, check it out. I really enjoyed the book overall. The Medici Family and the Florentine Republic (and later the Grand Duchy of Tuscany) is indeed one of many prime, if not the best, examples of Italian power during the Renaissance.

    I will have to look up that 48 laws of power book sometime.
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    Ludicus's Avatar Comes Limitis
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    Default Re: By what means did the Medici achieve and maintain their power in Florence from 1434-94

    Congratulations, well-done.

    The Medici were a family from humble beginnings, but by making use of what they had,
    In fact, Lorenzo wrote in 1481 " I am not Florence´s Lord, just a citizen with a certain authority". He never held any political office: he was never a member of Florence´s executive council - but that did not matter.
    Lorenzo ruled by stealth.
    Last edited by Ludicus; February 08, 2012 at 12:42 PM.
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