Biography

Alessandro de’ Medici BIRTH Collevecchio?, 1511/12? DEATH Florence, 6 January 1537 Alessandro de’ Medici The origin of Alessandro de’ Medici is mysterious, in the sense that he was never recognised by the family before the death of his putative father … Read More

Silvestro Aldobrandini BIRTH Florence, 24 November 1499 DEATH Rome, 6 June 1558 Silvestro Aldobrandini A citizen of Florence, he graduated in Law in Pisa in 1521 where he taught Institution courses. After the Medicis were overthrown, he was immediately appointed … Read More

Raffaello de’ Girolami BIRTH Florence, 8 March 1472 DEATH Pisa, 22-24 November 1532 Raffaello de’ Girolami The scion of an ancient and wealthy Florentine dynasty, Raffaello inherited from his father the “banco”, that is to say the family’s banking-financial and … Read More

Don Lope de Soria BIRTH Tudela (Navarra), end of the 15th cent. DEATH Milan, 1544 Don Lope de Soria Lope de Soria began his diplomatic career in the service of King Ferdinand of Aragon (the husband of Queen Isabella of … Read More

Michelangelo Buonarroti BIRTH Caprese, 6 March 1475 DEATH Rome, 18 February 1564 Michelangelo Buonarroti The life and especially the art of Michelangelo Buonarroti are too well known to be mentioned here. Everyone knows that he was one of the greatest … Read More

Ercole II d’Este BIRTH Ferrara, 4 April 1508 DEATH Ferrara, 3 October 1559 Ercole II d’Este The son of Duke Alfonso d’Este and of Lucrezia Borgia, Ercole was given an outstanding education in the humanities; it was his father’s wish … Read More

Philibert de Chalon-Arlay, Prince d’Orange BIRTH Lons-le-Saunier, 18 March 1502 DEATH Gavinana (San Marcello Piteglio), 3 August 1530 Philibert de Chalon-Arlay, Prince d’Orange Philibert de Chalon was the ruler of a small princedom in the Franche Comté: the Burgundy lands … Read More

Caterina de’ Medici BIRTH Florence, 13 April 1519 DEATH Blois, 5 January 1589 Caterina de’ Medici Caterina was the great-granddaughter of Lorenzo“il Magnifico”, being the daughter of Lorenzo di Piero de’ Medici (Duke of Urbino since 1516) and of a … Read More

Francis I of Valois BIRTH Cognac, 12 September 1494 DEATH Rabouillet, 31 March 1547 Francis I of Valois Son of the Count of Angoulême and of Luisa di Savoia, his first wife was the daughter of King Louis XII, whom … Read More

Pope Clement VII (Giulio de’ Medici) BIRTH Florence 26 May 1478 DEATH Rome, 25 September 1534 Pope Clement VII (Giulio de’ Medici) Biological and posthumous son of Giuliano de’ Medici, brother of Lorenzo “il Magnifico” killed during the Congiura dei … Read More