Contessina de' Bardi (1390–October 1473), was an Italian noblewoman from the House of Bardi. Her marriage into the

House of Medici The House of Medici ( , ) was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de' Medici, in the Republic of Florence during the first half of the 15th century. The family originated in the Mug ...

provided her husband's family with much needed nobility, prestige, and military support as they established their power in

Florence Florence ( ; it, Firenze ) is a city in Central Italy and the capital city of the Tuscany region. It is the most populated city in Tuscany, with 383,083 inhabitants in 2016, and over 1,520,000 in its metropolitan area.Bilancio demografico an ...

Bardi family

The

Bardi family The House of Bardi was an influential Florence, Florentine family that started the powerful banking company Compagnia dei Bardi. In the 14th century the Bardis lent Edward III of England 900,000 Florin (Italian coin), gold florins, a debt which he ...

had been exceptionally rich for some time but following the collapse of the family bank in 1343, its importance was considerably reduced. They enjoyed some fame as suzerains and

condottieri ''Condottieri'' (; singular ''condottiero'' or ''condottiere'') were Italian captains in command of mercenary companies during the Middle Ages and of multinational armies during the early modern period. They notably served popes and other Europ ...

. The

Medici The House of Medici ( , ) was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de' Medici, in the Republic of Florence during the first half of the 15th century. The family originated in the Muge ...

called on them in this guise, on certain occasions, for armed support of the Medici's political hegemony. Contessina's parents were Alessandro di Sozzo Bardi, count of

Vernio Vernio is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Prato in the Italian region Tuscany, located about northwest of Florence and about north of Prato. History Vernio's name derives from that of an ancient Roman winter camp ('' castra ...

, and Camilla Pannocchieschi, daughter of Raniero di Guido Pannochieschi, count of Elci.

Life

Around 1415, Contessina de' Bardi married

Cosimo de' Medici Cosimo di Giovanni de' Medici (27 September 1389 – 1 August 1464) was an Italian banker and politician who established the Medici family as effective rulers of Florence during much of the Italian Renaissance. His power derived from his wealth ...

and they went to live with his parents,

Piccarda Bueri Piccarda Bueri (1368–1433) was an Italian noblewoman of the Renaissance. Life She was the daughter of Edoardo Bueri, a member of a family of ancient lineage from Florence with economic interests in other cities; the family was in fact in Verona ...

and Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici. Like Giovanni's marriage to Piccarda, this marriage brought noble connections to the common family of the Medici. Contessina was known for being careful with money and the managing of their household. Together the couple had two sons:

Piero the Gouty Piero di Cosimo de' Medici (the Gouty), (Italian: ''Piero "il Gottoso"'') (1416 – 2 December 1469) was the ''de facto'' ruler of Florence from 1464 to 1469, during the Italian Renaissance. Biography Piero was the son of Cosimo de' Med ...

and Giovanni de' Medici. Additionally, Contessina agreed to take charge of Cosimo's illegitimate son by a Circassian slave,

Carlo de' Medici Carlo di Cosimo de' Medici (1428 or 1430 – May 29, 1492) was an Italian priest. A member of the powerful Medici family, he became a senior clergyman and collector. Early life Born in Florence, he was the illegitimate son of Cosimo de' ...

. She survived her husband by about ten years. He died in 1464 and she remained a point of reference for their grandchildren. She had a good relationship with her daughter-in-law

Lucrezia Tornabuoni Lucrezia Tornabuoni (22 June 1427 – 25 March 1482) was an influential Italian political adviser and author during the 15th century. She was a member of one of the most powerful Italian families of the time and married Piero di Cosimo de' Medi ...

, and she lived with her and her son

Piero Piero is an Italian given name. Notable people with the name include: * Piero Angela (1928–2022), Italian television host *Piero Barucci (born 1933), Italian academic and politician * Piero del Pollaiuolo (c. 1443–1496), Italian painter * Piero ...

after her husband's death. Her relationship with Piero's sons, Lorenzo di Piero di' Medici and

Giuliano di Piero de' Medici Giuliano de' Medici (25 October 1453 – 26 April 1478) was the second son of Piero de' Medici (the Gouty) and Lucrezia Tornabuoni. As co-ruler of Florence, with his brother Lorenzo the Magnificent, he complemented his brother's image as the " ...

, was close from their childhood and allowed her political influence as they became leaders. This influence included negotiating tax benefits for those she supported. She was also regularly involved in negotiating and approving marriages for the more important families in Florence. Contessina died between 26 September and 25 October 1473. Her grandson Lorenzo named his daughter Contessina de Medici in honor of her.

Fictional depictions

de' Bardi is portrayed by

Annabel Scholey Annabel Scholey (born 10 January 1984) is an English actress. She played Lauren Drake in the BBC supernatural drama '' Being Human'' (2009) and the leading role of 'Maddie' in the musical feature film '' Walking on Sunshine'' (2014). Scholey ...

in the 2016 television series '' Medici: Masters of Florence''.

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bardi, Contessina de 1390 births 1473 deaths House of Medici Italian nobility