Lorenzo de Medici

""That this Duke Lorenzo is a man of high intellect cannot be doubted. He has learned, I think, how to present himself.""

- Ivan, Tsar of Russia Put a general introductory description here.

Early life
Lorenzo de Medici was born the first son of Giovanni de Medici, the de facto Lord of Florence, and Contessina de Bardi. Giovanni de Medici was the founder of the Medici Bank, and the first member of the family to also rule the Republic of Florence. At the time of his birth, the Medici Bank had already gained the Papal Account, one of the factors that led to the growth and success of the Medici Bank through Europe.

Owing to the growing connections of the Medici dynasty through Europe, as formed by Giovanni, Lorenzo spent many years of his youth on various diplomatic missions at the courts of royalty and nobility of Europe, as well as trips to Rome to gain influence and connections with the Pope. One of these trips was to Castile, at which time Lorenzo befriended various nobles in the Castilian court. He also spent significant time assisting his father on various trips pertaining to the bank, so he could familiarise himself with its workings from a young age, including to Rome, Milan, and Venice.

In 1448, Giovanni de Medici made a deal with Ferrante II, King of Naples, arranging the marriage of Lorenzo to Ferrante's daughter, Seraphina Trastamara, Princess of Naples. The arrangement was to ensure good ties between the newly independent Kingdom of Naples, and the growing Republic of Florence, in the politically competitive peninsula. In 1450, Lorenzo and Seraphina were married in a lavish celebration in the Florence Cathedral. The ceremony was conducted by the Archbishop of Florence, and attended by much of Florentine nobility, as well as various Cardinals and Archbishops from Rome.

In 1451, Giovanni de Medici passed of natural causes, and Lorenzo became the head of the Bank, and was named Grand Duke of Florence to commemorate the Medici's contributions to Florence. Later the same year, Caterina de Medici was married to Marius d'Anjou, then the Regent of France.

In 1453, Contessina de Bardi passed of natural causes.

Later years
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Legacy
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