Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Encyclopedia
Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany (30 July 1549 – 17 February 1609) was Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1587 to 1609, having succeeded his older brother Francesco I
.
and Eleonora di Toledo
, the daughter of Don Pedro Alvarez de Toledo, the Spanish viceroy of Naples. He was made a Cardinal in 1562 at the age of 14 and succeeded his brother Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
in 1587 at the age of 38. He had already proved an able administrator in Rome
. He founded the Villa Medici
in Rome and acquired many works of art (including the Medici lions
), which he then brought back to Florence
with him.
He retained the office of Cardinal after he became Grand Duke, until he married Christine of Lorraine
in 1589 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/musicfeature/pip/utwg2/. Until the advent of Pope Urban VIII
, Cardinals were not obliged to become ordained clerics, even though most were ordained in the Holy Orders of Deacon, Priest, or Bishop. Thus, the title and power associated with the title became greatly coveted.
When he died in 1609, he left four sons, of whom the oldest, Cosimo
, inherited the throne at the age of 19. Ferdinando's daughter, Claudia (1604–1648) married Federico Ubaldo, Duke of Urbino, whilst another daughter was Maria Maddalena de' Medici
.
Ferdinando fostered commerce and gained great wealth through the Medici banks, which were established in all the major cities of Europe. He enacted an edict of tolerance for Jews and heretics, and Livorno
became a haven for Spanish Jews, expelled from Iberia in 1492, as well as other persecuted foreigners. He established the Medici Oriental Press
(Typographia Medicea), which published numerous books in the Arabic script.
He improved the harbor Cosimo had built and diverted part of the flow of the Arno River into a canal called the Naviglio, which aided commerce between Florence and Pisa
. He fostered an irrigation project in the Val di Chiana, which allowed the flatlands around Pisa and Fucecchio and in the Val di Nievole to be cultivated.
His foreign policy attempted to free Tuscany from Spanish domination. After the assassination of Henry III of France
in 1589, he supported Henry IV of France
in his struggles against the Catholic League
. Ferdinando lent Henry money and encouraged him to convert to Catholicism, which he eventually did. Ferdinando also used his influence with the Pope to get him to accept Henry's conversion.
Henry showed no appreciation for these favors, and Ferdinando let the relationship cool, maintaining his cherished independence. He supported Philip III of Spain
in his campaign in Algeria
and the Holy Roman Emperor in his against the Turk
s. For these undertakings, he found it necessary to raise taxes on his subjects. He finally obtained the formal investiture of Siena
, which his father had conquered.
Ferdinando also strengthened the Tuscan fleet, and it saw victories against pirates on the Barbary coast
in 1607, and against a superior Turkish fleet the following year.
He also dreamed of a small African empire, and then considered the possibility of a colony in Brasil. Ferdinando organised an expedition in 1608
under the command of Captain Thornton to northern Brasil and the Amazon river
in order to create a colony.
He was succeeded by his eldest son, who reigned as Cosimo II.
Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany was the second Grand Duke of Tuscany, ruling from 1574 to 1587.- Biography :...
.
Biography
Ferdinando was the fifth son of Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of TuscanyCosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Cosimo I de' Medici was Duke of Florence from 1537 to 1574, reigning as the first Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1569.-Biography:...
and Eleonora di Toledo
Eleonora di Toledo
Eleanor of Toledo Eleanor of Toledo Eleanor of Toledo (Italian: Eleonora di Toledo (1522 – 17 December 1562), born Doña Leonor Álvarez de Toledo y Osorio, was a Spanish noblewoman who was Duchess of Florence from 1539. She is credited with being the first modern first lady, or consort...
, the daughter of Don Pedro Alvarez de Toledo, the Spanish viceroy of Naples. He was made a Cardinal in 1562 at the age of 14 and succeeded his brother Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Francesco I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany was the second Grand Duke of Tuscany, ruling from 1574 to 1587.- Biography :...
in 1587 at the age of 38. He had already proved an able administrator in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. He founded the Villa Medici
Villa Medici
The Villa Medici is a mannerist villa and an architectural complex with a garden contiguous with the larger Borghese gardens, on the Pincian Hill next to Trinità dei Monti in Rome, Italy. The Villa Medici, founded by Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and now property of the French...
in Rome and acquired many works of art (including the Medici lions
Medici lions
The Medici lions are two lion sculptures placed around 1600 at the Villa Medici, Rome, Italy, and since 1789 displayed at the Loggia dei Lanzi, Florence. The sculptures depict standing male lions with a sphere under one claw, looking to the side...
), which he then brought back to Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
with him.
Christina, Grand Duchess of Tuscany
Christina of Lorraine or Chretienne de Lorraine was a member of the House of Lorraine and was the Grand Duchess of Tuscany by marriage...
in 1589 http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/musicfeature/pip/utwg2/. Until the advent of Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions...
, Cardinals were not obliged to become ordained clerics, even though most were ordained in the Holy Orders of Deacon, Priest, or Bishop. Thus, the title and power associated with the title became greatly coveted.
When he died in 1609, he left four sons, of whom the oldest, Cosimo
Cosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany
Cosimo II de' Medici was Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1609 until 1621. He was the elder son of the then incumbent Grand Duke and Christina of Lorraine. He married Maria Magdalena of Austria, and had eight children....
, inherited the throne at the age of 19. Ferdinando's daughter, Claudia (1604–1648) married Federico Ubaldo, Duke of Urbino, whilst another daughter was Maria Maddalena de' Medici
Maria Maddalena de' Medici
Maria Maddalena de' Medici was an Tuscan princess, the eighth daughter of Ferdinando I and Christina of Lorraine, making her the sister of Cosimo II.-Life:...
.
Reign
In many ways, Ferdinando was the opposite of his brother who preceded him. Approachable and generous, he set out to rule mildly. He re-established the justice system and was genuinely concerned about the welfare of his subjects. During his reign, Tuscany revived and regained the independence his brother had given up.Ferdinando fostered commerce and gained great wealth through the Medici banks, which were established in all the major cities of Europe. He enacted an edict of tolerance for Jews and heretics, and Livorno
Livorno
Livorno , traditionally Leghorn , is a port city on the Tyrrhenian Sea on the western edge of Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the Province of Livorno, having a population of approximately 160,000 residents in 2009.- History :...
became a haven for Spanish Jews, expelled from Iberia in 1492, as well as other persecuted foreigners. He established the Medici Oriental Press
Medici Oriental Press
The Medici Oriental Press was a press established by Ferdinand de Medici in the 16th century. This press produced some of the earliest books printed in Arabic...
(Typographia Medicea), which published numerous books in the Arabic script.
He improved the harbor Cosimo had built and diverted part of the flow of the Arno River into a canal called the Naviglio, which aided commerce between Florence and Pisa
Pisa
Pisa is a city in Tuscany, Central Italy, on the right bank of the mouth of the River Arno on the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Pisa...
. He fostered an irrigation project in the Val di Chiana, which allowed the flatlands around Pisa and Fucecchio and in the Val di Nievole to be cultivated.
His foreign policy attempted to free Tuscany from Spanish domination. After the assassination of Henry III of France
Henry III of France
Henry III was King of France from 1574 to 1589. As Henry of Valois, he was the first elected monarch of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth with the dual titles of King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1573 to 1575.-Childhood:Henry was born at the Royal Château de Fontainebleau,...
in 1589, he supported Henry IV of France
Henry IV of France
Henry IV , Henri-Quatre, was King of France from 1589 to 1610 and King of Navarre from 1572 to 1610. He was the first monarch of the Bourbon branch of the Capetian dynasty in France....
in his struggles against the Catholic League
Catholic League (French)
The Catholic League of France, sometimes referred to by contemporary Roman Catholics as the Holy League, a major player in the French Wars of Religion, was formed by Duke Henry of Guise in 1576...
. Ferdinando lent Henry money and encouraged him to convert to Catholicism, which he eventually did. Ferdinando also used his influence with the Pope to get him to accept Henry's conversion.
Henry showed no appreciation for these favors, and Ferdinando let the relationship cool, maintaining his cherished independence. He supported Philip III of Spain
Philip III of Spain
Philip III , also known as Philip the Pious, was the King of Spain and King of Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II , from 1598 until his death...
in his campaign in Algeria
Algeria
Algeria , officially the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria , also formally referred to as the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria, is a country in the Maghreb region of Northwest Africa with Algiers as its capital.In terms of land area, it is the largest country in Africa and the Arab...
and the Holy Roman Emperor in his against the Turk
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
s. For these undertakings, he found it necessary to raise taxes on his subjects. He finally obtained the formal investiture of Siena
Siena
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008...
, which his father had conquered.
Ferdinando also strengthened the Tuscan fleet, and it saw victories against pirates on the Barbary coast
Barbary Coast
The Barbary Coast, or Barbary, was the term used by Europeans from the 16th until the 19th century to refer to much of the collective land of the Berber people. Today, the terms Maghreb and "Tamazgha" correspond roughly to "Barbary"...
in 1607, and against a superior Turkish fleet the following year.
He also dreamed of a small African empire, and then considered the possibility of a colony in Brasil. Ferdinando organised an expedition in 1608
Thornton expedition
The Thornton expedition was a 1608 Tuscan expedition under Captain Robert Thornton, an Englishman, sent by Ferdinando I of Tuscany to explore northern Brazil and the Amazon River and prepare for the establishment of a settlement in northern coastal South America, which would serve as a base to...
under the command of Captain Thornton to northern Brasil and the Amazon river
Amazon River
The Amazon of South America is the second longest river in the world and by far the largest by waterflow with an average discharge greater than the next seven largest rivers combined...
in order to create a colony.
He was succeeded by his eldest son, who reigned as Cosimo II.
Issue
- Cosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of TuscanyCosimo II de' Medici, Grand Duke of TuscanyCosimo II de' Medici was Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1609 until 1621. He was the elder son of the then incumbent Grand Duke and Christina of Lorraine. He married Maria Magdalena of Austria, and had eight children....
(1590–1621); married Maria Maddalena of Austria and had issue; - Eleonora de' Medici (1591–1617) died unmarried
- Catherine de' MediciCatherine de' Medici, Governor of SienaCaterina de' Medici was Duchess of Mantua and Montferrat as the second wife of Duke Ferdinando and Goveror of Siena from 1627. She was the second daughter of Grand Duke Ferdinando I of Tuscany and his wife Christina of Lorraine...
(1593–1629); married Ferdinando Gonzaga, Duke of Mantua, later Governor of Siena; - Francesco de' Medici (1594–1614) died unmarried;
- Carlo de' Medici (1595–1666) died unmarried;
- Filippino de' Medici (1598–1602) died unmarried;
- Lorenzo de' Medici (1599–1648) died unmarried;
- Maria Maddalena de' MediciMaria Maddalena de' MediciMaria Maddalena de' Medici was an Tuscan princess, the eighth daughter of Ferdinando I and Christina of Lorraine, making her the sister of Cosimo II.-Life:...
(1600–1633) died unmarried; - Claudia de' MediciClaudia de' MediciClaudia de' Medici was a daughter of Ferdinando I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany and Christina of Lorraine...
(1604–1648); married (1) Federico della Rovere and had issue; (2) Leopold V, Archduke of AustriaLeopold V, Archduke of AustriaLeopold V, Archduke of Further Austria was the son of Archduke Archduke Charles II of Inner Austria, and the younger brother of Emperor Ferdinand II, father of Ferdinand Charles, Archduke of Further Austria...
and had issue.
Ancestors
See also
- MediciMediciThe House of Medici or Famiglia de' Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de' Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. The family originated in the Mugello region of the Tuscan countryside,...
- Thornton expeditionThornton expeditionThe Thornton expedition was a 1608 Tuscan expedition under Captain Robert Thornton, an Englishman, sent by Ferdinando I of Tuscany to explore northern Brazil and the Amazon River and prepare for the establishment of a settlement in northern coastal South America, which would serve as a base to...