The Renaissance lasted from the 14th to the 17th century (Frey 315). This period is known for its flourishing art, philosophy, and literature. During this time, there was a growing class of rich merchants who spent large amounts of money patronizing artists, the most famous of which are the Medici (Frey 315). Events like the Great Schism and the Reformation weakened the Catholic Church (Jensen 193) which had been the center of life in the Medieval era (Frey 31). The Medici Family had more influence on Italian culture and society than the Catholic Church during the Renaissance.
The Medicis were one of the richest families in Europe. Originally middle class bankers from Florence, they rose to power because of their skill at their craft (Jensen 64). They …show more content…
One example of this is when the Medici family delayed a clerics transition to a bishop. Until, he and his father, a cardinal, had paid off their debt to the Medici Bank ("Banking: Those Medici"). By doing this the Medici family proved that their influence had a powerful effect on even high ranking clergy. Another instance where the Medici family proved to be superior to the Catholic Church is in 1447. Pope Sixtus IV attempted to assassinate Lorenzo de Medici and his brother (Greenblatt 14). In retaliation, the people of Florence imprisoned everybody involved in the assassination and hanged the archbishop of Florence (Greenblatt 14). The Pope went to war against the Medici family in response to this. He attempted to use the church's influence to draw the King of Naples, a military ally, into entering the conflict (Greenblatt 15). Lorenzo de Medici managed to use skillful diplomacy to prompt the King of Naples to sign a peace treaty instead (Greenblatt 16). Incidents like these show that the Medici can leverage their diplomatic influence to best the Catholic church in non civil matters as well as
The Medicis were one of the richest families in Europe. Originally middle class bankers from Florence, they rose to power because of their skill at their craft (Jensen 64). They …show more content…
One example of this is when the Medici family delayed a clerics transition to a bishop. Until, he and his father, a cardinal, had paid off their debt to the Medici Bank ("Banking: Those Medici"). By doing this the Medici family proved that their influence had a powerful effect on even high ranking clergy. Another instance where the Medici family proved to be superior to the Catholic Church is in 1447. Pope Sixtus IV attempted to assassinate Lorenzo de Medici and his brother (Greenblatt 14). In retaliation, the people of Florence imprisoned everybody involved in the assassination and hanged the archbishop of Florence (Greenblatt 14). The Pope went to war against the Medici family in response to this. He attempted to use the church's influence to draw the King of Naples, a military ally, into entering the conflict (Greenblatt 15). Lorenzo de Medici managed to use skillful diplomacy to prompt the King of Naples to sign a peace treaty instead (Greenblatt 16). Incidents like these show that the Medici can leverage their diplomatic influence to best the Catholic church in non civil matters as well as