Born – 19th September 1416
Died – 2nd December 1469
Father – Cosimo de Medici (1389 – 1464)
Mother – Contessina de Bardi (1390 – 1473)
Spouse – Lucrezia Tornabuoni (1427 – 1482)
Children – Maria (c1444 – 1473), Bianca (1445 – 1488), Lucrezia (1447 – 1493), Lorenzo (1449 – 1492), Giuliano (1453 – 1478)
Lord of Florence – 1464 – 1469
Predecessor – Cosimo de Medici – 1434 – 1464
Successor – Lorenzo de Medici – 1469 – 1492
1416 (19th September)
Piero de Medici, was born to Cosimo de Medici and his wife Contessina de Bardi in Florence. He was nicknamed ‘the gouty’ because his health was not good.
1420 (around)
The Medici Bank gained the Papal accounts.
1421 (during)
Filippo Brunelleschi was commissioned by the Medici family to create the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence.It would take 21 years to complete.
1421 (3rd June)
Piero’s brother, Giovanni, was born to Cosimo and Contessina de Medici in Florence.
1429 (20th February)
Piero’s grandfather, Giovanni de Medici died. His father, Cosimo, became head of the family and the Medici Bank.
1430 (around)
Piero’s half-brother Carlo, was born illegitimately to Cosimo and a slave woman named Maddalena in Florence.
1433 (September)
Cosimo de Medici had many rivals including the Albizzi family and Palla Strozzi. In a bid to reduce Medici power, they accused Cosimo of rising above his station, a serious crime in democratic Florence, and he was arrested and imprisoned. He managed to convince and bribe members of the Signoria to commute his sentence to exile. He left Florence for Padua taking his bank with him.
1434 (during)
In Florence the loss of the Medici bank had a negative effect on the economy and Cosimo was invited to return. On his return his opponents were exiled.
1434 (during)
In Florence the loss of the Medici bank had a negative effect on the economy and Cosimo was invited to return. On his return his opponents were exiled.
1444 (3rd June)
Piero de Medici married Lucrezia Tornabuoni.
1444 (around)
A daughter Maria was born to Piero and possibly Lucrezia or another woman. The exact date of Maria’s birth is not known but given that her sister Bianca was born in September 1445, Maria was either conceived out of wedlock or she was Piero’s illegitimate daughter. She was raised by Lucrezia as her own child.
1445 (10th September)
A daughter Bianca was born to Piero de Medici and Lucrezia Tornabuoni.
1448 (14th February)
A daughter Lucrezia was born to Piero de Medici and Lucrezia Tornabuoni. She was known as Nannina.
1449 (1st January)
A son Lorenzo was born to Piero de Medici and Lucrezia Tornabuoni.
1450 (during)
Piero’s half-brother Carlo, became canon of Florence Cathedral.
1453 (25th March)
A son Giuliano was born to Piero de Medici and Lucrezia Tornabuoni.
1454 (during)
Piero’s brother, Giovanni, became Prior of Florence.
1454 (9th April)
Peace of Lodi
This was a peace agreement between Milan, Naples and Florence.
This was a peace agreement between Milan, Naples and Florence.
1454 (30th August)
Italic League
This was an extension of the Peace of Lodi. Signed in Venice it agreed a peace between Florence, Milan, Naples, Venice and the Papal States.
This was an extension of the Peace of Lodi. Signed in Venice it agreed a peace between Florence, Milan, Naples, Venice and the Papal States.
1455 (during)
Pope Pius II visited Florence.
1459 (late Spring)
Benozzo Gozzoli began work on a mural ‘Journey of the Magi’ in the Magi Chapel of the Palazzo Medici showing the three wise men making their way to see the infant Jesus. Many members of the Medici family, including Piero and his sons Lorenzo and Giuliano, are depicted in the painting which took two years to complete.
1461 (during)
Piero was appointed Gonfaloniere of Justice.
1464 (1st August)
Cosimo de Medici died at his country house at Careggi. He was buried in the Church of San Lorenzo. Piero succeeded as head of the Medici family.
1464 (Autumn)
Piero de Medici examined the accounts of the Medici bank and called in many loans. This unpopular move alienated many people and increased the numbers opposed to the power of the Medici.
1466 (August)
Piero’s opponents, led by Luca Pitti, conspired to stage an armed coup, remove Piero from power and restore democracy. However, the plot was uncovered and the attempted coup failed.
1467 (during)
Piero de Medici had given support to Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Duke of Milan. This upset the state of Venice who declared war on Florence.
1467 (25th July)
Battle of Molinella
This was a battle fought between the forces of Venice, supported by Florentine opponents to the Medici and the forces of Florence supported by Milan, Aragon and Bologna. The battle was inconclusive.
This was a battle fought between the forces of Venice, supported by Florentine opponents to the Medici and the forces of Florence supported by Milan, Aragon and Bologna. The battle was inconclusive.
1469 (2nd December)
Piero de Medici died of gout and lung disease. He was buried in the Church of San Lorenzo.
Published Oct 31, 2019 @ 2:00 pm – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2019 – 2020). Piero de Medici (the Gouty) 1416 – 1469. https://www.thetimelinegeek.com/piero-de-medici-1416-1469 Last accessed [date]