HISTORY LESSONS
All in the Family... Medici Style
The vast majority of historical characters mentioned in The Medici Quest are real.
The House of Medici had significant influence in the city of Florence, the region of Tuscany and beyond for three centuries. Try to imagine the family of George Washington holding a position of power within the United States since its founding or the Roosevelts being only 120 years into a 300 year reign.
Not only did the Medici rule in Florence for all but a few years from 1434 to 1737, the family line produced four popes of the Roman Catholic Church and numerous other dignitaries, including two queens of France.
Starting in the mid-1400s, the Medici’s support for art, science and the humanities played a major role in the rise of the Renaissance period. Many artists of the time received backing from the Medici, which allowed those like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Filippo Brunelleschi to create art and architecture that is among the most revered in history. Michelangelo even lived with the Medici family for a period of time.
Cosimo Medici sparked a family interest in books and amassed an impressive collection for the time. His chief book scout, Poggio Bracciolini, traveled throughout Europe—as well as Syria, Egypt and Greece—looking for special volumes for the collection. Cosimo funded the start of at least three libraries, while other family members later commissioned the building of the Laurentian Library in 1571.
Learn more about the Medici dynasty at themedicifamily.com.
--------------------
Mehmed the (Academic) Conqueror
Another historical character who plays a small, but vital, role in the plot of The Medici Quest is Sultan Mehmed. The Sultan—known as Mehmed the Conqueror—captured Constantinople in 1453 and expanded the Ottoman Empire in ways that concerned many in nearby Italy, including Pope Pius II.
In contrast to his brutal crusades, Mehmed acquired a large collection of Western art, including many produced by Renaissance artists. He also wrote poetry and built a massive library that contained more than 8,000 manuscripts. One of those manuscripts was an early copy of Homer's Iliad.
Upon Mehmed's death, sons Bayezid and Cem fought for the throne, with Bayezid winning and Cem going into exile. Just as described in The Medici Quest, Cem spent several years in exile on the island of Rhodes, both as a guest and a prisoner of the Knights of St John. Cem was known to have many talents. He could speak several languages, produced noteworthy drawings and wrote poetry.
---------------------------
Charlemagne and Alcuin: King and Educator
The vast majority of historical characters in The Alcuin Letter are real and several of the events described took place.
Charlemagne himself was a fascinating character who helped unite most of Western Europe and laid the foundation of what would become the countries of France and Germany. Often called the Father of Europe, Charlemagne also prompted the Carolingian Renaissance; a time of increased focus on learning and education, including reading, art, and architecture. In addition to these efforts, Charlemagne made policies that led to reforms in the church. The standards for clergy rose dramatically, and many liturgical practices were standardized.
With the need for educated people to help administer his kingdom, Charlemagne convinced Alcuin of York, among several others, to join his court. Alcuin revamped the palace school and helped establish schools in the cathedrals around the kingdom, bringing in the liberal arts and improving the overall quality of education. His liberal arts curriculum would be the foundation for education for several centuries and even has an impact on today’s methods. Alcuin was part of Charlemagne’s court from 783-790 and again from 792-796.
For the last eight years of his life, Alcuin served as the Abbot of the monastery at Saint Martin of Tours. He continued to teach extensively and considered Rhabanus Maurus (Chapter 6) one of his most accomplished students. Rhabanus eventually became the Abbot at Fulda in 822 and was named the Archbishop of Mainz in 847. He retired to Winkel and, at least according to some legend, died at the Graues Hause in 856.
Learn more: Charlemagne | Alcuin
Florence, Italy (iStock Photo:SCStock)
Abbey of Saint Maurice, Saint Maurice, Switzerland