ABSTRACT
The anglicising of names has been restricted to only the most familiar of cases, such as Francis I of France and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The Medici was merely private citizens in republican Florence, their eventual rise to noble status being facilitated by the two Medici popes. This chapter presents information on all major topics including the church, war and diplomacy, civic life, learning and letters, printing, the economy, science and technology, the arts, across Europe and the wider world. This new Companion is the ideal reference guide. The chapter provides an authoritative but accessible reference on political, economic, religious, social, as well as cultural developments in this crucial period. Spouses have been included if the dynastic links were of importance or if the individuals concerned were of political or cultural significance in their own right.
