Beyond the Yalla Dog

2.8.2011

Grand Duke Ferdinand 1 de’Medici was already 38 years old when he succeeded his brother Francesco to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

As a second son Ferdinand had been – more or less -destined for the Clergy since birth – and had held the title Cardinal since he was 14.

Given the less than happy marital experiences of his siblings he may even have been quite relieved that he could live the single life!

However, although there is some doubt as to how he achieved his Greatness,  it was ultimately thrust upon him –  and with it the need to beget an heir – so this also meant a wife and  a wedding ceremony in 1589 to rival all others – in particular his brother Francesco’s wedding to his second wife Bianca Cappello

Protecting a dynasty is a difficult business – selecting someone from within the family usually means they are more willing to be chosen – but can result in some undesirable genetics!

For this wedding a suitable bride connected to the family could be found in France – and Ferdinand , who had always disliked his melancholy brother, also wanted to make a public reversal of Francesco’s pro-Spanish foriegn policy – so he married Christina of Lorraine, the granddaughter of his Great Aunt – the formidable Catherine de’Medici - widow of King Henry II of France and Regent mother of French Kings – Francis II,Charles IX and Henry III.

No money was spared in this spectacle – demonstrating the wealth of Florence and the House of Medici – it is estimated the wedding spectacles cost approximately fourteen million pounds in today’s currency!

Christina entered the city through a series of triumphal arches showing the glorious history of Florence and the soon to be joined Houses of Medici and Lorraine before the wedding ceremony was held in Florence Cathedral.

The marriage was followed by an elaborate sequence of outdoor events – parades, receptions, banguets, pageants plays and musical entertainments for the public.

 In addition, there were lavish private banquets and balls, comedies and musical interludes  for the aristocratic guests- the climax being a mock sea battle in the flooded courtyard of Palazzo Pitti  in which eighteen heroic Christian Galleys  stormed a Turkish Fort.

These lavish and innovative forms of entertainment proved to be more than showmanship. They greatly influenced theatrical practices in Versailles and other European courts throughout the 17th century and Ferdinand continued to use these entertainments to exalt the Medici and his own foreign policy.

Far from being suspected of murdering her –  here is not even a record of marital disharmony between this Medici couple – who had nine children.

Christina did her duty as regards providing an heir and when Ferdinand died in 1609, he left four sons, of whom the oldest,Cosimo II, inherited the throne at the age of 19.