History of Florence

Originally from Molise, Marialuisa Bianchi took her degree in Mediaeval History at the University of Florence. Based in Florence, she has taught Italian and History in high schools and has published several historical novels centered on the fictional character Ekaterina. She began her writing career with short stories for teenagers, an experience which led to the creation of a play script. She collaborates with a cultural association, for which she holds writing seminars and organises lectures on literature. Her seminars have resulted in several collective books.

• Genealogical tree of the Medici familyI. The PromiseII. Origins. Florentia anticaIII. The 14th Century. Merchants and bankersIV. The 15th Century. RenaissanceV. The 16th Century. The Grand DuchyVI. The 17th Century. The Century of IronEpilogue AfterwordNotes