Bartolomeo Concini

Bartolomeo Concini (1507, Terranuova Bracciolini – January 18, 1578, Florence) was an influential political figure and diplomat in the service of Cosimo I de' Medici, Duke of Florence, and later Grand Duke of Tuscany. Born in Terranuova Bracciolini in the Valdarno near Arezzo, he rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most trusted advisors to Cosimo I. His descendants, before the family's extinction in 1632, would continue his political and diplomatic career at the grand ducal court, forge alliances with prominent city families, and hold important political and diplomatic positions for a long time.

Early life Concini was born to Giovan Battista di Matteo, a farmer, in 1507. He had a brother called Carlo Concini. Despite his modest origins, Concini quickly rose through the ranks in Florentine society. Initially working as a notary, he was recommended by Filippo Strozzi to Francesco Vettori around 1540. Soon after, he entered the service of Iacopo V Appiani, lord of Piombino. Concini's diplomatic skills and political acumen (he prevented Appiani from allying France) brought him to the attention of Cosimo I de' Medici, who employed him as a trusted secretary and envoy around 1545.

Career

Under Cosimo I His initial assignment for the duke took place between 1547 and 1549. Cosimo dispatched him as an ambassador to Brussels - the court of Emperor Charles V, to defend the duke's political actions in Italy. There, Cosimo had been accused of instigating the recent turmoil in Siena to expand his territory. Even the annexation of Siena to the duchy was partly credited to Concini, who later claimed to have urged Cosimo's wife, Eleonora of Toledo, to lobby the emperor to grant Siena to the Medici instead of the Carafa family.

Later career Concini played a crucial part in the creation of the Order of Saint Stephen. Furthermore, he orchestrated the marriage between Lucrezia de’ Medici and Alfonso II d’Este in 1560. In 1565, Concini was again sent to the imperial court in Vienna, this time accompanying the duke's son, Francesco, to participate in the negotiations for his marriage to Joanna of Austria. who was licentiate in canon law from the University of Pisa in 1560, was first secretary of the Grand Duke of Tuscany in 1576. He was married to Camilla d'Antonio Miniati and fathered Concino Concini. Maria Ginevra Concini married to Bartolomeo Bartolini Baldelli Elisabetta Concini — married to Antonio Bartolini Baldelli (1530–1561), then to Antonio Serguidi Alessandra Bartolini Baldelli — married to Belisario Vinta in 1577 Aurelia Concini — married to Cosimo Canigiani Camilla Concini — married to Belisario Vinta