Studying at York
The Medici: From Economic Migrants to Rulers of Florence - CED00217C
- Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
- Credit value: 10 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module summary
The name ‘Medici’ is synonymous of Renaissance Florence. Rising from humble origins to ducal status, the history of the family follows the changing forces which
contributed to conclude the medieval era in Italy. The Medici are also models of patronage and aggrandisement through art and architecture. This module will study
the history of the House of Medici through surviving documents, architecture and art as well as secondary historiography. It will follow the members of the dynasty from
their migration into Florence, through the splendour of Lorenzo the Magnificent, to the establishment of the Duchy of Florence until their final demise.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
The module aims to study the history of the House of Medici through surviving documents, architecture and art as well as secondary historiography. It will follow the members of the dynasty from their humble origins through the splendour of Lorenzo the Magnificent until their demise.
The areas of study will include:
- Italian, and more specifically Florentine, late medieval and Renaissance history
- The development of banking in northern Italy
- Political and dynastic power struggle in northern Italy, especially in Florence
- Papal involvement in the politics of fifteenth- and sixteenth-century Florence
- Renaissance patronage of art and architecture
- Renaissance art in Florence and Rome under the Medici
Module learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad knowledge of historical events concerning the Medici clan from the 13th to the 16th centuries
- Think comparatively about Florentine politics and economy and those of other western states in the late medieval and early modern periods
- Recognise the main features of the art and architecture of Florence and Rome under the Medici
- Display knowledge of typical developments of artistic styles and be able to identify key masterpieces and the artists who produced them
- Develop their use of primary sources (visual and documentary) and secondary reading materials.
- Understand how to ‘read’ and interpret Renaissance art.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.
The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.
Indicative reading
- Acton, Harold. The Last Medici. London: Macmillan, 1980.
- Hollingsworth, Mary. The Medici. London: Head of Zeus, 2019.
- Martines, Lauro. April Blood—Florence and the Plot Against the Medici. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2003.
- Unger, Miles J. Magnifico: The Brilliant Life and Violent Times of Lorenzo de Medici. New York: Simon and Schuster, 2008.
- Zophy, Jonathan. A Short History of Renaissance and Reformation Europe, Dances over Fire and Water. New Jersey, Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2003.