Fioravanti family
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Fioravanti family | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms most commonly associated with the Fioravanti family (chequered saltire) | |
| Country | Italy |
| Place of origin | Pistoia, Tuscany, Italy |
| Founded | 13th century |
| Estate(s) | Palazzo Fioravanti (Pistoia); Palazzo Fioravanti (Florence) |
The Fioravanti family was an Italian noble family originating in Pistoia in Tuscany and later active in Florence and other Italian cities. The family was aligned with the Guelph political faction and maintained alliances with the Cancellieri family, frequently opposing the Ghibelline Panciatichi family. Members of the family held civic offices and participated in commerce, banking, military service, and religious patronage from the late medieval period through the early modern era.[1]
Origins in Pistoia
The earliest documented references to members of the Fioravanti family date to the 13th century in Pistoia. In 1267, Fioravanti d’Accorso is recorded as a member of the municipal council. In 1310, his son Ranieri served as mayor of Pistoia, and in 1319 Simone di Ranieri was a member of the city’s elders.[2]
Giovanni di Puccio di Ranieri Fioravanti is documented as a banker active at the court of Pope Clement V in Avignon during the early 14th century.[3]
Another member of the family, Andrea di Simone di Baldo Fioravanti, was elected Capitano della Montagna Superiore on 17 June 1354.[4]
Commerce, trade, and banking
From the late 13th century, branches of the Fioravanti family engaged in international commerce, including the purchase of English wool for processing and resale in Florence and the importation of spices through Venetian trade routes. Members of the family also participated in grain trading and, at times, owned ships rather than relying exclusively on chartered transport.[5]
The Fioravanti maintained long-standing financial ties with the Acciaioli family and increasingly participated in Florentine political life during the oligarchic period associated with the Albizzi, prior to the rise of Cosimo de’ Medici.[6]
Florentine branch and civic activity
Neri di Fioravanti
Neri di Fioravanti (also recorded as Fieravante) was among the most prominent members of the family active in Florentine public life during the 14th century. He served as a prior of Florence in 1344, 1353, 1358, 1362, and 1366.[7]
He is documented in connection with the expansion of the Palazzo del Podestà (now the Bargello) and in consultative and supervisory roles at Florence Cathedral, as well as ecclesiastical projects at Santissima Annunziata and Sant’Anna dei Lombardi.[8]
Francesco di Neri Fioravanti
Francesco di Neri Fioravanti remained active in Florentine government between 1374 and 1398, serving as prior, twice as Gonfaloniere, and as ambassador to Siena and to the papacy.[9]
