196 - Giovanni of the Black Bands part 1: birth of a legend

196 - Giovanni of the Black Bands part 1: birth of a legend

In this episode, we reunite with an old friend of the show — Caterina Sforza, the indomitable “Tigress of Forlì.” From her, we follow the turbulent and violent early life of her son, Giovanni de’ Medici, known as Il Gran Diavolo — the Great Devil — a man whose passions, battles, and excesses would shape the future of both the Sforza and Medicidynasties.

We go through the tangled lineage and fiery temperament of one of Renaissance Italy’s most fascinating figures, tracing his path from rebellious youth to feared mercenary captain — and father to the first Grand Duke of Tuscany.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
  • The Birth of “Il Gran Diavolo” (1498) – Giovanni’s birth to Caterina Sforza and Giovanni “Il Popolano” de’ Medici, and the prophetic words that would define his life.
  • A Child of Chaos – His mother’s imprisonment by Cesare Borgia, his custody battles, and his violent childhood in Florence.
  • Love, Blood, and Family Ties – The marriage to Maria Salviati uniting two Medici branches, and the domestic discord that followed.
  • A Life of War and Vice – Duels, brothel fights, noble feuds, and the infamous bridge incident with the Orsini family.
  • From Rogue to Commander – His rise through the papal ranks, battlefield heroics, and growing legend as a fearless condottiero.
  • The Birth of Cosimo de’ Medici (1519) – The long-awaited heir who would one day found the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, born amid firelight celebrations across Italy.

Key Figures
  • Caterina Sforza – The formidable mother whose courage and intellect defined Giovanni’s heritage.
  • Giovanni de’ Medici “Il Popolano” – His father, from a cadet branch of the Medici family.
  • Maria Salviati – His loyal but neglected wife.
  • Giovanni della Stufa – The inseparable and scandalous companion.
  • Pope Leo X – Patron, relative, and pivotal figure in Giovanni’s military career.
  • Cosimo de’ Medici – The son who would carry the Medici name to new heights.

Closing Thought

From Caterina’s fierce independence to Giovanni’s reckless courage, this episode explores how blood, loyalty, and ambition intertwined in the crucible of Renaissance Italy — giving rise to a new generation destined to rule.

Jaksot(290)

Fill-in episode – 2021 Italian government crisis

Fill-in episode – 2021 Italian government crisis

While waiting to get back on track with the regular podcast (back soon), we take the opportunity to update you on history in the making: the current mid-pandemic government crisis

7 Helmi 202114min

108 – Italians against stairs

108 – Italians against stairs

Mastino II Della Scala gets too big for his own good and Venice, Florence and Milan move in to bring him down a rung or two

19 Tammi 202122min

107 – An unexpected king

107 – An unexpected king

While everyone (the Pope, the king of France, Milan, Verona, Venice, Florence etc.) is manoeuvring in northern Italy along comes an unexpected king, John of Luxembourg, king of Bohemia. Will he be able to unite the northern cities?

12 Tammi 202119min

106 – An imperial tour of Italy (1327-1329)

106 – An imperial tour of Italy (1327-1329)

We follow the descent into Italy of Holy Roman Emperor Luis IV to visit with the Visconti in Milan, the Dalla Scala in Verona, the Este of Ferrara, the Castracani in Lucca and the Gonzaga in Mantua. At the same time we see the struggle between emperor and pope and get a reminder fo the situation in Naples and Sicily.

5 Tammi 202122min

105 – The battle of the Bucket (1325)

105 – The battle of the Bucket (1325)

We take a look at the 1325 battle of Zappolino between Modena and her Ghibelline allies and Bologna and her Guelph ones and how, after one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the Iyaian middle ages, the Modenese cam home with a bucket (and heaps of cash).

23 Joulu 202026min

104 – The last Sardinian Judicate (1323-1326)

104 – The last Sardinian Judicate (1323-1326)

After a quick recap of what was going on around Italy in 1323, we get to the Aragonese invasion of Sardinia that put a definitive end to the presence of the Republic of Pisa on the island leaving the Judicate of Arborea as the last of the old four Judicates surrounded by the new "Kingdom of Sardinia"

15 Joulu 202022min

103 – Catching up with Genoa (up to 1310's)

103 – Catching up with Genoa (up to 1310's)

It's about time we stop ignoring poor old Genoa up in the top left-hand corner of the country and bring her up-to-date. We take a really quick race from the fall of the Western Roman Empire to Genoa in the 14th century: it's battles against Saracens, Pisans and Venitians as it fights to assert itself as a powerful maritime republic.

8 Joulu 202020min

102 – Venice kicks off its 14th century (up to 1310's)

102 – Venice kicks off its 14th century (up to 1310's)

We go back to one of our favorite destinations: Venice, which we last left at the start of the 13th century to bring the maritime republic up to the 14th. We see some crazy laws as the republic move more and more to an oligarchy and has bit of trouble as the 14th starts up, especially with the pope.

1 Joulu 202017min

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