The House of Medici was a phenomenon. A family that spawned a business, and then a political and religious dynasty that held sway over large parts of Europe from the 14th to the 18th centuries. The family, originally from Tuscany, founded the Medici Bank, the largest in Europe during the 14th century, and this enabled them to become bankers to crowned heads and the church. They produced four popes, Leo X (1513–1521), Clement VII (1523–1534), Pius IV (1559–1565) and Leo XI (1605). Not to be outdone by the men of the family, the women also became two queens of France, Catherine de' Medici (1547–1559) and Marie de' Medici (1600–1610). In 1532, the family became Dukes of Florence, and then in 1569, this was elevated to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. The Medici ruled the Grand Duchy from its inception until 1737, with the death of Gian Gastone de' Medici.

This three part BBC Radio Drama told the story of the rise of the family through the growth of the Medici Bank under Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici (1360-1429), and then his son Cosimo di Giovanni de' Medici (1389-1464) and great-grandson, Lorenzo de' Medici (1449-1492). The political intrigue in Florence and the gradual growth in power of the family through their marriages and other influence was well told, with a focus on the Pazzi conspiracy of 1478 and the attempt by the rival banking families, the Pazzi and Salviati to depose the Medici family by killing Lorenzo with his younger brother Giuliano during Easter services, with the connivance of the Archbishop of Pisa and Pope Sixtus IV. Later, the fall of the bank, but the rise of the families influence over the church and the election of Pope Clement VII in 1513 (Giulio de' Medici 1478 - 1534) was told in flashback as Lorenzo de Medici (Lorenzo "The Magnificent") lay dying, conversing with the ghost of his wife Lucrezia, about what lies in the future.

I enjoyed it very much. It was well done, and although the deathbed scene and "flash forwards" in the final part were a bit corny, the challenge of covering the long history and influence of the family would have stretched most authors. I especially liked the occasional interventions by a "Bank Manager" reading the annual reports of the Bank's branches across the continent. We also got walk on parts from Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci!

Three plays - Cosimo, Lorenzo the Magnificent, and Bonfire of the Vanities. The first two by Mike Walker, the third by Sian Ejiwunmi Le-Berre. Produced by John Norton. Cast included Patrick Baladi, Sirine Saba, Hugh Thomas, Richard Elfyn, Tom Cullen, Sharon Morgan, Gareth Pierce, John Cording, David Hounslow, Matthew Durkan, Abra Thompson, Roger Ringrose, Tom Kiteley, and Hughie O' Donnell. First broadcast 8th, 15th and 22nd January 2023.