THE FAMILY

GENERAL INFORMATION Family was very important Families were very large Families shared a house with their

extended family. Children usually stayed in the family

business There was more infant death People in general died younger

MARRIAGE Wealthy people arranged marriages for

their children. New family connections could mean better

employmentNew business contactsAcceptance into social circles

Middle-class and poorer people had freedom to choose their spouse.

Daughters of wealthy people married men much older and her father paid a dowry.

These young women may not want to marry young but they had NO choice.

Weddings were flashy People paid a lot for clothes and

entertainment Wedding dresses had feathers, gold,

pearls, and flowers. (It usually took 500 days to make).

QUICK FACTS Head of household 45 years old Family size (merchant) 6.1 people Family size (poor) 4.5 people Age b/w bride and groom 13 years Age at marriage (women) 17.9 years Age at marriage (men) 29.9

years Average age for fatherhood39.8 years Average age for motherhood 26.5

years

THE MEDICI FAMILY Most famous, powerful, influential family

during the Renaissance Became rich as wool and silk merchants

and as bankers They built alliances with other wealthy

families They acquired positions in the Church Married into the Royal families of Europe By 1434 Cosimo de Medici was wealthy

enough to completely control Florence

He used his wealth to buy support He captured other city states such as

Siena and Milan. He had a real interest in the arts and

would patronize artists. In 1494, the Medici family members

were exiled from Florence. They did not return for years, until they

were dukes of Tuscany and regained political power in Florence.

ASSIGNMENT Page 221 #1,2,4

Please ensure your answers are complete. Read pages 217-221 if you have any difficulties.