Can Dynasty Detectives Unearth The Medici Secrets?

The Telegraph (UK) ^ | 12-13-2003 | Bruce Johnson

[blam]

Ping.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Cool.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"The Medicis were a rather ugly lot, especially after they became inter-related with the Habsburgs,"

Jay Leno looks like a Hapsburg.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"Some believe they may have been Jewish."

Oy, the Pope's Jewish!
(Oh, well the Boss was too.)

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

DNA is sure taking a lot of the fun out of historical speculation. The truth is rarely as romantic as some of the wilder theories that have taken up by some historians.

If this becomes a trend a lot of academic reputations are going to be on the line.

[RightWhale]

Medicis were entrepreneurs, made their fortune in business. Firenze was well-situated as a center of commerce and trade, and allowed to exist because its neighbors were in no position to challenge. The last Medici was arrested off the street and already old, rotted in prison.

[Professional Engineer]

ping

[yankeedame]

The bodies of 50 members of Florence's Medici dynasty - some of whom are believed to have been poisoned - are to be exhumed for forensic tests to determine how they lived and died.

What the...?? Why? I mean, why are they doing this? What's the purpose? Whose paying for it? How'd the idea come to life- a couple of guys just sitting round one day trying to figure out how to get (another?) research grant? And if this is going to be "conducted far from indiscreet eyes" why did the speaker mention where this is all going to take place...in fact, why, before the results, was it mentioned at all?

Curiouser and curiouser.

[yankeedame]

"The Medicis were a rather ugly lot, especially after they became inter-related with the Habsburgs,"

Most certainly the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs. Alas, poor Charles II.

Oh, a piece of Medici trivia: (Anna) Maria de Medici (1573-1642), wife of the reprobate king Henry IV of France (married 1600), was from Florence. She loved spinach. Over the years, French chefs naturally created many,many dishes featuring and/or including spinach. They became known as (fill in the blank)a la Florentine.

So, from now on whenever you see an entree described as being a la Florentine you know it has spinach in it...and why.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Why? I mean, why are they doing this? What's the purpose? Whose paying for it?

Can't answer the "who's paying for it?" But as for the rest there are a few historical mysteries that will be cleared up by this.

The who is related to who will be interesting. And some questions if someone was murdered (or not) will be answered.

Personally I would love to see them do DNA testing on the bones of the so-called "princes in the tower" it would clear up if they really were Edward and Richard.

[Cacique]

I frankly think they're related to Saddam Hussein.

[John Beresford Tipton]

Yes, was thinking of a Spanish Hapsburg, Phillip IV, whose jaw was so "forward looking" that Velasquez had to paint him as though the viewer were on the floor looking up.

[mlmr]

After WWII in the region of Italy my mother lived in, there was only spinach to eat for months and months. The heavy iron load hurt her health.

[farmfriend]

Gods, Graves, Glyphs
List for articles regarding early civilizations , life of all forms, - dinosaurs - etc.

Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this ping list.

[microgood]

When I was younger I read a book called The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone about the life of Michaelangelo. He was sponsored by the de Medici family and hid many of their treasured art when the were overrun in his youth. The fact that they sponsored that genius makes them interesting to me, as that was a great and inspiring book.

[John Beresford Tipton]

"I frankly think they're related to Saddam Hussein."

LOL, either that or they are descendants of Ol'Strom.

[visualops]

Lorenzo's tomb


Final interrment place of Catherine de Medici (wife of Henry II of France)


Florence is an exquisite city. Most striking is the marble.

[blam]

"So, from now on whenever you see an entree described as being a la Florentine you know it has spinach in it...and why."

Excellent, I love knowing things like that, thanks.

[LonePalm]

Catherine de Medici is credited with introducing the fork into polite dining.

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)