[January 6] Alessandro, duke of Florence

Surname: "The Moor"

Parents: Probably Giulio de' Medici (later Pope Clement VII) and a mulatto servant woman, Simonetta da Collevechio

Date of birth: 22 July 1510

Royal House: Medici

Spouse: Margaret, illegitimate daughter of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and Johanna Maria van der Gheynst
Predecessor: None; founded monarchy

Reign: 1530 – 1537

Summary: Alessandro was the only recognized son of the Florentine patriarch Lorenzo II de' Medici. Though probably the actual son of Lorenzo's clerical brother, Giulio, he was accepted as Lorenzo's son for political reasons. The family fled Florence in 1527 ahead of an Imperial army led by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. In their departure, the Florentines re-established the Florentine Republic, a political entity that had existed intermittently for centuries. Giulio, now Pope Clement VII, made peace with Charles and installed his illegitimate son, Alessandro, as the first sovereign duke of Florence. Charles V approved the appointment and made it hereditary in 1531. 

Alessandro was not known to be a good ruler and was especially harsh to his opponents. He may have even been responsible for the death of his cousin, Ippolito, who died while en route to Charles V to appeal actions of the duke. Alessandro's largest statement of power was the Fortezza da Basso, the tallest tower in Florence at the time. The young duke was eventually assassinated by his own cousin, Lorenzino, who was in turn forced to flee and was killed a decade later in Venice.

Date of Death: 6 January 1537

Successor: Cosimo I, duke of Florence

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