The Medici Family were the richest family in all of Italy. In the 13th Century they began to get very wealthy. In the 14th Century their wealth once again steadily increased. In 1383 though, their wealth decreased dramatically.
Out of the Medici family came three popes. Leo X, Clement VII, and Leo XI.
The first Duke of Florence als came out of the Medici family. Alessandro de' Medici was the first duke of Florence, and was assassinated in 1537.


"The appeal to the Florentine's to overcome the enemy(very likely Milan) subtly associated the Medici family with the liberty of the citazenry while disparaging the dukes of Milan as tyrants."-pg 309
Rosenwein, Barbara. A short History of the Middle Ages. Broadview Press: NY, 2002.

"The tendency developed even in the Florence, where after 1434 the Medici family held an even more overt control of the Republic."
Thompson, Stephen P. The Renaissance. Greenhaven Press, Inc: San Deigo, 2000.