Although the Medici are today recognized as the most important banking dynasty to come out of Medieval Florence, before them the Bardi family were the most important bankers in Florence.
Ruined by an unsecured loan to King Edward III, the Bardi were forced to ally themselves with the up-and-coming Medici banking dynasty, secured through the marriage of Contessina de’ Bardi and Cosimo de’ Medici in 1415, coming with it a large dowry which all but saved the near-bankrupt family.
