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Concino ConciniItalian adventurer
Country:
 Italy |
Content:
Italian Adventurer: Concino Concini
Early Life and Arrival in FranceConcino Concini, an Italian adventurer, was born in Florence, Italy, as the son of a notary. He accompanied Marie de Medici to France when she married Henry IV, and he married her former wet nurse, Leonora Dori Galigai.
Rise to Power
Due to Galigai's influence on the queen, Concini gained favor with Marie de Medici, earning the ire of Henry IV, who threatened to banish him. After Henry's assassination in 1610, Marie became regent, and Concini was appointed First Gentleman of the Bedchamber (1611), Governor of Amiens, and Marshal of France (1613), effectively ruling France.
Ambition and Downfall
Concini's ambition and abuse of power alienated the nobility and made him unpopular with the people. Prince Condé, a rival for power, was arrested by Concini's orders, prompting outrage.
Concini and Galigai also neglected young King Louis XIII, who resented their authority. With Louis's consent, his close associate, Charles d'Albert, conspired against Concini.
Assassination and Aftermath
On April 24, 1617, Concini was assassinated by Captain of the Guards Vitry at the Louvre. His body was secretly buried but was later exhumed and mutilated by the people.
Galigai was accused of witchcraft and executed on July 8, 1617. The deaths of Concini and Galigai led to a wave of pamphlets justifying the assassinations and tarnishing their reputations.
