Contessina de' Bardi was an Italian noblewoman from the House of Bardi. She was born in 1390 and died in October 1473. She was the wife to Cosimo de' Medici.
Background[]
Contessina's father, Alessandro de' Bardi arranged the marriage between her and Cosimo. Prior to their engagement, Contessina had affairs with Ezio Contarini who would write her poetry. They had arrangements to meet the day that Contessina found out that she was engaged to Cosimo, she didn't show.
Cosimo's Execution & Exile[]
When Cosimo's trial reached a decision of execution, Contessina rushed to tell Lorenzo de' Medici where he stated that if Florence were to execute his brother, he would storm the city with an army. Contessina rushed back to Florence and into the court to plead exile for Cosimo. The court decided on exile. Cosimo resented her while he left for exile in Venice. While he was gone, Contessina kept the Medici affairs in order. Within the year the Medici's were out of Florence, her past love Ezio visited the city. They reminisced on the past and shared a few kisses.
Cosimo's Return[]
When Cosimo returned with the servant girl Maddelena, she questioned her daughter in law, Lucrezia Tornabuoni who she was. Lucrezia lies to her about who Maddelena was to Cosimo. When she found out, she confronts Lucrezia and Cosimo. Cosimo knows about the kiss she shared with Ezio and states that she has no right to speak the way she does about his affair. They, then engage in angry but passionate sex.
Albizzi's Death[]
Cosimo has nightmares of the deaths of the Albizzi, Contessina wakes him for his night terrors and tries to consul him. He tells her to leave.
After the death of Rinaldo degli Albizzi, there were accusations that Cosimo arranged his death. Contessina visits his wife, Alessandra Albizzi where she makes known the accusations to Contessina and kicks her out.
Contessina questions Cosimo if he was truly behind the murder and he denies it.