Bianca Cappello

Bianca Cappello was a Venetian noblewoman who became the second wife of Francesco I de’ Medici and Grand Duchess of Tuscany. Her flight from Venice, relationship with Francesco and disputed death generated a durable historical and literary legend.

Bianca left Venice with Pietro Bonaventuri and settled in Florence, where she became the mistress and later wife of Francesco I de’ Medici. After Francesco became grand duke, she was recognised as grand duchess of Tuscany; the couple died within hours of one another in 1587, prompting enduring rumours of poisoning.

In Robert Elegant’s Bianca, Bianca Cappello refuses the passive future expected of a young Venetian noblewoman and becomes entangled with Francesco de’ Medici, heir and later Grand Duke of Tuscany.