The House of Medici or Famiglia de' Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house. The Medici produced four Popes of the Catholic Church, two regent queens of France and in 1531 the family became hereditary Dukes of Florence. The Medici Bank was one of the most prosperous and most respected institutions in Europe.
Acquiring the Shepherd's JournalEdit
At some point near the end of the 16th century, the de'Medici Family would acquire the Shepherd's Journal from King Philip II of Spain. They would bring the Journal back to Florence, Italy and have it added to the growing collection at the Uffizi Gallery.
Information regarding how and why the de'Medici Family obtained the book is not presently known. Some would believe they purchased it from Philip II, though his infatuation with the Journal was well known and was unlikely he would part with it for any price. It is likely believed the de'Medici Family made a power play for the Journal, reasoning that there was no legal ground for Cesare Borgia to have confiscated the Journal from Leonardo da Vinci on behalf of the Spanish government and was therefore the property of the Italians.