Camilla Martelli
| Camilla Martelli | |
|---|---|
_by_Studio_of_Alessandro_Allori.jpg)
Camilla Martelli, wife of Cosimo I de' Medici
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| Spouse(s) | Cosimo I de' Medici |
| Issue | |
| Noble family | House of Medici |
| Father | Antonio Martelli |
| Mother | Elisabetta Soderini |
| Born |
c. 1545 Florence, Tuscany |
| Died | 30 May 1590 Santa Monica, Florence, Tuscany |
Camilla Martelli (c. 1545 – 30 May 1590) was first the lover and then the second wife of the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Cosimo I de' Medici. She was the mother of Virginia de' Medici, future Duchess of Modena.
Born into one of the most important families of the Florentine patricians, Camilla was the daughter of Antonio Martelli and Fiammetta Soderini. After the death of Cosimo's first wife Eleonora of Toledo and after the end of his relationship with Eleonora of Albizi, Camilla became Cosimo's lover despite being 26 years his junior. Camilla stood by him during his old age, when because of his poor health he retired to private life in the villa di Castello, abdicating in favour of his son Francesco I de' Medici.
Camilla had a daughter with Cosimo in 1568, Virginia, but she was always resented by the children from Cosimo's first marriage. Despite their opposition, Cosimo married Camilla in 1570, at the explicit order of Pope Pius V. However, the marriage was morganatic, and Camilla was not given the title "Grand Duchess." In response to Francesco's complaints, Cosimo wrote, "I am a person and I have a wife in Florentine gentlewoman, and of good family," meaning that because he was no longer Grand Duke, he was free to choose his wife from any rank of society. Their daughter, Virginia, was legitimised and integrated into the Tuscan line of succession.
Camilla was the main focus of bitter arguments between Cosimo and his children in his old age. They did not agree with her appetite for ostentatious luxury, which appeared vulgar in comparison to the tasteful elegance of his late wife Eleonora of Toledo. The Grand Duke, not to arouse scandal, went into seclusion and prohibited parties and official celebrations.
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