━━━ 𝙂𝙊𝘿𝘿𝙀𝙎𝙎 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝘾𝙍𝙊𝙒𝙉
" ℐ𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 ℯ𝓃𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒾𝓃ℊ 𝓉ℴ 𝓂ℯℯ𝓉 𝓎ℴ𝓊 "
. ｡☆✼★ Valentina di Biagio de' Medici, has been declared the Empress of the Italian Nations in lieu of her father's death. And with this title, she has in...
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" Empress Valentina di Biagio de' Medici embarked on her historic journey to France in 1557, with the aim of negotiating peace amid the turbulent Italian Wars. She set sail from the Italian port of Livorno and reached the French coast at Toulon on February 15th. The journey's documentation, now carefully preserved in the Medici Museum in Florence, details her voyage aboard La Stella Vittoriosa, a flagship custom-built for the Empress's personal use. This grand vessel, draped in the Medici crest and fortified for any maritime threats, stood as a symbol of Medici influence and naval strength. Commanding this ship was none other than Sebastiano Pietro de Clemente, the Hand of the Empress, and a man of both military and maritime prowess, entrusted to deliver his Empress safely to foreign shores.
La Stella Vittoriosa was not merely a mode of transport; it was a floating palace, equipped to meet the Empress's every need and desire. Aboard were three of her closest ladies-in-waiting, handpicked for their wisdom and noble lineage, as well as her beloved brother, Crowned Prince Apollinaris di Biagio de' Medici. The royal entourage extended to 20 loyal servants and an impressive guard detail. Fifty members of the Royal Guard accompanied them, alongside the Empress's five elite bodyguards, the Protectors of the Realm. These protectors were hand-selected from among the Italian Nations' finest soldiers and were sworn solely to the Empress's defense, underscoring the importance of her safe passage.
The voyage itself was laden with luxuries and practicalities alike. Provisions for the Empress and her company included lavish wardrobes, chests brimming with jewels, exotic oils for hair and skin, and crates of Italian delicacies and preserved foods. Beyond these personal items, the ship held an array of diplomatic gifts for the French court—fine Italian swords, precious gemstones, and a substantial collection of Italian currency, all carefully chosen to display the Medici wealth and prestige. These offerings were intended not just as tokens but as symbols of goodwill and Medici power, underscoring Italy's readiness for diplomatic overtures with France.
The crossing from Livorno to Toulon was prolonged by heavy winds and challenging seas, lengthening the journey to 14 days. Despite the rough waters, La Stella Vittoriosa proved resilient, as did the Empress herself. Valentina's enduring presence aboard this regal ship was a display of fortitude, a testament to her role as both monarch and emissary. On arriving in Toulon, the Empress's journey was far from over; she then embarked on an arduous 435-mile trek by carriage to the heart of the French court at Fontainebleau, a journey that would take her and her entourage nearly three weeks to complete.
