RICASOLI, FAMIGLIA

In the 14th century, LUCA (d. 1383) supported the Ciompi uprising. ANGOLO (d. 1403) was bishop of Sora, then of Aversa, and in 1370 of Florence, a position from which he had to resign in 1383 because it was forbidden to magnates. He eventually became bishop of Faenza. In 1393, the R. family had to become part of the popolo and abandon their name, calling themselves Bindacci, then Fibindacci; they resumed their original name in 1434. In general, the R. family followed the fortunes of the Medici. BETTINO (1433–86) fought against the Aragonese in the 1478 war between Florence and Sixtus IV. SIMONE (1460–1527) accompanied Cardinal Giovanni de' Medici to Rome and was appointed papal treasurer by him after he became Leo X. BINDACCIO (d. 1524) was a pupil of Marsilio Ficino. GIOVAN BATTISTA (1504–72), a canon in the Florentine metropolitan church, was appointed bishop of Cortona in 1538. The duke sent him as ambassador to Charles V, Henry II, and Paul IV, who, after initially opposing him, later requested him as resident in Rome. In 1560 he was appointed bishop of Pistoia, a position succeeded by his kinsman SIMONE (d. 1597). PANDOLFO (1581–1657), a man of vast culture but dissolute morals who sought to justify his heretical distortions of Catholic doctrine, was condemned by the Inquisition to life imprisonment (cf. G. Spini, *Ricerca dei libertini*, Rome 1950). ORAZIO CESARE (1604–74) was among the favorite pupils of Galileo. GIOVAN FRANCESCO (1618–73) was captain of galleys and knight of the Order of Malta; MATTEO (1626–71) admiral of the Order of St. Stephen. ANTONIO GIUSEPPE (1740–83) was a friend and collaborator of the bishop of Pistoia and Prato, Scipione de' Ricci. In the 19th century, notable members include LEOPOLDO, a supporter of Catholic press; ORAZIO, who participated in the campaigns of 1848 and 1849; VINCENZO, who fought not only in those but also in the Crimean War and the wars of 1859–60; and finally the most famous BETTINO (see below), minister of the Kingdom.