Guicciardini, Isabella (fl. 16th c.)

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Guicciardini, Isabella (fl. 16th c.)

Florentine townswoman. Flourished early 16th century in Florence, Italy.

Isabella Guicciardini represents the life of wealthy townswomen in the last years of the Middle Ages. Her husband, a local governor, was usually away from their home in Florence, Italy, on business; to Isabella was left the responsibility of maintaining the family's large estates, and managing their agricultural business. Allowed to live practically independent of male guardianship, Isabella revealed her business acumen and her administrative abilities. She supervised every function of her extensive household, acted as an accountant, planned the seasonal harvest and marketing of the produce, and arranged loans from creditors when needed, as well as providing her absent husband with any supplies he required.

Laura York , Riverside, California

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