While others like financiers and officials had also found success in France, Concino's political career was a precursor to that of Cardinal Mazarin in the next generation, symbolizing a shift in the dynamics of power and influence.

[2] On the journey to France, Concino began courting Leonora Dori, Maria de' Medici's closest confidante,[3] and eventually won her heart.

Leonora's humble background, opposition from Concino's enemies, and King Henry IV's reluctance to have too many Italians in Maria's entourage all posed significant challenges.

[2] Despite these hurdles, Concino and Leonora as Dame d'atours skillfully navigated the complexities of court life, strategically positioning themselves between the queen and the king's mistress.

Concino's success at the French court throughout his career was largely due to his wife's enduring influence over Queen Maria de' Medici.

[2] Concino's success was evident in the rewards he received: 1,000 écus from the king in February 1602, a pension of 25,000 livres in 1603, and the completion of Leonora's dowry payment by the queen in December 1605.

In July 1605, Don Giovanni de' Medici, the queen's uncle and a skilled military figure, arrived at the French court, becoming a rival for the king's favor.

"[4] As Don Giovanni's influence grew, Concino embarked on a journey to Florence and Rome in the spring and summer of 1606, mainly for personal reasons.

By 1609, Concino had earned the privilege of traveling in the king's carriage, and Leonora was able to spend 14,000 écus on purchasing and restoring their rented palace in Faubourg Saint-Germain.

[5] After the assassination of Henry IV, Concino's ascent continued with his appointment as Conseiller d'État (counselor of state) on July 26, 1610, though he cautiously chose not to participate in ministerial meetings.

Just days later, on September 16, 1610, Leonora purchased the lands and titles of the marquisate of Ancre in Picardy for 330,000 livres from Humières-Crevant family, a transaction facilitated by the queen, who covered the cost and exempted the Concinis from taxes.

On September 23, 1610, he was named governor of three frontier towns in Picardy (Péronne, Roye and Montdidier), marking his first political responsibility, which complemented his new status as a lord and landowner.

He also acquired the office of bailiff of Amiens and, in August 1611, accompanied by a retinue of fifty knights, he journeyed to inspect his new fortress and domain, making changes in command and rewarding the garrison.

At times, he would emulate the behavior of other high-ranking figures, withdrawing to his estates or fortresses in a display of displeasure until he was summoned back into favor.

He maintained a bodyguard of forty men, each paid a thousand livres annually, whom he crudely referred to as his "coglioni di mille franchi" (thousand-franc balls).

He used his only daughter (Leonora being past childbearing age) as a bargaining chip in marriage proposals, aiming for powerful alliances with the Count of Soissons, Charles II, Duke of Elbeuf, and a nephew of Minister Villeroy, negotiating a substantial dowry of 300,000 livres.

On May 22, 1615, the Parliament of Paris issued a protest seemingly directed at the Concinis, objecting to both the granting of fortresses to foreigners and the practice of Jewish doctors at court.

The Concinis were blamed for the arrest of the Prince of Condé on September 1, 1616, which led to their Parisian palace and Leonora's secretary's house being ransacked by a mob for two days.

[9][7][2] In response to the growing threats, Concino raised and equipped a formidable army of 6,000 infantry and 800 cavalry, consisting of both French and Liégeois soldiers.

[14] Concini had to be eliminated because he was perceived by Louis as a menace—a powerful politician, having a personal army of 7,000 soldiers and important supporters and contacts among the aristocrats of France.

[15] Their son Henry remained in prison for five years before being released, provided with a pension of 2,000 écus, and allowed to retire to Florence, where he resumed the title of Count of Penna and died of the plague in 1631.

When their Parisian palace was looted in 1616, for which they were later compensated, reports mentioned masks, costumes, clothes, furniture, and jewels being thrown out of the windows, but few works of art.