This growth culminated with the acquisition as the Chief Papal Banker, which meant that the Medici Bank now handled the accounts of the Church.

[5] Subsequent popes also made use of the services of the Medici banks, and in addition, Giovanni was able to secure tax-farming contracts and the rights to many alum mines from the papacy.

[citation needed] He set his family on the path to becoming one of the richest dynasties in Europe, thereby making an essential stride towards its later cultural and political prominence.

[6] In 1418, Giovanni Medici collaborated with one of Florence's chief nobles, Niccolò da Uzzano, to secure the release of the deposed Antipope John XXIII, who was imprisoned in Germany.

His hopes were to build a positive reputation of his family by avoiding conflicts with the law and keeping the people of Florence happy.

His attitude is exemplified in his writings to his son Cosimo, saying, "Do not make the government-house your work shop, but wait until you are called to it, then show your selves obedient.

[2] In the sphere of politics, Giovanni stayed true to his reputation and the tradition of the Medici family as champions of the people and intractable opponents of the nobility of Florence.

In 1426, he exerted his considerable personal influence in the Signoria to replace Florence's inequitable and oppressive poll tax with the Catasto.

[10] By his wife Piccarda Bueri, he had five children: When he died, di Bicci was one of the wealthiest men in Florence, as shown by his tax report of 1429.

Niccolò states in a letter to Giovanni's sons that he had made the family beloved by the people and positioned them for great success.