[4] In 1408 the Republic of Florence wished to have it made an episcopal see, being then a territory in the archdiocese of Lucca, but the effort failed.

The situation changed when Maria Maddelena of Austria, the wife of Duke Cosimo II of Tuscany took up residence in S. Miniato, and made herself its patron.

[5] On 5 December 1622 the town (oppidum) of San Miniato was raised to the dignity of a city (civitas), and was named the seat of a bishop by Pope Gregory XV.

[9] A diocesan synod was an irregularly held, but important, meeting of the bishop of a diocese and his clergy.

Its purpose was (1) to proclaim generally the various decrees already issued by the bishop; (2) to discuss and ratify measures on which the bishop chose to consult with his clergy; (3) to publish statutes and decrees of the diocesan synod, of the provincial synod, and of the Holy See.