Bardi and Peruzzi families

[Septimus G. Stevens, VII]

The Bardi and Peruzzi families of Florence are said to have pedigrees going
back to the 12th century, and by the 14th century were the most important
bankers of Europe. They were called "the Rothschilds of the Middle Ages."

Disaster struck. King Edward III of England defaulted on his debt: 900,000
gold florins to the Bardi company and 600,000 to the Peruzzi company.
Assuming 3.5 grams to the florin, 1.5 million florins is $200 million at
today's gold price.

The families retained their nobility and some wealth, and a few di Bardi
and di Peruzzi women show up in noble European pedigrees. But I've been
unable to find sources showing descent to these women from the famous 14th
century bankers, let alone to the 12th century roots. Can s.g.m'ers help?

And a non-genealogical question -- why did these wealthy bankers "put so
many eggs in one basket" trusting the English King without collateral?

S. G. Stevens

[Olivier]

First step

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peruzzi