Orlando Bonsignori

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Orlando Bonsignori (died 1273) was an Italian banker from Siena.

He was the son of Bonsignore di Bernardo, a merchant of little-medium wealth, but Orlando, together with his brother Bonifazio, expanded the family fortunes until in the 1230 he was among the most proficient contributors to the Senese taxes. This rise was connected to the friendship with Pope Innocent IV, whose patrimonium was under Bonsignori's direction.

In 1255, after Bonifazio's death, he formed a consortium called Gran Tavola ("Grand Table"), which soon became the most powerful bank in Europe. He obtained indeed the exclusive for the deposite of the incomes of the Papal States and, with Pope Clement IV, the collection of all the ecclesiastical tithes for the Holy Land. The Gran Tavola supported Charles of Anjou in his conquest of the Kingdom of Sicily, and benefit greatly of his victory over the Hohenstaufen.

Orlando Bonsignori died in 1273. After his death the Gran Tavola declined quickly and eventually went bankrupt in the early 14th century.

[edit] Sources

• Cassandro, M. (1987). "La banca senese nei secoli XIII e XIV", Banchieri e mercanti di Siena. Rome: De Luca.