prudenza cambi came from a wealthy and noble family from the florentine drago neighborhood in the san giovanni quarter. she was the daughter of filippo di francesco cambi and maria di francesco della fonte. her grandfather, francesco di guido cambi, signed a petition in 1497 supporting savonarola. francesco di guido cambi held political office as a member of the buonomini in 1501 and the priori in 1504. like her great aunt, suor filippa di bartolomeo corsini, prudenza entered the convent of santa caterina da siena.