Francesco I. Sforza
Francesco Sforza (* July 23, 1401 in San Miniato, Pisa, † March 6, 1466 in Milan ) was the founder of the dynasty of the Sforza in Milan.
He was the illegitimate son of Muzio Sforza Attendolo and Lucia of Torsano. After the death of his father in 1424 he took over the leadership of the mercenary force, for he is the one by pure physical strength ( he was famous for metal to bend with your bare hands ), but later qualified as an exceptional tactician and commander.
He served the Visconti against Venice and Venice against the Visconti, attacked the pope, expelled him from the Romagna and defended him later.
Francesco Sforza married his first wife, on October 19, 1418 Polissena Ruffo, daughter of Carlo Ruffo, Count of Montalto. With her he had a daughter who was also named Polissena and already in 1420, died in the same year also died the mother. In 1441 he married Bianca Maria (around 1424-1468 ), the only daughter of Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan. He received Pontremoli and Cremona as a dowry, and the commitment of succession to the duchy. The short-lived Ambrosian Republic, of the Milanese Visconti at death ( in 1447 ) was built, was conquered by Francesco, who triumphantly moved as Duke in the city on March 25, 1450. In the Peace of Lodi in 1454 he achieved the recognition of his rule by the Venetian Republic, which soon joined the other Italian States. He suppressed a rebellion in Piacenza, allied himself closely with Cosimo de Medici (1389-1464) and Louis XI. of France (reigned 1461-1483 ) and dominated the Lombardy, some areas south of the Po, and even Genoa.
He left the fortress Porta Giovio rebuilt, and constructed the great hospital and the channel of Martesana which connects Milan with the Adda; his court, which he filled with Italian scholar and Greek exiles, quickly became one of the most prominent in Italy. His daughter Ippolita was famous for its Latin speeches. Francesco left several sons, including Galeazzo Maria, Ludovico, called " il Moro " ("The Dark " or " black"), and Ascagnio Sforza, who was cardinal.
Francesco several times in Machiavelli's "Il principe " mentioned ( The Prince ); he is praised consistently demonstrated his abilities as a ruler, but also as a warning not to leave with mercenary troops.
From his second wife Bianca Maria Visconti, he had the following children:
- Galeazzo Maria Sforza (1444-1476), Duke of Milan 1466
- Ascagnio Sforza (1445-1505), 1484 Cardinal
- Ippolita Sforza (* April 18, 1446; † August 20, 1484 ) ∞ 1465 Alfonso II of Aragon, King of Naples ( 1448-1495 ), ( house Trastámara )
- Filippo Maria Sforza (1448-1492), ∞ Konstanze Sforza, daughter of Bosio Sforza
- Sforza Maria Sforza ( August 18, 1451 - July 29, 1479 ), Duke of Bari
- Ludovico Sforza, " il Moro " (1451-1508), Duke of Milan (1494-1499)
- Ottaviano Sforza († 1477 )
- Elisabetta Sforza († 1473 ) ∞ 1469 William VIII Margrave of Montferrat († 1483 )