Ludovico Sforza
Ludovico Maria Sforza ( born July 27, 1452 Vigevano, † May 27 1508 in the hole ), called because of his dark skin or hair color also il Moro, " the Dark " from the Sforza family, was the fifth son of the Duke Francesco I. Sforza of Milan. He was even Duke and famous as a patron of Leonardo da Vinci and other artists.
After his elder brother Galeazzo Maria 1476 assassination was followed on the throne of Milan Gian Galeazzo whose seven year old son Sforza. Ludovico maintained during the minority of Gian Galeazzo the regency in Milan, although repeated attempts to expel him.
Ludovico Sforza married on January 18, 1491 Beatrice d' Este ( 1475-1497 ), daughter of Ercole I. He had two children with her:
- Massimiliano Sforza (1493-1530), Duke of Milan 1512-1515
- Francesco II Sforza (1495-1535), Duke of Milan 1521-1535
When Gian Galeazzo died on October 22, 1494, Ludovico received the ducal crown from the Milanese nobility. He encouraged Charles VIII of France (reigned 1483-1498 ) in 1494, to engage in Italy. However, when he saw his own position by the French policy in danger, he joined the alliance against Charles VIII to, married his niece Bianca Maria Sforza with the German king Maximilian I (reigned 1493-1519 ) and in return received the investiture in Milan by the emperor.
1495, he defeated the French at the Battle of Fornovo, for which he was forging weapons from 70 tons of bronze that for a statue of Leonardo da Vinci were actually provided, but was in 1499 by Louis XII. (reigned 1498-1515 ) of Milan sold. Ludovico gave the peace to Basel and conquered Milan on February 5, 1500 for a short time with the help of Swiss mercenaries back, but was then delivered by them after the betrayal of Novara in April 1500 to the French. He died in 1508 as a prisoner in the castle of Loches.
Francesco Sforza, the son of Gian Galeazzo, was also of Louis XII. brought to France, where he became the abbot of Marmoutier. He died 1511th