Francesco I Sforza facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Francesco I Sforza |
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| Duke of Milan | |
Portrait of Francesco Sforza (c. 1460) by Bonifacio Bembo. Sforza insisted on being shown in his worn dirty old campaigning hat. Pinacoteca di Brera, Milan
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| Duke of Milan | |
| Reign | 25 March 1450 – 8 March 1466 |
| Predecessor | Golden Ambrosian Republic |
| Successor | Galeazzo Maria Sforza |
| Born | 23 July 1401 San Miniato, Republic of Florence |
| Died | 8 March 1466 (aged 64) Milan, Duchy of Milan |
| Spouse | Polissena Ruffo Bianca Maria Visconti |
| Issue | Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Duke of Milan Ippolita Maria Sforza, Duchess of Calabria Filippo Maria Sforza, Count of Corsica Sforza Maria Sforza, Duke of Bari Francesco Galeazzo Maria Sforza Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan Ascanio Maria Sforza Elisabetta Maria Sforza, Marquise of Montferrato Ottaviano Maria Sforza, Count of Lugano |
| House | Sforza |
| Father | Muzio Attendolo Sforza |
| Mother | Lucia da Torsano |
Francesco I Sforza (born July 23, 1401 – died March 8, 1466) was a famous Italian military leader. He was known as a condottiero, which was a captain who led groups of soldiers for hire. Francesco founded the powerful Sforza family in the Duchy of Milan. He ruled as the Duke of Milan from 1450 until his death.
Francesco was a skilled fighter and a smart leader. He helped create a time of peace in Italy with the Treaty of Lodi in 1454. This treaty helped keep a balance of power among the different Italian states. He died in 1466 and his son, Galeazzo Maria Sforza, became the next duke.
Contents
Francesco Sforza's Early Life
Becoming a Military Leader
Francesco Sforza was born in San Miniato, a town in Tuscany. He was one of seven sons of Muzio Sforza, who was also a famous condottiero. Francesco spent his childhood in Tricarico. When he was young, he was known for his incredible strength. He could even bend metal bars with his bare hands!
From 1419, Francesco fought alongside his father. He quickly became known as a very good tactician and a skilled commander on the battlefield. After his father died, Francesco continued to fight. He served in the army of Naples and later for Pope Martin V and the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti.
Challenges and Alliances
Francesco had some early successes, but he also faced challenges. At one point, he was held prisoner in a castle. However, he soon regained his freedom and his good standing after leading a successful military mission.
In 1431, Francesco led the Milanese army against Venice. The next year, the Duke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti, promised his daughter, Bianca Maria Visconti, to Francesco. This was a big step, but the Duke still didn't fully trust Francesco.
Francesco was a mercenary leader, meaning he fought for whoever paid him. From 1433 to 1435, he led Milan's attack on the Papal States. But when he captured the city of Ancona, he switched sides. He got the title of "vicar" (a type of governor) of the city directly from Pope Eugene IV. This showed his cleverness in politics and war.
In 1440, some of Francesco's lands in the Kingdom of Naples were taken over. To get them back, he made peace with Filippo Visconti. On October 25, 1441, Francesco finally married Bianca Maria in Cremona. This marriage was part of a peace agreement that ended the war between Milan and Venice.
Francesco Sforza: Duke of Milan
Becoming Duke
In 1447, Duke Filippo Maria Visconti died without a son. This caused a lot of fighting in Milan, as people tried to bring back the old Ambrosian Republic. Francesco Sforza saw his chance. He carefully planned to take control of the republic. He made alliances with other powerful leaders, including Venice.
In 1450, there was a famine and riots in Milan. The city's leaders decided to give the duchy to Francesco. He entered the city as Duke on February 26. This was a very important moment because it was the first time a ruler was chosen by a non-royal group. Even though other Italian states recognized him as Duke, the Holy Roman Emperor did not officially confirm his title until 1494. At that time, Emperor Maximilian officially made Francesco's son, Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan.
Modernizing Milan
As Duke, Francesco Sforza was a fair and skilled ruler. He helped modernize the city and the duchy. He created a good tax system that brought in a lot of money for the government. His court became a center for learning and culture during the Renaissance. The people of Milan grew to love him.
In Milan, he started the Ospedale Maggiore, a large hospital. He also fixed up the royal palace and had a canal, the Naviglio d'Adda, built to connect with the Adda River.
Peace and Diplomacy
During Francesco's rule, Florence was led by Cosimo de' Medici. The two rulers became close friends. This friendship led to the Peace of Lodi and then the Italian League. This was an alliance of Italian states that helped keep peace in Italy for a long time.
Francesco Sforza was one of the first European rulers to use a foreign policy based on the idea of a "balance of power." This means he tried to make sure no single country became too strong. He also used diplomacy (talking and negotiating with other countries) to prevent powerful nations like France from taking over Italian politics. His policies were successful in keeping foreign powers from controlling Italy for the rest of the century.
In 1463, Edward IV of England wanted to be friends with Francesco. He offered Francesco membership in the special Order of the Garter. Francesco accepted and became a knight.
Francesco Sforza had some health problems, including swelling and gout. In 1462, there were rumors that he had died, which caused a riot in Milan. But he lived for four more years, finally dying in March 1466. His son, Galeazzo Maria Sforza, became the next duke.
Francesco's son Ludovico later asked the famous artist Leonardo da Vinci to design a large horse statue as a monument to Francesco I Sforza. Leonardo finished a clay model of the horse in 1492, but the full statue was never built. In 1999, a bronze horse was made based on Leonardo's designs and placed in Milan.
Francesco Sforza's Children
Francesco Sforza and his second wife, Bianca Maria Visconti, had several children:
- Galeazzo Maria Sforza (1444–1476), who became Duke of Milan after his father.
- Ippolita Maria Sforza (1446–1484), who married Alfonso II of Naples.
- Filippo Maria (1449–1492), who was the Count of Corsica.
- Sforza Maria (1451–1479), who was the Duke of Bari.
- Francesco Galeazzo Maria (1453/54 – died young).
- Ludovico Sforza (1452–1508), who became Duke of Milan later on.
- Ascanio Maria Sforza (1455–1505), who became a Cardinal.
- Elisabetta Maria (1456–1473), who married the Margrave of Montferrat.
- Ottaviano Maria (1458–1477), who was the Count of Lugano.
Francesco Sforza also had other children from different relationships. For example, with Giovanna d'Acquapendente, he had:
- Sforza Secondo Sforza (1433–1492 or 1493), the Count of Borgonuovo.
- Drusiana Sforza (1437–1474).
See also
In Spanish: Francisco I Sforza para niños
