Gentile Brancaleoni facts for kids
Gentile Brancaleoni (born in 1416, died in Urbino on July 27, 1457) was an important noblewoman from Italy. She was the daughter of Bartolomeo Brancaleoni, who was a powerful Lord and Count of places like Massa Trabaria and Mercatello sul Metauro. Her mother was Giovanna Alidosi. The name "Gentile" can be used for both boys and girls, and she was named after her grandfather.
Early Life and Inheritance
When Gentile's father, Bartolomeo Brancaleoni, passed away in 1424, Gentile and her older sister, Piera, became the heirs to his lands and wealth. Their mother, Giovanna Alidosi, looked after them and their inheritance. However, the actual control of their lands was taken over by Guidantonio da Montefeltro, who was the Count of Urbino. He was officially given this role by Pope Martin V.
Giovanna Alidosi acted as the ruler of these lands for a while, likely planning for how they would be governed in the future. Around 1426, when he was only four years old, Guidantonio's son, Federico da Montefeltro, was sent to live at the small court in Mercatello sul Metauro. Federico was Guidantonio's son born outside of marriage, but he was later officially recognized as his son.
Before 1431, Gentile's older sister Piera died. This meant Gentile became the only heir to her father's lands, including Mercatello sul Metauro, Massa Trabaria, and Sant'Angelo in Vado. In 1433, the Count of Urbino arranged for his son Federico to be engaged to Gentile.
Marriage and Power
Gentile Brancaleoni and Federico da Montefeltro officially married in 1437. After their marriage, Federico took control of Gentile's lands because he was her husband. Six years later, in 1443, Pope Eugene IV officially recognized Federico's right to govern these lands. Soon after, Federico was also given the title of Count for the lands that had belonged to Gentile's father.
In 1444, Federico da Montefeltro became the ruler of his own family's lands, which included important cities like Urbino, Cagli, Gubbio, and Castel Durante. These lands, along with Gentile's territories—Massa Trabaria, Sant'Angelo in Vado, and Mercatello sul Metauro—were combined to form a larger state. This state later became known as the Duchy of Urbino.
From 1444, and permanently from 1447, Gentile moved to Urbino. She became the Duchess consort, which means she was the wife of the Duke.
Life in Urbino
In Urbino, Gentile treated her husband's children from before their marriage as her own. These children included Elisabetta, another Gentile, Buonconte, and Antonio. There were some rumors that she was sent away to a convent because she couldn't have children, and that Federico wanted to marry someone else. However, these rumors were not true. Federico loved and respected Gentile very much. He only remarried after she passed away.
Later in her life, Gentile became a Franciscan tertiary. This meant she followed some of the rules of the Franciscan religious order, even though she didn't live in a convent. Many members of the House of Montefeltro family also followed this path.
Gentile died on July 27, 1457. It is believed that her death was caused by health problems related to severe obesity, which she had been suffering from for some time.
