House of Sforza

The House of Sforza was a famous ruling family in Renaissance Italy, centered in the city of Milan. Their story began in the mid-15th century when they took control of the Duchy of Milan after the Visconti family came to an end. The Sforza family led Milan for many years, shaping the culture and politics of the time.

Their rule lasted until 1535 when the last main member of the family, Francesco II Sforza, passed away. For those interested in other notable people with the surname Sforza, such as the Swiss former footballer, see Ciriaco Sforza. For the Argentine footballer, see Juan Sforza.

History

The Sforza family began their rule in Milan when Francesco I Sforza married Bianca Maria Visconti, the daughter of the last Duke of Milan. This made Francesco the new Duke of Milan from 1450 to 1466, and the Sforza family became the rulers after the Visconti family.

The Sforzas also controlled other places, like Pesaro, and a small area called Santa Fiora in southern Tuscany. They held important positions in the areas ruled by the Pope. Later, they connected with the powerful Borgia family through a marriage, but this alliance did not last long.

During the Italian Wars, French forces took control of Milan from the Sforzas. Later, with help from the Holy Roman Emperor, another Sforza family member, Francesco II Sforza, became Duke again until he passed away in 1535. After that, Milan came under Spanish rule.

Sforza rulers of the Duchy of Milan

• Francesco I, 1450–1466
• Galeazzo Maria, 1466–1476
• Gian Galeazzo, 1476–1494
• Ludovico, 1494–1499
• Massimiliano, 1513–1515
• Francesco II, 1521–1535

Sforza rulers of Pesaro and Gradara

The Sforza family ruled the towns of Pesaro and Gradara for many years. Some of the rulers included Alessandro from 1445 to 1473, Costanzo I from 1473 to 1483, and Giovanni who ruled from 1483 to 1500 and again from 1503 to 1510. Costanzo II ruled from 1510 to 1512, followed by Galeazzo from 1512.

Sforza family tree

• Muzio Sforza with Lucia da Torsano had 7 sons who were not officially married to their mother
  • Gabriele Sforza became the archbishop of Milan
  • Francesco I Sforza married Bianca Maria Visconti
    • Galeazzo Maria Sforza married Bona of Savoy and had a friend named Lucrezia Landriani
      • Their daughter Bianca Maria (1472–1510) later became the second wife of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I
      • Their son Gian Galeazzo (1469–1494) married his cousin Isabella of Naples
        • Their son Francesco (II) was the duke but was guided by his uncle Ludovico Maria
        • Their daughter Bona (1494–1557) later married King Sigismund I the Old of Poland
        • Their daughter Ippolita Maria Sforza lived from 1493 to 1501
      • They had a daughter named Caterina Sforza who married Giovanni de' Medici il Popolano
      • They had a son named Ottaviano Maria Sforza who became bishop of Lodi
    • Ludovico il Moro (the Moor) lived from 1451 to 1508
      • His sons were Ercole Massimiliano and Francesco II (III) Maria
      • He had a daughter named Bianca Sforza (1483–1496) who married Galeazzo Sanseverino
      • He had a son named Giovanni Paolo I (1497–1535), who became marquess of Caravaggio
    • Ascanio (1444–1505) became a Cardinal
    • Their daughter Ippolita Maria (1446–1484) married King Alfonso II d'Aragon of Naples
    • They had a daughter named Polissena (1428–1449) who married Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta
  • Alessandro became the first lord of Pesaro
    • His son Costanzo I had a son Giovanni (1466–1510), who first married Lucrezia Borgia
      • Their son Costanzo II (Giovanni Maria) was the last ruler of Pesaro
  • Bosio was the count of Cotignola and lord of Castell'Arquato

Notable members

Castellini Baldissera

Even though the Sforza family no longer exists today, they are closely connected to the Castellini Baldissera family. This family inherited many of the Sforza's palaces and lands after the Sforzas were gone.

In popular culture

The House of Sforza has appeared in many stories and games. In the TV show Friday the 13th: The Series, there is a special item called the "Sforza Glove" that belongs to the family. In the book, anime, and manga Trinity Blood, a character named Caterina Sforza is the Duchess of Milan and also a Cardinal.

Caterina Sforza also appears in the video games Assassin's Creed 2 and Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. The Sforza family is part of the story in the TV series The Borgias, and they are mentioned in a song about the Borgia family in the British TV show Horrible Histories. The family also has important members in the TV series Medici. In the computer game Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, there is a campaign named after the Sforza family where the player plays as Francesco I Sforza.