Sforza family

Sforza family
   Sforza (strength) was the nickname of the condottiere Muzio Attendolo and soon was adopted as the family's surname. Muzio's son Francesco Sforza married Bianca Visconti from the ruling family of Milan, thus inheriting his father-in-law's dominion. Francesco was succeeded as Duke of Milan by his despot son, Giangaleazzo Maria, who was assassinated in the Church of San Stefano in 1476 by republican conspirators. Giangaleazzo's son and namesake, still a child, was deposed in 1494 by his uncle Ludovico "il Moro" Sforza. Ludovico encouraged Charles VIII of France to invade Naples, but he soon realized that this could end in French invasion in Milan. To prevent such a fate, he obtained the protection of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, but to no avail as Louis XII of France, who was related by blood to the Visconti, invaded in 1500 and imprisoned Ludovico. In 1512, the Holy League, an alliance formed by Maximilian, Pope Julius II, Ferdinand II of Aragon, and others to expel the French from Italy, stormed Milan and reinstated the Sforza, who ruled, with few interruptions, until 1535 when the family died out. The Sforza were the patrons of Antonello da Messina, Antonio Filarete, Leonardo da Vinci, and Donato Bramante.

Historical dictionary of Renaissance art. . 2008.

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  • Sforza family — Italian family that ruled Milan (1450–1535). The family began with the prosperous farmer and later condottiere leader Muzio Attendolo (1369–1424), who was given the nickname Sforza ( Force ). His illegitimate son Francesco Sforza became duke of… …   Universalium

  • Sforza family — /ˈsfɔtsə/ (say sfawtsuh) noun a Milanese Renaissance family active in politics, warfare and art patronage. 1. Giacomuzzo /dʒakəˈmutsoʊ/ (say jahkuh moohtsoh) or Muzio /ˈmutsioʊ/ (say moohtseeoh) (Giacomuzzo Attendolo), 1369–1424, Italian… …  

  • Sforza, Francesco — born July 23, 1401, San Miniato, Tuscany died March 8, 1466, Milan Italian mercenary and duke of Milan (1450–66). He became condottiere of Florence in 1434 and defeated Milan twice (1438, 1440), then was hired by the Milanese to serve as captain… …   Universalium

  • Sforza, Ludovico — born July 27, 1452, Vigevano, Pavia, duchy of Milan died May 27, 1508, Loches, Toubrenne, France Regent (1480–94) and duke of Milan (1494–98). The second son of Francesco Sforza, he was known as the Moor because of his dark complexion and black… …   Universalium

  • Sforza — /sfawrt seuh/; It. /sfawrdd tsah/, n. 1. Count Carlo /kahrdd law/, 1873 1952, Italian statesman: anti Fascist leader. 2. Francesco /frddahn ches kaw/, 1401 66, Italian condottiere and duke of Milan 1450 66. 3. his father, Giacomuzzo /jah kaw mooh …   Universalium

  • family — /fam euh lee, fam lee/, n., pl. families, adj. n. 1. parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not. 2. the children of one person or one couple collectively: We want a large family. 3. the spouse and children …   Universalium

  • Sforza —    Dynasty that ruled the duchy of Milan between 1450 and its expulsion by a French army in 1499, and again for intermittent peri ods in the first third of the 16th century. Its founder, Francesco (1401 1466), was the son of a successful… …   Historical Dictionary of Renaissance

  • SFORZA —    (i. e. stormer), Italian family celebrated during the 15th and 16th centuries, founded by a military adventurer, a peasant of the name of Muzia Allendolo, and who received the name; they became dukes of Milan, and began by hiring their… …   The Nuttall Encyclopaedia

  • Galeazzo Maria Sforza — (January 24, 1444 ndash; December 26, 1476) was Duke of Milan from 1466 until his death. He was a member of the Sforza family of Milanese rulers, famous as patrons of the arts and music. He was also famous for being lustful, cruel and tyrannical …   Wikipedia

  • Giovanni Sforza — d Aragona (1466 July 27, 1510) was an Italian condottiero, lord of Pesaro and Gradara from 1483 until his death. He is best known as the first husband of Lucrezia Borgia. Their marriage was annulled on claims of his impotence in March 1497.Life… …   Wikipedia

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