Francesco Sforza

Francesco Sforza (born July 23, 1401, San Miniato, Tuscany [Italy]—died March 8, 1466, Milan) was a condottiere who played a crucial role in 15th-century Italian politics and, as duke of Milan, founded a dynasty that ruled for nearly a century. The illegitimate son of a mercenary commander, Muzio Attendolo Sforza, Francesco grew up at the court of Ferrara and accompanied his father to Naples, where Muzio entered the employ of King Ladislas. Francesco later served...