Francesco Sforza

Timeline

1. 1420–1450Milan; Venice; Naples; Papal States · Italian PeninsulaFrancesco followed his father's profession as a condottiero, serving in turn the Papal States, Naples, Milan, and other Italian states. In 1432 he became engaged to Bianca Maria, illegitimate daughter of Duke Filippo Maria Visconti of Milan, gaining key entry into the Visconti family. After Filippo's death in 1447 Milan briefly became a republic (the Ambrosian Republic); Francesco was hired to defend it against Venice, then turned to force Milan into submission by arms. On March 26, 1450, Francesco Sforza entered Milan, proclaimed the establishment of the Sforza dynasty, and made himself Duke of Milan, ending Visconti rule.
2. 1450–1460Milan · Duchy of MilanIn the early years of his rule Francesco faced military pressure from Venice and doubts about his legitimacy. In the 1450 he pursued diplomacy and domestic construction in parallel: abroad he maintained close financial and political alliance with Cosimo de' Medici of Florence—the Medici Bank was a major lender to the Sforza; after the fall of Constantinople in 1453, Francesco and Cosimo jointly pushed the Italian states to reach the 1454 Peace of Lodi, demarcating spheres of influence between Florence and Venice and between Milan and Naples, ending decades of warfare. The five states then formed the "Italian League," establishing a balance of power on the peninsula lasting decades. Domestically, he commissioned Filarete to design the Ospedale Maggiore (construction begun c. 1456) and undertook rebuilding and repair of the Castello Sforzesco, displaying dynastic authority through architectural patronage. His eldest son Galeazzo received systematic court education during this period and was carefully groomed as heir.
3. 1460–1466Milan · Duchy of MilanIn the early 1460s Francesco continued to maintain the Italian balance of power, but responses to the Ottoman threat never resulted in substantive military action. He attempted to advance a crusade plan among the Christian states, with little effect. He died in Milan on March 8, 1466, and the ducal title passed to his eldest son Galeazzo Maria Sforza. Later generations have judged Francesco a figure who fused the Italian condottiero political tradition with Renaissance ideals of monarchical rule.