Category:House of Sforza


 * The Sforza's rule on the Duchy of Milan began with Francesco Sforza seizing power in 1450. Francisco's son Galeazzo Maria Sforza, seeking to increase his prestige, married the sister-in-law of the French king. While ruling harshly, he nevertheless patronized artists and architects. His son, Gian Galeazzo Maria Sforza, succeeded him in 1476. A weak ruler, his reign was dominated first by his mother Bona di Savoia and then his uncle Ludovico "il Moro", who held the real power in Milan until his unfortunate nephew's death in 1494.