SFORZA (Francis), the son of James Sforza by Lucia Trezana, was born in 1401, and trained up by his father to the profession of arms. At the age of 23 he defeated the troops of Braccio, who disputed with him the passage of the Aterno. In this action his father was drowned, and Francis, though illegitimate, succeeded him. He fought successfully against the Spaniards, and contributed a great deal both towards raising the siege of Naples, and to the victory which was gained over the troops of Braccio near Aquila in 1425, where that general was killed. After the death of queen Jane, in 1435, he espoused the interests of the duke of Anjou, to whom she had left her crown, and by his courage and abilities ably supported
that unfortunate prince. He made himself master of several places in Ancona, from which he was driven by pope Eugenius IV. who defeated and excommunicated him; but he soon reestablished his affairs by a victory. His reputation was now so great, that the pope, the Venetians, and the Florentines, chose him for their general against the duke of Milan. Sforza had already conducted Venetian armies against that prince, though he had espoused his daughter. The duke dying in 1447, the inhabitants of Milan invited Sforza, his son-in-law, to lead them against that duke. But, after some exertions in their favour, he turned his arms against themselves, laid siege to Milan, and obliged them to receive him as duke, notwithstanding the rights of Charles duke of Orleans, the son of Valentine of Milan. In 1464, Louis XI. who hated Orleans, gave up to Sforza the rights which the crown of France had over Genoa, and even put into his hands Savona, a town belonging to that republic. The duke of Milan soon after made himself master of Genoa. He died in 1466, with the reputation of a man who was willing to sell his blood to the best purchaser, and who was not too scrupulous an observer of his word. His second wife was Blanche Marie, natural daughter of Philip Marie duke of Milan. She bore him Galeas Marie, and Ludovic Marie, dukes of Milan, Philip Marie count of Pavia, Sforza Marie duke of Bari, Afcagne Marie bishop of Pavia and Cremona, and a cardinal. He was taken prisoner by the troops of Louis XII. and confined for some time in the tower of Bourges. He was a cunning man, and deceived Cardinal d'Amboise when that prelate aspired at the papacy. His daughters were Hyppolita, married to Alphonso of Arragon, afterwards king of Naples; and Elizabeth, married to William marquis of Montferrat. He had besides several natural children.