SFORZA, JAMES, was the founder of the illustrious house of Sforza, which acted so conspicuous a part in Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, which gave six dukes to Milan, and contracted alliances with almost every sovereign in Europe. James Sforza was born on the 28th of May 1369, at Catignola, a small town in Italy, lying between Imola and Faenza. His father was a day-labourer, or, according to Commynes, a shoemaker. A company of soldiers happening one day to pass through Catignola, he was seized with the desire of accompanying them to the wars. "I will go (said he to himself), and dart my hatchet against that tree, and if it stick fast in the wood, I will immediately become a soldier." The hatchet accordingly stuck fast, and our adventurer enlisted; and because, says the Abbé de Choiss, he had thrown the axe with all his force, he assumed the name of Sforza; for his true name was Giacomuzzo, or James Attendulo. He rose rapidly in the army, and soon became commander of 7000 men. He defended the cause of Jane II. queen of Naples for many years, and was made constable of her kingdom. He was created Count of Catignola by Pope John XXII. by way of paying a debt of 14000 ducats which the church of Rome owed him. His exploits became every day more illustrious: He obliged Alfonso king of Aragon to raise the siege of Naples; and reduced several places that had revolted in Abruzzo and Le Labour; but while in pursuit of his enemies he was unfortunately drowned in the river Aterno on the 3d January 1424, at the age of 54 years. His heroic qualities, and the continual wars in which he was engaged, did not prevent him from forming an attachment to the fair sex. In his youth he fell in love with a woman called Lucia Trazana, whom he married after she had borne him several children. He married afterwards Antoinette Salembini, who brought him several excellent estates; she bore him Bosio Sforza, count of Santa Flor, a warrior and governor of Orvieto for Pope Martin V. His third wife was Catharine Alopo, sister of Rodolpho, grand chamberlain to the sovereign of Naples. His last wife, for he was four times married, was Mary Marzana, daughter to the duke of Sessa. She bore him Charles Sforza, who was general of the order of Augustines, and archbishop of Milan.