(James), was the founder of the illustrious house of Sforza, which acted so conspicuous part in Italy during the 15th and 16th centuries, which gave five 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 Commines, 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 Choisy, 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 castle 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 Alphonso king of Arragon 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 31st January 1424, at the age of 54 years. His heroic qualities and the continual wars in which he was engaged, did not hinder him from forming an attachment to the fair sex. In his youth he fell in love with a woman called Lucia Trezana, whom he married after she had borne him several children. He married afterwards Antoinette Salembini, who brought him several excellent estates; she bore him Bofio Sforza, comte of Santa-Flor, a warrior and governor of Orvietta for Pope Martin V. His third wife was Catharine Alopa, 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.

(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 ferocious an obliterer 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, Aleagrie 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 Hyppolla, married to Alphonso of Arragon, afterwards king of Naples; and Elizabeth, married to William marquis of Montferrat. He had besides several natural children.