Federico I Gonzaga
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Federico I Gonzaga (June 25, 1444 - July 14, 1484) was marquess of Mantua from 1478 to 1484, as well as a condottiero.
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[edit] Biography
In 1463 he married to Margaret of Bavaria, sister of John IV, Duke of Bavaria. He received a good education under his mother Barbara of Brandenburg and Vittorino da Feltre. He was also a good friend of the court painter Andrea Mantegna.
He fought for the Sforza of Milan until 1470 and accessed to the marquisate on June 14, 1478. He was however forced to split much of the Mantuan possessions with his brothers.
Federico however continued to fight as condottiero, and during his frequent absences Mantua was administrated by Eusebio Malatesta, while the local army was under his brother-in-law Francesco Secco d'Aragona. Frederick took part to numerous actions in defence of the Duchy of Milan, in particular against the aggressive Republic of Venice. During one of this wars Francesco Secco occupied Asola and other Venetian territories; later, after the peace, Ludovico Sforza of Milan asked the return of Asola to Milan, to which Frederick could not oppose, much to his bitterness.
He died in Mantua at the age of 40, and was buried in the church of Sant'Andrea.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- Coniglio, Giuseppe (1967). I Gonzaga.
[edit] External links
- Biography (Italian)
| Preceded by Ludovico II |
Marquess of Mantua 1478–1484 |
Succeeded by Francesco II |
