Federico I Gonzaga

Federico I Gonzaga (june 25, 1444 – july 14, 1484) was marquess of Mantua from 1478 to 1484, as well as a condottiero.

Biography

Federico was born in Mantua in 1444, son of Ludovico II and Barbara of Brandenburg. In 1463 he married Margaret of Bavaria, daughter of Albert III, Duke of Bavaria, and sister of John IV, Duke of Bavaria. He received a good education under his mother 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 succeeded to the marquisate on June 14 1478. He was however forced to split much of the Mantuan possessions with his brothers.

Federico continued to fight as a condottiero, and during his frequent absences Mantua was administered by Eusebio Malatesta, while the local army was under his brother-in-law Francesco Secco d'Aragona. Federico took part to numerous actions in defence of the Duchy of Milan, in particular against the aggressive Republic of Venice. During one of these wars Francesco Secco occupied Asola and other Venetian territories. Later, after the peace, Ludovico Sforza of Milan asked for the return of Asola to Milan, to which Frederick had to acquiesce.

He died in Mantua at the age of 40, and was buried in the church of Sant'Andrea.

ee also

*Italian Wars

References

*cite book|first=Giuseppe|last=Coniglio|title=I Gonzaga|location=Varese|Publisher=Dall'Oglio|year=1967

External links

* [http://www.itis.mn.it/gonzaga/files/gonzaga/5_gonzaga/federico1.html Biography] it icon