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- Sforza family - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
A soldier of fortune, Muzio Attendolo (1369-1424) changed his family name to Sforza, meaning "force." From the region around Ravenna, Italy, he founded a dynasty that ruled Milan for a century. Muzio’s illegitimate son Francesco (1401-66) was also a soldier of fortune, essentially a mercenary who fought for whoever would pay him. He grew up in the court of Ferrara and fought under his father until Muzio drowned in a battle in 1424. Francesco remained a soldier for the next 20 years. His wife was the daughter of the duke of Milan. When the duke died in 1447, leaving the city to the king of Naples, Francesco responded with war. He blockaded the city, starving it into submission. On Feb. 24, 1450, he entered the city and became duke of Milan. He died on March 8, 1466, and was succeeded by his eldest son Galeazzo Maria.