Ludovico II of Gonzaga
Encyclopedia
Ludovico III of Gonzaga, also spelled Lodovico (June 5, 1412 – June 12, 1478) was the ruler of the Italian
city of Mantua
from 1444 to his death in 1478.
. In 1437, he married Barbara of Brandenburg
, niece of Emperor Sigismund.
Ludovico followed the path of his father Gianfrancesco, fighting as condottiero for the Visconti
of Milan
from 1446, but spent the following year in the service of Venice
in the league formed with Florence
against Milan. In 1450 he received permission to lead an army for King Alfonso of Naples
in Lombardy, with the intent of gaining some possessions for himself. However, Francesco Sforza
, the new duke of Milan, enticed him with the promise of Lonato
, Peschiera
and Asola, formerly Mantuan territories but then part of Venice. Venice responded by sacking Castiglione delle Stiviere
(1452) and hiring Ludovico's brother, Carlo
.
On June 14, 1453, Ludovico routed the troops of Carlo at Goito
, but Venetian troops under Niccolò Piccinino
thwarted any attempt to regain Asola. The Peace of Lodi (1454) obliged Ludovico to give back all his conquests, and to renounce definitively his claim to the three cities. However, he obtained his brother's land after Carlo's childless death in 1478.
The moment of highest prestige for Mantua was the Council held in the city from May 27, 1459 to January 19, 1460, summoned by Pope Pius II
to launch a crusade against the Ottoman
Turks, who had conquered Constantinople
some years earlier.
In 1460, Ludovico appointed Andrea Mantegna
as court artist to the Gonzaga
family.
From 1466 he was more or less constantly at the service of the Sforza of Milan. He died in Goito in 1478, during a plague. He was buried in Mantua cathedral
.
It was said that the daughters of Barbara and Ludovico II had hunched backs, that is why Susanna and Dorothea were spurned by Galeazzo Maria Sforza
, Leonhard of Gorizia
postponed his marriage to Paola due to this and when they eventually married they had one stillborn child as it is thought that this deformity in her made it harder to have children.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
city of Mantua
Mantua
Mantua is a city and comune in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province of the same name. Mantua's historic power and influence under the Gonzaga family, made it one of the main artistic, cultural and notably musical hubs of Northern Italy and the country as a whole...
from 1444 to his death in 1478.
Parents
Ludovico was the son of Gianfrancesco Gonzaga and Paola MalatestaHouse of Malatesta
The House of Malatesta was an Italian family that ruled over Rimini from 1295 until 1500, as well as other lands and towns in Romagna.Malatesta da Verucchio The House of Malatesta was an Italian family that ruled over Rimini from 1295 until 1500, as well as (in different periods) other lands and...
. In 1437, he married Barbara of Brandenburg
Barbara of Brandenburg (1423-1481)
Barbara of Brandenburg was a Marchioness consort of Mantua, married in 1433 to Ludovico II Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua....
, niece of Emperor Sigismund.
Biography
He succeeded to the marquisate of Mantua in 1444.Ludovico followed the path of his father Gianfrancesco, fighting as condottiero for the Visconti
House of Visconti
Visconti is the family name of two important Italian noble dynasties of the Middle Ages. There are two distinct Visconti families: The first one in the Republic of Pisa in the mid twelfth century who achieved prominence first in Pisa, then in Sardinia where they became rulers of Gallura...
of Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
from 1446, but spent the following year in the service of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
in the league formed with Florence
Republic of Florence
The Republic of Florence , or the Florentine Republic, was a city-state that was centered on the city of Florence, located in modern Tuscany, Italy. The republic was founded in 1115, when the Florentine people rebelled against the Margraviate of Tuscany upon Margravine Matilda's death. The...
against Milan. In 1450 he received permission to lead an army for King Alfonso of Naples
Alfonso V of Aragon
Alfonso the Magnanimous KG was the King of Aragon , Valencia , Majorca, Sardinia and Corsica , and Sicily and Count of Barcelona from 1416 and King of Naples from 1442 until his death...
in Lombardy, with the intent of gaining some possessions for himself. However, Francesco Sforza
Francesco I Sforza
Francesco I Sforza was an Italian condottiero, the founder of the Sforza dynasty in Milan, Italy. He was the brother of Alessandro, with whom he often fought.-Early life:...
, the new duke of Milan, enticed him with the promise of Lonato
Lonato
Lonato del Garda is a town and comune in the province of Brescia, in Lombardy, Italy. Lonato is located in the middle of northern Italy, about half way between Milan and Venice, on the south-west shore of Lake Garda, the biggest lake in Italy.The commune is bordered by those of near Castiglione...
, Peschiera
Peschiera
Peschiera may refer to:*a genus of plants in the Apocynaceae family*places in Italy:**Peschiera Borromeo, in the province of Milan**Peschiera del Garda, in the province of Verona...
and Asola, formerly Mantuan territories but then part of Venice. Venice responded by sacking Castiglione delle Stiviere
Castiglione delle Stiviere
Castiglione delle Stiviere is a town and comune in the province of Mantua, in Lombardy, Italy, 30 km northwest of Mantua by road.-History:During the War of the Spanish Succession, the French under the duc de Vendôme occupied it....
(1452) and hiring Ludovico's brother, Carlo
Carlo Gonzaga of Milan
Carlo Gonzaga , Lord of Sabbioneta, was an Italian Guelph nobleman of the Mantuan House of Gonzaga who rose to the position of Captain of the People in the Ambrosian Republic of Milan, and eventually ruled practically as an autocrat. He was the younger son of Gianfrancesco Gonzaga and Paola...
.
On June 14, 1453, Ludovico routed the troops of Carlo at Goito
Goito
Goito is a comune of Lombardy, Italy, in the Province of Mantua, from which it is some 20 km, on the road to Brescia. It is situated on the right bank of the Mincio River near the bridge.-History:...
, but Venetian troops under Niccolò Piccinino
Niccolò Piccinino
Niccolò Piccinino was an Italian condottiero.-Biography:He was born at Perugia, was the son of a butcher.He began his military career in the service of Braccio da Montone, who at that time was waging war against Perugia on his own account, and at the death of his chief, shortly followed by that of...
thwarted any attempt to regain Asola. The Peace of Lodi (1454) obliged Ludovico to give back all his conquests, and to renounce definitively his claim to the three cities. However, he obtained his brother's land after Carlo's childless death in 1478.
The moment of highest prestige for Mantua was the Council held in the city from May 27, 1459 to January 19, 1460, summoned by Pope Pius II
Pope Pius II
Pope Pius II, born Enea Silvio Piccolomini was Pope from August 19, 1458 until his death in 1464. Pius II was born at Corsignano in the Sienese territory of a noble but decayed family...
to launch a crusade against the Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
Turks, who had conquered Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
some years earlier.
In 1460, Ludovico appointed Andrea Mantegna
Andrea Mantegna
Andrea Mantegna was an Italian painter, a student of Roman archeology, and son in law of Jacopo Bellini. Like other artists of the time, Mantegna experimented with perspective, e.g., by lowering the horizon in order to create a sense of greater monumentality...
as court artist to the Gonzaga
House of Gonzaga
The Gonzaga family ruled Mantua in Northern Italy from 1328 to 1708.-History:In 1433, Gianfrancesco I assumed the title of Marquis of Mantua, and in 1530 Federico II received the title of Duke of Mantua. In 1531, the family acquired the Duchy of Monferrato through marriage...
family.
From 1466 he was more or less constantly at the service of the Sforza of Milan. He died in Goito in 1478, during a plague. He was buried in Mantua cathedral
Mantua Cathedral
The Duomo di Mantova is the main church in Mantua, Lombardy .A first structure existed probably in the area in the Palaeo-Christian era, which was followed by an edifice destroyed by a fire in 894...
.
Children
Ludvico and Barbara had ten children:- Federico IFederico I GonzagaFederico I Gonzaga was marquess of Mantua from 1478 to 1484, as well as a condottiero.-Biography:Federico was born in Mantua in 1441, son of Ludovico II and Barbara of Brandenburg...
- GianfrancescoGianfrancesco Gonzaga (1446-1496)Gianfrancesco Gonzaga was the third son of Ludovico II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua and Barbara of Brandenburg. He was the first count of Sabbioneta from 1479 until his death, originating the Gonzaga-Sabbioneta line.-Biography:...
(1443-1496) - FrancescoFrancesco Gonzaga (1444-1483)Francesco Gonzaga was an Italian bishop and cardinal.-Biography:Born at Mantua, he was the second son of Ludovico II Gonzaga, marquess of Mantua, and Barbara of Brandenburg....
(1444-1483), created cardinal by Pope Pius II - Susanna (Nun at Santa Chiara di Mantua; 1447-1481) betrothed to Galeazzo Maria SforzaGaleazzo Maria SforzaGaleazzo Maria Sforza was Duke of Milan from 1466 until his death. He was famous for being lustful, cruel and tyrannical....
. - DoroteaDorotea GonzagaDorotea Gonzaga , was a Duchess Consort of Milan. She was the daughter of Ludovico II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua and Barbara of Brandenburg. In 1466, she married Galeazzo Maria Sforza.-References:...
(1449-1467), betrothed to Galeazzo Maria SforzaGaleazzo Maria SforzaGaleazzo Maria Sforza was Duke of Milan from 1466 until his death. He was famous for being lustful, cruel and tyrannical....
. - Rodolfo (1451-1495), married Antonia Malatesta and then Caterina Pico (died 1501)
- Cecilia (1452-1472)
- Barbara (1455-1503), married in 1474 Eberhard I, Duke of WürttembergEberhard I, Duke of WürttembergEberhard I of Württemberg . From 1459 till 1495 he was Count Eberhard V. From July 1495 he was the first Duke of Württemberg. He is also known as Eberhard im Bart ....
. - Lodovico (1458-1511)
- Paola (1463-1497), married Leonhard of GoriziaLeonhard of GoriziaLeonhard of Gorizia from the Meinhardiner dynasty was the last Count of Görz at Lienz and Gorizia from 1454 until his death....
.
It was said that the daughters of Barbara and Ludovico II had hunched backs, that is why Susanna and Dorothea were spurned by Galeazzo Maria Sforza
Galeazzo Maria Sforza
Galeazzo Maria Sforza was Duke of Milan from 1466 until his death. He was famous for being lustful, cruel and tyrannical....
, Leonhard of Gorizia
Leonhard of Gorizia
Leonhard of Gorizia from the Meinhardiner dynasty was the last Count of Görz at Lienz and Gorizia from 1454 until his death....
postponed his marriage to Paola due to this and when they eventually married they had one stillborn child as it is thought that this deformity in her made it harder to have children.
See also
- Wars in LombardyWars in LombardyThe wars in Lombardy were a series of conflicts fought in central-northern Italy between the Republic of Venice and the Duchy of Milan, and their different allies. They lasted from 1425 until the signing of the Treaty of Lodi in 1454...