Francesco Sforza
Eldest son of Gian Galeazzo Sforza, duke of Milan, and Isabella of Naples
About Francesco Sforza
Lived 1491 – 1512 (aged 20–21).
Francesco Maria Sforza (30 January 1491 – 1512), nicknamed il Duchetto ("The Little Duke") after becoming titular Duke of Milan at the age of 8, was the only son of Gian Galeazzo Sforza, the sixth Duke of Milan, and his wife, Isabella of Naples. After the untimely death in 1494 of Francesco's father at the age of 25, his father's uncle, Ludovico Sforza, took over as Duke of Milan.
Francesco was Count of Pavia from 1491 to 1499. In the latter year, as French troops conquered Milan during the Italian War of 1499–1504, he was carried to France by King Louis XII and was named abbot of Picardy, whose tutor was Gregorio da Spoleto.
Francesco died falling from a horse at Angoulême in 1512.
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Important facts
Family & relationships
People in Francesco Sforza's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Francesco Sforza's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Francesco Sforza?
eldest son of Gian Galeazzo Sforza, duke of Milan, and Isabella of Naples
When was Francesco Sforza born?
Francesco Sforza was born on 30 January 1491 in Pavia.
When did Francesco Sforza die?
Francesco Sforza died in 1512 in Angoulême.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Francesco Sforza (il Duchetto)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Francesco Sforza. https://biography.guide/francesco-sforza/
MLA: "Francesco Sforza." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/francesco-sforza/.
Chicago: "Francesco Sforza." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/francesco-sforza/.
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