Maria Paleologa

Maria Paleologa (19 September 1508 – 15 September 1530) was an Italian noblewoman, member of the House of Palaeologus-Montferrat, a cadet branch of the Palaiologos dynasty which had once ruled the Byzantine Empire.

Biography She was born and died in Casale, and was the eldest child of William IX, Marquess of Montferrat, and Anna d'Alençon. In 1517, when Maria was 8, her mother betrothed her to Federico II Gonzaga, son of Isabella d'Este, who later became Marquis and Duke of Mantua. The marriage contract was annulled, however, after Federico accused Maria of attempting to poison his mistress Isabella Boschetti, wife of the Count of Calvisano.

Ancestry