The Romance of a Medici Warrior - Being the True Story of Giovanni Delle Bande Nere, to Which Is Added the Life of His Son, Cosimo Grand Duke of Tuscany; A Study in Heredity #233013

Of the warrior women whom Italy delights to honour, one stands forth supreme above all others: Caterina Sforza, known to fame as the great Madonna of Forli. She was the illegitimate daughter of Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Duke of Milan; was born in 1462, and brought up with tender affection by his mother, Bianca Visconti, until she was eight years old, when, on the marriage of Galeazzo with Bona of Savoy, she, like a dutiful wife of those days, received the child of his mistress Lucrezia into her home as one of her own family.<br><br>During five years Caterina lived in luxury, and received the elaborate education of the eldest princess of her house, until the first tragedy of her eventful life took place: the murder of her father at the porch of San Stefano, as he was about to hear High Mass on Christmas day, while the anthem rang out: "Sic transit gloria mundi."<br><br>Before his death, Galeazzo had arranged a marriage for his favourite daughter with Girolamo Riario. the nephew of Pope Sixtus IV.