The Tigress of Forlì

1. A Formidable Upbringing for a Renaissance Leader

Unlike the nobility of most other European courts, the Sforzas emphasized training the female children alongside the males in the use of weapons, riding, and the chase.

Illegitimate, yet privileged. Caterina Sforza, born in Milan in 1463 as the illegitimate daughter of Duke Galeazzo Maria Sforza, received an education far beyond the norm for Renaissance women. Raised in the ducal household alongside her legitimate siblings, she was immersed in a world of both intellectual pursuits and martial arts. This unique environment fostered a blend of refinement and resilience.

Intellect and athleticism. Her tutor, Francesco Filefo, instilled a deep appreciation for Latin classics and saintly legends, while the vast Sforza library offered rich literary exposure, including Boccaccio's "Illustrious Women." Crucially, she was trained in arms, riding, and hunting alongside her brothers, developing physical prowess and a fearless spirit. This dual education prepared her for the complex demands of leadership.

Early exposure to power. Caterina's childhood included state visits to Mantua and Florence, where she witnessed different forms of governance and cultural splendor. These experiences, from the opulence of the Gonzaga court to the intellectual vibrancy of Medici Florence, broadened her understanding of power dynamics and the importance of reputation, shaping her future political acumen.

2. Early Lessons in Roman Court Intrigue

Although her first sexual experience was probably painful and unpleasant, Caterina got over her psychological and physical wounds quickly.

A political pawn. At just ten years old, Caterina was abruptly married to Girolamo Riario, the dissolute nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, a move orchestrated by her father to secure papal alliance. This hasty, unconsummated union, later legitimized by a papal bull, thrust her into the treacherous world of Renaissance Roman politics, far from the protective walls of Milan.

Navigating corruption. In Rome, Caterina witnessed firsthand the rampant corruption and shifting loyalties of the papal court. Her husband, Girolamo, proved to be a cowardly and politically inept figure, implicated in the infamous Pazzi Conspiracy to assassinate Lorenzo de' Medici. Caterina, though young, observed these machinations, learning the harsh realities of power and betrayal.

Enduring personal slights. Girolamo's infidelities and his public humiliation through failed plots and cowardice in battle (like the Salt War) deeply affected Caterina. Despite her personal disappointments and the shame brought upon her family, she maintained a public facade of a devoted wife, learning to temper sentiment with strategic obedience, a skill vital for survival in her new environment.

3. Audacious Power Grab: The Castel Sant'Angelo Standoff

What he doesn't understand is that I have the brains of Duke Galeazzo and I am as brilliant as he!

Crisis in Rome. Upon the death of Pope Sixtus IV in 1484, Girolamo Riario's protection vanished, leaving him and Caterina vulnerable to vengeful Roman mobs and a hostile College of Cardinals. Girolamo, paralyzed by fear, retreated, but Caterina, seven months pregnant, rode into Rome with a daring plan.

Seizing the fortress. Caterina, defying both her husband and the cardinals, commandeered the Castel Sant'Angelo, the papal fortress, turning its cannons on the Vatican. For eleven days, she held the College of Cardinals at bay, refusing to surrender until her family's titles and properties in Forlì and Imola were formally recognized. This audacious act cemented her reputation for fearlessness.

A strategic victory. Her defiance forced the cardinals to negotiate, securing her family's hereditary claim to Forlì and Imola and her own regency. Though publicly abandoned by Girolamo, Caterina emerged from the standoff with a new sense of agency and a clear demonstration of her Sforza "virtù," proving herself a formidable force in Italian politics.

4. Regent of Romagna: Balancing Ruthlessness and Care

The countess would not permit girls to be dishonored because, as Cobelli quoted her, "I care about women."

A new beginning. Returning to Forlì, Caterina faced a devastated city and a weakened, often ill, husband. She quickly took charge, implementing policies to restore order and prosperity. She demonstrated a pragmatic approach to governance, balancing the need for strong leadership with genuine concern for her subjects' welfare.

Consolidating power. Caterina systematically secured control of her fortresses, using cunning and decisive action to remove unreliable castellans. Her methods, though sometimes ruthless (e.g., the murder of Melchiorre Zaccheo), were effective in establishing her authority. She also addressed the city's financial woes by reinstating taxes, a necessary but unpopular move.

Compassion and resilience. Despite political turmoil, famine, and plague, Caterina showed remarkable resilience and compassion. She personally tended to the sick during epidemics, distributed food to the poor, and supported charitable initiatives. This blend of strength and empathy earned her the respect and loyalty of many Forlivesi, who hailed her as the "Savior of Forlì."

5. Love, Betrayal, and Avenging Fury

You don't know how awful things are between my husband and me. The way he treats me is so bad that I envy those who have died by him.

A passionate affair. After years of a loveless marriage to Girolamo, Caterina found passion with Giacomo Feo, a handsome stable boy whom she secretly married and knighted. This relationship, however, alienated her powerful allies and fueled resentment among her subjects, who saw Feo as an upstart usurping her son's authority.

Tragedy strikes. The growing animosity culminated in Feo's assassination in 1495, orchestrated by disgruntled nobles and even some of Caterina's own retainers. This brutal act plunged Caterina into a deep grief that transformed into a terrifying, all-consuming rage.

Unleashing vengeance. Caterina's retribution for Feo's murder was swift, widespread, and exceptionally cruel. She ordered the execution of conspirators and their families, including women and children, shocking Italy with her "unheard-of bloodthirstiness." This dark period, marked by public executions and the destruction of entire neighborhoods, stained her reputation but also solidified her image as a formidable, unyielding force.

6. The Legendary Defense of Ravaldino

If the French criticize the cowardliness of our men, at least they should praise the daring and valor of the Italian women.

A new threat. By 1499, Italy was embroiled in the French invasion, and Caterina found herself targeted by the ruthless Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI. Despite being abandoned by her allies and facing overwhelming odds, Caterina resolved to defend her fortress of Ravaldino.

Defiance on the ramparts. During the siege, Caterina famously confronted Cesare Borgia, rejecting his offers of clemency and taunting him from the ramparts. Her legendary "retort at Ravaldino," though debated in its exact wording, symbolized her unyielding spirit and refusal to be intimidated by a man who had bested many.

A valiant, but doomed, stand. Caterina's strategic brilliance and personal courage were evident in her defense, as she outwitted Cesare's attempts to capture her and inflicted heavy casualties on his forces. Despite her valor and the admiration of even her enemies, Ravaldino ultimately fell due to betrayal from within, leading to her capture.

7. Unbroken Spirit in Borgia Captivity

Although this woman is an enemy of the Venetian state, she truly deserves infinite praise and immortal memory among the famous and worthy Roman captains.

A prisoner of the Borgias. Captured by Cesare Borgia, Caterina endured humiliation and alleged rape, but her spirit remained unbroken. Cesare's attempts to break her, including forcing her to accompany him on campaigns and imprisoning her in the Castel Sant'Angelo, failed to diminish her resolve.

Resisting psychological warfare. In prison, Caterina faced callous letters from her own sons, who prioritized their ecclesiastical careers over her freedom. She also thwarted a staged trial designed to publicly humiliate her, demonstrating her sharp intellect and unwavering defiance even in the face of torture and death threats.

Spiritual solace and freedom. Despite the physical and psychological torment, Caterina found spiritual peace through prayer and the counsel of her fellow prisoner, Abbot Lauro. Her resilience, coupled with the intervention of the French captain Yves D'Allegre, ultimately secured her release in 1501, though at the cost of renouncing her claims to Forlì and Imola.

8. A Lasting Legacy in Florentine Grandeur

You'll be a prince. It's your destiny.

Finding peace in Florence. After her release, Caterina settled in Florence, the city she had admired since childhood. She found solace in the Muratte convent, a community of Benedictine nuns, and dedicated herself to raising her youngest son, Giovanni (Ludovico), the child of her beloved Giovanni de' Medici.

Battling for her son's future. Caterina fiercely fought a legal battle against Giovanni's greedy brother, Lorenzo di Pierfrancesco, to secure her son's inheritance and guardianship. Her determination ensured that young Giovanni, renamed Giovanni di Giovanni de' Medici, would receive his rightful patrimony and a proper upbringing.

A dynastic triumph. Though she lost her own states, Caterina's legacy lived on through her children. Her youngest son, Giovanni dalle Bande Nere, became a celebrated condottiere, embodying her warrior spirit. His son, Cosimo I de' Medici, Caterina's grandson, would eventually become the first Grand Duke of Tuscany, fulfilling her dynastic ambitions and forever linking the Sforza and Medici names to Florentine grandeur.

Last updated: August 28, 2025