Amsterdam University Press Genevra Sforza and the Bentivoglio - Amsterdam University Press

Explore the life of Genevra Sforza (ca. 1441-1507) through this historical study of Renaissance Bologna. As the wife of two successive rulers, Sante and Giovanni II Bentivoglio, Genevra occupied a unique position at the peak of Italian society. This book examines her role within the complex political and social structures of the era. Through contemporary archival research, the text follows Genevra's journey from her placement by Duke Francesco Sforza to her management of family interests. The narrative looks at how she fulfilled societal expectations, including the bearing of eighteen children and managing the family's reputation amidst the challenges of political life and illegitimacy. This work provides a detailed look at gender, family, and politics in the late medieval and early modern world, offering a deep perspective on how women navigated power in Renaissance Italy.