Sforza, Ludovico, Duke of Milan (Hist.)

Prospective patron of Tito Melema, to whom Tito sells Bardo de' Bardi's library. "Ludovico Sforza—copious in gallantry, splendid patron of an incomparable Leonardo da Vinci—holding the ducal crown of Milan in his grasp, and wanting to put it on his own head rather than let it rest on that of a feeble nephew who would take very little to poison him, was much afraid of the Spanish-born old King Ferdinand and the Crown Prince Alfonso of Naples, who, not liking cruelty and treachery which were useless to themselves, objected to the poisoning of a near relative for the advantage of a Lombard usurper." Ludovico Sforza, the Moor, who in 1481 assumed power in Milan. He was driven out in 1499 and was carried to France where he died in prison in 1508.

<em>Romola</em>

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