Noble family House of Gonzaga Role Condottiero Name Federico Gonzaga, | Mother Barbara of Brandenburg Father Ludovico III Gonzaga | |
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Born 25 June 1441
Mantua ( 1441-06-25 ) Died July 14, 1484, Mantua, Italy Spouse Margaret of Bavaria, Marchioness of Mantua (m. 1463) Children Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua, Elisabetta Gonzaga, Clara Gonzaga Parents Barbara of Brandenburg, Ludovico III Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua Grandchildren Charles III, Duke of Bourbon Similar People Ludovico III Gonzaga - Marquis o, Federico II Gonzaga - Duke of, Elisabetta Gonzaga, Barbara of Brandenburg, Ercole Gonzaga | ||
Federico I Gonzaga (June 25, 1441 – July 14, 1484) was marquess of Mantua from 1478 to 1484, as well as a condottiero.
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Biography
Federico was born in Mantua in 1441, son of Ludovico III and Barbara of Brandenburg. He was a good friend of the court painter Andrea Mantegna and received an education from Mantegna's mother as well as from Vittorino da Feltre (d. 1446) and above all from Iacopo da San Cassiano (from 1446 to 1449) and Ognibene da Lonigo (from 1449).
He fought for the Sforza of Milan until 1470 and succeeded to the marquisate on June 14, 1478. He was, however, forced to split much of the Mantuan possessions with his brothers.
Federico continued to fight as a condottiero, and during his frequent absences Mantua was administered by Eusebio Malatesta, while the local army was under his brother-in-law, Francesco Secco d'Aragona. Federico took part in numerous actions in defence of the Duchy of Milan, in particular against the aggressive Republic of Venice. During one of these wars Francesco Secco occupied Asola and other Venetian territories. Later, after the peace, Ludovico Sforza of Milan asked for the return of Asola to Milan, to which Frederick had to acquiesce.
He died in Mantua at the age of 43, and was buried in the church of Sant'Andrea.
Family
In 1463 he married Margaret of Bavaria, daughter of Albert III, Duke of Bavaria and Anna, Duchess of Brunswick-Grubenhagen; and sister of John IV, Duke of Bavaria. They had the following issue: