The Tree of Europe · Person

Ludovico Sforza

«il Moro»

He governed Milan first as his nephew’s guardian and later as duke. His alliance policy encouraged French intervention in Italy, which eventually brought about his downfall.

1452 – 1508DukeSforza

Explore this family · Spanish Atlas Back to people

Detail of a contemporary workSforza Altarpiece (detail of Ludovico il Moro)Master of the Sforza Altarpiece · c. 1494Pinacoteca di Brera / Wikimedia CommonsPublic domain · PDM 1.0 · Source

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 1452 Documented

Death: 1508 Documented

Role: Duke

Dynasty: Sforza

Territories: Milan (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns

Duke · Milan · Duchy Pending review1494–1499Effective rule

Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents

Francesco I SforzaDocumentedBianca Maria ViscontiDocumented

Partners

Beatrice d’Este · ESDocumented

Children

Bianca Giovanna Sforza · ESCesare Sforza · ES

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

6 recorded claims · 1 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)

BirthDocumented
1452
The authority record gives the birth as 1452.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Ludovico, Milano, Duca · Vital data: birth date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
DeathDocumented
1508
The authority record gives the death as 1508.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Ludovico, Milano, Duca · Vital data: death date
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Family and relationships (3/3 with a precise source)

FatherDocumented
Francesco I Sforza
The authority record identifies Francesco I Sforza (GND 118828622) as father.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Ludovico, Milano, Duca · Relationships: father → GND 118828622
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
MotherDocumented
Bianca Maria Visconti
The authority record identifies Bianca Maria Visconti (GND 118805460) as mother.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Ludovico, Milano, Duca · Relationships: mother → GND 118805460
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·
Marriage or partnershipDocumented
Beatrice d’Este
The authority record identifies Beatrice d’Este (GND 118654152) as spouse.
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek · GND · Ludovico, Milano, Duca · Relationships: spouse → GND 118654152
Reviewed on 2026-10-17 by El Árbol de Europa ·

Governments (0/1 with a precise source)

GovernmentPending review
Duke · Milan · 1494–1499
A precise source has not yet been added.
No individual review recorded ·

Biographical and contextual references (4)

Editorial history

2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.