Genevra Sforza and Bentivoglio Family Strategies

This chapter reveals dynastic strategies practiced by Genevra and Giovanni II in the creation and promotion of their children whom they used in an attempt to stabilise their position as rulers of Bologna. Genevra had two children with Sante; but then with Giovanni II she had sixteen more in seventeen years while he fathered a near equal number of illegitimates. All children were carefully placed in marriage alliances or ecclesiastical positions according to gender, rank and status—for the collective good of the family. Serving hundreds of Bolognese, the Bentivoglio were also active godparents, further strengthening their partisan base. This family building project in Bologna shows Genevra acting as a small-scale contributor to larger-scale Sforza projects across the peninsula.