Genevra Sforza de’ Bentivoglio (ca. 1441–1507) :

Contemporary documentation uncovered in numerous archives, libraries and museums testifies that Genevra Sforza (ca. 1441–1507) lived her life and fashioned her public identity as a traditional Italian courtly figure strongly supporting the Bentivoglio cause in Bologna. Duke Francesco Sforza placed her there as wife of two consecutive de facto signori, Sante then Giovanni II; and as Bentivoglio consort, Genevra lived at the apex of society, contributing to her family and city in positive and traditional ways. Facts about Genevra uncovered in a wide variety of contemporary sources concur that she acted appropriately for her gender, social condition and era, and that she was liked by contemporaries—in contrast to legends repeated about her in Bolognese historiography for 500 years.