Isabella of Aragon | |
---|---|
Duchess regnant of Bari | |
Reign | 10 April 1500 – 1524 |
Predecessor | Ludovico il Moro |
Successor | Bona |
Duchess consort of Milan | |
Tenure | 2 February 1489 - 21 October 1494 |
Born | 2 October 1470 Naples, Kingdom of Naples |
Died | 11 February 1524 Bari, Kingdom of Naples | (aged 53)
Burial | San Domenico Maggiore, Naples |
Spouse | |
Issue | Francesco Maria, Count of Pavia Ippolita Maria Bona Maria, Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania Bianca Maria |
House | Trastámara |
Father | Alfonso II of Naples |
Mother | Ippolita Maria Sforza |
Isabella of Aragon (2 October 1470 – 11 February 1524),[1] also known as Isabella of Naples, was by marriage Duchess of Milan and suo jure Duchess of Bari.
A member of the Neapolitan branch of the House of Trastamara, her life was characterised by the political crises surrounding the Italian Wars. Isabella often found herself torn between her native Kingdom of Naples and her marital home of the Duchy of Milan, causing her to suffer personal and political difficulties. After a disastrous marriage and lack of support in Milan, she received the Duchy of Bari as her personal property. This change in circumstances gave Isabella the opportunity to form her own court as well as build up political support and security against the ongoing wars. These reforms along with her interest in arts and literature, resulted in Bari undergoing revival and refurbishment. During this period, she also concentrated on the education of her daughter Bona, who became Queen of Poland.