Duke of Urbino

Presentation

History tells the stories of those who have done great deeds both good and bad. During the Renaissance, men and women of intellectual talents brought society into an age of enlightenment and reason. Federico Montefeltro was one of the leaders who contributed to growth in the areas of the arts and education.

Federico was born an illegitimate child to Guidantonio Montefeltro whose family was famous and distinguished in Urbino. Since Guidantonio had no heir at the time the papal authorities recognized Federico as his noble son. At the age of four, Federico moved to live with Giovanni degli Alidosi Brancaleoni, a widow to a nobleman. Federico was presumed to have been sent to live with the widow after his younger half brother was born a true heir. Historians give credit to Giovanni for educating Federico in the areas of nobility and loving him as her own son.

At the age of 10, Federico was knighted by the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund when he stopped in Mantua to name Federico's current guardian, Gianfrancesco Gonzaga, the Marquis of Mantua. During his stay in Mantua, Federico was taught in one of the finest education institutions in Italy under the famous teacher, Vittorino de Feltre. Here, many topics ranging from math to the arts of warfare were introduced to young Federico. Federico excelled at every topic especially in the usage of weaponry and the arts of war. Vittorino favored the young nobleman and boasted about Federico in letters sent to his father. At this point, Federico had seized every opportunity to excel that was put in front of him and the early signs of a potentially great leader were being shown.

Satisfying a commitment made to Giovanni, Federico married her daughter Gentile at the age of 15 while she was 21. The lands of Gentile and title of Count were bestowed to Federico at that time. His half brother was murdered five years later and being the only heir left Federico became the count of Urbino.

Federico amassed a personal fortune being a hired general to fight for different estates and lordships. During the peak paydays, Federico would be paid for retaining fees in the sums of 60000 ducats a year and 80000 ducats in times of war. No other general held the prestige or respect that Federico did as a military leader. In a time of backstabbing, loyalty was an important principle to Federico which made him more valuable in his