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Isabella d' Este

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Royalty

The Resume

    (May 18, 1474-February 13, 1539)
    Born in Ferrara, Italy
    Married Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquess of Mantua
    Served as regent of Mantua during her husband's absences and the minority of her son, Federico II, Duke of Mantua
    Sister of Alfonso d'Este
    Sister-in-law of Lucretia Borgia and Elisabetta Gonzaga

Why she might be annoying:

    During her first pregnancy, she was given a gold cradle; after giving birth to a girl, she put it aside until she had a son.
    She bribed Pope Clement VII with 20,000 ducats to get her son Ercole appointed cardinal.
    Her brother's wife, Lucretia Borgia, had an affair with her husband, which must have resulted in some awkward family get-togethers.
    In her mid-60s, she demanded that Titian paint her portrait to make her look like she was still in her mid-20s.
    She owned African slaves, who she showed off as exotic novelties.

Why she might not be annoying:

    When she was a teen, she was able to debate politics with diplomats to the court.
    She was a talented singer and musician (particularly on the lute).
    She successfully negotiated with French King Louis XII to prevent an invasion of Mantua (1500).
    After her husband was captured in battle (1509) and held hostage in Venice, she took control of Mantua's military forces and held the Venetian forces at bay for three years until she negotiated her husband's release.
    Her marriage to Francesco started going south when other Italian royals suggested to him that she was the more competent ruler.
    She was a patron of Titian, Raphael and Giovanni Bellini.
    During the Sack of Rome by the forces of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (May 6, 1527), she provided refuge to 2,000 people in her home, which was not attacked since her son was a soldier in the Imperial army.
    She was called 'First Lady of the World' by diplomat Niccolo da Correggio.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 11 Votes: 36.36% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 9 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 17 Votes: 52.94% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 32 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 30 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 39 Votes: 51.28% Annoying