Cardinal. The Bishop of Pavia, Cremona, Pesaro, and Novara. He was the sixth son of Francesco I Alessandro Sforza, Duke of Milan and Bianca Maria Visconti. In March 1484 he was created Cardinal by Pope Sixtus IV as the first in his family. He participated in the conclaves of 1484, 1492 and 1503 and was more than once regarded favorite for the papal throne. In 1492, he got four mule-loads of silver and the position of vice-chancellor of the church for his vote for Rodrigo Borgia. He supported his brother Ludovico 'il Moro' who wanted the regency in Milan for their minor nephew Gian Galeazzo. Ludovico was successful and ruled until 1494 as a regent and then as Duke of Milan. After the capture of the Duchy by French troops in 1500, Ludovico fled to Austria and was later extradited to France. He died in French captivity. Ascanio fled first to Innsbruck and the following year to Venice, where he was captured and delivered to the French. Unlike his brother, he was only placed under house arrest. After three years, he was released under the condition to vote for Cardinal George d'Amboise, a close friend, and advisor of the French king, in the conclave of 1503. He did so, but secretly arranged for Francesco Todeschini-Piccolomini to be elected. After Pius III very short pontificate, Giovanni della Rovere became Pope Julius II. Although their families were actually enemies, the two men were joined in the fight against French influence in Italy. Julius commissioned Sansovino with the construction of Ascanios tomb in Santa Maria del Popolo and thus documented that he recognized the rule of the Sforza over Milan.
Cardinal. The Bishop of Pavia, Cremona, Pesaro, and Novara. He was the sixth son of Francesco I Alessandro Sforza, Duke of Milan and Bianca Maria Visconti. In March 1484 he was created Cardinal by Pope Sixtus IV as the first in his family. He participated in the conclaves of 1484, 1492 and 1503 and was more than once regarded favorite for the papal throne. In 1492, he got four mule-loads of silver and the position of vice-chancellor of the church for his vote for Rodrigo Borgia. He supported his brother Ludovico 'il Moro' who wanted the regency in Milan for their minor nephew Gian Galeazzo. Ludovico was successful and ruled until 1494 as a regent and then as Duke of Milan. After the capture of the Duchy by French troops in 1500, Ludovico fled to Austria and was later extradited to France. He died in French captivity. Ascanio fled first to Innsbruck and the following year to Venice, where he was captured and delivered to the French. Unlike his brother, he was only placed under house arrest. After three years, he was released under the condition to vote for Cardinal George d'Amboise, a close friend, and advisor of the French king, in the conclave of 1503. He did so, but secretly arranged for Francesco Todeschini-Piccolomini to be elected. After Pius III very short pontificate, Giovanni della Rovere became Pope Julius II. Although their families were actually enemies, the two men were joined in the fight against French influence in Italy. Julius commissioned Sansovino with the construction of Ascanios tomb in Santa Maria del Popolo and thus documented that he recognized the rule of the Sforza over Milan.
Bio by: Lutetia
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