15-16th Cent. Lucrezia Borgia, Duchess of Ferrara.

Lucrezia Borgia was born on 18 April 1480. She was the daughter of Vannozza de Cattanei and Rodrigo Borgia (1 January 1431 - 18 August 1503). Her brothers included: Juan Borgia, Cesare Borgia, Giovanni Borgia and Gioffre Borgia. Lucrezia Borgia married Don Gasparo on 30 April 1491. The marriage was annulled in 1492. After the death of Pope Innocent VIII, her father was elected Pope on 11 August 1492, as Alexander VI. Lucrezia Borgia married her second husband, Giovanni Sforza (1466 - 27 July 1510) by proxy on 12 June 1493, before they were married in person in 1494, in the Vatican City. He was the son of Gradara (July 1447 - 4 July 1483) and Costanzo I of Sforza, Lord of Pesaro. Lucrezia was his second wife, Giovanni married first Maddalena Gonzaga in 1489. Maddalena died in 1490. Lucrezia and Giovanni stayed in Pesaro, before they in 1495, returned to Rome. In February 1497, Giovanni left Rome for a military campaign. Giovanni Sforza was forced to sign the annulment of their marriage on 20 December 1497. At this time, Lucrezia had become pregnant by her father's messenger, Pedro Calderon. She stayed at a convent until the child, Giovanni was born in 1498. Pedro Calderon was murdered in February 1498. Lucrezia Borgia married her third husband, Alfonso of Aragon on 21 July 1498. They had a son, Rodrigo born on 1 November 1499. Alfonso of Aragon was murdered in 1500. Lucrezia Borgia married her fourth husband, Alfonso d'Este, Prince of Ferrara (21 July 1476 - 31 October 1534) on 30 December 1501. He was the son of Leonora of Naples and Ercole I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara. Lucrezia had an affair with her sister-in-law, Isabella d'Este's husband, Francesco II Gonzaga, Marquis of Mantua (10 August 1466 - 29 March 1519). Her father-in-law, Ercole I died in 1505. He was succeeded by her husband Alfonso as Duke of Ferrara. Lucrezia and Alfonso's first child, a son named Ercole was born on 5 April 1508.

The Children of Lucrezia Borgia:

Acknowledged by Pedro Calderon:
Giovanni Borgia (1498-1548)
By her 3rd husband Alfonso of Aragon:

Rodrigo Borgia of Aragon (1 November 1499 - August 1512)
By her 4th husband Alfonso d'Este:
Ercole II d'Este, Duke of Ferrara (5 April 1508 - 3 October 1559)
Ippolito II d'Este, Archbishop of Milan (25 August 1509 - 1 December 1572)
Alessandro d'Este (1514 - 1516)
Leonora d'Este (3 July 1515 - 15 July 1575)
Francesco d'Este, Marchese di Massalombarda (1 November 1516 - 2 February 1578)
Isabella Maria d'Este (14 June 1519 - 14 June 1519)

Lucrezia Borgia gave birth to her eight child, a daughter, Isabella Maria d'Este on 14 June 1519. The baby girl died the day she was born. Lucrezia Borgia died on 24 June 1519, in Ferrara. She was interred at the Convent of Corpus Domini.