Leonora of Naples

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Leonora of Naples or Eleonora of Aragon (June 22, 1450 – October 11, 1493) was the first Duchess of Ferrara.

Daughter of Ferdinand I of Naples and Isabella of Taranto , she was firstly consort of Massimiliano Sforza, Duke of Bari.

On July 3, 1473, she married Ercole I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara.

In her journey to Ferrara she was accompanied by a group made up of some of the most important names in the Estense court.

The wedding ceremony with Ercole I was followed by a long series of celebrations in her honour, with dances, tournaments, processions and lunches.

Ercole and Eleonora had six children:

Isabella (1474-1539), who would later prove to be one of the most powerful women of the Renaissance

Beatrice (1475-1497)

Alfonso (1476-1534), who would later marry the infamous Lucrezia Borgia

Ferrante (1477-1540),

Ippolito (1479-1520), cardinal, army commander and patron of the arts

Sigismondo (1480-1524)

She held firmly on to the reins of government during her husband's absences, showing herself to be decisive and authoritative, but also wise and level-headed.