A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Sforza, Bona
SFORZA, BONA,
Queen of Poland, was born in Naples, in 1501. She was the daughter of Isabella of Arragon, and of Servanni Galleozzo Sforza, nephew of the founder of the Sforza dynasty in Milan. She lost her father in infancy, and was brought up with great care by her mother. In 1518, she was married by proxy to Sigismond the First, King of Poland, over whom she obtained the greatest influence, which she used to advantage in prompting and causing to be executed, plans for the prosperity of the kingdom. She inspired the administration with an activity unknown before in Poland; and while she resided there, was a pattern of many useful and magnificent undertakings. On the death of her husband, she became disgusted with a matrimonial misalliance contracted by her son, the reigning monach. She returned to her native country where she was received with the highest honours. In her little sovereignty of Bar, she occupied herself with useful establishments, according to her means, and took particular delight in the society and encouragement of men of letters. She died in 1557.