ABSTRACT
The chief conspirator was a man of sixty, Luigi Gonzaga, who was Bonaccolsi’s brother-in-law. Neither the family connection nor the Bonaccolsis’ fifty-five years of successful rule in Mantua deterred Gonzaga. The people of the city elected Gonzaga hereditary captain-general and lord of Mantua, and the year after that he was recognized as imperial vicar of the city by the Holy Roman Emperor. The first four generations of Gonzagas, starting with Luigi, were medieval warriors. Gianfrancesco, the fifth-generation Gonzaga prince of Mantua, became the first marquis. He was the first true Renaissance prince in the Gonzaga family. In 1433 the Emperor Sigismund confirmed in person Gian-francesco’s title of marquis in a grand ceremony at Mantua. The Gonzagas had been important factors in the wars of northern Italy. Lodovico Gonzaga ruled in Mantua as one of the most successful and admired of Renaissance princes and the most distinguished member of the House of Gonzaga.
