Camilla Rodolfi (
fl.
''Floruit'' ( ; usually abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for 'flourished') denotes a date or period during which a person was known to have been alive or active. In English, the unabbreviated word may also be used as a noun indic ...
1449) was the commander of a group of women who came together to fight against
Francesco Sforza
Francesco I Sforza (; 23 July 1401 – 8 March 1466) was an Italian condottiero who founded the Sforza dynasty in the duchy of Milan, ruling as its (fourth) duke from 1450 until his death.
In the 1420s, he participated in the War of L'Aqui ...
.
Biography
Rodolfi was a member of the highly regarded Rodolfi merchant family, which was one of the principal governing families of
Vigevano
Vigevano (; ) is a (municipality) in the province of Pavia, in the Italian region of Lombardy. A historic art town, it is also renowned for shoemaking and is one of the main centres of Lomellina, a rice-growing agricultural district. Vigevano ...
in northern Italy and she was a mercenary soldier.
Her dates of birth and death are unknown, but it is known that she was most influential in Italy in 1449. When
Francesco Sforza
Francesco I Sforza (; 23 July 1401 – 8 March 1466) was an Italian condottiero who founded the Sforza dynasty in the duchy of Milan, ruling as its (fourth) duke from 1450 until his death.
In the 1420s, he participated in the War of L'Aqui ...
tried to take
Vigevano
Vigevano (; ) is a (municipality) in the province of Pavia, in the Italian region of Lombardy. A historic art town, it is also renowned for shoemaking and is one of the main centres of Lomellina, a rice-growing agricultural district. Vigevano ...
in April 1449, Rodolfi and a group of women fought back after many men had died trying.
Despite the women's attempt, Sforza still captured the city, but some sources suggest that sometimes he liked to have Camilla Rodolfi and her army parade around in full uniform.
References
Year of birth missing
Year of death missing
People from Vigevano
15th-century condottieri
Women in war in Italy
Women in 15th-century warfare
15th-century Italian women
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