Medieval and Renaissance Italian Women
Lucrezia Borgia
Lucrezia Borgia, illegitimate daughter of a cardinal who would later become Pope Alexander VI, gained a scandalous reputation in her lifetime and beyond. What are the facts of her life, seen as history?
Lucrezia Borgia Timeline
To keep track of the main events in Lucrezia Borgia's life -- and major events in the lives of Borgia family members that put her life in context -- check out this timeline.
Catherine of Siena
Article focusing on Catherine of Siena and Teresa of Avila, two women mystics and writers who were declared doctors of the (Roman Catholic) church.
Vannozza dei Cattanei
Vannozza dei Cattanei was the mistress of a Cardinal -- future Pope -- and the mother of the notorious Lucrezia and Cesare Borgia.
Clare of Assisi
Clare of Assisi, a saint of the Roman Catholic church, founded the Poor Clares, a Franciscan order for women.
Joan of Arc and Catherine of Siena
From "Joan of Arc" by Francis C. Lowell, published 1896 by Houghton, Mifflin and Company.
Isabella d'Este
Isabella d'Este was a major female figure in the Italian Renaissance nobility and arts world.
Isabella d'Este Picture Gallery
A picture gallery of portraits and paintings of Isabella d'Este, Renaissance noblewoman and art collector.
Marozia
Marozia was trained by her mother Theodora to be a major player in papal politics. Marozia was allegedly the mistress of one Pope, mother of another and grandmother of yet another.
Theodora - Senatrix
Theodora was allegedly the lover of Pope John X, more certainly the grandmother of Pope John XI and great-grandmother of Pope John XII.