BIANCA SFORZA 
already had his eye on the house, which from its 
size and splendour, as well as from its vicinity to the 
Castello, was a most desirable residence. At the 
same time, his favourite Leonardo the Florentine was 
employed to build the sumptuous stables for his 
horses, which excited the envy and admiration of all 
the Este and Gonzaga princes. “ It seems to me,” 
wrote Jacopo Trotti, the Ferrarese Envoy, whom 
Lodovico honoured with his confidence, “ that Messer 
Galeaz is Duke of Milan. He can do whatever he 
likes, and is given whatever he chooses to ask, or wish 
for.” From the day of his betrothal to Bianca 
Sforza, Galeazzo enjoyed all a son’s privileges. He 
ate and drank at Lodovico’s table, and became, what 
his father-in-law had promised to make him, the first 
man in the State. 
Meanwhile his eight-year-old bride remained under 
her father’s roof. A separate household was assigned 
to her, she bore the title of the Magnifico Galeazzo’s 
wife, and on State occasions appeared in public, with 
the pomp due to her rank. When Beatrice d’Este 
entered Milan on the 22nd of January, as Lodovico’s 
wife, and Isabella of Aragon rode out to receive her 
at S. Eustorgio, Bianca sat by her side in the State 
chariot, while Lodovico, mounted on a superb war- 
horse and clad in gorgeous cloth of gold, escorted his 
bride to the sound of trumpets and drums. She was 
177 m 
