Malatesta, Battista da Montefeltro (1383–1450)

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Malatesta, Battista da Montefeltro (1383–1450)

Italian scholar . Name variations: Battista da Montefeltro. Born Battista da Montefeltro in 1383; died in 1450; daughter of Antonio, count of Urbino; married Galeazzo Malatesta; children: one daughter. Became Sister of the Franciscan Order of Saint Claire.

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oration to the Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund I (Zygmunt I).

Battista da Montefeltro Malatesta was born in 1383, the daughter of Antonio, count of Urbino, and married Galeazzo Malatesta; her marriage was extremely unhappy. After Galeazzo was assassinated as a despot, however, she retained an intellectual friendship with his father. She taught philosophy and received much admiration from the professors. Leonardo Bruni dedicated his De Studiis et Litteris to her. Malatesta had one daughter, and then a granddaughter, Constanza Varano , who also became known for her scholarship.

Catherine Hundleby , M.A. Philosophy, University of Guelph

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