Francesco II Sforza

The Milanese hated them and rejoiced when they were driven forth, and a Sforza once more governed the duchy.

However, the reign of Massiliano Sforza and that of his brother and successor, Francesco II, were of short duration, for the latter died in 1535, leaving no child to inherit the ducal throne.

Milan once more devolved as a vacant fief to the empire and has since remained under continuous objection to the House of Habsburg.

Count Gilbert had always been a faithful adherent of that house, and it grieved his sons that they should apparently not be trusted by Philip, for they considered his pretext a mere ruse and that what he really wished was to hold absolute sway in the stronghold that had been theirs for many centuries.

The Milanese hated them and rejoiced when they were driven forth, and a Sforza once more governed the duchy.

However, the reign of Massiliano, Sforza, and that of his brother and successor, Francesco II, were of short duration, for the latter died in 1535. leaving no child to inherit the ducal throne.

Milan once more devolved as a vacant fief to the empire, and had since remained under continuous objection to the house of Habsburg.

Count Gilbert had always been a faithful adherent of that house, and had grieved his sons that they should apparently not be trusted by Philip, for they considered his pretext a mere ruse, and that what he really wished was to hold absolute sway in the stronghold that had been theirs for many centuries.