Galeotto I Pico

Galeotto was the eldest son of Gianfrancesco I Pico, ruler of the Duchy of Mirandola, and Giulia Boiardo, daughter of Feltrino Boiardo, Count of Scandiano, and Guiduccia of Correggio.[1] He was born in 1442 and had two younger brothers, Antonio and Giovanni, and three younger sisters, Caterina, Giulia and Lucrezia.[2]

Galeotto was knighted in Ferrara in 1452 by Emperor Frederick III, on the occasion of his appointment to Duke Borso d'Este. In 1467 he fought beside Bartolomeo Colleoni against the Medici. In 1470 he imprisoned his brother Antonio on the pretext of wanting to suppress disorder. Although Antonio was released after two years, this did not quell his hatred against Galeotto. On the death of Borso in 1471 Galeotto strengthened his friendship with the new Duke, Ercole I d'Este, by entering into a treaty of alliance and in 1473 joining a coterie of ambassadors sent to Naples to escort his bride, Eleonora of Aragon to Ferrara.

Galeotto went to the Republic of Venice after the riots that followed the Pazzi conspiracy of 1478 and sent aid to Tuscany to help the Florentines. Accused of having betrayed the Venetians, in 1486 he changed his allegiance to the Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, who elected him governor of Parma. He fought for the Duchy of Milan in the Battle of Fornovo in 1495. Through the mediation of Ludovico with the emperor, Galeotto managed to regain his status in 1494. Old grudges toward his brother Antonio, however, continued until 1496, when Antonio was declared guilty of felony and Galeotto confirmed in his titles.

Galeotto died in 1499 and was buried in the Church of San Francesco in Mirandola, despite his excommunication for the usurpation of his brother Antonio, for which he obtained a papal dispensation. His wife Bianca erected a monument in the church. He was succeeded by his son Gianfrancesco.

The Pico family memorial in the Church of San Francesco in Mirandola

Galeotto married Bianca d'Este (1440-1506), daughter of Niccolò III d'Este, Marquis of Ferrara, in Mirandola in 1468. At the wedding, a tournament was held with a prize of a piece of silk greenery.[3] They had six children:[4]

• Gianfrancesco (1469-1533), his successor as Lord of Mirandola and Concordia
• Federico (1470-1503), future co-ruler of Mirandola and Concordia
• Ludovico (1472-1509), future co-ruler of Mirandola and Concordia
• Maddalena (1473-1542), Clarisse nun in Santa Clara Monastery of Florence
• Galeotto (1474-1533), killed by his nephew Galeotto II
• Eleanor (1478-c. 1525), who married firstly Paolo Bolognini Attendolo and secondly Galeazzo Pallavicino.

Galeotto also had two illegitimate children named Susanna and Lucrezia.