| Jeweled Scabbard of Sforza | |
|---|---|
|
Origin |
Sforza Family |
|
Type |
Scabbard |
|
Effects |
Breaks or lengthens stalemates for short-term benefits |
|
Downsides |
Covetous desire for greater power and splendor |
|
Activation |
Wielding by the group leader |
|
Collected by |
Warehouse 13 |
|
Section |
|
|
Date of Collection |
June 3, 1998 |
| [Source] | |
Origin[]
The House of Sforza was a ruling family of Renaissance Italy, based in Milan. Sforza rule began with the family's acquisition of the Duchy of Milan following the extinction of the Visconti family in the mid-15th century and ended with the death of the last member of the family's main branch, Francesco II Sforza, in 1535. The Sforza became allied with the Borgia family through the arranged marriage (1493–1497) between Lucrezia Borgia and Giovanni. This alliance failed, as the Borgia family annulled the marriage once the Sforza family were no longer needed.
In 1499, the army of Louis XII of France took Milan from Ludovico Sforza. After Imperial German troops drove out the French, Maximilian Sforza became Duke of Milan (1512–1515) until the French returned under Francis I of France and imprisoned him. In 1521 Charles V drove out the French and restored the younger son of Ludovico, Francesco II Sforza to the duchy. Francesco remained the ruler of Milan until his death in 1535 and as he was childless the Duchy reverted to the Emperor, who passed it to his son Philip II in 1540.
Members[]
Francesco I Sforza (23 July 1401 – 8 March 1466) was an Italian condottiero who founded the Sforza dynasty in the duchy of Milan, ruling as its (fourth) duke from 1450 until his death. In the 1420s, he participated in the War of L'Aquila and in the 1430s fought for the Papal States and Milan against Venice. Once the war between Milan and Venice ended in 1441 under mediation by Sforza, he successfully invaded southern Italy alongside René of Anjou, pretender to the throne of Naples, and after that returned to Milan. He was instrumental in the Treaty of Lodi (1454) which ensured peace in the Italian realms for a time by ensuring a strategic balance of power. He died in 1466 and was succeeded as duke by his son, Galeazzo Maria Sforza.
Galeazzo Maria Sforza (24 January 1444 – 26 December 1476) was the fifth Duke of Milan from 1466 until 1476. He was notorious for being lustful, cruel, and tyrannical. Accounts describe him as punishing minor offenses indiscriminately with amputation, burning, slashes, rape, assault and other misfortunes. He was later assassinated by three officials for his injustices, stabbed in a post-Christmas mass.
Ludovico Maria Sforza (27 July 1452 – 27 May 1508), called the "arbiter of Italy" was an Italian nobleman who ruled as the Duke of Milan from 1494 to 1499. Although he was the fourth son and excluded from his family's succession, Ludovico was ambitious and managed to obtain dominion over Milan. He first assumed the regency from his sister-in-law Bona, then took over from his deceased nephew Gian Galeazzo, whom some say he poisoned.
Considered enlightened, generous, and peaceful, he became a patron of artists and writers. His court in Milan became one of the most important in Europe during the Italian Renaissance. Somewhat contrarily, Ludovico was also considered fearful and of a fickle nature. To face the threats of King Alfonso II of Naples, Ludovico called the French to Italy; when threatened by the French, he could not face the danger, and was saved only thanks to the intervention of his wife Beatrice. When she died, he went into a depression and the state of his court fell from jubilance to despair.
Collection[]
For a time, it appeared as an offering in an underground artifact smuggling ring during the ‘90s. The merchandise was being passed off as children’s game show episodes for "Legends of the Hidden Temple" to broadcast potential buyers to the agreed upon price, artifact effects, authenticity and retrieval. Some featured sold artifacts, while others were those being hunted for consignment by the group, and a few fakes to weed out competitors. The whole operation went belly up when Artie and several other agents used the scabbard and their wits to end the group’s scheme, taking back their treasures.
Effects[]
Must be in the possession of a group leader, usually appointed by nature. Allows the wielder to destroy stalemates or prolong them for preparation of bigger plans. Will cause a cold war status with any other parties they actively engage with. Breaking the deadlock has as likely a chance of causing ruin to themselves as victory. All it does is force critical links to such as a leader’s decision to reach a junction, not necessarily the most beneficial outcome.