The Tragic End of Bona Sforza and Roxelana (La tragica fine della Regina Bona Sforza e della Sultana Roxelana)

Abstract

This is an attempt to compare events related to the tragic end of the life of Queen Bona Sforza d’Aragona and Hürrem Sultan (also known as Roxelana). The main portion of the story is preceded by a section relating Bona’s journey from Poland to Italy and outlines the context of political connections to the House of Habsburg. Accordingly, reasons for the grant of the loan by Bona Sforza to Philip II King of Spain are discussed. As we know, this put a tragic end to the life of the Polish queen. Even if Bona Sforza was a victim of Habsburgs’ actions aimed against her, with a considerable participation of Gian Lorenzo Pappacoda, Roxelana – treated in this text a reference point for Bona – fell victim to her own intrigues. Bona’s and Roxelana’s political activity focused on the same area in Europe. Roxelana’s acts led to the death of two sons of Suleiman the Magnificent: Mustafa and Bayezid. In turn, Bona, who was defeated by the Habsburgs, abandoned her daughter Isabella, who fought against the dynasty. Her aim was to secure the future of her son and Bona Sforza’s grandson – Jan Zygmunt Zapolya.