Caterina Decksteel

Caterina Sforza (1726 – 1744) was the Countess of Forlì and Imola, and the daughter of Antonio Sforza, the Duke of Milan. She was engaged to Mikhail Decksteel's son, Ish Decksteel, at only 16 years of age, and consummated the marriage at 18.

As countess of Forlì, she became a strong ally of the Decksteel, meeting her husband who became a Captain in the British Royal Marines after her Uncle had her beaten and captured. Eight years later, Caterina had her Uncle killed by herself after finding out that he was the one who murder her father after she was made Countess of Forli.

## Early Life

### Childhood

Caterina Sforza was born in Milan in the 1726,the daughter of Antonio Sforza by his wife, Lucrezia. It's believed that she spent the first years of her life with her mother's relatives. The bond between mother and daughter was never interrupted: in fact, Lucrezia followed Caterina's growth and was always close to her in the crucial moments of her life, even in the last few years that she spent in the city of Florence.

At the Sforza court, frequented by writers and artists, Caterina and her siblings received a humanistic education. At that time, in the Italian courts, daughters of noble families received the same education as their brothers. In addition to Latin and the reading of the classics, as prescribed by her teachers, Caterina learned, especially from her paternal grandmother, to take pride in her warlike ancestors, to show boldness in the use of arms and astuteness in the skill of government. From her mother, she received her share of the maternal warmth and affection that Bona of Savoy poured over all of the children of her husband; this continued - after Caterina had left the Milanese court - in the form of correspondence between the two women.

#### Father's death and Capturement

After more than a half dozen failed attempts, Caterina's father was killed on April by a conspiracy led by one of Caterina's power hungry uncle named Alberto Sforza. The lord's palace was captured, while Caterina and her siblings were prisoners. It was not until later Caterina one time at dinner spending time with her Uncle which he threaten to expose herself in front of the crowd. Caterina wield her knife and stab it through her uncle eye which made her famous to be an Countess of Forli.

#### Rebuilding Milan & Forli

The young Countess personally dealt with all issues concerning the government of her city-state, both public and private. To consolidate her power, she exchanged gifts with the lords of neighbouring states and involved herself in marriage negotiations for her children. She decreased taxes by reducing some and eliminating others, and sharply controlled her realm's spending. Caterina dealt directly with the training of her militia in the use of weapons and horses. It was her intention that her cities and towns be orderly and peaceful, and she expected her subjects to appreciate these efforts.

## Meeting Ish Decksteel

**Ish**: "*Caterina. To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence here?*"
**Caterina**: "*I desire... an allegiance. The Dukes have resumed their march on ﻿Forlì. Your political agenda would be a great asset to my cause.*"
―Ish and Caterina about her request, 1739.
In 1739, marched towards Forlì with the intent of taking it for their territories. During this time, Caterina sent a letter to the Pope which she had hope to end this conflict but he had troubles with that had been rubbed with the sores of plague victims. Knowing that an attack was inevitable, Caterina and a small company of soldiers snuck out of Forlí on Christmas Day, 1739. Seeking an alliance with one of Russia's Royal Family's heir that led Caterina journeyed to Russia, arriving sometime around New Year.

## Marriage

In 1740, Ish Decksteel, paid a visit to Caterina.Shortly after coming to Forlì, Ish and his entourage were housed in the apartments adjacent to Caterina's in the fortress of Forli. The rumours of a possible marriage between Ish and Caterina, as well as a conflict which loomed on the horizon between Sforza family and other Noble families, alarmed all the lords and Duke of Milan. Caterina couldn't hide her wedding plans and her own feelings from her uncle Ludovico; she truly fell in love with the handsome, charming, and intelligent Ish, so they were wed in secret in 1740.

## Illness and Death

In July of 1744, Caterina was stricken by a severe case of Typhoid Fever. She appeared to have recovered, but had a relapse of the disease, after which she made her will and arranged her burial. She died on July 21st, 1744.