Franzone

Who was Franzone?

Franzone was a servant of the Lampugnani family of Milan, and a figure in the assassination of Galeazzo Maria Sforza, the Duke of Milan.

Franzone was a servant to Giovanni Andrea Lampugnani, the head conspirator in a plot to assassinate the Milanese Duke.

Little is known about his life up to the assassination, in which Franzone was on hand in the Church of Santo Stefano, along with the three assassins and about thirty other supporters.

When the Duke's procession arrived at Mass, Lampugnani and the two other assassins stepped before the Duke, Lampugnani going down on one knee. After a brief exchange of words, Lampugnani rose suddenly, stabbing the Duke in the groin and chest. Soon he was joined by Franzone, Visconti and Olgiati. As the Duke bled to death in the church, one witness claims that Franzone plunged his hands directly into the flowing blood.

In the pandemonium that immediately ensued, Franzone made his escape, as did all the other assassins except Lampugnani, who was killed. Franzone was found the next day, however, given away by his stockings which displayed the Lampugnani colours.