Malatesta (fl. 1504–1505)

views updated

Malatesta (fl. 1504–1505)

Lyons courtesan . Flourished between 1504 and 1505.

Between 1504 and 1505, writes the Italian bishop Bandello of Agen, "there dwelt at Lyons a courtesan named Malatesta who went to her midnight assignations armed with sword and rotella, which she knew how to use in a bold and dexterous fashion." She is not to be confused with Francesca da Rimini (d. 1285?) who was infamously killed by her husband Gianciotto Malatesta in a "crime of honor."

More From encyclopedia.com