Brigida Pico

Brigida Pico della Mirandola (17 October 1633 - 22 January 1720) was an Italian noblewoman, Princess Regent of Mirandola and Concordia for fifteen years (from 1691 to 1706), in the name and on behalf of her great-grandson Francesco Maria II Pico della Mirandola, whose ancestor was her brother Alessandro II Pico della Mirandola. She ruled despotically with a policy that led to the fall of the Duchy of Mirandola. Life Brigida was the fourth child of the hereditary Duke of Mirandola Galeotto IV Pico (1606–1637) and Maria Cybo-Malaspina (1609–1652). The latter was the daughter of the Prince of Massa and Marquis of Carrara Carlo I Cybo-Malaspina and Brigida Spinola. Her other eight siblings were Laura, Virginia Brigida, Alessandro II, Giovanni, Virginia, Fulvia, Caterina, and Laura. His father died two months before his parent Alessandro I, who had him by Eleonora Segni of Ferrara: he was succeeded by the natural branch of the family represented by his brother Alessandro II. Brigida was born and lived mainly in the castle of Mirandola, but also in the palace of Concordia. Brigida lived until the age of 58 - she had not married - in the court of her grandfather and brother, not anticipating the decisive and not always positive role she would play in the destiny of the Duchy of Mirandola. She was, however, regarded less than benevolently by courtiers and subjects alike: the 'less embarrassing' epithets attributed to her were bigoted spinster or terrible old woman (bigotta zitella o terribile vecchiaccia).