 Francesco Sforza, a condottiero owning several lands in the Marche, settled down in San Severino between 1443 and 1445, welcomed by the inhabitants who saw in him enough power to resist both the absolutisms of the local lords, and the tyranny of the Papal vicars.After having reconquered twice the Marca territory, Sforza decided to abandon his possessions to concentrate his efforts on the fight against the Visconti of Milan.The descendants of the Smeducci – who were back in favour with the Church – took advantage of the Sforza’s absence to run the last attempt to re-conquer the state of San Severino.