Eleonora di Arborea

Eleanora di Arboria (c 1350 - 1404) was a Sardinian giudicessa (ruler or judge) and the island's greatest heroine.

Eleanora was the daughter of Mariano IV, who became giudice of Arborea , on the west coast of Sardinia, in 1346. He married Eleanora to Brancaleone Doria, a Sardinian nobleman, in order to strengthen local alliances. Mariano died in 1376 and was succeeded by his son Ugone. In March 1383 there was a republican uprising in Arborea and Ugone was murdered. Eleanora defeated the rebels and became regent to her infant son Frederick.

For the next four years Arborea was at war with Aragon, which was trying to claim land given to Aragonese king James II. After rallying Sardinian forces, Eleonora was able to negotiate a favourable treaty. Her eldest son died at this time, and was succeeded by his younger brother, Mariano V. An alliance was formed with Genoa, and Arborea maintained its independence until 1410.

Eleonora composed the Carta di Logu, a body of laws which came into force in April 1395. They were considered to be far in advance of the laws of other countries, the penalty for most crimes being a fine, and the property rights of women were preserved. The laws remained in force in Sardinia until Italian unification in 1861.

Reference

• Barbara and Richard Mearns - Biographies for Birdwatchers ISBN 0124874223