On July 3, 1473, Eleonora, daughter of the King of Naples Ferrante of Aragon, made her solemn entry into Ferrara dressed in golden brocade. The groom, Ercole of Este, lord of the city and of the dukedom, was waiting for her at Porta San Giorgio. As the daughter of a king, Eleonora learned the art of command and the complex dealings of diplomacy that she, in turn, taught her daughters, Isabella and Beatrice. They applied these skills by working alongside their husbands, Francesco Gonzaga and Ludovico Sforza, helping them in diplomatic matters, supporting them during difficult times, and taking the initiative, being as enterprising as men could be, and accustomed to moving around in a world primarily made of men. Furthermore, all of this did not deprive them of their most precious weapon: femininity.