Cia Ordelaffi

Cia Ordelaffi, born Marzia degli Ubaldini (1317–1381), was the daughter of Vanni Ubaldini and in 1334 married Francesco II Ordelaffi, Ghibelline lord of Forlì. In May 1351 her intervention to relieve her son Ludovico decided the Battle of Dovadola.

In 1357, with a papal crusade preached against the Forlivesi, her husband entrusted Cesena to her. She held out against Cardinal Gil de Albornoz until, on her father's advice, she surrendered on 21 June; Villani records that she asked safe passage for her soldiers and nothing for herself. She was imprisoned at Ancona and only released in July 1359, when Forlì fell.

She died at Forlì in 1381 and was buried beside her husband. She is remembered as one of Italy's best-known women warriors.