Polentesia da Polenta

Polentesia da Polenta was the daughter of Guido Novello da Polenta, lord of Ravenna, and Caterina Malabocca of Bagnacavallo. She married the condottiero Malatestino Novello Malatesta, son of Ferrantino Malatesta of Rimini.

On 9 July 1326 her husband was seized through treachery by their cousin Ramberto I Malatesta and locked in the castle of Sant'Arcangelo. Polentesia placed herself at the head of a column of women who marched through Rimini demanding his release, and only laid down her arms when false news of his murder arrived. Her daughter Anna married Ubertino da Carrara, lord of Padua, in 1340.