Ghisolabella

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According to the authorized note to Canto XVIII of the Inferno, Ghisola bella was the sister of Venedico dei Caccianemici, a member of a powerful Bolognese Guelph family. Venedico, head of the Geremei faction, is said to have arranged the surrender of his sister to messer Opizzo, Marquis of Este of Ferrara, promising her lordship and grandeur in exchange for his mediation; she, however, found herself deprived of the promises made after the deed. The episode is not attested by contemporary chroniclers, but according to the commentary of the Lana, a Bolognese, it was known to ancient commentators, and from Dante's verses it appears to have been public knowledge. In Canto XVIII of the Inferno, Venedico is placed among the damned and points to his sister as one of the figures led astray by his actions.