Vittoria Colonna: Italian Poetess of the Renaissance Birth and Early Life Born in into a noble family, Vittoria Colonna was the daughter of Fabrizio Colonna, Grand Constable of Naples. At the tender age of four, she was betrothed to Francesco Ferrante d&;Avalos, Marchese di Pescara. Colonna spent her formative years at the court of her future father-in-law, receiving an exceptional.