Cangrande della Scala
| Cangrande I della Scala | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Spouse(s) | Giovanna di Svevia |
| Noble family | Scaliger |
| Father | Alberto I della Scala |
| Mother | Verde da Salizzole |
| Born |
9 March 1291 Verona |
| Died | 22 July 1329 Treviso |
Cangrande (christened Can Francesco) della Scala (9 March 1291 – 22 July 1329) was an Italian nobleman, belonging to the della Scala family which ruled Verona from 1308 until 1329. Now perhaps best known as the leading patron of the poet Dante Alighieri, Cangrande was in his own day chiefly acclaimed as a successful warrior and autocrat. Between becoming sole ruler of Verona in 1311 and his death in 1329 he took control of several neighbouring cities, notably Vicenza, Padua and Treviso, and came to be regarded as the leader of the Ghibelline faction in northern Italy.
Cangrande was born at Verona, the third son of Alberto I della Scala, ruler of Verona, and Verde da Salizzole. Christened Can Francesco, perhaps partly in punning homage to his uncle Mastino ("mastiff") I, the founder of the Scaligeri dynasty, his physical and mental precocity soon earned him the name Cangrande, namely "big" or "great dog". The canine theme was enthusiastically embraced and from Cangrande's reign onwards the Scaliger lords used a dog motif on their helmets and also on their tombs and other monuments.
Cangrande was held in great affection by his father who took the extraordinary step of knighting him while still a child on November 11, 1301. On Alberto's death in 1301, Cangrande was entrusted to the guardianship of his eldest brother Bartolomeo I della Scala, in whose brief reign he probably first met Dante when the poet took refuge in Verona following his exile from Florence.
Investigations following the exhumation of his mummified corpse in 2004 indicate that Cangrande was 1.73 metres (about 5 ft 8 in) tall with a long face, prominent jaw and curly chestnut hair. Considerable physical strength and endurance is attested to by the almost ceaseless military campaigns described by contemporary historians and poets. He was known for his joviality (also a furious temper on occasions when things were not going his way) and open disposition, fond of discourse with people of all social classes. He was an eloquent speaker, and argument and debate for its own sake was one of his favourite peacetime pastimes when he was not out hunting or hawking. His bravery in battle is well documented; his mercy to defeated foes impressed even his enemies, among them the Paduan historian and dramatist Albertino Mussato, who praised Cangrande's honourable treatment of Vinciguerra di San Bonifacio after the conflict at Vicenza in 1317. He was devoutly religious and fasted twice a week in honour of the Virgin Mary, to whom he was especially devoted.
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