Galeazzo II Visconti
| Galeazzo II Visconti | |
|---|---|
| Lord of Milan | |
Galeazzo II
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| Coat of arms | .svg) |
| Reign | 1349 - 1378 |
| Predecessor | Giovanni |
| Successor | Bernabò |
| Spouse | Bianca of Savoy |
| Issue | |
| Noble family | House of Visconti |
| Father | Stefano Visconti |
| Mother | Valentina Doria |
| Born | c. 1320 |
| Died | 4 August 1378 |
Galeazzo II Visconti (c. 1320 – 4 August 1378) was a member of the Visconti dynasty and a ruler of Milan, Italy.
The founder of the Visconti house is a conflicted claim, though widespread credit goes to Galeazzo’s ancestor, Ottone Visconti. Other notable figures in the Visconti family include Matteo I (1294-1302), Luchino I (1339-1349) and Bernabò (1354-1385). Prior to his rule over Milan, Galeazzo II was briefly exiled by one of his uncles, Luchino. During his exile he stayed in Savoy before eventually being invited to return to Milan and share rule over the city with his relatives, Bernabò and Matteo I Visconti. Galeazzo’s fame is outstripped by that of his son Gian Galeazzo; under Gian Galeazzo the Visconti’s status was elevated from mere rulers to dukes of Milan.
Galeazzo II became co-ruler of Milan with his brothers Bernabò and Matteo II through a statute forged by the Milanese General Council. During his time as signore, Galeazzo II was focused on increasing the prestige and influence of the Visconti. He forged ties with Holy Roman emperor Charles IV, who granted him and his two brothers, the shared title of imperial vicar. Although Visconti military activities in North Italy allowed Galeazzo II to set up his base of operations in Pavia, it also drew him into conflict with the Papacy. His death on August 4, 1378 allowed his son Gian Galeazzo Visconti to expand the influence of the family as signore.
Galeazzo II Visconti’s most notable military campaigns were against Pope Gregory XI, beginning roughly around 1367. A series of battles were fought between the papacy and members of the Visconti family, including Bernarbò and Galeazzo Visconti that ultimately ended in a peace treaty. However, this agreement would be revoked when Bernarbò’s alliance with Florence, who had also held a longstanding struggle against the papacy, pulled the Visconti family back into battle during the War of Eight Saints in 1375. Another accomplishment of Galeazzo’s was to claim Pavia in 1359, which helped him fund military expeditions. Pavia later became a principal residence of the Visconti family.
Despite his accomplishments, Galeazzo II Visconti's legacy has largely been coloured by a select few aspects of his life. He is largely remembered through the successes of his son, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, who was able to wrest sole control of Milan from his uncle Bernabò Visconti after Galeazzo's death. Yet, there is obvious continuity between the power gained by Galeazzo II, and the power maintained, and even expanded upon by Gian Galeazzo, which can be attributed in part to the situation Galeazzo II left his son in.
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