Gian Maria Visconti

Gian Maria Visconti (or Giovanni Maria ; 7 September 1388 – 16 May 1412) was the second Visconti Duke of Milan, the son of Gian Galeazzo Visconti and Caterina Visconti.

He assumed the title at thirteen, under his mother's regency. The Duchy soon disintegrated: among the various parties contending its lands, the condottiero Facino Cane prevailed. Taking advantage of Gian Maria's cruelty, he managed to create in him doubts about Caterina, who was imprisoned in Monza, where she died on 17 October 1404, probably murdered. The duke was famous for his dogs, which were trained to slaughter men.

In 1408 Gian Maria married Antonia Malatesta of Cesena, daughter of Carlo I lord of Rimini. They had no issue.

A plot by a party of Milanese Ghibellines was raised against the Duke when Facino Cane was ill in Pavia, and Gian Maria was assassinated in front of the church of San Gottardo in Milan. The dying Facino had his officers swear to support Filippo Maria, Gian Maria's brother, who in fact succeeded him.

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