House of Visconti
| Visconti | |
|---|---|
| Noble house | |
.svg)
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|
| Country | Italy |
| Estates | Sforza Castle (main) |
| Titles |
|
| Style(s) | His/Her Excellency |
| Founded | 1056 |
| Founder | Idelbrando Visconti |
| Final ruler | Filippo Maria Visconti |
| Deposition | 1447 |
| Ethnicity | Italian |
Visconti is the family name of two important Italian noble dynasties of the Middle Ages. There are two distinct Visconti families: the first one (chronologically) in the Republic of Pisa in the mid twelfth century who achieved prominence first in Pisa, then in Sardinia where they became rulers of Gallura. The second rose to power in Milan, where they ruled from 1277 to 1447 and where several collateral branches still exist. Pope Gregory X, who reigned from 1271 to 1276, was a member of the House of Visconti. The renowned director Luchino Visconti is a scion of this latter family.
The Visconti of Gallura used a cock as their symbol (Gallura meaning 'land of cocks'), whereas the later Visconti of Milan used a biscione (a great serpent) swallowing a Saracen, or, according to another version, on the contrary giving life to a child. This symbol is still closely connected with Milan.
Any link between the two families in Pisa-Gallura and Milan has yet to be proven.
The first Visconti of note in Pisa was Alberto, who bore the title patrician. Alberto's son, Eldizio, bore the titles patrician and consul from 1184 to 1185. It was Eldizio's sons, Lamberto and Ubaldo I, who brought the family to the height of its influence in Pisa and Sardinia. Both of them carried the title of patrician and each served a term as podestà.
In 1212 various factions, pro- and anti-Visconti clashed for control over Pisa. In mid-January 1213, William I of Cagliari led a coalition of anti-Visconti forces to victory in battle near Massa over the combined forces of Lucca and the Visconti under Ubaldo. Afterward, Pisa divided power between four rectores, one of which was a Visconti. The Visconti of Sardinia continued to take a part in Pisan politics to the end of the century, but their influence there was greatly diminished after 1213.
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Wikipedia