Visconti Family

The House of Visconti were a noble family whose founder, Ottone, wrested control of the city of Milan from the rival Della Torre family in 1277. The Visconti ruled Milan during the Middle Ages and early renaissance period, first as Lords of Milan, then, from 1395 as Dukes. The Visconti rule of Milan ended with the death of Filippo Maria Visconti in 1447. He was succeeded, after a short-lived republic, by his son-in-law Francesco I Sforza.

Despite the opposition party led by the Della Torre family, the skilled diplomat Ottone managed to have his grand-son and successor Matteo Visconti elected 'Capitano del Popolo' (captain of the people). Farsighted and a skilled politician, Matteo legitimised the reign of the Visconti. With the help of Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII, he became imperial vicar. He established his overlordship in all Lombard cities and was proclaimed 'Dominus Generalis'. In order to ennoble the family, which was of ancient origin but had no title except for that of viscount, from which the name is derived, Matteo Visconti arranged the marriage of his son Galeazzo to Beatrice d'Este and had his daughters married to very important politicians of that time. ... more

Metteo Visconti's coat of arms

• A1 ~ Ottone, Visconte dell Arcivescovo di Milano, d:1111;
  • B1 ~ Eriprando Visconti;
    • C1 ~ Guidone Visconti, feudatario di Massino, Albezzate e Besnate;
      • D1 ~ Ottone Visconti, lvd:1162;
        • E1 ~ Ruggero Visconti, Consul of Milano, lvd:1172/1189;
          • F1 ~ Ubero Visconti;
            • G1 ~ Obizzo Visconti, Signore di Massino, lvd:1266, m. Fiorina Mandelli;
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  • H1 ~ Tibaldo Visconti, Rettore delle Valli Leventina e Blenio, d:1274, m. Anastasia Pirovano;
    • I1 ~ Matteo Visconti, Signore di Milano, lvd:1250/1322, m. Violante Borri;
      • J1 ~ Galeazzo Visconti, m. Beatrice d'Este;
      • J2 ~ Stefano Visconti, Signore di Arona, d:1337, m. Valentina Doria;
        • K1 ~ Bernabo Visconti, Signore di Milan, lvd:1323/1385, m. Beatrice della Scala;  ==>  della Scala family
          • L1 ~ Maddalena Visconti, lvd:1361/1404, m. Friederich II of Bavaria-Landshut;  <==  Wittelsbach Dynasty