Galeazzo II Visconti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Galeazzo II Visconti
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| Lord of Milan | |
Galeazzo II
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| Coat of arms | .svg) |
| Reign | 1349 – 1378 |
| Predecessor | Giovanni |
| Successor | Bernabò |
| Born | c. 1320 |
| Died | 4 August 1378 |
| Noble family | Visconti |
| Spouse | Bianca of Savoy |
| Issue | |
| Father | Stefano Visconti |
| Mother | Valentina Doria |
Galeazzo II Visconti (born around 1320 – died 4 August 1378) was an important ruler from the Visconti family in Milan, Italy. He helped his family become very powerful. Galeazzo II is remembered for supporting smart people and writers, like Petrarch. He also started the famous University of Pavia in 1361.
Galeazzo II and his brother Bernabò were known for creating a strict set of rules called the Quaresima Protocol. He also led military campaigns, especially against Pope Gregory XI. These battles between the Pope and the Visconti family eventually ended with a peace agreement.
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The Powerful Visconti Family
The Visconti family became very strong rulers in Milan. Galeazzo's ancestor, Ottone Visconti, is often seen as the family's founder. Other important Visconti leaders included Matteo I and Luchino I.
Before Galeazzo II became a ruler, his uncle Luchino sent him away from Milan for a short time. Galeazzo stayed in Savoy during this exile. Later, he was invited back to Milan to share power with his relatives, Bernabò and Matteo II Visconti. Galeazzo's son, Gian Galeazzo, became even more famous. Under Gian Galeazzo, the Visconti family became dukes of Milan, a higher title than just rulers.
How Galeazzo II Became a Ruler
Galeazzo II became a co-ruler of Milan with his brothers Bernabò and Matteo II. This happened because of a special law made by Milan's General Council. As a ruler, Galeazzo II wanted to make the Visconti family more respected and influential. He made friends with Holy Roman emperor Charles IV. The emperor gave Galeazzo and his brothers the shared title of imperial vicar. This title gave them more power.
Galeazzo II also took control of Pavia in 1359. This city became a main home for the Visconti family and helped fund his military plans. His actions in northern Italy sometimes caused fights with the Pope. Galeazzo II died on August 4, 1378. After his death, his son, Gian Galeazzo Visconti, took over and made the family even more powerful.
Battles with the Pope
Galeazzo II Visconti's most famous military actions were against Pope Gregory XI. These battles started around 1367. The Pope and the Visconti family, including Bernabò and Galeazzo, fought several times. Eventually, they signed a peace treaty. However, this peace did not last long. Bernabò's alliance with Florence, who also had problems with the Pope, pulled the Visconti family back into war in 1375. This was during the War of Eight Saints.
Galeazzo II's Lasting Impact
Even with his achievements, Galeazzo II Visconti is often remembered through his son's successes. Gian Galeazzo took full control of Milan from his uncle Bernabò after Galeazzo's death. But Galeazzo II's efforts clearly helped his son gain and expand power.
Galeazzo II is also known for supporting smart people and writers. He sponsored the famous poet Petrarch. He also founded the University of Pavia. Finally, Galeazzo II is linked to the Quaresima Protocol. This was a strict set of rules introduced at the start of his and his brother's rule in Milan.
Visconti Family History
Galeazzo II Visconti was the son of Stefano Visconti and Valentina Doria. The Visconti family had connections in Pisa, Sardinia, and Milan. The family's power in Milan grew under Ottone Visconti. Before Ottone, the Visconti family had only limited power in the city. Thanks to his efforts, Ottone was recognized as the official founder of the Milanese Visconti family.
Key Visconti Ancestors
Ottone was the archbishop of Milan from 1277 to 1294. He took control of Milan from its previous rulers. He then helped his nephew, Matteo I, gain power. Matteo I, also called 'the Great', ruled from 1294 to 1302 and again from 1311 to 1322. He controlled cities like Pavia, Vercelli, Novara, and Como. Matteo helped establish the Visconti family's lasting rule over Milan. This made their power hereditary, meaning it passed down through the family.
Galeazzo I ruled after Matteo I, from 1322 to 1327. Before Galeazzo II became ruler in 1354, other Visconti members ruled. These included Azzone (1329–1339), Luchino I (1339–1349), and Giovanni (1339–1354).
Galeazzo II's Early Life and Marriage
Before he became a ruler, Galeazzo was a skilled diplomat and loved the arts. He was one of Petrarch's supporters. Galeazzo also enjoyed traveling. In 1343, he went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. He lived in Savoy for several years after his uncle Luchino sent him away in 1345.
After Luchino died, Galeazzo returned to Milan in 1349. His uncle, Giovanni Visconti, asked him to come back. Giovanni also made him governor of Bologna. The next year, Galeazzo ordered the building of the Visconti Castle in Pavia. This castle became the main home for the Visconti family in Pavia.
On September 28, 1350, Galeazzo married Bianca of Savoy. She was the daughter of Aimone, Count of Savoy. This marriage strengthened the alliance between Savoy and Milan. Galeazzo and Bianca had two known children.
Their first child, Gian Galeazzo, was born in 1351. He later married Isabelle, the daughter of King John of France. Their only other known child was a daughter named Violante, born in 1354. This was the same year Galeazzo began sharing rule over Milan with his brothers, Matteo II and Bernabò. Galeazzo arranged for Violante to marry Lionel of Antwerp, son of Edward III of England. He gave a large dowry of 200,000 gold florins.
Matteo II was killed early in their shared rule in 1355. After Matteo's death, Galeazzo received the western part of Lombardy. Bernabò received the eastern part. In 1362, Galeazzo's health got worse. He moved his court to Pavia, which he had taken control of two years earlier. He died there in 1378. Bernabò, his last remaining brother, was killed in 1385. Galeazzo's son, Gian Galeazzo, took over and became even more famous. Gian Galeazzo ruled for 25 years, starting in 1378. He became the first official duke of Milan in 1395.
Galeazzo II's Political Actions
Galeazzo II Visconti worked hard to make his family's power grow. The Visconti family became the hereditary rulers of Milan on May 31, 1349. This happened when the General Council of Milan made a law that the main ruling position would be passed down to the male descendants of Matteo Visconti.
Becoming Imperial Vicars
Galeazzo II, Matteo II, and Bernabò Visconti were the only adult male descendants of their grandfather Matteo Visconti. So, after their uncle Giovanni Visconti died, the General Council of Milan made another law. This law said that Galeazzo II, Matteo II, and Bernabò Visconti would rule Milan together. Other lands controlled by the Visconti family were also divided among them. Matteo II Visconti died five months after they received the title of imperial vicar from the Holy Roman Emperor. Galeazzo II and Bernabò became the two remaining co-rulers of Milan.
During their rule, the three brothers wanted more power. They decided to improve their relationship with the Holy Roman Empire. This way, they could get the title of imperial vicars. On May 8, 1355, Emperor Charles IV agreed to give them a new vicariate diploma. They paid him 150,000 florins for it. This new title gave the brothers more special rights than previous rulers. They could raise imperial taxes and had full control over local laws in their territory. The title of imperial vicar was also hereditary, meaning future rulers of Milan would have the same rights.
Conflicts with the Papacy
Before Galeazzo II became ruler, Milan was led by Giovanni Visconti. Giovanni's military actions made the Pope angry in the late 1340s. The Pope even sent a letter of complaint to Galeazzo II about the Visconti family's actions. Galeazzo II faced more conflicts with the Pope during his own rule. He and his brother Bernabò wanted to expand Visconti influence in northern Italy.
When the Visconti tried to regain control of Bologna, a fight broke out with the Pope. Bernabò was even excommunicated for heresy. In 1361, the Pope convinced Charles IV to take back the vicariate title from the Visconti family. However, Charles IV returned the title four years later. This was on the condition that they remained loyal to the Holy Roman Empire. Another war started in 1372 when Galeazzo II tried to retake the city of Asti. The Count of Savoy opposed this. Visconti military actions in the 1370s led to another conflict with the Pope. Pope Gregory XI called both Bernabò and Galeazzo II Visconti heretics. He also took away their imperial vicar title again in 1372.
Pavia and Family Alliances
In 1359, Galeazzo II Visconti conquered the city of Pavia. This city became his main base. People who had been sent away from Pavia before the Visconti conquest were allowed to return. They were also given political forgiveness. Galeazzo was often away from Milan, which allowed his brother Bernabò to have full control over the city.
In 1361, Galeazzo II also officially started a university in Pavia. Emperor Charles gave him a special document for this. Galeazzo II also helped his son Gian Galeazzo gain political power. He arranged for Gian Galeazzo to marry Isabella of Valois, the daughter of the King of France. This marriage gave his son the title Count of Vertus. Galeazzo II Visconti died on August 4, 1379. Bernabò was then the last of the three co-ruling brothers of Milan. Bernabò was later imprisoned in 1385 due to a plan by Galeazzo II Visconti's son, Gian Galeazzo Visconti. Gian Galeazzo took over from his father and became the ruler of all the lands his father controlled.
Military Actions and Land Claims
After Cardinal Albonoz died in 1367, Italy became open to control by mercenary armies. This led to powerful merchant families, like the Visconti, taking over cities. Galeazzo II Visconti played a big part in bringing power under the Visconti name. He did this through many military campaigns in the 1300s. These military actions helped him gain control of many populated areas. This gave him a lot of power, which he passed down to his son, Gian Galeazzo Visconti. Gian Galeazzo's inheritance helped him get very close to uniting all of Italy under one rule. This shows how important Galeazzo II's contributions were to the Visconti family.
How Rulers Gained Power
In the 1300s, the Pope and the Emperor had little power over Italian politics. Being noble did not guarantee power. So, Italian city-states chose their own leaders. These leaders had to defend their city from enemies. They also waged war on rival cities to gain more land. Powerful merchant families, like Galeazzo II's, were often chosen for these roles. They would take over neighboring cities to expand their rule. Their wealth and family name helped them get elected. They were then given titles like 'vicar for life' to make their authority official. Galeazzo II and his brother, Bernabò Visconti, received this title when they gained land in northern Italy.
Visconti vs. The Papacy
The Visconti family taking over land was a big threat to the Pope. The Visconti leaders often took spiritual authority into their own hands. They managed daily affairs across their lands. This made the Visconti family more powerful and took power away from the Pope. So, battles between the two groups happened often. Both sides would make alliances with local and international powers. They wanted to stop their rival's army and prevent them from gaining more power.
Galeazzo II was drawn into war with Pope Gregory XI. He was helping his brother, Bernabò. The Pope became his biggest military opponent. The rivalry between Bernabò and Pope Gregory XI had started with an earlier Pope, Urban V. He wanted to remove the brothers and take their lands. Galeazzo was at risk of losing cities in Piedmont. Pope Gregory tried to stop his army by forming alliances with many groups. These included Genoa, Amedeo of Savoy, and Charles, the Holy Roman Emperor. By doing this, Gregory XI wanted to gain land and stop the Visconti brothers from getting help from international mercenaries. The battle between the Pope and the Visconti brothers continued until Gregory signed a peace treaty with them in the spring of 1378.
Funding Military Efforts
Galeazzo's power over different city-states was key to funding his military campaigns against the Pope. It also helped him keep his rule over northern Italy. His military expeditions were paid for by taxing his city-states, like Milan and Pavia. He claimed Pavia in 1359 and made it the main home of the Visconti family. However, many wars, heavy taxes, and refusing to side with the Pope made Galeazzo's subjects unhappy. His inconsistent and costly rule caused people to resist him.
Some people have said that Galeazzo II's rule was tyrannical. This means he used harsh methods. He used violent tactics and took power over regions without permission. An example of his alleged tyranny was when Galeazzo II took the city-state of Pavia without proper right on November 13, 1359. The citizens resisted his rule, but they eventually gave in. Throughout his rule, Galeazzo was also accused of heresy. He was said to want to kill the Pope and claim all of Italy. These claims support the idea of his tyrannical rule.
Galeazzo's brother Bernabò Visconti, who fought alongside him, was also seen as a tyrant. Bernabò was especially harsh towards the church. Both brothers fought against Pope Urban V and Pope Gregory XI. They were both excommunicated by the Pope in 1373. Military leaders like John Hawkwood were hired to attack the Visconti brothers and their cities, Pavia and Piacenza. However, Amedeo of Savoy helped end the long battle between the Pope and the Visconti brothers. He saw that the Pope was becoming too harsh and wanted to destroy the Milanese family.
Galeazzo II's marriage to Bianca of Savoy reformed an alliance with the House of Savoy. Pope Gregory XI was then forced to sign a peace treaty with Galeazzo II and Bernabò in the spring of 1375. Peace between Pope Gregory XI and the Visconti family did not last long. Soon after their agreement, Bernabò's alliance with Florence led them to join the War of Eight Saints against Gregory XI. Galeazzo II fought against the Pope alongside his brother until his death in 1378.
Galeazzo II's Lasting Impact
Galeazzo II Visconti left behind an important legacy after his death in 1378. He is most remembered for three main things: the continued Visconti rule under his son Gian Galeazzo Visconti, his support for scholars and universities, and the Quaresima Protocol.
Supporting Learning and Arts
One of Galeazzo II's most praised legacies is his dedication to supporting scholars and educational places. Galeazzo II Visconti established the University of Pavia in 1361. He did this when he moved his court to Pavia because of growing rivalry with his brother, Bernabò Visconti. Galeazzo II founded this university with help from Emperor Charles IV of the Holy Roman Empire. The emperor granted the university its official charter.
The University of Pavia, carefully supported by Galeazzo II and later by his son, Gian Galeazzo, became a leading school in Northern Italy. It helped spread legal and medical texts throughout Pavia. Important figures like Lorenzo Valla would later be connected with the university. Beyond just starting the university, Galeazzo II Visconti personally welcomed scholars at his court. He offered them support while they stayed there. Famous writers like Geoffrey Chaucer traveled from England to Milan. They came to study the vast libraries of the Visconti family. These libraries held works by writers like Virgil, Seneca, Ovid, Macrobius, Dante, and Petrarch. There is also proof that Petrarch was a guest at Galeazzo II's court. He wrote there for several years before moving to Padua.
Influence on His Son, Gian Galeazzo
Galeazzo II's rule helped set up Gian Galeazzo's rule of Pavia. It is clear how much the father influenced his son. It is thought that Galeazzo II and his brother, Bernabò Visconti, came to power after a successful plan against their third brother, Matteo II. In a similar way, Gian Galeazzo was able to plan a takeover against Bernabò, his uncle. This history of family conflict, first between brothers and then between uncle and nephew, is a big part of the Visconti legacy shaped by Galeazzo II.
Another legacy Galeazzo II passed to his son was the importance of education. When Gian Galeazzo became ruler in Pavia, he was happy to study. He stayed away from the complicated Italian politics in Northern Italy. Instead, he focused on his Humanist studies at the University of Pavia. This was the same university his father had started. The final Visconti legacy passed from father to son was the love for massive building projects. For Galeazzo II, this was the huge palace he built at Pavia, finished in 1363. For his son Gian Galeazzo, this desire to build to impress people continued. Gian Galeazzo Visconti ordered the building of the Certosa of Pavia. He also helped with the building of the Duomo in Milan when he became the main ruler of all Milan.
The Quaresima Protocol
Galeazzo II is also known for creating the Quaresima Protocol. This was a strict set of rules. It is believed that this protocol was announced when Galeazzo II and Bernabò became rulers of Milan. It was likely a way to show their power and control over the people.
See also
- History of Milan (Middle Ages)
- History of Pavia
- Visconti Castle
