Scaliger facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ScaligeriScaligers
Della Scala |
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|---|---|
| Patrician noble family | |
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| Country | Lordship of Verona (present-day  Italy) |
| Founded | 1180 |
| Founder | Jacopino della Scala |
| Final ruler | Antonio I della Scala |
| Titles | Lord of Verona |
| Motto |
Nec descendere nec morari
(broadly "he who hesitates is lost") |
| Estate(s) | Scaliger Palaces, Verona |
| Dissolution | 17th century |
| Deposition | 1387 |
The House of Della Scala, also known as the Scaligeri or Scaligers, was a powerful family. They ruled the city of Verona and much of the surrounding area in Veneto, Italy. They were in charge from 1262 to 1387, which was for 125 years.
Contents
History of the Scaligeri Family
In 1226, a leader named Ezzelino III became the podestà (a high official) of Verona. He managed to make this job a permanent rule for himself. After he died, the city's Great Council chose Mastino I as the new podestà.
Mastino I and Early Rule
Mastino I was very clever. He turned his position into something his family could inherit. At first, the city agreed with his rule. But in 1262, they did not re-elect him. So, Mastino I took control by force. He was then called the capitano del popolo, meaning "people's captain." He led the city's troops.
In 1277, Mastino I was killed by some nobles. His son, Alberto, took over as capitano. Alberto ruled from 1277 to 1302. During his time, there was constant fighting against the counts of San Bonifacio. These counts were helped by the House of Este.
Cangrande I: A Great Leader
Alberto had three sons. One of them, Cangrande I, became podestà in 1308. He was a famous warrior and a prince. He also supported famous artists and writers like Dante, Petrarch, and Giotto.
Cangrande I expanded his family's power through wars and agreements. He took control of cities like Padua (in 1328), Treviso (in 1329), and Vicenza.
Mastino II and Challenges
After Cangrande I, his nephews Mastino II (1329–1351) and Alberto took charge. Mastino II was one of the richest and most powerful rulers in Italy at that time. He continued his uncle's plans. He conquered Brescia in 1332 and expanded his family's lands even further. He also bought the cities of Parma (in 1335) and Lucca (in 1339).
However, other powerful families became worried about Mastino II's growing power. In 1337, a strong group formed against him. This group included Florence, Venice, the Visconti family, the Este family, and the Gonzaga family. After a three-year war, the Scaligeri family lost many of their lands. Their rule was then limited to just Verona and Vicenza.
Later Scaligeri Rulers
Mastino II's son, Cangrande II (1351–1359), was a harsh ruler. He did not trust his own people. He hired soldiers from Germany to protect himself. But his brother, Cansignorio (1359–1375), killed him.
Cansignorio worked to make Verona more beautiful. He built palaces, aqueducts (for water), and bridges. He also started the state treasury. Sadly, he also killed his other brother, Paolo Alboino.
The family conflicts continued. Antonio (1375–1387), Cansignorio's son, killed his brother Bartolomeo. This made the people angry. When Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Milan started a war against Antonio, the people did not support him. Antonio ran away from Verona in the middle of the night on October 19, 1387. This event ended the Scaligeri family's rule.
Attempts to Regain Power
Antonio's son, Can Francesco, tried to get Verona back in 1390, but he failed. Guglielmo (1404), another member of the family, had more luck. With the help of the people, he drove out the Milanese rulers. However, he died just ten days later. After this, Verona became part of Venice in 1405.
The last members of the Scaligeri family lived at the imperial court. They tried many times to take back Verona by encouraging people to rise up. After the Scaligeri were no longer in power, two people, Giulio Cesare della Scala and his son Joseph Justus Scaliger, became famous scholars. However, it is not certain if they were truly related to the historic Scaliger family.
Scaliger Tombs
The church of Santa Maria Antica in Verona has the tombs of the Scaligeri family. These tombs are like Gothic shrines, with their stone coffins inside. For example, Cangrande della Scala has a statue of him on horseback. Cansignorio's tomb is a beautiful marble monument made in 1374.
See also
In Spanish: Scaligeri para niños
