Violante Visconti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Violante Visconti |
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| Duchess of Clarence Marchioness of Montferrat |
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Violante Visconti with her brother, Gian Galeazzo
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| Born | 1354 | ||||
| Died | November 1386 (aged 31–32) Pavia |
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| Spouse |
Ludovico Visconti
(m. 1381) |
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| Issue | Giovanni Visconti | ||||
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| House | Visconti | ||||
| Father | Galeazzo II Visconti | ||||
| Mother | Bianca of Savoy | ||||
Violante Visconti (1354 – November 1386) was an important noblewoman from Italy. She was the daughter of Galeazzo II Visconti, who was a powerful ruler of Milan and Pavia. Her mother was Bianca of Savoy. Violante was known for her three marriages to important figures of her time.
Early Life and Inheritance
Violante was born in 1354. She was one of two children born to Galeazzo II Visconti and Bianca of Savoy. Her father was a very influential lord in Italy.
When Violante was young, her father gave her several areas as her own. These included the provinces of Alba, Mondovì, Kenites, Cherasco, and Demonte. This made her a wealthy and important person even before her marriages.
First Marriage
In May 1368, when Violante was 13 years old, she married Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence. Lionel was the third son of King Edward III of England. Her father promised a very large dowry (money or property given by the bride's family) along with her territories.
The wedding took place in Milan and was incredibly grand. The celebration included a huge outdoor feast. Guests enjoyed 30 different dishes of meat and fish. Between courses, they received amazing gifts. These gifts included suits of armor, rolls of fine cloth, war horses, weapons, and hunting dogs. Famous people like Geoffrey Chaucer and Petrarch were among the guests.
Sadly, this marriage was very short. Lionel died in October 1368, just five months after the wedding. Violante did not have any children with him.
Later Marriages
Violante married a second time in August 1377. Her father arranged for her to marry Secondotto, Marquess of Montferrat. However, this marriage also ended quickly. Secondotto died in December 1378, about 16 months after their wedding. They did not have any children together.
In April 1381, Violante married for the third time. She married her cousin, Ludovico Visconti. Ludovico was a lord who governed the cities of Lodi and Parma. He was the son of her father's brother, Bernabò Visconti. Violante and Ludovico had one son named Giovanni Visconti, who was born after 1382.
Death
Violante Visconti passed away in November 1386 in Pavia. She was 32 years old. She was buried in the Basilica of San Pietro in Ciel d'Oro.
