Mastino I della Scala

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Mastino I della Scala, true name Leonardo or Leonardino (died October 17, 1277) was an Italian condottiero, who founded the Scaliger house of lords of Verona.

The son of Jacopino della Scala, he was podestà of Cerea in 1259, and then podestà of Verona. Ezzelino III da Romano, the main Ghibelline leader of northern Europe, died that year, and Mastino inherited his role. In 1260 he obtained the position of capitano del popolo ("people's captain") of the latter city, managing to establish a hereditary seigniory, with general Ghibelline stance, from 1263.

In 1267, when Conradin of Hohenstaufen descended to Italy to conquer back the family Kingdom of Sicily, Mastino allied with him. Pope Clement IV, whose main ally was King Charles of Sicily, excommunicated him as well as Mastino and Verona.

He was assassinated in Verona in 1277 by member of the local aristocracy who adversed the Scaliger rule. However, his brother Alberto was able to mantain the seigniory in his hands.