Thomas II of Saluzzo

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Thomas II (Italian: Tommaso del Vasto) (died 1357) was margrave of Saluzzo from 1336 to his death. He succeeded his father, Frederick I.

His mother Margarete de La Tour du Pin, a daughter of Humbert I de La Tour du Pin, Dauphin de Viennois.

His succession was disputed by his uncle Manfred. The ensuing war was part of the wider Guelf-Ghibelline conflict. Thomas, who had married a Visconti, was a Gibelline and Manfred a Guelf with the support of King Robert of Naples. Robert therefore, to reduce Ghibelline (and Visconti) power in the north, advanced on Saluzzo and besieged it. He succeeded in taking it and sacking it, setting the city on fire and imprisoning Thomas, who had to pay a ransom. The whole dramatic event is recorded by Silvio Pellico.

Thomas was eventually succeeded by his son Frederick.

[edit] Marriage and children

Thomas married Ricciarda Visconti. She was a daughter of Galeazzo I Visconti, Lord of Milan and Beatrice d'Este. Beatrice was a daughter of Obizzo II d'Este by either his first wife Giacoma Fieschi or his second wife Constanza della Scala. They had eleven children:

Frederick II of Saluzzo.
Galeazzo of Saluzzo (b. 1332).. Considered to have died young.
Azonne of Saluzzo (c. 1336 - 1426). Lord of Monasterolo, Oncino, Paesana, Crissolo, Sanfront and Castellar.
Eustacchio of Saluzzo (d. 1405). Count of Cervinasco and Monesiglio, Lord of San Pietro Monterosso, Montemale and Prasleves.
Luchino of Saluzzo. Squire to the Counts of Savoy, possibly illegitimate.
Constanzo of Saluzzo.
Giacomo of Saluzzo.
Luchina of Saluzzo. Married Giovanni Beccaria.
Beatrice of Saluzzo. Married Antoni Falletto, Lord of Villafaletto.
Pentesilea of Saluzzo. Married Ludovico of Chiesa.
Anna of Saluzzo. A nun.