| Giovanni Visconti | |
|---|---|
| Lord of Milan and Pavia | |
| Giovanni Visconti an 18th century anonymous engraving |
|
| Coat of arms | |
| Father | Matteo I Visconti |
| Mother | Bonacossa Borri |
| Born | 1290 |
| Died | 1354 |
| Burial | 1954 Milan Cathedral |
| Occupation | Cardinal |
Giovanni Visconti (1290-1354) was an Italian Roman Catholic cardinal, who was co-ruler in Milan and lord of other Italian cities.[1][2]He also was a military leader who fought against Florence, and used force to capture and hold other cities.[3]
He was the son of Matteo I Visconti and Bonacossa Borri.
Giovanni Visconti was elected archbishop by the Capitol of Milan in 1317, but Pope John XXII refused to confirm the election and enforced instead Aircardus from Comodeia to that position.[2] In 1323 John excommunicated him with the accuse of heresy, and Visconti found an ally in the antipope Nicholas V,[2] who give him the cardinal title. In 1331 he became bishop and lord of Novara,[1] and in 1339, after Aicardus' death, he triumphally entered in Milan, although only in 1342 Clement VI issued a bull confirming him in the archbishopric.[2] Officially, he thus was Archbishop of Milan 1342-1354.[4]
Together with his brother Luchino, Visconti bought from the Pope the title of co-ruler of Milan, for 500,000 florins.[2] After Luchino's death, he associated in the lordship the sons of his other brother, Stefano, who were Matteo II, Bernabò and Galeazzo II.[2]
The year after Luchino Visconti's death in 1349, and with the approval of his relations, Giovanni Visconti assumed full lordship of Milan and began consolidating power in Lombardy and beyond. The same year, 1350, he obtained lordship over Bologna and placed in nephew, Bernabò, in charge of the city in 1951. [3]
Afraid of his growing strength, in 1350 Florence organized a conference in Arezzo with a papal legate and representatives of other cities to form an alliance against Milan. Aware of these moves against him, Giovanni Visconti cultivated affection and alliance with the Ghibellines of Tuscany and Romagna. After the death of Mastino II della Scala of Verona, who had been hostile to the Archbishop, he gained the friendship of Mastino’s son, Cangrande II della Scala.[3]
In 1351, he sent troops from Milan and Bolonga, and from allies in Faenza and Forli, all led by Bernabò, to siege Imola. With war occurring in the Romagna region, Giovanni Visconti was able to lull the Florentines into believing that he had no intentions towards them. However, he then had many leading Bolognese citizens arrested and tortured, and extracted confessions from them of a conspiracy with Florence to overthrow his rule. He used this as a justification of war against Florence and the Guelphs of Tuscany. The Archbishop placed Giovanni da Oleggio, another Visconti, in command, and he amassed an army from Bologna and led them into Tuscany to besiege and capture towns and castles, while Ghibelline allies in Tuscany wreaked havoc elsewhere in the region. [3]
In 1352, Giovanni Visconti became lord of Genoa, and in the following year, he added Novara.[2] In 1353, Petrarch visited as his guest.[5]
Giovanni Visconti died 5 October 1354.[1]
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| Preceded by Luchino Visconti |
Lord of Milan 1349–1354[7] |
Succeeded by Matteo II Visconti, Galeazzo II Visconti, Bernabò Visconti |