Aleramo, Marquess of Montferrat

Aleramo's tomb in the parish church of Grazzano Badoglio, Province of Asti.

Aleram (Italian: Aleramo; died 991) was the marquess of Montferrat and Liguria (the marca Aleramica) in Northern Italy until his death. He was son of William I of Montferrat and is mentioned in documents for the first time in 933 when he received a fief near Vercelli by Hugh of Italy. In 955 he was invested of lands in what is now the province of Alessandria.

In 958 he was appointed as marquess by Berengar II of Italy, whose daughter Gerberga he had married. Three years later, however, Aleram sided for emperor Otto I, who gave him further lands in the Langhe and from the Tanaro, the Orba and the Ligurian Sea. The new grants had been favoured by Adelaide of Burgundy, wife of Otto I from 951 and previous wife of Lothair II, and also daughter of Rudolph II of Burgundy.

When Italy came under the direct control of the Holy Roman Empire in 962, Aleramo's titles were confirmed by the Emperor Otto I.

Family

Aleramo had three sons from his first wife, one Adelaide:

• William II, died before 967, co-ruler with his father
• Otto, died 991. His son William III succeeded to Montferrat
• Anselm, who succeeded to Liguria

He was buried in Grazzano Badoglio, in the Province of Asti. His tomb, restored in the 16th and 20th centuries, is marked by a mosaic depicting mythological beasts.

Sources

• Circolo Culturale I Marchesi del Monferrato (external link to website devoted to dynastic history)