William VIII, Marquess of Montferrat

William VIII Palaiologos (Italian: Guglielmo VIII Paleologo; 19 July 1420 – 27 February 1483) was the Marquess of Montferrat from 1464 until his death.

Two of William’s daughters from a fresco in the Cappella di Santa Margherita, Serralunga di Crea by the Maestro di Crea

He was the second son of Marquess John Jacob, and inherited the Marquisate after the death of his elder brother John IV. He obtained by Emperor Frederick III the territories lost to Savoy from 1435. William served as condottiero for Francesco I Sforza of Milan and was later the tutor of the latter's son Galeazzo Maria. When the latter was assassinated, William acted as moderator in the Duchy of Milan.

William married firstly on 19 January 1465 Marie de Foix (d.1467) daughter of Gaston IV, Count of Foix; and secondly on 18 July 1469 Elizabetta Sforza (1456–1473) daughter of Francesco I Duke of Milan; and finally on 6 January 1474 Bernarde de Brosse (d.17 February 1485).

Although William was married thrice, but each time without a legitimate son. He thenceforth had his daughters by his second marriage:

• Giovanna, married to Ludovico II del Vasto, Marquess of Saluzzo and
• Blanche of Montferrat, married to Charles I, duke of Savoy.

When he died in Casale Monferrato, he was succeeded by his brother Boniface III.

Ancestry