Malaspina family

Last updated
House of Malaspina
Cybo-Malaspina (since 1553)
Marcher noble family [1]
Coat of arms of the House of Malaspina (Spino Fiorito) (2).svg
Flowered thorns of the Malaspina's main branch
Parent family Obertenghi
Country Banner of the Holy Roman Emperor (after 1400).svg Kingdom of Italy (HRE)
Flag of Genoa.svg Republic of Genoa
Flag of Massa and Carrara.png Duchy of Massa and Carrara
Flag of Sardinia.svg Kingdom of Sardinia
EtymologyAlberto Obertenghi's nickname "Malaspina" ("bad thorn")
Founded12th century
FounderAlberto "Malaspina" Obertenghi [2]
Current headBeatriz Malaspina Wagner.
Final ruler Maria Theresa, Duchess of Massa
Titles
Connected families
Motto
Sum Mala Spina Malis. Sum Bona Spina Bonis

("A bad thorn for the bad. A good thorn for the good.")
Estate(s) Malaspina Castle (seat, Massa)
Palazzo Cybo-Malaspina (seat, Carrara)
Castle of Serravalle (Sardinian stronghold)
Dissolution1790 (1790)
Cadet branches Malaspina "of the Dry Thorn" (still existing) [a]

The House of Malaspina was a noble Italian family of Longobard origin that descended from Boniface I, through the Obertenghi line, that ruled Lunigiana from the 13th to the 14th centuries, and the marquisate of Massa and lordship of Carrara (which later became the Duchy of Massa and Carrara and at a later time the Principality of Massa and the Marquisate of Carrara) since the 14th century.

Contents

History

The Rocca Malaspina in Massa Massa-panorama rocca Malaspina.jpg
The Rocca Malaspina in Massa

The founder of the Malaspina family was Oberto I, who became the count of Luni in 945. Oberto I was appointed as the marquis of the March of Genoa under the Italian king Berengario II in 951 and he became a count palatine in 953. [4]

Oberto I had two children; Oberto II, who inherited the title of count of Luni from his father, and Adalberto I, whose offspring founded the Pallavicino and the Cavalcabò families. [4] Oberto II had four children; Bertha of Milan, the spouse of the King of Italy Arduino; Ugo, count of Milan; Albert Azzo I, count of Luni whose offspring founded the Este family branches of Hannover and Brunswick; and Oberto Obizzo I, progenitor of the lineage of the Malaspinas. [4]

In 1004, Oberto Obizzo I fought beside his brother-in-law King Arduino against the Count Bishops of Luni: this was the first of many conflicts between the family and the governors of the Roman-founded city. Oberto Obizzo I had a son, Albert I. [4] Albert I also had a son, Oberto Obizzo II (d. 1090), the father of Alberto Malaspina  [ it ] (d. 1140), who was the first member of the family to be called Malaspina; for this reason he is sometimes considered the true founder of the family. [4]

The surname Malaspina means "bad thorn" or "ill-willed thorn" in Italian; some historians believe the surname originated in the time of Ancus Marcius as some paintings in the halls of castle of Fosdinovo may suggest. Other historians believe the name may have originated from a legend regarding the death of an enemy, King Merovingio Teodeberto I. The legend, which is narrated on five sandstone tiles at the entry gate of the Malaspina castle of Godiasco, [5] tells how the king was killed with a thorn. Others believe the name originated from the remarkably bad attitude of Albert Malaspina or some of his relatives held with others. [6]

Albert Malaspina extended the family's possessions towards the Apennine Mountains near Lunigiana, starting a conflict with Genoa and the Bishops of Luni. The 1124 peace treaty of Lucca references the division of goods between the descendants of Oberto Obizzo I, who in time gave birth to several European noble families; Brunswick, Estens, Pallavicino and the marquises of Massa, Sardinia and Corsica, as well as the Malaspinas. [4]

Albert's son, the Marquis Obizzo I Malaspina (d. 1185), initially fought against Frederick Barbarossa the Holy Roman Emperor, supporting rioting commoners. After the emperor took control of the conflict, Obizzo changed sides, supporting him in his fight against Milan in 1157. The emperor rewarded Obizzo, granting him the right to rule over the territories of Liguria, Lunigiana, Lombardy and Emilia. In 1176, after escorting Barbarossa to Pavia, Obizzo surprised him by deciding to ally with the Lombard league and attacking the Emperor's armies. Because of Obizzo's betrayal, Frederick Barbarossa was defeated in the battle of Legnano. In the peace treaty of Costanza, the emperor forgave Obizzo and re-confirmed Obizzo's right to rule over the land he was given. Both the Battle of Legnano and the Peace of Costanza are represented in paintings conserved in the hall of Fosdinovo castle and were realized by Gaetano Bianchi at the end of the 19th century. [7]

Obizzo I had two sons Obizzo II Malaspina—also known as Obizzone—and Moroello I Malaspina. [4] The descendants of Obizzo II founded the Spino secco ("dried thorn") branch of the family while the descendants of Moroello I founded the Spino Fiorito ("bloomed thorn") branch of the family (1221). [4] Obizzo II had a son called Conrad I Malaspina, who was defined by Dante Alighieri as "the Old or The Ancient" due to his fame and long-living legacy; Conrad I is considered to be the first exponent of the Spino Secco branch. He obtained all of the territories over the right bank of the Magra river and the territories of Villafranca on the left bank of the Magra river. Conrad I Malaspina had four children; Manfredi Malaspina, Moroello of Mulazzo, Frederick of Villafranca, and Albert Malaspina. [4]

Manfredi Malaspina had a son named Moroello "Vapor of Valdimagra", who was a good friend of Dante Alighieri; because of his close friendship with Manfredi and the kindness he was shown during his exile, Alighieri paid homage to the Malaspina family in the "Purgatory" section of his epic poem Divine Comedy . Moroello had a son named Franceschino Malaspina, who took part in the wars between Guelfs and Ghibellines, and is known to have hosted Dante Alighieri several times during his exile in Lunigiana, nominating him as his personal attorney in the difficult peace negotiations with the Bishop of Luni, Antonio Da Camilla. These negotiations resulted in the peace of Castelnuovo in 1306. Frederick of Villafranca (Brother of Conrad Malaspina The Old) had two sons; Obizzino Malaspina and Conrad Malaspina the Young, to whom Dante expressed his gratitude for the Malaspina family in the 8th canto of "Purgatory". [4]

Victoria and Albert Museum - Monument of Marchese Spinetta Malaspina (1430-1435) Wikimania 2014 - Victoria and Albert Museum - Monument of Marchese Spinetta Malaspina (1430-35)221181.jpg
Victoria and Albert Museum – Monument of Marchese Spinetta Malaspina (1430–1435)

Moroello I Malaspina had a son named Guglielmo Malaspina, whose son Obizzino Malaspina is considered to be the true progenitor of the Spino Fiorito branch of the family. He received all of the territories on the left bank of the Magra river. [4] Obizzino married Caterina Cattaneo and had three heirs; Bernabò Malaspina, Isnardo Malaspina, and Albert Malaspina. Isnardo married Cubina D'este, who gave birth to Gabriele Malaspina (it) and Azzolino Malaspina; the latter had three children; Spinetta Malaspina—also known as The Great, who in 1340 purchased the feud of Fosdinovo without having any legitimate offspring; Isnardo; and Azzolino whose offspring would assume the title of Marquess of Fosdinovo (1355). [4]

The division of lands between the ever-increasing heirs brought about a shattering of the Dominion of the family into smaller feuds. The Malaspinas sometimes supported the Ghibelline faction and sometimes the Guelf faction. While supporting the Guelfs, Obizzino took part in the conflicts of the Lombards against the Hohenstaufen. Obizzino, alongside Morroello of the Malaspinas of Giovagallo, commanded the Guelf army that defended Florence against Henry VII of Luxembourg. The Ghibelline faction defending emperor Henry VII was also led by a household member; Spinetta Malaspina, also known as the Great. [8]

The Malaspina family also controlled land in the north of Genoa around the four provinces area in the valleys of the Trebbia and Staffora rivers. The lordships in the Lunigiana and in the north of Genoa (also called Lombarda) were soon fragmented due to the adoption of the Longobard Right, which required an equal division of assets, including feuds, between male sons. Some members of the Malaspina family held a part of the Giudicato of Lugodoro (Giudicato di Torres) in the 13th and 14th centuries but most relevantly from the 15th to the 18th centuries, the branch of the Cybo-Malaspina governed the independent marquisate of Massa and the participants of Carrara, then known as the Duchy of Massa and Carrara). The family's Sardinian possessions were: the castle of Serravalle (Bosa) with the curation of Planargia and Costa De Addess; and the castle of Osilo with the curation of Montes, Figulinas and Coros. [9] Members of the family also had the right to the title of princes of San Colombano. [10]

Dante's homage

In the eighth canto of Purgatory, Dante Alighieri celebrates the Malaspina's courtly values, especially those of liberality and hospitality that were well known throughout Europe. [11]

"Oh!" said I then to him, "I 've never been
in your domains, but where throughout all Europe
dwelleth a man who knows them not? The fame
which honoreth your house, proclaims its lords,
proclaims its district, so that even he
knows of them, who hath never been there yet.
I swear to you, so may I go on high,
that of the glorious use of purse and sword
your honored race doth not despoil itself.
( Divine Comedy , Purgatory, Dante Alighieri, 8th Canto, Vv. 121–129) [12]

[b]

Origins

The Malaspinas were a marchesal branch descending from the Obertenghi family, [13] whose originator was Oberto I (Otbert or Odebertus), who around the middle of the 10th century became count palatine (the count of the sacred palace of Pavia and absolute judiciary authority of the kingdom), and from 951 he also became marquis of Milan and Count of Luni, [14] as well as of the marquisate of Obertenga, as he called it), in the western part of Liguria, which was made up of the committees of Milan, Genoa, Tortona, Bobbio, Luni and other bordering territories. [15]

This vast territory was fragmented both because the hereditary divisions such as the majorat were not yet valid and because of conflicting relationships with other families, including the Fieschi, Spinola, Doria and others, and because of pressure coming from the birthing communes of Milan, Genoa, Piacenza, Tortona, Pavia and Bobbio. Oberto I founded the house through his descendants Oberto II, Oberto Obizzo I, Albert I, Oberto Obizzo II and Albert I Malaspina (d. 1140).

In 1164, Albert's son Obizzo I (the great) (d. 1185) had his feudal rights confirmed by Emperor Frederick I and was also nominated Imperial Vassal. His feuds included parts of the modern-day Liguria (Tigullio, Cinque Terre and Levanto sul mare—which he acquired from Genoa and the Fieschi; the territories of the Lunigiana, Garfagnana and the valleys of the Trebbia River up to Torriglia); the Val d'Aveto (until Santo Stefano d'Aveto) and Staffora located in the Oltrepò); as well as Lombardy (Val Bormida and Oltregiogo). [16]

In 1220, of Obizzo I's many heirs, only Conrad Malaspina the Old and Obizzino Malaspina were alive; their feudal rights were re-confirmed by the emperor although the territories were slightly reduced due to Piacenza's prevalent influence. In 1221, Conrad and Obizzino divided their lordships equally. Conrad ruled over the Lunigiana territories located on the west bank of the Magra River and Val Trebbia in Lombardy, giving birth to the Spino Secco branch, while Obizzino ruled over the Lunigiana territories located on the east bank of the Magra River and Valle Staffora in Lombardy, giving birth to the Spino Fiorito branch of the family.

Essential genealogy

Spino Secco branch

The original canting coat of arms of the Malaspina of the Spino Secco was "truncated in gold and red, with a dried thorn crossing it." Blazon: Parti per fess Or and Gules, a blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) erect branched Sable. These later canting arms are blazoned: Gules a lion rampant crowned Or, displaying a blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) branched Sable. Coat of arms of the House of Malaspina (Spino Secco) (1).svg
The original canting coat of arms of the Malaspina of the Spino Secco was "truncated in gold and red, with a dried thorn crossing it." Blazon: Parti per fess Or and Gules, a blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) erect branched Sable.
These later canting arms are blazoned: Gules a lion rampant crowned Or, displaying a blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) branched Sable.

In 1266, four sub-branches were formed from the descendants of Conrad Malaspina (The Old) remembered by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy.

Malaspina of Mulazzo

The origin of this sub-branch is attributed to Moroello Malaspina (d. 1284), who possessed the Castle of Mulazzo in Lunigiana—the main castle of the Spino Secco branch—and feuds in Val Trebbia surrounding Ottone, He also had some influence over the family's dominions in Sardinia. This sub-branch was the first to be generated from the Spino Secco; it retained possession of the marquisate of Mulazzo until the abolition of feudalism. The branch was extinguished in 1810 with the death of marquis Alessandro Malaspina, a renowned politician, explorer and navigator.

The marquisate, ruling from 1266 to 1797, was recognized as an imperial feud as soon as 1164; it expanded with several acquisitions of land in Pozzo  [ it ], Montereggio, Montarese, Castagnetoli (from 1746), Calice, Veppo and Madrignano; the latter three territories were administered by the cadets of the Mulazzo sub-branch from 1710 to 1772, and due to debts were sold to the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

In the 16th century, the branches of Madrignano (1523–1634) and Montereggio (1523–1646) momentarily detached from the main Mulazzo branch. The feud of Mulazzo, starting from 1473, was alternately governed by the "Malaspina del Castello" and the "Malaspina del Palazzo" until 1776. The direct male bloodline was extinguished by the famous explorer Alessandro Malaspina. [17] The ruling marquises are presented below. The main sub-branches deriving from the Malaspinas of Mulazzo were:

Malaspina of Castevoli

An autonomous branch of the family starting from the 15th century with Azzone of Antonio of Mulazzo as its forefather. This branch possessed the feuds of Stadomelli, Cavanella and had some ruling authority over Villafranca. Its main representatives were Thomas II (d. 1603) and his son Francesco (d. 1649). The main branch went extinct in 1759 and with imperial approval, the feuds were unified with Villafranca (1796). In 1794, some revolts against the authoritarian regime of Thomas III started. In 1757, part of the feud was acquired by the Mulazzo branch. [19] The ruling marquises are presented below.

Malaspina of Giovagallo

The forefather of this branch was Manfredo, son of Conrad Malaspina The Old, around 1260. They possessed the castle of Giovagallo (Tresana) and some surrounding land. The branch went extinct in 1365 and their feuds were inherited by the Villafranca branch. Most of the marquisate was absorbed by the marquisate of Tresana. [19]

Malaspina of Villafranca

Their forefather was Frederick, son of Conrad Malaspina The Old; they ruled over the castle of Malnido as well as Villafranca in Lunigiana and the surrounding lands. The branch was greatly weakened and impoverished due to many hereditary divisions, wars and the loss of numerous territories in the valleys close to the river Vara, Auella and Taverone. In the 16th century they were taken under the protection of Modena and thanks to their loyalty, with the May 3, 1726, decree, the duke Rinaldo d'Este of Modena gave them the name "Malaspina Estensi". Their newly formed dominion included Garbugliaga, Beverino, Villa, Rocchetta di Vara, and the castles of Virgoletta and Malnido in Villafranca, where they ruled together with the consignori of the Castevoli branch. [19] The ruling marquises are presented below. The branch expanded efficiently, surviving after the end of feudalism and many co-branches still exist. Some of them had their own rulers as well as a separate identity. These include:

Malaspina of Pregòla

This branch's forefather was Alberto (d. 1298), son of Conrad Malaspina (The Old). They inherited the feud of Pregòla—a fraction of Brallo di Pregola—and vast territory on the left side of the Val Trebbia; the river divided their feuds from the ones owned by the branch of Mulazzo. They also owned some territories near Bobbio. In 1304 Corradino Malaspina, the lord of the castle of Carana (Corte Brugnatella), in agreement with Visconte Pallavicino and the abbot of Bobbio, Guido took control over Bobbio, transformed it into a lordship and built its current castle. In 1341 the Visconti Milan took control of Bobbio and of the Brugnatella court, stripping the Malaspina of the castle of Carana and destroying the famous Castello Nero, a black castle famous for the unusual stones used to build it. After 1347, when Corradino died, the feud was distributed between his heirs but in 1361 they had to give it to the Visconti family. in 1436 it was given to the Dal Verme family, who had become counts of Bobbio and Voghera. The Malaspinas also lost control over the ancient church of San Cristoforo in the Valle del Carlone. The only territory they still owned was Dezza, which was later given to the Malaspina of Pregòla. The branch endured a division in 1347, from which the feuds of Prato (a fraction of Cantalupo Ligure, in Val Borbera, near Val Trebbia) and of Corte Brugnatella, which both had a short history. In another division in 1453 the four quartieri were separated from the feud of Pergola; each of the estates was given to a distinct branch of the family. These branches were: [19]

Spino Fiorito branch

Original coat of arms of the Malaspina of the Spino Fiorito ("truncated in gold and red, with a blooming thorn crossing it.") Coat of arms of the House of Malaspina (Spino Fiorito) (1).svg
Original coat of arms of the Malaspina of the Spino Fiorito
("truncated in gold and red, with a blooming thorn crossing it.")

in 1275, the son and three grandchildren of the forefather of the branch, Obizzo Malaspina also known as Obizzino, created four other sub-branches of the family.

Malaspina of Varzi

Their forefather was Azzolino, Obizzino's grandson and son of Isnardo, who had already died before the division in 1275. With his brother Gabriele, Azzolino inherited a third of the estates of his grandfather Obizzino, some of which were in Lunigiana and some in Lombardy. After some time, in agreement with his brother, Azzolino took full control of the Lombardy feuds, mostly located in the Staffora valley surrounding Varzi. The Marquisate of Varzi was divided between Azzolino's three sons; the sub-branch of Isnardo, which ruled over Menconico, went extinct in the 15th century but the other two branches survived: [22]

Malaspina of Fivizzano

This branch's forefather was Gabriele, Obizzino's grandson and Isnardo's son, who died before the division of the feuds in 1275. Gabriele ruled over a third of the family's estates alongside his brother Azzolino; some feuds were in Lunigiana and some in Lombardy; thanks to a political agreement between him and Azzollino, Gabriele took control of the feuds in Lunigiana, which consisted of the castle of Verrucola in Fivizzano and the bordering territories in eastern Lunigiana. Gabriele had three children; Isnardo's family went extinct in the 15th century, leaving Fivizzano to the Republic of Florence, with which the family were allied. This event determined the future, creating the strong influence Florence had over Lunigiana and the bordering territories. The famous Lunigiana Granducale , which fought for supremacy with the Malaspinian dominium as well as the one of Modena. Spinetta Malaspina pledged his loyalty to Verona; by doing so he was awarded the feud of Fosdinovo. Spinetta had no natural heirs so his bloodline went extinct with his sons; Azzolino's descendants were rewarded with the feud of Fosdinovo and generated the line of Malaspina of Fosdinovo, who were imperial vicars in Italy from whom Antonio Alberico I Malaspina descended. Because Antonio was the marquis of Fosdinovo, he obtained the feud of Massa in 1441. [24] His son, Giacomo I Malaspina (d. 1481), succeeded his father and added to the lordship of Massa the feud of Carrara and its surrounding territories. [25] Giacomo's son, Alberico, [26] banished his brother Francesco and Francesco's offspring, depriving them of all succession rights and leaving his daughter Ricciarda as his sole heir. Ricciarda married Lorenzo Cibo, from which descended the Cybo-Malaspina, the new duchess of Massa and Carrara. [27]

This branch of the family generated several other sub-branches, including:

Malaspina of Fosdinovo

The Malaspinian castle of Fosdinovo Fosdinovo-castello Malaspina1.JPG
The Malaspinian castle of Fosdinovo

This branch's forefather was the son of Azzolino, Galeotto, who died in 1367. In 1340, Spinetta Malaspina consolidated the family's power over its estates, granting them the lordship for the following centuries. The marquisate of Fosdinovo became sovereignly autonomous in 1367, engulfing the territories of Viano, Castel dell'Aquila, Gragnola (1646), Cortila, Pulica, Giucano, Ponzanello, Tendola, Marciaso and Posterla, Caniparola. Gabriele, son of Antonio Alberico I of Fosdinovo, took control of the feud of Fosdinovo, leaving the other estates to his siblings. [28]

In 1529 the hereditary status of imperial Vicary was recognised to him and his feuds. In 1666 the emperor granted the branch the right to produce its own currency. The last sovereign marquis was Carlo Emanuele, who was in favour of abolishing the imperial feuds in Italy; he agreed with the Napoleonic edict of 2 July 1797 and renounced his feuds. The Torrigiani-Malaspina family still owns the Castle Fosdinovese. [22] The ruling marquises are presented below.

Malaspina of Olivola

Their forefather was Francesco, son of Bernabò and grandson of Obizzino who, after the division of 1275, inherited land in Lunigiana (the castle of Olivola, in a fraction of Aulla) and Lombardy, including the castle of Pizzocorno, a fraction of Ponte Nizza. The heirs of the main branch were assassinated in 1413 in the castle of Olivola; their feuds were divided between the Fosdinovo and Godiasco branches of the family. Olivola was given to the line of Gragnola; after the extinction of the line, it was given to Alberico I of Fosdinovo and his son Gabriele IV (d. 1485), who left it to his son Giovan Battista. The feud was later inherited by Lazzaro, who in 1525 created an independent line, which survived until the abolition of the imperial feuds in 1797. [30] The ruling marquises are presented below.

Malaspina of Godiasco

The forefather of this branch was Alberto, son of Obizzino, who in the division of 1275 with his grandchildren had feuds in both Lunigiana and Lombardy, mainly close to the castle of Filattiera. They were initially called Malaspina of Filattiera; this title was kept by the first generation only. They also had a castle in Oramala—a fraction of Val di Nizza, and later acquired control over the Borgo of Godiasco and set it as their centre of power. In 1743 the province of Bobbio was established under the marquisate of Bobbio from 1516; the Savoia and the mandate of Varzi delimitated their territories. The five main sub-branches of the family were created by Nicolò (also known as Marchesotto) the son of Alberto, and his five children; they all had feuds in Lunigiana and in the marquisate of Godiasco: [22]

Rulers

House of Malaspina

Table of rulers

RulerBornReignRuling partConsortDeathNotes
Alberto I Malaspina  [ it ]c.1100?
Son of Oberto Obizzo IV Malaspina  [ it ]		1130 – 1141Marquisate of MalaspinaAdelisa
three children

Picenna
no children		1141
aged 40–41		Founder of the family and the marquisate.
Obizzo I the Great  [ it ]c.1120?
Son of Alberto I  [ it ] and Adelisa		1141 – 1186Marquisate of MalaspinaMaria Bianco da Vezzano
three children		1186
aged 65–66
Moroello I 1140
First son of Obizzo I  [ it ] and Maria da Vezzano		1186 – 1199Marquisate of Malaspina(Giordana?) Frangipan
four children		1199
aged 58–59		Sons of Obizzo I, ruled jointly, until the death of Alberto in 1212. The surviving nephews, then divided the marquisate between the two: Alberto's brother Obizzo's line became known as Spino Secco (Dried Thorn) and Moroello's as Spino Fiorito (Blossomed Thorn).
Obizzo II c.1150
Son of Obizzo I  [ it ] and Maria da Vezzano		1186 – 1193Beatrice? of Montferrat
two children		1193
aged 22–23
Alberto II the Moor BnF ms. 854 fol. 155v - Albert Marques de Malaspina (2).jpg 1150
Son of Obizzo I  [ it ] and Maria da Vezzano		1186 – 1212(Giordana?) of Montferrat
one child		1212
aged 61–62
Corrado I the Elder Dante sieht zwei Engel mit Flammenschwertern zu den Seiten einer Schar Seelen, unter welchen Malaspina, der ihm seine Verbannung aus Florenz prophezeit (SM 942k).png 1180
Son of Obizzo II and Beatrice of Montferrat		1212 – 7 July 1254Marquisate of Malaspina
(Spino Secco)		 Constance of Sicily

Agnesina

six children (in total)		7 July 1254
aged 73–74		In 1254 divided his lands between his sons.
Guglielmo I c.1180
Son of Moroello I and (Giordana?) Frangipan		1212 – May 1219Marquisate of Malaspina
(Spino Fiorito)		Unknown
at least one child		May 1219
aged 38–39?
Obizzo III c.1200?
Son of Guglielmo I 		May 1219 – 1249Marquisate of Malaspina
(Spino Fiorito)		 Caterina della Volta
seven children		1249
aged 48–49?		In 1249 divided his lands between his sons.

Malaspina del Spino Secco

Partitions of Lunigiana under Malaspina del Spino Secco rule
Coat of arms of the House of Malaspina (Spino Secco) (1).svg
Marquisate of Malaspina del Spino Secco (Dried Thorn)
Marquisate
of Pregola
(1254–1777) [32] 		Marquisate
of Mulazzo
(1254–1797) [33] 		Marquisate
of Giovagallo  [ it ]
(1254–1365)		      
       Marquisate
of Cremolino
(1275–1467) [34]
            
Marquisate of Villafranca
(1254–1796)
Marquisate
of Lusuolo  [ it ]
(1301–1616)		 Marquisate
of Tresana
(1407–1651)
      
       Marquisate
of Groppoli
(1473-1577)		       Marquisate of Licciana
(1469–1796) [35] 		      Annexed to
Montferrat
       Marquisate
of Podenzana
(1528–1797)		       Marquisate
of Bastia  [ it ]
(1528–1783)		 Marquisate
of Suvero  [ it ]
(1528–1797)		      
Marquisate
of Castevoli  [ it ]
(1560–1797) [36] 		            
Marquisate
of Madrignano  [ it ]
(1573–1631) [37] 		            Marquisate of
Ponte Bosio
(1574–1797)		 Marquisate
of Terrarossa
(1574–1617)		      
            
Sold to Tuscany
Given to Spino Fiorito branch (1628-1787)		Sold to Tuscany
      
Sold to Tuscany
Sold to Tuscany
      
            
Smaller Spino Secco marquisates

Marquisate of Cavatore (1402)

(partitioned from Cremolino)

  • 1402-1465: Giovanni I (c.1380?-1465), son of Gian Isnardo of Cremolino (r.1355-1385). Married Luchina Adorno (d.1476) and had one child.
  • 1465-1483: Antoniotto (c.1420-1483), son of previous. Married Violante and had 5 children.
  • 1483-1525: Ludovico (c.1440-1525), son of previous. Had one child.
  • 1525-1529: Giovanni II (c.1460-1529), son of Gian Giorgio, brother of Ludovico. Married (1510) Tommasina Adorno and had one child
  • 1529-1550: Violante (c.1510-1550), daughter of previous. Married (1530) Johann Baptist von Lodron (1480-1555) and had at least one child

Marquisate of Santo Stefano (1407)

(partitioned from Mulazzo)

  • 1407-1475: Ghisello I (c.1390?-1475), son of Antonio I of Mulazzo (r.1365-1407) and Sofia Buzzacarini. Had 5 children.
  • 1475-1525: Francesco I (c.1440-1525), son of previous. Had 5 children.
  • 1525-1560: Ghisello II (c.1480-1560), son of previous. Married Bettina Fregoso (d.1506), and had one child.
  • 1560-1590: Francesco II (c.1530-1590), son of previous. After his death Santo Stefano returned to Mulazzo.

Marquisate of Cariseto (1407)

(partitioned from Mulazzo)

  • 1407-1477: Antonio II [49] (c.1390?-1477), son of Antonio I of Mulazzo (r.1365-1407) and Sofia Buzzacarini.
  • 1477-1525: Antonio III (c.1440-1525), son of previous. Had 5 children.
  • 1525-1560: Pietro (c.1480-after 1540), illegitimate son of previous. In 1540 he sold his lands to the Fieschi family.

Marquisate of Montereggio (1473)

(partitioned from Mulazzo) 1st line

  • 1473-1522: Antonio II (c.1440?-1522), son of Azzone I of Mulazzo (r.1407-1473). Had one child.
  • 1522-1526: Gian Vincenzo I (c.1490?-1526), son of previous. Married Constanza Malaspina of Villafranca, and had 3 children.
  • 1526-1584: Taddea (c.1510?-1584), daughter of previous. Married (1530):

2nd line

  • 1530-1584: Gian Paolo (c.1510?-1584), son of Moroello III of Mulazzo (r.1517-1573). Married (1530) Taddea and had 5 children.
  • 1584-1595: Gian Vincenzo II (c.1550?-1595), son of previous. Married Margherita Malaspina of Licciana and had 3 children.
  • 1595-1625: Gian Vincenzo III (c.1570?-1625), son of previous. Married Isabella Sanvitale of Fontanellato and had one child.
  • 1625-1646: Ottavio (c.1590?-1646), son of previous. Married Matilde Malaspina of Mulazzo (d.1680) and had no children. Montereggio reverted to Mulazzo.

Marquisate of Edifizi (1475)

(partitioned from Santo Stefano)

  • 1475-1500: Pietro (c.1440-1500), son of Ghisello I of Santo Stefano.
  • 1500-1525: Ghisello II (c.1460-1525), son of previous.
  • 1500-1550: Gaspare Vincenzo (c.1480-1550), son of previous.
  • 1550-1624: Pier Francesco (c.1530?-1624?), son of previous. After his death Edifizi returned to Mulazzo.

Marquisate of Monti (1528)

(partitioned from Licciana)

  • 1528-1578: Moroello (c.1490-1578), son of Gian Spinetta II of Licciana (r.1469-1528) and Maddalena Malaspina of Gragnola. Married Lucrezia Stroggi-Maggi and had one child.
  • 1578-1582: Orazio (c.1530-1582), son of previous. Married Lucrezia and had no children. Monti reverted to Licciana.

Marquisate of Stadomelli (1562)

(partitioned from Castevoli)

  • 1562-1585: Alfonso I (c.1530-1585), son of Gian Battista of Castevoli (r.1521-1562) and Margherita Malaspina of Mulazzo. Married Anna Sicco and had 4 children.
  • 1585-1615: Marzio (c.1560-1615), son of previous. Married Margherita Tedeschi and had 6 children.
  • 1615-1679: Scipione (c.1610-1679), son of previous. Married Maria Spinola and had 3 children.
  • 1679-1722: Alfonso II (c.1660-1722), son of previous, also Marquis of Castevoli jue uxoris (see above)

Malaspina del Spino Fiorito

Partitions of Lunigiana under Malaspina del Spino Fiorito rule
Coat of arms of the House of Malaspina (Spino Fiorito) (1).svg
Marquisate of Malaspina del Spino Fiorito
Marquisate of Godiasco
(1254–1339) [50] 		Marquisate
of Olivola  [ it ]
(1st creation)
(1254–1413)		      
Marquisate of Verrucola  [ it ]
(1254–1418)		 Marquisate
of Varzi
(1289–1776) [51]
Marquisate
of Filattiera
(1339-1535)		 Marquisate
of Treschietto  [ it ]
(1339–1716) [52] 		Marquisate
of Malgrate
(1339–1615)
            
       Marquisate of
Castel dell'Aquila  [ it ]
(1367–1441)
      
Marquisate of Fosdinovo
(1340–1797)
Marquisate
of Olivola  [ it ]
(2nd creation,
Fosdinovo line
(1451–
1796)		       Marquisate
of Gragnola  [ it ]
(1451–1642)
Duchy of Massa
and Carrara
(1467–1553)		      
Sold to
Tuscany 		      
       Marquisate
of Oramala  [ it ]
(1549–1797)		      
Inherited by
Cybo family 		      
Sold to
Spain 		      
Marquisate of
Terrarossa
(2nd creation,
Filattiera line)
(1628–1787)		      
      
Sold to
Tuscany 		      
      Sold to
Savoy
Sold to
Tuscany 		      
Smaller Spino Fiorito marquisates

Marquisate of Fabbrica (1320)

(partitioned from Varzi)

  • 1320-1350: Obizzo (c.1300-1350), son of Azzolino I of Varzi (r.1275-1320). Had 2 children
  • 1350-1390: Azzo (c.1330-1390), son of previous. No children
  • 1390-1410: Bonifazio (c.1340-1410), brother of previous. Had 3 children
  • 1410-1450: Pietro (c.1380-1450), son of previous. Had 2 children
  • 1450-1475: Bonifazio II (c.1410-1475), son of previous. Had at least one child.
  • 1475-1530: Battaglio (c.1460-1530), son of previous. Had at least one child.
  • 1530-1550: Gian Battista (1490-1550), son of previous. Married Elisabetta Malaspina, heiress of Lunassi, and had at least one child.
  • 1550-1600: Cristoforo I (1530-1 February 1600), son of previous. Married Laura della Pusterla, and had 4 children.
  • 1600-1625: Clemente (1560-1625), son of previous. Had at least one child.
  • 1625-1658: Cristoforo II (1590-25 December 1658), son of previous. Married Caterina Bussetti, with whom had 5 children and Anna Maria Perelli, with whom had one child
  • 1658-1696: Bartolomeo (1630-5 August 1696, Pietragavina  [ it ]), son of previous and Caterina Bussetti. Married Orsola Ristori, and had one child.
  • 1696-1759: Sforza Antonio (1680-1759), son of previous. Married a woman from Stampa family, with whom had two children, and Maria Vittoria della Porta, with whom had one child. After his death, the marquisate was annexed to the House of Savoy.

Marquisate of Bagnone (1339)

(partitioned from Godiasco)

  • 1339-1359: Antonio (c.1310-1359), son of Niccolò of Godiasco (r.1320-1339) and Beatrice Malaspina of Mulazzo. Had 4 children.
  • 1359-1427: Riccardo (c.1350-1427), son of previous. Had 3 children.
  • 1427-1450: Giorgio (c.1380-30 June 1450), son of Riccardo. Had 4 children.
  • 1450-1471: Cristiano (c.1400-1471), son of previous. Had 4 children. In 1471, Cristiano sold his marquisate to the Republic of Florence.

Marquisate of Castiglione (1339)

(partitioned from Godiasco)

  • 1339-1396: Francesco I (c.1310-1396), son of Niccolò of Godiasco (r.1320-1339) and Beatrice Malaspina of Mulazzo. Had 3 children.
  • 1396-1430: Bernabò (c.1350-1430), son of previous. Had 2 children.
  • 1430-1451: Francesco II (c.1400-1460), son of previous, died unmarried. In 1451, Francesco sold his marquisate to the Republic of Florence.

Marquisate of Corlaga (1419)

(partitioned fom Treschietto)

  • 1419-1461: Dondazio (c.1390-1461), son of Federico of Treschietto (r.1375-1419). Had 4 children.
  • 1461-1523: Moroello (c.1440-1523), son of previous. Married Francesca Malaspina of Malgrate, and had 4 children.
  • 1523-1535: Leonardo (c.1470-1535), son of previous. Married Anna Butini and had 2 children. After his death, Corlaga was sold to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

Marquisate of Santa Margherita (1425)

(partitioned from Varzi)

  • 1425-1456: Cristoforo (c.1380-1456), son of Giovanni I of Varzi (r.1369-1425). Had at least one child.
  • 1456-1475: Francesco (c.1400-1475), son of previous. Married Giovanna Marli, and had 3 children.
  • 1475-1525: Federico (c.1450-1525), son of previous. Had 2 children.
  • 1525-1565: Angelo I (c.1490-1565), son of previous. Married Teresa Malaspina of Prègola, and had 3 children.
  • 1565-1605: Galeazzo (c.1530-1605), son of previous. Married Veronica Anguissola and had 3 children.
  • 1605-1632: Angelo II (c.1570-1632), son of previous. Married Laura and had 7 children.
  • 1632-1698: Gian Battista and Gian Agostino (both lived around 1620-1698), sons of previous. Gian Battista had 4 children; Gian Agostino married Lucrezia del Verme (1631-23 January 1705) and had no children.
  • 1698-1749: Angelo III (c.1630-15 January 1749), son of Gian Battista. Married Maria Maddalena Landi and had 2 children.
  • 1749-1790: Gian Galeazzo (c.1700-1790) and Francesco Agostino (c.1700-14 May 1757), sons of previous. Gian Galeazzo had 5 children; Francesco Agostino had no children. After Gian Galeazzo's death, the marquisate was annexed to the House of Savoy.

Marquisate of Lunassi (1425)

(partitioned from Varzi)

  • 1425-1450: Antonio I (c.1380-1450), son of Giovanni I of Varzi (r.1369-1425), married Costanza Zanardi Landi, and had 3 children.
  • 1450-1470: Federico II (c.1420-1450), son of previous. Had two children.
  • 1470-1530: Cesare (c.1460-1530), son of previous. Had 3 children.
  • 1530-1550: Antonio II (c.1490-1550), son of previous, married Caterina Malaspina of Treschietto, and had 2 children.
  • 1550-1601: Francesco (c.1530-1601), son of previous, married Pellegra Spinola and Cornelia Ugarti. Had 2 children.
  • 1601-1605: Elisabetta (c.1560-1605?) and Lelia (c.1560-1605?), daughters of previous. Elisabetta married Gian Battista, Marquis of Fabbrica, which determined Lunassi's annexation to Fabbrica. Lelia married Gian Paolo Bussetti.

Marquisate of Valverde (1456)

(partitioned from Treschietto)

  • 1456-1500: Ludovico (c.1430-1500), son of Bartolomeo of Malgrate (r.1408-1456). Had one child.
  • 1500-1550: Galeazzo (c.1480-1550), son of previous. Had one child.
  • 1550-1600: Aragone (c.1530-1600), son of previous. Had 5 children.
  • 1600-1630: Gian Paolo (c.1580-6 August 1630), son of previous. Had 2 children.
  • 1630-1650: Pier Francesco (c.1600-1650), son of previous. Had no children. Probably during his reign or after his death, Valverde was sold to the Kingdom of Spain.

Other branches

Malaspinian Baroque gate - Ascoli Piceno Portale barocco - Ascoli Piceno.jpg
Malaspinian Baroque gate – Ascoli Piceno

Family members of unknown lines

Malaspina branches at mid-18th century

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Although all branches of families died out before its main branch (Cybo-Malaspina), some descendants are still present in Greece and Americas. [3]
  2. ↑

    Original version:

    La fama che la vostra casa onora,
    "Oh!", diss'io lui, "per li vostri paesi
    già mai non fui; ma dove si dimora
    per tutta Europa ch'ei non sien palesi?
    grida i segnori e grida la contrada,
    sì che ne sa chi non vi fu ancora;
    e io vi giuro, s'io di sopra vada,
    che vostra gente onrata non si sfregia
    del pregio de la borsa e de la spada.
    (Divina Commedia, Purgatorio, Dante Alighieri, Canto 8, Vv. 121–129) [12]

References

  1. ↑ Treccani (ed.). "Malaspina" (in Italian). Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  2. ↑ Bicchierai, Marco (2006). Treccani (ed.). "MALASPINA, Alberto". Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani (in Italian).
  3. ↑ Fiori, Giorgio (1995). "I Malaspina: castelli e feudi nell'Oltrepò piacentino, pavese, tortonese" (in Italian). pp. 157–158.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "Castello di Fosdinovo - Albero genealogico" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 October 2016.
  5. ↑ La marca Obertenga e i Feudi Imperiali
  6. ↑ Guagnini, p. 27
  7. ↑ Guagnini, p. 49
  8. ↑ Fiori, p. 6
  9. ↑ Soddu, I Malaspina e la Sardegna, p. 36
  10. ↑ Branchi, I, p. 161
  11. ↑ E. Salvatori, Les Malaspina: bandits de grands chemins ou champions du raffinement courtois? Quelques considérations sur une cour qui a ouvert ses portes aux troubadours (XIIème - XIIIème siècles), in Les élites lettrées, a cura di Patrick Gilli, Montpellier
  12. 1 2 Dante Alighieri, La Divina Commedia, ed. G. Petrocchi, Torino 1975.
  13. ↑ Patrizia Meli (2008). Gabriele Malaspina marchese di Fosdinovo: condotte, politica e diplomazia nella Lunigiana del Rinascimento. Firenze: Firenze University Press. pp. X, 2. ISBN   978-88-8453-860-4.
  14. ↑ Patrizia Meli (2008). Gabriele Malaspina marchese di Fosdinovo: condotte, politica e diplomazia nella Lunigiana del Rinascimento. Firenze: Firenze University Press. p. X. ISBN   978-88-8453-860-4.
  15. ↑ In pratica più o meno l'attuale Lombardia, più il Novarese, la Svizzera Italiana e l'Emilia con Ferrara; il Genovesato fino alla Lunigiana e alla Garfagnana e parte del Piemonte, cioè Tortona, Novi Ligure, Ovada, la Val Bormida (l'Oltregiogo), e poi si aggiunse anche Ascoli Piceno
  16. ↑ Guagnini, p. 52
  17. ↑ Branchi, II, p. 121
  18. ↑ "Castello di Cariseto - Cerignale Piacenza Genova". Archived from the original on 2007-03-10. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 "Feudi di Lunigiana" [Fiefs of Lunigiana](PDF) (in Italian). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-10-02.
  20. ↑ Branchi, II, p. 205
  21. ↑ Fiori, pp. 157–158
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Umberto Burla, Malaspina di Lunigiana, Luna editore, La Spezia 2001.
  23. ↑ Caciagli, p. 60
  24. ↑ Antonio Alberico Malaspina
  25. ↑ Giacomo Malaspina
  26. ↑ Alberico Malaspina
  27. ↑ Branchi, III, p. 45
  28. ↑ Caciagli, p. 82
  29. 1 2 3 Umberto Burla, Malaspina di Lunigiana, Luna editore, La Spezia 2001.
  30. ↑ Morosini, Roberta (February 2009). "'Fu in Lunigiana': La Lunigiana e l'epistola di frate Ilario (Codice 8, Pluteo XXIX, Zibaldone Mediceo-Laurenziano) nella geografia letteraria di Boccaccio". The Italianist. 29 (1): 50–68. doi:10.1179/026143409x409774. ISSN   0261-4340. S2CID   143815915.
  31. ↑ Branchi, III, pp. 58–60
  32. ↑ Pregòla branch divided in several sub-branches, but these cannot be traced.
  33. ↑ The division of 1407 also originated the short-lived marquisates of Santo Stefano (1407-1590), which returned to Mulazzzo, and Cariseto (1407-1540), sold to the Fieschi family. Later, the marquisate of Edifizi (1475-1624) split off fom Santo Stefano, but returned to Mulazzo. Mulazzo later originated, besides Groppoli (1473-1577) and Madrignano (1571-1631), also the Marquisate of Montereggio (1573-1646), which was re-absorbed by Mulazzo.
  34. ↑ The marquisate of Cavatore (1391-1530) separated from Cremolino, and, although survived longer, had the same fate as Cremolino: annexation to Montferrat.
  35. ↑ Besides Suvero, Bastia and Podenzana, a fourtrh marquisate came to existence after the division of 1528: Monti (1528-1587), which was rapidly extinct and rejoined Licciana.
  36. ↑ In 1562, the marquisate of Stadomelli (1562-1679) split-off from Castevoli. However, both reunited again 1679 through marriage.
  37. ↑ In 1631 Madrignano was inherited by Suvero before returning, in 1639, to Mulazzo.
  38. ↑ In 1312 Federico was already fighting in Tuscany. Cf. LITTA (1855).
  39. ↑ LITTA (1855) assures that Isnardo is Richelda's son, despite not assigning a mother to his brothers and sisters.
  40. ↑ Argentina later remarried Galeotto I Malaspina, Marquis of Fosdinovo. See Paola Cervia, L’archivio storico comunale di Fosdinovo - Inventario della sezione preunitaria (1615 - 1870).
  41. ↑ The namesake son Antonio had was perhaps illegitimate, because he survived his father but didn't succeed in the marquisate.
  42. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 LITTA (1855)
  43. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 BRANCHI (1971)
  44. ↑ MALASPINA; Guglielmo
  45. ↑ LITTA (1855) mistakes this Niccolò, son of Francesco, with the non-reigning Niccolò, son of Tommaso I
  46. ↑ LITTA (1855) places her (wrongly) as daughter of Tommaso I and sister of the non-reigning Niccolò, father of the marquis Francesco.
  47. ↑ Torquato Malaspina - Geneall
  48. ↑ Amedea Malaspina - Geneall
  49. ↑ BRANCHI (1971) numbers him II, in probable continuity with the marquisate of Mulazzo
  50. ↑ Besides Treschietto and Malgrate, other two short-lived marquisates appeared after the division of 1339: Castiglione del Terziere (1339-1451) and Bagnone (1339-1471), both located on today's fraction of Bagnone. Both marquisates were sold to the Republic of Florence, and later to the Tuscany.
  51. ↑ In 1320, Varzi divided itself in the smaller marquisates of Santa Margherita (1320-1790), Lunassi (1320-1605) and Fabbrica (1320-1759). In 1601, the heiresses Elisabetta and Lelia of Lunassi (both lived around 1560-1605), daughters of marquis Francesco (r.1550-1601), shared rule, but Elisabetta's marriage with Gian Battista, marquis of Fabbrica (r.c.1530-1550) determined the annexation of all Lunassi to Fabbrica. Santa Margherita and Fabbrica shared eventually the same fate of Varzi: annexation to the House of Savoy.
  52. ↑ The marquisates of Corlaga (1419-1535) and Valverde (1456-1650) split off from Treschietto. Corlaga was sold to Tuscany, and Valverde to Spain.
  53. ↑ Francesco appears in documentation from this date on, which means he had to be adult by this year. See LITTA (1855)
  54. ↑ He was thirteen years old in 1275. See LITTA (1855)
  55. ↑ The counting of marquesses of Filattiera usually follows Godiasco's, as seen in BRANCHI (1971).
  56. ↑ The marriage had a dispensation from Pope Martin V. See LITTA (1855)
  57. ↑ LOTTI, Laura, I castelli dei Malaspina in Lunigiana dal Medioevo al Settecento - Le dame, i cavalieri, le violenze. Firenze, Consiglio regionale della Toscana, febbraio 2018. ISBN   978-88-89365-97-7
  58. ↑ Sometimes called just Alberico. General sources tend to number him II, in probable continuity with the marquisate of Fosdinovo
  59. ↑ MALASPINA, Alberico entry (in Italian) in the Enciclopedia Treccani
  60. ↑ also styled Ricciarda
  61. ↑ MALASPINA, Ricciarda entry (in Italian) in the Enciclopedia Treccani
  62. ↑ BRANCHI (1971) numbered him II, in probable continuity with the marquisate of Malgrate.
  63. ↑ Clevia as in BRANCHI (1971). LITTA (1855) uses the form Clelia
  64. ↑ Tre alberi genealogici a stampa dei rami famigliari di Opizzone Malaspina e di Cesare Malaspina, possessore dei feudi di Oramala, Fortunago, Pozzolo del Groppo, Godiasco e Malgrate, discendente da Opizzone
  65. ↑ Fiori, p. 104
  66. ↑ Remigio Pompeo Malaspina - Geneall
  67. 1 2 http://www.archiviodistato.firenze.it/siasfi/cgi-bin/RSOLSearchSiasfi.pl?_op=printcomparch&id=IFBA8872XX&livello=&_cobj=yes&_language=eng&_selectbycompilationdate=SI [ dead link ]
  68. ↑ Umberto Burla, Malaspina di Lunigiana, Luna editore, La Spezia 2001.

Bibliography

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