Gian Maria Visconti

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Gian Maria Visconti
Duke of Milan
Reign3 September 1402 – 16 May 1412
PredecessorGian Galeazzo
SuccessorFilippo Maria
Born(1388-09-07)7 September 1388
Abbiategrasso
Died16 May 1412(1412-05-16) (aged 23)
Milan
SpouseAntonia Malatesta of Cesena
HouseVisconti
FatherGian Galeazzo Visconti
MotherCaterina Visconti

Gian Maria Visconti (or Giovanni Maria; 7 September 1388 – 16 May 1412) was the second

Duke of Milan, the son of Gian Galeazzo Visconti and Caterina Visconti
. He was known to be cruel and was eventually assassinated. He had no children.

Biography

Gian Galeazzo Visconti, with his three sons, presents a model of the Certosa di Pavia to the Virgin (Certosa di Pavia).

Visconti was born in Abbiategrasso. Following his father's death, he assumed the title of duke at the age of thirteen, under his mother's regency. The Duchy of Milan soon disintegrated: among the various parties contending its lands, the condottiero Facino Cane prevailed.

Taking advantage of Gian Maria's cruelty, he managed to create in him doubts about Caterina, who was imprisoned in Monza, where she died on 17 October 1404, probably murdered.[1] The duke was famous for his dogs, which were trained to slaughter men.

In 1408, Gian Maria married Antonia Malatesta of Cesena, daughter of Carlo I, lord of Rimini.[1][2] They had no issue.[3]

A plot by a party of

Ghibellines was raised against the Duke when Facino Cane was terminally ill in Pavia, and Gian Maria was assassinated in front of the church of San Gottardo in Milan.[1] The dying Facino had his officers swear to support Filippo Maria
, Gian Maria's brother, who in fact succeeded him.

In literature

  • Raphael Sabatini

References

External links

Italian nobility
Preceded by
Duke of Milan

1402–1412
Succeeded by