Margravate of Mantua

Margravate of Mantua
State of the Holy Roman Empire
←
1433–1530 →
Flag Coat of arms
Northern Italy in 1796; the Duchy of Mantua can be seen centre-right, shaded in orange, as part of the Duchy of Milan.
Capital Mantua
Languages Lombard – Italian
Religion Roman Catholicism
Government Feudal monarchy
Margrave of Mantua
 •  1433-1444 Gianfrancesco (first)
 • 1444-1478 Ludovico II
 • 1478-1484 Federico I
 • 1484-1519 Francesco II
 • 1519-1530 Federico II (last)
Historical era Early Modern
 • Gonzagas' uprising 16 August 1328
 •  Imperial diploma of Sigismund of Bohemia 22 September 1433
 •  Charles V raises the Margravate to Duchy 1530
Currency Mantuan solidus, lira and others

The Margravate of Mantua was a Margravate in Lombardy, Northern Italy, subject to the Holy Roman Empire.

History

The 9th century was the period of episcopal supremacy, and in the 11th the city formed part of the vast possessions of Bonifacio, marquis of Canossa. From him it passed to Geoffrey, duke of Lorraine, and afterwards to the countess Matilda, whose support of the pope led to the conquest of Mantua by the emperor Henry IV in 1090. Reduced to obedience by Matilda in 1113, the city obtained its liberty on her death, and instituted a communal government of its own, salva imperiali justitia. It afterwards joined the Lombard League; and the unsuccessful attack made by Frederick II in 1236 brought it a confirmation of its privileges. But after a period of internal discord Ludovico Gonzaga attained to power (1328), and was recognized as imperial vicar (1329); and from that time till the death of Ferdinando Carbo in 1708 the Gonzagas were masters of Mantua under Gian Francesco II, the first Margrave, Ludovico III, Gian Francesco III (whose wife was Isabella d'Este), and Federico II, the first duke of Mantua, the city rose rapidly into importance as a seat of industry and culture. It was stormed and sacked by the Austrians in 1630, and never quite recovered.

Lords of Mantua

People's Captains

Margraves of Mantua

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