Cangrande (christened Can Francesco) della Scala (March 9, 1291 – July 22, 1329) was an Italian seignor and condottieri, the most celebrated of the of the della Scala family (also known as the Scaligeri, Scaliger or de Scalis) which ruled Verona from 1277 until 1387. Now perhaps best known as the leading patron of the poet Dante Alighieri, Cangrande was in his own day chiefly acclaimed as a successful warrior and autocrat. Between becoming sole ruler of Verona in 1311 and his death in 1329 he took control of several neighbouring cities, notably Vicenza, Padua and Treviso, and came to be regarded as the leader of the Ghibelline faction in Northern Italy. March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (69th in Leap years). ... For broader historical context, see 1290s and 13th century. ... July 22 is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ... Events Antipope Nicholas V is excommunicated by Pope John XXII. Aimone of Savoy becomes Count of Savoy. ... The noble family Scaliger (Scaligeri) were lords of Verona. ... The persons most commonly meant by the single name are Julius Caesar Scaliger and Joseph Justus Scaliger, qq. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... Dante in a fresco series of famous men by Andrea del Castagno, ca. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ... The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ...

Early life

Cangrande was born at Verona, the third son of Alberto I della Scala, ruler of Verona and Verde da Salizzole. Christened Can Francesco, perhaps partly in punning homage to his uncle Mastino I, the founder of the Scaligeri dynasty, his physical and mental precocity soon earned him the name Cangrande, i.e. "big" or "great dog". The dog theme was enthusiastically embraced and from Cangrande’s reign onwards the Scaligeri lords used a dog motif on their helmets and also on their tombs and other monuments. Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... The noble family Scaliger (Scaligeri) were lords of Verona. ...

Cangrande was held in great affection by his father who took the extraordinary step of knighting him while still an infant on November 11, 1304. On Alberto’s death in 1301 Cangrande was entrusted to the guardianship of his eldest brother Bartolomeo della Scala in whose brief reign he probably first met Dante when the poet took refuge in Verona following his exile from Florence. November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... Events 20 July - Fall of Stirling Castle: Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold in the Wars of Scottish Independence. ... Dante redirects here. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... Founded 59 BC as Florentia Region Tuscany Mayor Leonardo Domenici (Democratici di Sinistra) Area  - City Proper  102 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 356,000 almost 500,000 3,453/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Latitude Longitude 43°47 N 11°15 E www. ...

Physical appearance and personality

Cangrande was over 1.80 in height with a prominent jaw and curly shoulder length chestnut hair. He had considerable physical strength and endurance, witnessed by the almost ceaseless military campaigns described by contemporary historians and poets. He had a charismatic personality and was well known for his joviality (and also a furious temper on occasions when things were not going his way) and open disposition, fond of discourse with people of all social classes. He was an eloquent speaker and argument and debate for its own sake was one of his favourite peacetime pastimes when he was not out hunting or hawking. His bravery in battle was legendary while his mercy to defeated foes and chivalrous attitude impressed even his enemies, among them the Paduan historian and dramatist Albertino Mussato who praised Cangrande’s honourable treatment of Vinciguerra di San Bonifacio after the conflict at Vicenza in 1317. He was devoutly religious and fasted twice a week in honour of the Virgin Mary to whom he made a personal cult of devotion. Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Events The Great Famine of 1315-1317. ... The term Virgin Mary has several different meanings: Mary, the mother of Jesus, the historical and multi-denominational concept of Mary Blessed Virgin Mary, the Roman Catholic theological and doctrinal concept of Mary Marian apparitions shrines to the Virgin Mary Virgin Mary in Islam, the Islamic theological and doctrinal concept...

The emperor’s right-hand man

Cangrande saw his first military action in the campaigns of his other brother Alboino della Scala who succeeded Bartolomeo in 1304, fighting alongside other Ghibelline leaders against the Guelph dynast Azzo VIII of Este, Lord of Ferrara. In 1308 he began to share the rule of Verona with Alboino. This was also the year of his marriage to Giovanna of Antioch, a descendant of Frederick II, a union which was to endure for his lifetime. The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... Guelph has several meanings: Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada. ... Ferrara is a city, an archiepiscopal see in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, capital city of the province of Ferrara. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... See: Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor (1194-1250, king 1211/12-1250, emperor since 1220) Frederick II of Austria (?-1246, duke of Austria 1230-1246) Frederick II of Sicily (1272-1337) - who called himself Frederick III - see the article for details. ...

In November 1310 the Holy Roman Emperor Henry VII arrived in Italy intent on unifying Guelph and Ghibelline under the banner of a united empire. In reality he soon found himself reliant on the support of Ghibelline magnates to further his aims, prominent among them Cangrande and Alboino who he made Imperial Vicars of Verona. In April 1311 the two brothers co-led an Imperial Army which swiftly liberated Verona’s neighbour Vicenza from the rule of Padua, this city having rebelled against the Emperor’s authority. The Holy Roman Emperor was, with some variation, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, the predecessor of modern Germany, during its existence from the 10th century until its collapse in 1806. ... Henry VII may refer to: Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor (c. ... Guelph has several meanings: Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada. ... The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ...

From May to October in the same year Cangrande commanded the Italian levies in the siege of Brescia where the Guelph faction had seized control in defiance of Henry. When the Guelphs surrendered on 16 September 1311 he was chosen to ride at the head of three hundred knights in Henry’s triumphal entry into the city. He set out later to accompany the Emperor on his coronation journey to Rome but hastened back to Verona on hearing that his brother had fallen dangerously ill. On 29 November 1311 Alboino died and Cangrande became sole ruler of Verona at the age of twenty. Location within Italy Brescia is a city in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy with a population of around 200,000. ... Guelph has several meanings: Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada. ... City motto: Senatus Populusque Romanus – SPQR (The Senate and the People of Rome) Founded 21 April 753 BC (mythical), early 1st millennium BC (archaeological) Region Latium Area  - City Proper  1285 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 2,553,873 almost 4,300,000 1. ...

Struggle for Vicenza

In February 1312 Cangrande became ruler of Verona’s neighbouring city of Vicenza by an act of political opportunism, taking advantage of that city’s disputes with its former overlords in Padua Padua’s ruling council decided to wrest their former territory from Cangrande and defy the Emperor who had backed his takeover by electing him Vicenza’s Imperial Vicar. In early spring 1312 the Paduan army began to ravage the territories of Vicenza and Verona. For some eighteen months Cangrande was hard pressed to defend Vicenza and even Verona itself from these incursions. Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ...

The death of Henry VII, in August 1313 freed Cangrande from his duty to provide resources to the Imperial cause and a change of government at Padua gave him time to amass a sizable army. From spring 1314 he pursued the same punitive tactics as his enemies, burning crops and towns in Paduan territory. The devastation of the rural districts told heavily on Padua whose ruling council decided to end the war once and for all by taking Vicenza with overwhelming force. A large army under Padua’s warrior Podestà Ponzino de’ Ponzini marched through the night and invaded the Vincentine suburb of San Pietro in the early hours of 17 September 1314. Henry VII may refer to: Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor (c. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... The Palace of the Podestà in Florence, known as the Palazzo Vecchio or the Palazzo della Signoria Podestà is the name given to certain high officials in many Italian cities, since the later middle ages, mainly as Chief magistrate of a city state (like otherwise styled counterparts in other cities...

Cangrande was absent at Verona at the time but soon learned of events and rode out instantly for Vicenza, covering the distance in three hours. On arriving in the city he mounted a warhorse and without hesitation led an impromptu attack on the invaders who had still not penetrated beyond the suburbs. The historian and dramatist Albertino Mussato who was with the Paduan forces recounts how this sudden assault quickly developed into a route of the whole Paduan army in which Cangrande, standing up in his stirrups, urged his followers to slay the cowardly foe before charging onwards mace in hand carrying all before him ‘as fire fanned by the wind devours stubble’. Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ...

Cangrande’s victory was so comprehensive he was able to conclude a peace treaty in October 1314 in which Padua recognised his supremacy over Vicenza. His warrior reputation was also much enhanced. Daring feats of arms such as his hell for leather ride to Vicenza appealed to the popular imagination of the time, even gaining the reluctant admiration of such men as Mussato who fervently opposed Cangrande’s autocratic style of rule. It typified the qualities for which he was to become increasingly famous, almost reckless bravery in battle coupled with magnanimity towards defeated enemies, some of whom he befriended in captivity. Among his prisoners on this occasion were the influential Paduan nobles Jacopo da Carrara and his nephew Marsilio; major players in Cangrande’s later career. Events June 24 - Battle of Bannockburn. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ...

A staunch Ghibelline

Vicenza secured, Cangrande was able to involve himself in territories to the west of Verona. With the aid of Rinaldo ‘Passerino’ Bonacolsi, ruler of Mantua, he had by September 1316 helped secure Ghibelline supremacy in Western Lombardy. He then turned his attention back to his personal goal of conquering the Trevisan Mark, launching an unsuccessful attack on Treviso in November 1316. Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... Mantua (in Italian Mantova, in the local dialect of Emiliano-Romagnolo language Mantua) is an important city in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province with the same name. ... The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... Lombardy (Italian: Lombardia) is a region in northern Italy between the Alps and the Po river valley. ... Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ...

On 16 March 1316 Cangrande had officially recognised Frederick I of Austria as Holy Roman Emperor, receiving from him confirmation of the Vicariates of Verona and Vicenza and incurring the wrath of Pope John XXII who recognised neither Frederick nor his rival Louis IV of Bavaria as Emperor. Cangrande ignored the Pope’s threats and re-emphasised his Ghibelline credentials, attacking the Guelphs of Brescia in concert with the feared Tuscan warlord Uguccione della Faggiuola. He was about to lay siege to the city in May 1317 when he heard that Vicenza was about to be betrayed to a group of exiles backed by Paduan troops under the Guelph nobleman Count Vinciguerra di San Bonifacio whose family had long ago been exiled from Verona by Cangrande’s uncle Mastino I della Scala. There were two Dukes known as Frederick I of Austria. ... The Holy Roman Emperor was, with some variation, the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire, the predecessor of modern Germany, during its existence from the 10th century until its collapse in 1806. ... Pope John XXII, born Jacques Duèze or dEuse (1249 – December 4, 1334), was the son of a shoemaker in Cahors. ... Louis IV of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach (born 1282) was duke of Bavaria from 1294, duke of the Palatinate from 1329 and, after 1314, Holy Roman Emperor. ... The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... Location within Italy Brescia is a city in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy with a population of around 200,000. ... Uguccione della Faggiuola (born ~1250, Massa Trabaria, Tuscany (Italy); died November 1, 1319, Vicenza) was chief magistrate of Pisa, Lucca and Forlì (1297). ... Events The Great Famine of 1315-1317. ... Guelph has several meanings: Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada. ...

Second war with Padua

Cangrande and Uguccione della Faggiuola arrived outside Vicenza with a large force on 21 May 1317. Cangrande secretly entered Vicenza and the next day at dawn disguised as a Vincentine Guelph he encouraged the Paduans to enter the city, suddenly rushing upon them in person with a small body of troops as they moved to enter the gates while Uguccione’s larger force attacked from the rear and decisively ended the battle. Cangrande showed magnanimity to his hereditary foe Vinciguerra di San Bonifacio who was seriously wounded in the conflict, having him nursed at his own palace and affording him a magnificent funeral on his death a few weeks later. Uguccione della Faggiuola (born ~1250, Massa Trabaria, Tuscany (Italy); died November 1, 1319, Vicenza) was chief magistrate of Pisa, Lucca and Forlì (1297). ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Events The Great Famine of 1315-1317. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Guelph has several meanings: Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada. ...

Cangrande wasted little time in accusing Padua of breaking the peace treaty of 1314. In December 1317 Venice, which had overseen this treaty, finally declared it null and void. Cangrande set out immediately with a large army to surprise the town of Monselice, a key Paduan stronghold on the eastern slopes of the Euganean Hills. Monselice was betrayed to the Veronese vanguard on 21 December and the rich town of Este soon followed, encircled by Cangrande’s forces and called on to surrender. The garrison resisted whereupon Cangrande plunged into the moat and led his forces on an all out assault on the walls. In a short space of time the town was taken, sacked and burnt, following which many other towns in the area surrendered in fear of suffering a similar fate. Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Events June 24 - Battle of Bannockburn. ... Events The Great Famine of 1315-1317. ... Venice (Italian: Venezia, Venetian: Venexia) , the city of canals, is the capital of the region of Veneto and of the province of Venice in Italy. ... Monselice, Italy (from the Latin toponim Mons Silicis mountain of flintstone), is a town located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Padua (Padova), about 20 Km southeast of the city of Padua, at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei). ... The Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei) are a group of hills of volcanic origin that rise to heights of 300 to 500 meters from the Padovan-Ventian plain a few kilometers south of Padua. ... Monselice, Italy (from the Latin toponim Mons Silicis mountain of flintstone), is a town located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Padua (Padova), about 20 Km southeast of the city of Padua, at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei). ... For Tolkiens fictional character, see Estë To know more about the city, see Este Este, Italian princely family, rulers of Ferrara (1240–1597), Modena and Reggio (1288–1796). ... The moated manor house of Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire, England Moats (also known as a Fosse) were deep and wide water-filled trenches, excavated to provide a barrier against attack upon castle ramparts or other fortifications. ...

After Christmas Cangrande marched his army to the walls of Padua itself in an effort to terrify the populace into surrender. The Paduan Greater Council represented by Jacopo da Carrara felt compelled to agree to any terms other than unconditional surrender and on 12 February 1318 ceded Monselice, Este, Castelbaldo and Montagnana to Cangrande for life and ordered the restoration of citizens exiled from Padua. Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Monselice, Italy (from the Latin toponim Mons Silicis mountain of flintstone), is a town located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Padua (Padova), about 20 Km southeast of the city of Padua, at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei). ... For Tolkiens fictional character, see Estë To know more about the city, see Este Este, Italian princely family, rulers of Ferrara (1240–1597), Modena and Reggio (1288–1796). ... Montagnana is a commune in the province of Padova, in Veneto. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ...

Second military campaign against Treviso

Cangrande spent the spring and summer of 1318 fighting for the Ghibelline cause in various cities, undeterred by the Pope’s excommunication (enforced in April for his persistent refusal to renounce his Imperial Vicariates). In Autumn his attention turned once more to the Trevisan Mark. He was unable to attack Padua because of the peace treaty but had considerable influence there due to his friendship with the Da Carrara family which was now dominant in the city. He cemented his informal alliance with the Da Carrara late in 1318 by betrothing his twelve year old nephew Mastino (the future Mastino II della Scala) with Taddea, Jacopo Da Carrara’s baby daughter. Meanwhile in consort with Uguccione della Faggiuola he had launched another military campaign against Treviso. Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Uguccione della Faggiuola (born ~1250, Massa Trabaria, Tuscany (Italy); died November 1, 1319, Vicenza) was chief magistrate of Pisa, Lucca and Forlì (1297). ... Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ...

The attack on Treviso was made with the promise of help from certain nobles within the city who hoped Cangrande would restore them to power. Although this plot did enable him to take some castles but fell short of taking the city itself for the citizens appealed to Frederick I of Austria who ordered Cangrande to stop his assault in return for the Trevisans accepting his authority and allowing him to appoint an Imperial Vicar. Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ... There were two Dukes known as Frederick I of Austria. ...

In the same month a convention of Ghibelline leaders at Soncino headed by Matteo Visconti of Milan appointed Cangrande ‘Captain and Rector of the Imperial Party of Lombardy’. Cangrande accepted the title without doing much to earn it, being for the moment more concerned with renewed attempts to conquer Treviso. He came close to success but was eventually thwarted in June when the Trevisans reluctantly accepted the protection of the powerful Henry II of Gorizia, Frederick I of Austria’s nominated Imperial Vicar. Cangrande immediately turned his attention to Padua, picking a quarrel with his erstwhile ally Jacopo Da Carrara. The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... Soncino, city of the province of Cremona. ... Milan (Italian: Milano; Milanese: Milán) is the main city of northern Italy, and is located in the plains of Lombardy, the most populated and developed region in Italy. ... Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ...

Third war with Padua

In August 1319 Cangrande invaded Paduan territory and established a permanent camp south of the city near the town of Bassanello. He then set about laying siege to Padua while his troops set about attacking towns still under Paduan control. Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ...

During the autumn of 1319 Padua negotiated with Henry II of Gorizia, based still at Treviso, hoping for his assistance. Henry waited until the Paduan position was so desperate that they would submit to him as Frederick of Austria’s representative. This the Greater Council of Padua finally did on 4 November 1319 whereupon Gorizia assembled a large army and on 5 January 1320 entered the city as Imperial Vicar, Jacopo da Carrara resigning his command in Henry’s favour. This resignation denied Cangrande his chief pretext for war but he was soon on the offensive again, taking castles from Henry of Gorizia in Trevisan territory in March and in June, with the aid of Paduan exiles, mounting an unsuccessful stealth attack on Padua itself. Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ...

In late Summer Henry of Gorizia arrived once more in Padua with fresh troops and attacked Cangrande’s camp at Bassanello on the morning of 25 August 1320. Cangrande, despite sustaining an arrow wound and being advised by his generals to act defensively, charged the enemy forces. He found himself outnumbered and his subsequent retreat soon degenerated into the route of his entire army. Cangrande was again wounded, struck by an arrow in the thigh and had to ride desperately across country to the safety of his stronghold at Monselice which he eventually reached in a state of exhaustion with the arrow still sticking in his leg. Comprehensively defeated, he now had no choice but to open peace negotiations. Monselice, Italy (from the Latin toponim Mons Silicis mountain of flintstone), is a town located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Padua (Padova), about 20 Km southeast of the city of Padua, at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei). ...

The Paduans, distrustful of their saviour Henry of Gorizia and anxious to be rid of his unsavoury mercenary army, agreed to terms not so unfavourable to Cangrande as he might have feared as he only had to give up his recent conquests while his more long standing possessions such as Este and Monselice were made subject to Frederick of Austria’s arbitration.

For the next two years Cangrande stayed clear of armed conflict but continued to expand his territories, winning the towns of Feltre (in February 1321), Serravalle (October 1321) and Belluno (in October 1322) by political means. Feltre (pop. ... Events Births September 29 - John of Artois, Count of Eu, French soldier (d. ... Serravalle is a common placename in Italy: the name means place where the valley narrows. Places by that name include the following comuni: Serravalle a Po, in Mantova Province Serravalle di Chienti, in Macerata Province Serravalle Langhe, in Cuneo Province Serravalle Pistoiese, in Pistoia Province; the comune also includes the... Events Births September 29 - John of Artois, Count of Eu, French soldier (d. ... Belluno is the capital of the Belluno Province of Italy. ... Events September 27/September 28 - Battle of Ampfing, often called the last battle of knights, in which Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor defeats Frederick I of Austria Births January 11 - Emperor Komyo of Japan (died 1380) Deaths January 3 - King Philip V of France (born 1293) March 16 - Humphrey de...

Return to military action

In the autumn of 1322 Cangrande renewed his alliance with Passerino Bonacolsi in an attempt to restore Ghibelline exiles in Reggio. He pledged his allegiance to Louis IV of Bavaria after the latter’s victory over Frederick I of Austria in September 1322 and in June 1323 formed an alliance with him, Passerino and the Estensi of Ferrara in aid of the Visconti of Milan. Aware that Padua sought to regain some of its former possessions by force he spent the spring of 1324 strengthening his defences, starting with the walls of Verona itself. However, the ill disciplined mercenary army of Henry VI of Carinthia, Padua’s current champion, did not pose a serious threat and Cangrande was soon able to pay him off. With Henry gone Cangrande attacked Padua again early in 1325 but Louis, the Emperor elect, ordered him to call a truce and restore some territories to Padua. Louis IV of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach (born 1282) was duke of Bavaria from 1294, duke of the Palatinate from 1329 and, after 1314, Holy Roman Emperor. ... There were two Dukes known as Frederick I of Austria. ... Events Canonization of Saint Thomas Aquinas Lithuania: Vilnius becomes capital August 12 - The Treaty of Nöteborg between Sweden and Novgorod (Russia) is signed, regulating the border for the first time Pharos of Alexandira Lighthouse (one of the Seven Wonders of the world) is destroyed by a series of earthquakes... Ferrara is a city, an archiepiscopal see in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, capital city of the province of Ferrara. ... Visconti was a noble family that ruled Milan during the Middle Ages and Early Renaissance period. ... Milan (Italian: Milano; Milanese: Milán) is the main city of northern Italy, and is located in the plains of Lombardy, the most populated and developed region in Italy. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Events Publication of Defensor pacis by Marsilius of Padua Mansa Kankan Musa I, ruler of the Mali Empire arrives in Cairo on his hajj or pilgrimage to Mecca. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ...

In June and July 1325 Cangrande fought at Modena in the Ghibelline cause but had to hurry to Vicenza as a great fire had destroyed a significant part of the city. He was taken ill on the way and retired to Verona where a rumour surfaced that he was dying. At this his cousin Federico della Scala tried to seize power. but Cangrande’s mercenaries held firm against him. On Cangrande’s recovery Federico, the saviour of Verona in a Paduan attack of June 1314, was banished from his territories Events January 7:Alfonso IV becomes the King of Portugal. ... Modena (Mòdna in Modenese dialect) is a city and a province on the south side of the Po valley, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. ... The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ...

Intrigues and betrayals

Cangrande had recovered well enough to take part in the campaign which ended in a great victory over the Bolognese Guelphs at Monteveglio by Passerino Bonacolsi in November 1325. However he seems to have become estranged from his old ally at this time, perhaps offended by Passerino favouring the Estensi of Ferrara into which family he had now married. The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... Ferrara is a city, an archiepiscopal see in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, capital city of the province of Ferrara. ...

Despite the victory at Monteveglio and Castruccio Castracani’s triumph over the Florentine Guelphs at Altopascio the Guelph faction was still strong and the pope and Robert of Naples sent envoys to Verona in July 1326 in an attempt to break Cangrande’s allegiance to Louis of Bavaria – however when Louis entered Italy in January 1327 Cangrande was one of the first to pay him homage. He tried and failed to obtain the Vicariate of Padua from the Emperor but was reaffirmed as Imperial Vicar of Verona and Vicenza and made Imperial Vicar of Feltre, Monselice, Bassano and Conegliano. The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... Altopascio is famous for the battle in 1325 where Castruccio Castracani defeated the Florentines and thanks this, he became duke of Lucca. ... King Robert I of Naples a. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Feltre (pop. ... Monselice, Italy (from the Latin toponim Mons Silicis mountain of flintstone), is a town located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region, in the province of Padua (Padova), about 20 Km southeast of the city of Padua, at the southern edge of the Euganean Hills (Colli Euganei). ... For other places of this name, see Bassano (disambiguation) Bassano is a town in Alberta, Canada. ... Conegliano is a town and episcopal see of Venetia, Italy, in the province of Treviso, 17 miles N. by rail from the town of Treviso, 230 ft. ...

On Whitsunday 31 May Louis was crowned at Milan. Cangrande kept lavish and ostentatious court at the city with a retinue of knights numbering over a thousand at the lowest estimate. If his aim was to impress the emperor of his superiority over the other Lombard magnates the most telling result was to arouse the jealousy and suspicion of Milan’s rulers the Visconti and he soon found it prudent to return to Verona where in June 1327 he involved himself in revisions to the city’s legislature. Milan (Italian: Milano; Milanese: Milán) is the main city of northern Italy, and is located in the plains of Lombardy, the most populated and developed region in Italy. ... The Lombards or Longobards or Langobards were the Germanic tribe who gave their name to Lombardy, an administrative entity in Northern Italy. ... Visconti was a noble family that ruled Milan during the Middle Ages and Early Renaissance period. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ...

In August 1328 Cangrande supported a coup d’etat in Mantua in which his old ally Passerino Bonacolsi was overthrown and killed and his family supplanted by the Gonzaga family. Whether Cangrande was merely being brutally pragmatic here and supporting the winning side – Passerino’s power was on the wane having lost Modena in June 1327 – or whether his estrangement from his old ally had a deeper cause, is uncertain. Mantua (in Italian Mantova, in the local dialect of Emiliano-Romagnolo language Mantua) is an important city in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province with the same name. ... The Gonzaga family ruled Mantua in Northern Italy from 1328 to 1708. ... Modena (Mòdna in Modenese dialect) is a city and a province on the south side of the Po valley, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. ...

Final triumph over Padua

In September 1328 Cangrande at last took possession of Padua after 16 years of intermittent yet brutal conflict. The city was ripe for such a takeover, forsaken by its Imperial Vicar Henry of Carinthia and in a state of internal lawlessness as its most powerful autocrat Marsilio Da Carrara struggled to control dissolute noblemen, not least members his own family. Meanwhile Veronese forces under Cangrande’s nephew Mastino della Scala in league with Paduan exiles, most prominent amongst them Nicolo da Carrara (a distant cousin of Marsilio) encamped not far away at Este posing a constant threat. Faced with these difficulties Marsilio eventually decided to surrender the city to Cangrande under an arrangement in which he retained some power rather than risk losing everything by fighting him or trying to do a deal behind his back with the exiles. Accordingly Marsilio was made Captain General of the City by a compliant General Council but the overall ruler was now Cangrande, who rode triumphantly into Padua on 10 September 1328 Cangrande was received enthusiastically by the populace who now craved any kind of stability. To cement the new order Jacobo da Carrara’s daughter Taddea was betrothed to Cangrande’s nephew Mastino della Scala, the wedding itself taking place at a great Curia at Verona in November 1328. Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Henry VI of Carinthia (circa 1265 – 2 April 1335) was Count of Tyrol and Duke of Carinthia and Carniola from 1295 until 1335. ... For Tolkiens fictional character, see Estë To know more about the city, see Este Este, Italian princely family, rulers of Ferrara (1240–1597), Modena and Reggio (1288–1796). ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... Events Augustiner brew Munich May 1 - Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton - England recognises Scotland as an independent nation after the Wars of Scottish Independence May 12 - Nicholas V is consecrated at St Peters Basilica in Rome by the bishop of Venice. ... A Curia in early Roman times was a subdivision of the people, i. ... Events Augustiner brew Munich May 1 - Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton - England recognises Scotland as an independent nation after the Wars of Scottish Independence May 12 - Nicholas V is consecrated at St Peters Basilica in Rome by the bishop of Venice. ...

This, Cangrande’s most significant triumph, was seen as a huge boost for the Ghibelline cause, weakened as it had been by the death of Castruccio Castracani earlier that year. Even cities under Guelph control such as Florence wrote to congratulate Cangrande and, in March 1329. he was even made a citizen of Venice, an honour at the time rarely granted to people from outside the city. The Guelphs and Ghibellines were factions supporting, respectively, the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire in Italy during the 12th century and 13th century. ... An ancient portrait of Castruccio Castracani. ... Guelph has several meanings: Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada. ... Founded 59 BC as Florentia Region Tuscany Mayor Leonardo Domenici (Democratici di Sinistra) Area  - City Proper  102 km² Population  - City (2004)  - Metropolitan  - Density (city proper) 356,000 almost 500,000 3,453/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Latitude Longitude 43°47 N 11°15 E www. ... Venice (Italian: Venezia, Venetian: Venexia) , the city of canals, is the capital of the region of Veneto and of the province of Venice in Italy. ...

Conquest of Treviso and death

In Spring of 1329 Cangrande succeeded in obtaining the title of Imperial Vicar of Mantua from the Emperor, intending to move against the ruling Gonzaga family in that city. These plans were put on hold however as a change of government at Treviso had produced a number of powerful exiles willing to help him conquer the city in exchange for their reinstatement. On July 2, 1329 Cangrande left Verona for the last time and within a few days his large army was laying siege to Treviso. Running quickly low on supplies and bereft of external help the city’s overlord Guecello Tempesta surrendered the city to Cangrande. Events Antipope Nicholas V is excommunicated by Pope John XXII. Aimone of Savoy becomes Count of Savoy. ... Mantua (in Italian Mantova, in the local dialect of Emiliano-Romagnolo language Mantua) is an important city in Lombardy, Italy and capital of the province with the same name. ... The Gonzaga family ruled Mantua in Northern Italy from 1328 to 1708. ... Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ... July 2 is the 183rd day of the year (184th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 182 days remaining. ... Events Antipope Nicholas V is excommunicated by Pope John XXII. Aimone of Savoy becomes Count of Savoy. ...

On July 18 Cangrande made his state entry to Treviso, the crowning moment in his long struggle to subdue the city’s of the Trevisan Mark. However his triumph was marred, for he had become seriously ill as the result, according to contemporary accounts, of a fever he had contracted from drinking from a polluted spring a few days before. As soon as he arrived at his lodgings he took to his bed and on morning of July 22, after settling his affairs as best he could, he died. As he had no legitimate sons his nephews Mastino and Alberto were appointed as heirs to his now considerable dominions. Cangrande’s body was taken out of Treviso at nightfall and drawn on a bier to Verona where it was escorted by the nobles into the city preceded by twelve nights, one of whom wore Cangrande’s armour and carried his unsheathed sword. The body was temporarily housed in the church of Santa Maria Antiqua, then appears to have been moved twice, once to a marble tomb in the church yard (until recently believed to be that of Cangrande’s father Alberto I della Scala) and finally to the impressive marble tomb over the church entrance, topped with an equestrian statue of a smiling Cangrande in tournament attire. As he had no legitimate sons his titles passed to his nephews Mastino and Alberto della Scala. July 18 is the 199th day (200th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 166 days remaining. ... Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ... July 22 is the 203rd day (204th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 162 days remaining. ... Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ...

Modern postmortem

In February 2004 the body of Cangrande was removed from its sarcophagus for scientific tests, one of the objects being to see whether the cause of his death could be ascertained. The body was found to be naturally mummified and in an exceptional state of preservation, so much so that some of his internal organs could be examined. It transpired that Cangrande was suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, almost certainly of viral origin, but that the actual cause of death was poisoning from lethal amounts of the drug digitalis, administered in extracts from the Common Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea). It seems likely that the illness he was suffering from at Treviso was due to the cirrhosis which can lie dormant in terms of physical symptoms for long periods and be made acute in periods in stress, perhaps in this case brought on by the strain of the campaign against Treviso. The symptoms of the cirrhosis may have been mistaken for a heart problem cardiac arrhythmia for which digitalis was a known remedy. However the deadly effect of digitalis in overdose was also known in medieval Italy and deliberate poisoning under the guise of medical treatment cannot be ruled out. A physician of Cangrande’s was hanged by his successor Mastino II, adding some weight to the possibility that foul play was at least suspected. Cirrhosis is a chronic disease of the liver in which liver tissue is replaced by connective tissue, resulting in the loss of liver function. ... The liver is the largest internal organ of the human body. ... Species About 20 species, including: Digitalis ciliata Digitalis davisiana Digitalis dubia Digitalis ferruginea Digitalis grandiflora Digitalis laevigata Digitalis lanata Digitalis lutea Digitalis obscura Digitalis parviflora Digitalis purpurea Digitalis thapsi Digitalis viridiflora Digitalis is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous biennials, perennials and shrubs that was traditionally placed in... Binomial name Digitalis purpurea L. The Purple foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), also known as Common foxglove, is a biennial herb of the family Plantaginaceae native to Europe. ... Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ... Cirrhosis is a chronic disease of the liver in which liver tissue is replaced by connective tissue, resulting in the loss of liver function. ... Treviso is a town in the Veneto region of Italy. ... Cirrhosis is a chronic disease of the liver in which liver tissue is replaced by connective tissue, resulting in the loss of liver function. ...

Legacy

With the exception of Vicenza Cangrande’s military conquests did not survive the reign of his successor Mastino II. His victories however did have far reaching effects in neighbouring cities however, binding, for example, Vicenza’s political future with that of Verona and playing a decisive role in the Da Carrara family’s rise to power in Padua. In Verona itself he revised and expanded the legislature, introducing few new laws and regulations but clearing up obscurities, omissions and inconsistencies in the existing manuscripts so efficiently that his statutes lasted with little significant alteration to the end of the Scaligeri period. The innovations he did make unsurprisingly tended to invest more power in his own position as absolute ruler. Despot though he was, Cangrande’s rule was generally pragmatic and tolerant in marked contrast to Ezzelino da Romano, the last warlord to hold comparable territories in eastern Lombardy. He normally allowed subject cities to keep their own laws and made efforts to ensure his appointed officials acted with impartiality and that taxation was kept to acceptable levels. Cangrande undertook few building projects of any significance with the exception of improvements to city walls and the erection of castles such as the magnificent example still to be seen at Soave. Vicenza is a city in northern Italy, is the capital of the eponymous province in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monti Berici, straddling the Bacchiglione. ... Map of Italy showing Verona in the north Verona (population est. ... Location within Italy Tronco Maestro Riviera: a pedestrian walk along a section of the inland waterway or naviglio interno of Padua The city of Padua (Lat. ... The noble family Scaliger (Scaligeri) were lords of Verona. ... Ezzelino da Romano III (1194 - 1259) was an Italian conqueror, dictator, political figure and soldier. ... A Soave is a crisp, dry white wine from the Veneto wine region of Italy. ...

As a military commander Cangrande was a brilliant opportunist tactician rather than a great strategist. His bravery sometimes bordered on recklessness, usually leading his men from the front when attacking enemy troops or assaulting the walls of a fortress, although after his defeat by the Paduans in 1320 this boldness gave way to a more cautious approach. In weaving his way through the complex political scenarios of his time he showed energy and decisiveness similar to that on the battlefield. He had a reputation as a persuasive speaker and took many an opportunity to add to his territories by political means or win an influential ally to his cause.

Cangrande was a noted patron of the arts and learning in general. Poets, painters, grammarians and historians all found a welcome at Verona during his reign and his personal interest in eloquent debate is reflected by his addition of a professorship of Rhetoric to the six academic chairs already provided for in the Veronese statutes. His patronage of the poet Dante Alighieri is now undoubtedly his chief claim to fame however. Detail is scant but it is generally accepted that Dante was a guest at Verona between 1312 and 1318. Rhetoric from Greek ρήτωρ, rhêtôr, orator) is the art or technique of persuasion, usually through the use of language. ... Dante in a fresco series of famous men by Andrea del Castagno, ca. ...

As might be expected, Dante is lavish in his praise of his patron wherever he has occasion to mention him, most notably in Canto XVII of the Divine Comedy, lines 70-93. These to some extent reflect Cangrande’s fame in his own time when, as Dante remarked ‘even his enemies would be unable to keep silent about him.’ The comments of the historian A.M Allen writing at the beginning of the 20th Century remain apposite; ‘whatever might be thought now of his land hunger, ostentation and imperious temper, to his contemporaries he appeared little short of perfect.' Dante shown holding a copy of The Divine Comedy, next to the entrance to Hell, the seven terraces of Mount Purgatory and the city of Florence, in Michelinos fresco. ...

Sources

• Allen, A. M. A History of Verona. Methuen & Co. Ltd.: London, 1910.
• Marini, Paolo; Napione, Ettore; and Varanini, Gian Maria (ed). Cangrande Della Scala—La Morte e il corredo funebre di un principe nel medioevo europa'. Marsilio Editori(R): Venezia, 2004. ISBN 88-317-8492-7
• Varanini, Gian Maria. Gli Scaligeri 1277–1387.Arnoldo Mondadori Editore: Verona, 1988.