What was the House of Della Scala, and what were its common names?

The House of Della Scala, also known by the Italian names Scaligeri and the English name Scaligers, was a noble family that held significant power.

What territories did the House of Della Scala govern, and for how long?

The House of Della Scala ruled the Lordship of Verona and mainland Veneto, excluding Venice itself, for a total of 125 years, from 1262 to 1387, with a brief resurgence in 1404.

Who founded the House of Della Scala, and in what year?

The House of Della Scala was founded in 1180 by Jacopino della Scala.

How did the Scaligeri family transition from elected officials to hereditary rulers in Verona?

After Ezzelino III da Romano established a permanent lordship, Mastino I della Scala was elected podestà del popolo. He later effected a coup d'état in 1262, becoming capitano del popolo and successfully converting the signoria into a family inheritance.

What was the fate of Mastino I della Scala?

Mastino I della Scala was killed by a faction of nobles in 1277.

Who succeeded Mastino I della Scala, and what characterized his reign?

Mastino I's brother, Alberto I della Scala, succeeded him as captain from 1277 to 1302. His rule was marked by continuous warfare against the counts of San Bonifacio, who were supported by the House of Este.

Who was Cangrande I della Scala, and what were his key accomplishments?

Cangrande I della Scala inherited the podestà position in 1308 and became renowned as a warrior, prince, and patron of arts and letters, supporting figures like Dante Alighieri, Petrarch, and Giotto di Bondone. He expanded his dominion by conquering Padua, Treviso, and Vicenza.

Which cities did Cangrande I della Scala bring under his control?

Cangrande I della Scala brought the cities of Padua (in 1328), Treviso (in 1329), and Vicenza under his control.

What does the map of Scaligeri territories from 1336 illustrate?

The map illustrates the geographical extent of the territories controlled by the Scaligeri family in the year 1336.

Who succeeded Cangrande I della Scala, and who were his co-ruler?

Cangrande I della Scala was succeeded by his nephews, Mastino II della Scala and Alberto II della Scala.

How did Mastino II della Scala expand the Scaligeri's power, and what led to a reduction in their territories?

Mastino II della Scala conquered Brescia in 1332 and acquired Parma (1335) and Lucca (1339). However, a powerful league formed against him in 1337, including Florence, Venice, the Visconti, the Este, and the Gonzaga, which ultimately reduced the Scaliger dominions after a three-year war.

What was the state of the Scaligeri dominions after the war against the league?

Following the war against the league, the Scaliger dominions were reduced to Verona and Vicenza.

Describe the reign of Cangrande II della Scala.

Cangrande II della Scala ruled from 1351 to 1359 and is characterized as a cruel and suspicious tyrant who relied heavily on German mercenaries.

How did Cansignorio della Scala gain power, and what were his contributions to Verona?

Cansignorio della Scala came to power by killing his brother Cangrande II in 1359. He is credited with beautifying Verona with palaces, constructing aqueducts and bridges, and establishing the state treasury.

What instances of fratricide occurred within the Scaliger family?

Cansignorio della Scala killed his brother Paolo Alboino della Scala. Later, Cansignorio's natural son, Antonio I della Scala, killed his own brother Bartolomeo.

Who was Antonio I della Scala, and how did the Scaligeri rule in Verona conclude?

Antonio I della Scala, Cansignorio's natural son, ruled from 1375 to 1387. His rule ended when Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Milan waged war against him, leading Antonio to flee Verona on October 19, 1387, thus ending the Scaliger domination.

What happened after the end of the Scaligeri's direct rule in 1387?

After the Scaligeri were ousted in 1387, two self-proclaimed members of the family, Giulio Cesare della Scala (Julius Caesar Scaliger) and his son Joseph Justus Scaliger, gained fame as humanist scholars, although their connection to the historic family is debated. Verona later submitted to Venice in 1405 after a brief attempt at recovery by Guglielmo della Scala.

Who was Canfrancesco della Scala, and what was his fate?

Canfrancesco della Scala was the son of Antonio I. He made an unsuccessful attempt to recover Verona in 1390 and is believed to have died in 1392.

What role did Guglielmo della Scala play in the later history of the family?

Guglielmo della Scala, a natural son of Cangrande II, managed to drive out the Milanese from Verona with popular support. However, he died ten days later in 1404, after which Verona submitted to Venice.

What happened to the sons of Guglielmo della Scala?

Guglielmo's sons dispersed widely; Brunoro went to Germany, and Nicodemo pursued an ecclesiastical career, becoming the Bishop of Freising. Most of Guglielmo's siblings died and were buried in Vienna.

What is known about the Bavarian branch of the Scaliger family?

Paolo della Scala married Amalia von Frauenberg and founded the Bavarian branch of the family, known as von der Leiter, which survived until 1598.

Where are the tombs of the Scaligeri family located, and what is their architectural style?

The tombs of the Scaligeri family are located in Verona, surrounding the church of Santa Maria Antica. They are designed as Gothic shrines, known as tempietti, enclosing the sarcophagi.

How is Cangrande della Scala memorialized among the Scaliger tombs?

Cangrande della Scala is memorialized with an equestrian statue among the Scaliger tombs.

What is notable about the monument to Cansignorio della Scala?

Cansignorio della Scala is commemorated by a marble Gothic monument created by Bonino da Campione in 1374.

Who is identified as the earliest ancestor of the Della Scala family in the provided tree?

The provided family tree identifies Arduino Della Scala as the earliest ancestor.

Who were the parents of Mastino I della Scala according to the family tree?

According to the family tree, Mastino I della Scala was the son of Leonardo.

Who were the parents of Alberto I della Scala?

Alberto I della Scala was the son of Mastino I della Scala and Verde of Salizzolo.

Who was Cangrande I della Scala, and who were his parents?

Cangrande I della Scala was the son of Alboino della Scala and his first wife, Caterina Visconti.

Who were the sons of Mastino II della Scala?

Mastino II della Scala had two sons listed in the family tree: Cangrande II della Scala and Cansignorio della Scala.

Who was Cansignorio della Scala, and who was his spouse?

Cansignorio della Scala was a son of Mastino II della Scala, and he married Agnes of Durazzo.

Who was the father of Cangrande II della Scala, and who was his spouse?

Cangrande II della Scala was the son of Mastino II della Scala, and his spouse was Elizabeth of Bavaria.

Who was Antonio I della Scala, and who were his parents according to the family tree?

Antonio I della Scala is listed as an illegitimate son, with Guglielmo della Scala indicated as his father in the family tree.

Who was Bartolomeo II della Scala, and who was his father?

Bartolomeo II della Scala is listed as an illegitimate son, and his father was Guglielmo della Scala.

What was the official title held by the Scaligeri family?

The Scaligeri family held the title of Lord of Verona.

What is the motto of the Scaligeri family, and what is its approximate meaning?

The motto of the Scaligeri family is Nec descendere nec morari, which broadly translates to he who hesitates is lost.

What were the primary estates associated with the Scaligeri family?

The primary estates associated with the Scaligeri family included the Scaliger Palaces located in Verona.

What is the significance of the Stemma della Scala image?

The Stemma della Scala image represents the coat of arms of the Scaligeri family, the former ruling house of Verona.

What does the image depicting Scaligeri territories in 1336 show?

The image shows the geographical extent of the territories controlled by the Scaligeri family in the year 1336.

What is depicted in the image related to Nicodemo della Scala?

The image shows a portrait of Nicodemo della Scala, which is housed in the episcopal gallery of the Freising Cathedral.

What related topics are mentioned in the 'See also' section of the article?

The 'See also' section lists Zavarise, Verona, and Veneto as related topics.

What was the role of Ezzelino III da Romano in Verona's political structure before the Scaligeri?

Ezzelino III da Romano was elected podestà of Verona in 1226 and was able to convert this office into a permanent lordship.

What was the nature of the conflict between Alberto I della Scala and the counts of San Bonifacio?

Alberto I della Scala's reign (1277-1302) was characterized by incessant warfare against the counts of San Bonifacio, who received aid from the House of Este.

What was the relationship between Cangrande I della Scala and prominent cultural figures of his time?

Cangrande I della Scala was a significant patron of the arts and letters, notably supporting the poet Dante Alighieri, the writer Petrarch, and the painter Giotto di Bondone.

What led to the eventual deposition of the Scaligeri family from power in Verona?

The Scaligeri's rule ended in 1387 when Antonio I della Scala, facing war from Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Milan and having exhausted his resources, fled Verona. This event marked the conclusion of their domination.

What is the significance of the Scaliger Tombs in Verona?

The Scaliger Tombs, located around the church of Santa Maria Antica in Verona, are notable examples of Gothic architecture, serving as elaborate shrines enclosing the sarcophagi of the Scaligeri family members.

What is the historical context for the Scaligeri family's rule?

The Scaligeri family emerged as the ruling dynasty of Verona during a period of political transition following the decline of figures like Ezzelino III da Romano, establishing their lordship from the mid-13th century until the late 14th century.

What does the term Scaligeri refer to?

Scaligeri is the Italian term for the members of the House of Della Scala, referring to the ruling family of Verona.

Scaliger Wiki: The Scaliger Dynasty: Lords of Verona

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A Century of Rule

Ascendancy in Verona

The House of Della Scala, known as Scaligeri or Scaligers, emerged as the ruling family of Verona and mainland Veneto (excluding Venice) from 1262 to 1387, maintaining their influence for 125 years.^[1]^[2] Their rise began following the death of Ezzelino III da Romano, with Mastino I della Scala transitioning the communal office of *podestà* into a hereditary *signoria* (lordship).

Expansion and Conflict

Under leaders like Alberto I, the family engaged in constant warfare against rivals such as the Counts of San Bonifacio. Cangrande I della Scala (1308–1329) significantly expanded Scaliger power through military campaigns and diplomacy, bringing cities like Padua, Treviso, and Vicenza under his control. He was also a renowned patron of arts and letters, hosting figures like Dante Alighieri and Petrarch.^[3]

By 1336, the Scaligeri controlled a significant territory, including:

Verona
Vicenza
Padua
Treviso
Brescia
Parma (purchased 1335)
Lucca (purchased 1339)

This expansion led to the formation of leagues against them, eventually reducing their dominions after a prolonged war.

Decline and Fall

Internal strife and external pressures marked the later period. Mastino II's son, Cangrande II, ruled tyrannically, relying on German mercenaries. His brother, Cansignorio, seized power through fratricide, beautified Verona, and amassed wealth. However, Cansignorio's natural son, Antonio I, continued the cycle of violence, killing his brother. This instability, coupled with the ambitions of Gian Galeazzo Visconti of Milan, led to the final deposition of Antonio I in 1387, ending the Scaliger domination.^[4]

Eternal Monuments

Scaliger Tombs

The Church of Santa Maria Antica in Verona serves as the final resting place for the Scaligeri family. It is renowned for the unique Gothic funerary monuments known as the arche scaligere, which encircle the church.

Cangrande della Scala: Memorialized with an impressive equestrian statue.
Cansignorio della Scala: Honored with an elaborate marble Gothic monument, attributed to the sculptor Bonino da Campione (1374).

These elaborate structures stand as testaments to the family's power and artistic patronage during their rule.

Generations of Power

The Scaliger Family Tree

Tracing the lineage of the Della Scala family reveals a complex history of succession, alliances, and conflicts. The following table outlines key members and their relationships:

Arduino
DELLA SCALA

Balduino
DELLA SCALA
Caradina Gabrielli

Leonardo
DELLA SCALA

Jacopino della Scala
Jacopino della Scala
Elisa Superbi

Mastino I della Scala
Mastino I della Scala

Alberto I della Scala
Alberto I della Scala
Verde of Salizzolo

Bartolomeo I della Scala
Bartolomeo I della Scala
Constance of Antioch

Alboino della Scala
Alboino della Scala
1.Caterina Visconti
2.Beatrice da Corregio

Cangrande I della Scala
Cangrande I della Scala
Giovanna di Svevia

Alberto II della Scala
Alberto II della Scala

Mastino II della Scala
Mastino II della Scala
Taddea da Carrara

Cangrande II della Scala
Cangrande II della Scala
Elizabeth of Bavaria

Cansignorio della Scala
Cansignorio della Scala
Agnes of Durazzo

Paolo Alboino della Scala
Paolo Alboino della Scala

(illeg.) Guglielmo della Scala
Guglielmo della Scala
Onesta Mortone

(illeg.) Antonio I della Scala
Antonio I della Scala
Samaritana de Polena

Bartolomeo II della Scala
Bartolomeo II della Scala

Canfrancesco della Scala
Canfrancesco della Scala

Later Scaligeri branches and individuals, including Nicodemo della Scala (Bishop of Freising) and the Bavarian 'von der Leiter' branch.

The later Scaligeri, including figures like Giulio Cesare Scaliger (Julius Caesar Scaliger), gained renown as humanist scholars, though their direct lineage to the ruling family is debated.^[3]

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References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Scaliger Wikipedia page

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The Scaliger Dynasty

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

A Century of Rule 🏛️

👑 Ascendancy in Verona

⚔️ Expansion and Conflict

📉 Decline and Fall

Eternal Monuments 🗿

⛪ Scaliger Tombs

Generations of Power 🌳

📜 The Scaliger Family Tree

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

A Century of Rule

Ascendancy in Verona

Expansion and Conflict

Decline and Fall

Eternal Monuments

Scaliger Tombs

Generations of Power

The Scaliger Family Tree

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice