Alberto da Giussano

Il Monument to the Warrior of Legnano, often mistakenly associated with Alberto da Giussano[1]

Alberto da Giussano (in Lombard Albert de Giussan, in Latin Albertus de Gluxano) is a legendary character of the 12th century who would have participated, as a protagonist, in the battle of Legnano on 29 May 1176.[2] In reality, according to historians, the actual military leader of the Lombard League in the famous military battle with Frederick Barbarossa was Guido da Landriano.[3] Historical analyses made over time have indeed shown that the figure of Alberto da Giussano never existed.[4]

In the past, historians, attempting to find a real confirmation, hypothesized the identification of his figure with Albertus de Carathe (Alberto da Carate) and Albertus Longus (Alberto Longo), both among the Milanese who signed the pact in Cremona in March 1167 which established the Lombard League, or in an Alberto da Giussano mentioned in an appeal of 1196 presented to Pope Celestine III on the administration of the church-hospital of San Sempliciano. These, however, are all weak identifications, given that they lack clear and convincing historical confirmation.[2][5]

  1. ^ Grillo 2010, p. 155.
  2. ^ a b Alberto da Giussano entry (in Italian) in the Enciclopedia Treccani
  3. ^ Grillo 2010, pp. 157–163.
  4. ^ Grillo 2010, p. 153.
  5. ^ Alberto da Giussano entry (in Italian) in the Enciclopedia Treccani