Matteo I Visconti

Matteo I Visconti
Lord of Milan and Imperial Vicar
Lord of Milan
Rule1295–1301, 1311–1322
PredecessorOttone Visconti
SuccessorGaleazzo I Visconti
Born1250
Died24 June 1322(1322-06-24) (aged 71–72)
Crescenzago
Noble familyHouse of Visconti
Spouse(s)Bonacossa Borri
Issue
FatherTeobaldo Visconti
MotherAnastasia Pirovano

Matteo I Visconti (1250–1322) was the second of the Milanese Visconti family to govern Milan.[1] Matteo was born to Teobaldo Visconti and Anastasia Pirovano.

In 1287, Matteo's uncle Ottone Visconti, archbishop and first lord of Milan, nominated him as capitano del popolo of Milan. Following his uncle's death in 1295, he succeeded him as lord of Milan. Matteo was appointed numerous times as Imperial Vicar over the whole of Lombardy, while expanding, with the assistance of his sons, his sphere of influence to Piedmont, Emilia, Bologna, and Genoa. Caught between the Papal and Imperial power struggle over northern Italy, Matteo would renounce his imperial title as "General Lord of the Milanese People". Found guilty on the charge of necromancy, excommunicated, and facing a crusade, Matteo resigned his position and died months later. He was succeeded by his son Galeazzo I.