William VIII, Marquess of Montferrat

Who was William VIII, Marquess of Montferrat?

William VIII Palaiologos was the Marquess of Montferrat from 1464 until his death.

He was the third son of Marquess John Jacob, and inherited the Marquisate after the death of his elder brother John IV. He obtained by Emperor Frederick III the territories lost to Savoy from 1435. William served as condottiero for Francesco I Sforza of Milan and was later the tutor of the latter's son Galeazzo Maria. When the latter was assassinated, William acted as moderator in the Duchy of Milan.

William married firstly on 19 Jan 1465 Marie de Foix; and secondly on 18 Jul 1469 Elizabetta Sforza; and finally on 6 Jan 1474 Bernarde de Brosse.

Although William was married thrice, but each time without a legitimate son. He thenceforth had his daughters by his second marriage, Giovanna married to Ludovico II of Saluzzo and Blanche of Montferrat to Charles I of Savoy.

When he died in Casale Monferrato, he was succeeded by his brother Boniface.