Matteo I Visconti

Who was Matteo I Visconti?

Matteo I Visconti was the son of Teobaldo Visconti and Anastasia Pirovano.

Matteo was a soldier and faithful servant of his great-uncle Ottone in his battles and conquest of power over Milan. In 1287, his uncle had him appointed capitano del popolo of Milan. Rudolph I of Germany, Adolf of Nassau, King of Germany, Albert I of Germany, and Henry VII, Holy Roman Emperor each appointed him Matteo as Imperial Vicar over the whole of Lombardy, an office he held until his death. His sphere of influence extended to the Piedmont, Emilia, Bologna, and Genoa.