Guido I da Polenta
Encyclopedia
Guido I da Polenta was lord of Ravenna
from 1275 until his death.
The son of Lamberto da Polenta, he was ousted from Ravenna by the imperial troops in 1240. When the city was returned to the Papal States in 1248, Guido was able to return and was made chief of the local council. In 1270, after the death of Bishop Felix, he divided the power in the city and that of Comacchio
with Guido Riccio da Polenta, in collaboration with the other major Ravennate family, the Traversari
.
However, Guido and Guido Riccio soon were at war, and Guido allied with the Malatesta
of Rimini in order also to counter Guido I da Montefeltro who had conquered Forlì
and Cervia
. Through this alliance Guido was able to gain the complete seigniory of Ravenna. The marriage of his daughter Francesca
with Giovanni Malatesta
caused a revolt in the city, whose outcome was the expulsion of the Traversari.
In 1282 he took part to the offensive of Pope Martin V
against Guido da Montefeltro, and was able to gain Cervia in the fray. In 1290 he was elected podestà
of Florence
. In 1293 Guido Riccio died, and Guido added Comacchio to the family's territories.
At his death in 1297 he was succeeded by his sons Lamberto
and Bernardino
.
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
from 1275 until his death.
The son of Lamberto da Polenta, he was ousted from Ravenna by the imperial troops in 1240. When the city was returned to the Papal States in 1248, Guido was able to return and was made chief of the local council. In 1270, after the death of Bishop Felix, he divided the power in the city and that of Comacchio
Comacchio
Comacchio is a town and comune of Emilia Romagna, Italy, in the province of Ferrara, 48 km from the provincial capital Ferrara.-Geography:...
with Guido Riccio da Polenta, in collaboration with the other major Ravennate family, the Traversari
Traversari
The Traversari are an ancient noble family of Italy. Their origins may lie in the late fifth century, being descendants of Theodore, General of the Heruli. There are other sources that cite the Traversari Decia as descendants from the Gens Decia of Ancient Rome. Theodoric I was named Count of...
.
However, Guido and Guido Riccio soon were at war, and Guido allied with the Malatesta
Malatesta
Malatesta may refer to:*The House of Malatesta, an Italian family which ruled over Rimini from the thirteenth to the fifteenth century*Errico Malatesta , an Italian anarchist*Malatesta , a 1970 German film...
of Rimini in order also to counter Guido I da Montefeltro who had conquered Forlì
Forlì
Forlì is a comune and city in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, and is the capital of the province of Forlì-Cesena. The city is situated along the Via Emilia, to the right of the Montone river, and is an important agricultural centre...
and Cervia
Cervia
Cervia is a town and comune in the province of Ravenna , central Italy.-History:Originally called Ficocle, it was probably of Greek origin and was located midway from current Cervia and Ravenna...
. Through this alliance Guido was able to gain the complete seigniory of Ravenna. The marriage of his daughter Francesca
Francesca da Rimini
Francesca da Rimini or Francesca da Polenta was the daughter of Guido da Polenta, lord of Ravenna. She was a historical contemporary of Dante Alighieri, who portrayed her as a character in the Divine Comedy.-Arranged marriage:...
with Giovanni Malatesta
Giovanni Malatesta
Giovanni Malatesta , known, from his lameness, as Gianciotto, or Giovanni, lo Sciancato, was the eldest son of Malatesta da Verucchio of Rimini.From 1275 onwards he played an active part in the Romagnole Wars and factions...
caused a revolt in the city, whose outcome was the expulsion of the Traversari.
In 1282 he took part to the offensive of Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V
Pope Martin V , born Odo Colonna, was Pope from 1417 to 1431. His election effectively ended the Western Schism .-Biography:...
against Guido da Montefeltro, and was able to gain Cervia in the fray. In 1290 he was elected podestà
Podestà
Podestà is the name given to certain high officials in many Italian cities, since the later Middle Ages, mainly as Chief magistrate of a city state , but also as a local administrator, the representative of the Emperor.The term derives from the Latin word potestas, meaning power...
of Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
. In 1293 Guido Riccio died, and Guido added Comacchio to the family's territories.
At his death in 1297 he was succeeded by his sons Lamberto
Lamberto I da Polenta
Lamberto I da Polenta was lord of Ravenna from 1297 until his death.The son of Guido I da Polenta, he inherited the lordship of Ravenna after the latter's death, while his brother Bernardino became lord of Cervia....
and Bernardino
Bernardino da Polenta
Bernardino da Polenta was lord of Cervia from 1297 until his death. He was the son of Guido I da Polenta.In 1302–1305, he waged war to Cesena for the possession of Cesenatico, and in 1303 fought with Florence in Mugello...
.
See also
- Da Polenta