Paolo Guinigi
Encyclopedia
Paolo Guinigi was a lord of Lucca
from 1400 until 1430.
in 1389 and then to the Flanders
(1390–1392), to care for the family's affairs. In 1392, he entered Lucca's General Council and later held the position of Elder. By 1400, all his elder brothers had died. He fought against his brother, Antonio Guinigi, who had killed the head of the family. His other brother Lazzaro and others died in a plague which had struck Lucca. Paolo also fell ill. Paolo became the effective lord of Lucca on 21 November 1400 when he received the titles of Capitano e Difensore del Popolo
.
In the same year he escaped a plot set against him by his relative, Nicolao Guinigi, and married Maria Caterina Antelminelli, establishing a link with the early 14th century condottieros and lord of Lucca Castruccio Castracani
. However, she died childless, and Guinigi married Ilaria del Carretto, a member of a noble Ligurian family, who gave him a son, Ladislao
. She also died early, in 1406, and Paolo Guinigi commissioned to sculptor Jacopo della Quercia
a funerary monument, now housed in the Cathedral of Lucca. As a patron of the arts, he commissioned another work by Jacopo della Quercia, the "Polyptych of Madonna with Child and Saints Lawrence, Jerome, and Frediano", in the Basilica of San Frediano, as well as the Villa Guinigi within Lucca walls, now home to the Guinigi Museum.
As a lord, Paolo strengthened the fortifications of Lucca and, in 1401, began the reconstruction of the Augustan Fortress built by Castracani in 1322 and dismantled in 1370. He also boosted the commerce of Carrara marble, the bank activities and the manufacturing of silk products, calling masters from the whole of Europe. To obtain this, he held peaceful relationships or alliances with the other Italian states, including the Papal States
.
In 1429, the Republic of Florence
attacked Lucca due to its alliance with Filippo Maria Visconti
of Milan. The Florentine troops, led by Niccolò Piccinino
, ravaged the Lucchese countryside and besieged the city. Only the intervention of Ladislao Guinigi
and Francesco Sforza saved the city. However, a popular revolt followed, causing Guinigi's fall in 1430 and the restoration of the Republic. He was sentenced to death and arrested. He died in a prison of Pavia
in 1432.
Lucca
Lucca is a city and comune in Tuscany, central Italy, situated on the river Serchio in a fertile plainnear the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is the capital city of the Province of Lucca...
from 1400 until 1430.
Biography
Paolo was born in Lucca in 1372. He was the son of Francesco Guinigi, member of one of the most outstanding families of Lucca. He was sent to LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1389 and then to the Flanders
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
(1390–1392), to care for the family's affairs. In 1392, he entered Lucca's General Council and later held the position of Elder. By 1400, all his elder brothers had died. He fought against his brother, Antonio Guinigi, who had killed the head of the family. His other brother Lazzaro and others died in a plague which had struck Lucca. Paolo also fell ill. Paolo became the effective lord of Lucca on 21 November 1400 when he received the titles of Capitano e Difensore del Popolo
Capitano del popolo
The capitano del popolo was an administrative title used in Italy during the Middle Ages.It was created in the early 13th century when the populares, the increasing wealthy classes of merchants, professionals, craftsmen and, in maritime cities, ship-owners, who were of non-noble origin, were able...
.
In the same year he escaped a plot set against him by his relative, Nicolao Guinigi, and married Maria Caterina Antelminelli, establishing a link with the early 14th century condottieros and lord of Lucca Castruccio Castracani
Castruccio Castracani
Castruccio Castracani degli Antelminelli was an Italian condottiero and duke of Lucca.-Biography:Castruccio was born in Lucca, a member of the noble family of Antelminelli, of the Ghibelline party. In 1300 he was exiled with his parents and others of their faction by the Guelphs "Black" party,...
. However, she died childless, and Guinigi married Ilaria del Carretto, a member of a noble Ligurian family, who gave him a son, Ladislao
Ladislao Guinigi
Ladislao Guinigi was an Italian lord of Lucca and condottiero.-Biography:He was born at Lucca, the son of the city's lord Paolo Guinigi. He started the military career early in his life: in 1425 he was hired by the Republic of Florence at the head of 700 knights, then by Filippo Maria Visconti,...
. She also died early, in 1406, and Paolo Guinigi commissioned to sculptor Jacopo della Quercia
Jacopo della Quercia
Jacopo della Quercia was an Italian sculptor of the Italian Renaissance, a contemporary of Brunelleschi, Ghiberti and Donatello. He is considered a precursor of Michelangelo.-Biography:...
a funerary monument, now housed in the Cathedral of Lucca. As a patron of the arts, he commissioned another work by Jacopo della Quercia, the "Polyptych of Madonna with Child and Saints Lawrence, Jerome, and Frediano", in the Basilica of San Frediano, as well as the Villa Guinigi within Lucca walls, now home to the Guinigi Museum.
As a lord, Paolo strengthened the fortifications of Lucca and, in 1401, began the reconstruction of the Augustan Fortress built by Castracani in 1322 and dismantled in 1370. He also boosted the commerce of Carrara marble, the bank activities and the manufacturing of silk products, calling masters from the whole of Europe. To obtain this, he held peaceful relationships or alliances with the other Italian states, including the Papal States
Papal States
The Papal State, State of the Church, or Pontifical States were among the major historical states of Italy from roughly the 6th century until the Italian peninsula was unified in 1861 by the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia .The Papal States comprised territories under...
.
In 1429, the Republic of Florence
Republic of Florence
The Republic of Florence , or the Florentine Republic, was a city-state that was centered on the city of Florence, located in modern Tuscany, Italy. The republic was founded in 1115, when the Florentine people rebelled against the Margraviate of Tuscany upon Margravine Matilda's death. The...
attacked Lucca due to its alliance with Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti
Filippo Maria Visconti was ruler of Milan from 1412 to 1447.-Biography:Filippo Maria Visconti, who had become nominal ruler of Pavia in 1402, succeeded his assassinated brother Gian Maria Visconti as Duke of Milan in 1412. They were the sons of Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Gian Maria's predecessor, by...
of Milan. The Florentine troops, led by Niccolò Piccinino
Niccolò Piccinino
Niccolò Piccinino was an Italian condottiero.-Biography:He was born at Perugia, was the son of a butcher.He began his military career in the service of Braccio da Montone, who at that time was waging war against Perugia on his own account, and at the death of his chief, shortly followed by that of...
, ravaged the Lucchese countryside and besieged the city. Only the intervention of Ladislao Guinigi
Ladislao Guinigi
Ladislao Guinigi was an Italian lord of Lucca and condottiero.-Biography:He was born at Lucca, the son of the city's lord Paolo Guinigi. He started the military career early in his life: in 1425 he was hired by the Republic of Florence at the head of 700 knights, then by Filippo Maria Visconti,...
and Francesco Sforza saved the city. However, a popular revolt followed, causing Guinigi's fall in 1430 and the restoration of the Republic. He was sentenced to death and arrested. He died in a prison of Pavia
Pavia
Pavia , the ancient Ticinum, is a town and comune of south-western Lombardy, northern Italy, 35 km south of Milan on the lower Ticino river near its confluence with the Po. It is the capital of the province of Pavia. It has a population of c. 71,000...
in 1432.