Wicked. Cruel. Mad.
These are the definitions for Giovanni Maria Visconti. Ten years of power that will bring political tensions, wars, finally the son against the mother, who will be imprisoned in Pavia Castle where she will die after only two months.
And still 200 citizens passed by the arms. Gathered, calling on the Duke, they demanded peace and justice; and the day will end in a bloodbath.
Also like Bernabò, he was fond of hunting with his hounds, but he, worse than his ancestor, was not satisfied with animals. He had convicts delivered by the Court of Milan, turning them into human prey that his sadism preferred to wild boars.
It is May 16, 1412. John Mary goes to attend Mass at the Church of St. Gotthard in Corte, next to the Cathedral under construction.
He will not enter. Surrounded on the entrance steps by representatives of illustrious families who had suffered his ferocious excesses, Pusterla, Del Majno, Baggi, Mantegazza, he will be stabbed with numerous stabs, the last one in the head.
He dies like this, at the age of 24, after ten years of rule of terror and horror; not even his wife Antonia will go to pay homage to the body.
Now the curtain of the Visconti family is thrown open on Filippo Maria. And after him the Sforza dynasty will begin, with Francesco.
If you want to learn more about the Visconti and Sforza families and all the events, deceptions and poisonings that took place between the very members of these families, don’t miss our Virtual Encounter“Relatives and…snakes: a close encounter with the Visconti and Sforza families,” featuring professional actors from the Ditta Gioco Fiaba company. Click here to see the schedule and sign up!
Learn more about the writer Giovanna Ferrante.
Did you like this story?
If you’d like, click one of the icons below, leave a small review, and help us grow and improve!
Thank you!
