Luchino Visconti (ruler of Milan)

Luchino was the son of Matteo I Visconti and Bonacosa Borri. Since 1315, he was the ruler of the city of Pavia , after five years he became a priest of Vigevano , where he built a castle. In 1323, Pope John XXII excommunicated the entire Visconti family, who opposed him on the side of Emperor Louis IV . When in 1329 his nephew, Atzone Visconti , returned the title of ruler of Milan and began to restore power in the possessions of a kind, Lukino assisted him in managing public affairs. As the commander of the Milan army, he defeated the mercenaries of his brother Lodrisio under Parabiago in 1339, intending to seize power in Milan.

In August 1339, Atzone died without leaving any heirs. Signoria of Milan and other cities of Lombardy chose Lukino and Giovanni Visconti as co-rulers. Giovanni, being the archbishop of Milan, dealt mainly with church affairs, and Lukino took over state affairs. Being a talented commander and ruler, Lukino was a cruel, suspicious and vindictive man.

In the early 1340s, a group of influential citizens of Milan, dissatisfied with the rule of Lukino, tried to overthrow the rulers of the city. The conspiracy was exposed, and among the conspirators were the nephews of Lukino and Giovanni, Matteo , Galeazzo and Bernabo , whom Luchino expelled from Milan. Having dealt with internal enemies, Lukino significantly expanded his possessions, adding to them the cities of Bobbio , Asti , Parma , Alessandria and Torton .

Lukino created a permanent armed militia, ensuring the safety of trade routes through the Alps , as well as to Genoa and Venice . He also introduced the post of supreme judge of Milan, which must have been a foreigner and not have ties with any of the Milanese nobility.

Luchino was married three times: to Violenta Saluzzo, daughter of Margrave Saluzzo , then to Katerina Spinola from an influential Genoese family and to Isabella Fieschi, niece of Pope Adrian V. From his last marriage, he was born the only legitimate son, Lukino Novello. In 1349, Lukino Visconti, suspecting Isabella of treason, was going to severely punish her, but soon died, probably after being poisoned by his wife. After his death, Giovanni Visconti became the sole ruler of Milan.

• Jane Black. Absolutism in Renaissance Milan: Plenitude of Power under the Visconti and the Sforza 1329-1535. - Oxford University Press, 2009 .-- 300 p. - ISBN 978-0199565290 .

• Storia di Milano. I Visconti (Italian)