List of rulers of Montferrat

The Marquises and Dukes of Montferrat[1] were the rulers of a territory in Piedmont south of the Po and east of Turin called Montferrat. The March of Montferrat was created by Berengar II of Italy in 950 during a redistribution of power in the northwest of his kingdom. It was originally named after and held by the Aleramici. In 1574, Montferrat was raised to a Duchy by Maximilian II, Holy Roman Emperor (see Duchy of Montferrat).

See also: List of consorts of Montferrat
The Marquisate of Montferrat (in brick red) in the context of late 15th century Italy.
Arms of Montferrat (House of Aleramo): Argent a chief gules.

Marquises

Aleramici dynasty
Main article: Aleramici

Paleologo dynasty
Main article: Palaeologus-Montferrat

Gonzaga dynasty
Main article: House of Gonzaga

In 1536 Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor granted the marquisate, despite competing claims from Savoy and from the Marquis of Saluzzo, to the Gonzagas. This was confirmed in 1559 by the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis.[3]

Dukes

Gonzaga dynasty
  • William X (1574–1587), Duke of Mantua, Duke of Montferrat from 1574, previously marquis
  • Vincent I (1587–1612), Duke of Mantua and Montferrat. Son of William X
  • Francis II (1612), Duke of Mantua and Montferrat. Son of Vincent I
  • Ferdinand (1612–26), Duke of Mantua and Montferrat. Son of Vincent I.
  • Vincent II (1626–27), Duke of Mantua and Montferrat. Son of Vincent I.
  • War of the Mantuan Succession (1627–1631) – a portion was lost to Duchy of Savoy
  • Maria, Duchess of Montferrat 1612–61, also Duchess of Mantua 1627–1631. Daughter of Francis II.
  • Charles I, called "of Nevers", Duke of Montferrat (1627–1637), also Duke of Mantua and Nevers. Father-in-law of Maria, co-ruler with Maria and his son, Charles.
  • Charles II (1637–1665). Also Duke of Nevers until 1659. Son of Maria, grandson of both Charles I and Francis II.
  • Ferdinand Charles (1665–1708), Duke of Montferrat and Mantua. Son of Charles II.

Savoy dynasty

The House of Savoy gained part of the duchy after the War of the Mantuan Succession and the remainder in 1708. The head of the family used the title of Duke of Montferrat from 1631 until 1861. In addition, the title was granted to some younger sons of the House:

Notes
  1. "Marquess" (now normally "Marquis" for titles outside the British Isles) may also be rendered by the Germanic equivalent, Markgraf Margrave, the Latin Marchio and the Italian Marchese. Montferrat is also called Monferrato.
  2. Secondotto, John III and Theodore, who were the sons of Elisabeth, daughter of James III of Majorca, and of John II of Montferrat, have been called dukes. Historiae et Urbium Regionum Italiae rariores, Volume 114, Cronica del Montferrato, Benvenuto Sangiorgio, Arnaldo Forni Editore 1780.
  3. Fabbri, Paolo; Carter, Tim (1994), Monteverdi, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-35133-2

Bibliography
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