Carlo Visconti

Early Life and Family

Carlo Visconti was born in November 1359 in Milan, within the Señoria of Milan. He was a member of the Visconti family, specifically the genus Visconti. His father was Bernabò Visconti (1323-1385), who would later become Lord of Parma in 1364.

Carlo's grandparents on his father's side were Stefano Visconti and his wife. Carlo had four full brothers and ten full sisters:

* Tadea (1351)
* Isabella Bavarian
* Verde (oc. 1352)
* Mark (1355)
* Ludovico (1355)
* Valentina (1357 or 1360/62 or 1367)
* Rodolfo (1358)
* Antonia (1364)
* Catherine (1362)
* Anise (1363)
* Madalena (1366)
* Janmastino (1370)
* Lucia (1372)
* Elisabetta (1374)
* Angliesia (1377)

He also had six half-brothers and nine half-sisters from his father's extramarital relationships with five women.

Biography

Carlo's early life was marked by the constant wars waged by his father against the Papal State. Bernabò Visconti was excommunicated and known for his ruthless behavior. In 1385, Carlo's father, along with two of his brothers, Ludovico and Rodolfo, were captured by their cousin Gian Galeazzo Visconti, who sought power over the Signoria of Milan. They were imprisoned in the castle of Trezzo, where they eventually died.

Marriage and Career

In April 1376, Carlo was engaged to Marguerite de Lusignan (d.1379), daughter of King Pierre de Lusignan of Cyprus and Leonora of Aragon. However, this engagement was dissolved two years later. In March 1379, his father divided the estates between his legitimate sons, and Carlo went to Cremona, Borgo San Donnino, and Parma.

On June 2, 1380, Pope Urban VI granted permission for Carlo to marry his cousin Valentine, daughter of Gian Galeazzo Visconti. However, this engagement was also dissolved two years later. In August 1382, Carlo married Beatrice d'Armagnac (d.1408), daughter of Count Jean II d'Armagnac and Jeanne de Perigord, the widow of Gaston de Foix.

Later Life

After his father's capture in 1385, Carlo and his brother Mastino "roamed Italy, vainly trying to save their family's fortunes." Carlo died in August 1403.