Ezzelino da Romano

Ezzelino da Romano, 1194-1259, Italian Ghibelline leader (see Guelphs and Ghibellines) and soldier. After 1232 a faithful supporter of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II against the pope, he held Verona, Vicenza, Padua, and other cities. When Frederick defeated (1237) the Lombard League at Cortenuova, Ezzelino became the greatest power in N Italy. He married (1238) an illegitimate daughter of Frederick. Continuously at war with the Guelphs, he was excommunicated (1254) by Pope Innocent IV, and a strong alliance was formed against him. Ezzelino lost (1256) Padua, but in 1258 he took Brescia. After an attempt to conquer Milan he was defeated and wounded at Cassano and died in prison. Placed by Dante in the Inferno, he is remembered as a cruel tyrant.

Ezzelino da Romano was the name of various seignors of fiefs and cities in northern Italy starting from the 12th century AD.

• The family was founded by Ecelo (Ezzelo), who came to Italy from Germany during the expedition of King of Germany Conrad II (1036). He received the fiefs of Romano , now Romano d'Ezzelino and Onara, near Cittadella (Veneto), expanding his territories in the name of the Emperor and creating the Mark of Treviso. He left his possession to his son Alberico.
• The latter's successor, Ezzelino I il Balbo (died 1180), was a famous soldier of the Second Crusade. He expanded the family possession and was co-commander of the Lombard League forces against Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The two, however, later reconciliated, and Ezzelino set the traditiona family allegiance to the Ghibelline party onwards.
• Ezzelino II il Monaco ("the Monk", died 1223) was podestà of Treviso and Vicenza (1193). He longly struggled against Azzo VI d'Este for the control of Veneto. Ezzelino II married Adheleid of the counts of Mangone, and was Imperial vicar for Otto IV. In 1221, fearing for the fate of his corrupted soul, retreated to a monastery, dividing his territories between his two sons, Ezzelino and Alberico.
• Ezzelino II da Romano is the father of Ezzelino III da Romano
• Ezzelino III da Romano (c. 1194-1259) was the most famous member of the family, an outstanding military leader of the wars between Guelphs and Ghibellines, and Emperor Frederick II's brother-in-law as well.