Gian Maria Visconti (orGiovanni Maria; 7 September 1388 – 16 May 1412) was the second Visconti Duke of Milan, the son of Gian Galeazzo Visconti and Caterina Visconti. He was known to be cruel and was eventually assassinated. He had no children.
| Gian Maria Visconti | |
|---|---|
| Duke of Milan | |
 | |
| Duke of Milan | |
| Reign | 3 September 1402 – 16 May 1412 |
| Predecessor | Gian Galeazzo |
| Successor | Filippo Maria |
| |
| Born | (1388-09-07)7 September 1388 Abbiategrasso |
| Died | 16 May 1412(1412-05-16) (aged 23) Milan |
| Spouse | Antonia Malatesta of Cesena |
| House | Visconti |
| Father | Gian Galeazzo Visconti |
| Mother | Caterina Visconti |
Visconti was born in Abbiategrasso. Following his father's death, he assumed the title of duke at the age of thirteen, under his mother's regency. The Duchy of Milan soon disintegrated: among the various parties contending its lands, the condottiero Facino Cane prevailed.
Taking advantage of Gian Maria's cruelty, he managed to create in him doubts about Caterina, who was imprisoned in Monza, where she died on 17 October 1404, probably murdered.[1] The duke was famous for his dogs, which were trained to slaughter men.
In 1408, Gian Maria married Antonia Malatesta of Cesena, daughter of Carlo I, lord of Rimini.[1][2] They had no issue.[3]
A plot by a party of Milanese Ghibellines was raised against the Duke when Facino Cane was terminally ill in Pavia, and Gian Maria was assassinated in front of the church of San Gottardo in Milan.[1] The dying Facino had his officers swear to support Filippo Maria, Gian Maria's brother, who in fact succeeded him.
... the duke John Maria grew every day more cruel: he imprisoned his own mother, Catharine Visconre, in the castle of Monza, and caused her to be there strangled. ... John Maria Visconte, duke of Milan, while he was at mass, was murdered by Trivulcio, Guerrino, and Baruchino, and other conspirators of several conspicuous families, ...
| Italian nobility | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Duke of Milan 1402–1412 |
Succeeded by |
 | This biography of an Italian noble is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |