The Vigevano Lineage: Historical Research
Compendium of literary, documentary and academic sources on the origin of the family.
To reconstruct the ancient history of the surname, we have structured the evidence in chronological stages: from the legal foundations of the 11th century to modern historiographical confirmation.
I. The Legal Context (11th Century)
The basis of the power of consular families (such as the Pozzo and Ardizzi) lay in the legal freedom of the city. To understand the power held by consular families such as the Pozzo (Putei) and the Ardizzi before the rise of the Sforza, it is necessary to refer to the legal basis of the city.
🏛️ Academic Validation (1914)
The historian Alessandro Colombo (member of the Società Storica Lombarda, active at the beginning of the 20th century), in his critical study "Le origini del comune di Vigevano e i suoi diplomi imperiali" (1914), ratified the authenticity of the diplomas that granted independence to the city.
The Key Fact: To validate these ancient documents against skeptics, Colombo cites as a fundamental authority the manuscript of our ancestor: "(2) SIMONE DEL POZZO, Libro dell'Estimo generale...".
Below, we present the foundational diploma that guaranteed that Vigevano did not depend on any feudal lord (neither Milan nor Pavia), but directly on the Emperor. This explains the Ghibelline loyalty of the family.
📜 Diploma of Henry IV (Year 1065)
"ENRICO IV, RE DEI ROMANI, DICHIARA I BORGHI DI VIGEVANO, SIRPI, PREDUCLA E VENTICOLONNE LIBERI ED ESENTI DA OGNI GIURISDIZIONE O SIGNORIA, SIA LAICA CHE ECCLESIASTICA, SALVO I DIRITTI DELL'IMPERO (1065).
IN nomine sancte et indiuidue Trinitatis. Heinricus dei gracia rex Romanorum: Semper Augustus. Predecessores nostri Reges et Imperatores sicut in ystorijs, et Regum gestis repperimus Regna, et Imperia eorum decorauerunt, et statum rei publice magnificauerunt. Cum Justis peticionibus fidelibus conscilijs suorum fidelium Jndubitanter crediderunt."
"HENRY IV, KING OF THE ROMANS, DECLARES THE BOROUGHS OF VIGEVANO, SIRPI, PREDUCLA AND VENTICOLONNE FREE AND EXEMPT FROM ALL JURISDICTION OR LORDSHIP, WHETHER LAY OR ECCLESIASTICAL, EXCEPT THE RIGHTS OF THE EMPIRE (1065).
In the name of the Holy and Undivided Trinity. Henry, by the grace of God King of the Romans, Ever Augustus. Our predecessors, Kings and Emperors, as we find in the histories and deeds of Kings, adorned their Kingdoms and Empires, and magnified the state of the republic. When with just petitions and faithful counsels of their faithful they undoubtedly believed [trusted]."
A. The Poem of 1490
Before Simone del Pozzo wrote his chronicle in 1550, "Libro d'Estimo generale della città di Vigevano...", Father Agostino Della Porta published in 1490 the Latin poem "De originibus populi viglevanensis" (On the origins of the people of Vigevano). In this work, the author lists the "founding" and oldest families of the city.
🔍 The Hypothesis of Silence
The analysis of this text reveals a crucial fact by omission: Della Porta lists the "Putei" (Dal Pozzo) among the ancestral lineages, but does NOT mention the Ardizzi in this foundational list.
Our Conclusion: This constitutes external evidence validating the 1550 manuscript. If in the "mythical origins" only the Pozzo exist, it confirms that Ardizzi is a later branch that broke away from the millenary trunk of the Pozzo. The original identity is, indisputably, Gens Putea.
📜 View Latin Transcription and Complete Translation
"...Nec non Barbassus, et philosarchica semper
Ecclesiana domus; Vaggi, et pyra lutea dudum
Bettica progenies; Bonfiglia, Parona, Prauci;
Et Bellatiadae, Montani, Alasia, Brisci,
Bullia, Laquenses, Lancellotique, Scotique:
Bagniadae, Frisci, Garoni, Steva, Putei;
Compluresque alii quondam hinc prodiisse feruntur."
"...and also [the family] Barbavara, and the ever power-friendly
Ecclesia house; the Vaggi, and the long-ago yellow pear [fire/light?]
Bettica progeny; the Bonfiglio, Parona, Prauci;
And the sons of Bellati, Montani, Alasia, Brizzi,
Bullia, those of the Lake [Lacchiarella?], and the Lancelotti, and the Scotti:
the Bagni, Frisiani, Garoni, Steva, the Putei [Dal Pozzo Lineage];
and very many others [of whom] it is said that anciently came forth from here."
Source: Della Porta, Agostino (1490). "De originibus populi viglevanensis". Published in Miscellanea di Storia Italiana, Vol. XXXI (1892), p. 417.
B. "Libro d'Estimo generale della città di Vigevano...". Simone del Pozzo (1550)
The direct primary source. It includes the critical analysis of Folios 56 and 549, where the chronicler identifies the founder "Arditio de Puteo" [Ardicio del Pozzo] and certifies the legal unity of the lineage.
III. Documentary Sources (15th-17th Centuries)
Official documents and ancient bibliography confirming the noble status and diplomatic activity.
📜 Source 1: "Vigevano Illustrato" (1648)
📋 Source Data
- Title: Vigevano Illustrato.
- Author: Egidio Sacchetti.
- Publication: Milano, 1648. Imprenta Ramellati.
- Reference: Pages 83-84 (ARDIZZI Family) - Pages 124-125 (POZZI and dal Pozzo Family).
🇮🇹 Original Text
"ARDICII, casata nobile, & antica, in Vigevano, annoverata fra le prime dal P. Porta co' gl'infrascritti versi:
Ardicijs superba domus, cui desuper uni / Exhibitum est, inter nostrorum nomina Patrum. / Stulta pati, sapiensq mori; & malo vivere saepe; / Praeq; alijs efferre suos...
Et il Corio ne fa parimente mentione nell'Historia par. 5. raccontando, come, e quando, i Vigevenaschi confinorno a Milano li Colli, e gli Ardicij, e i loro amici, della parte Gibellina.
De i quali fù Christoforo Ardici, fondatore della Capella di S. Christoforo nella Cathedrale; & Abrahamo, co'l fratello, Antonio, furono gli fondatori della Chiesa di S. Hieronimo, e di S. Maria Maddalena, ch'arrichirno di molte sante reliquie, e di diversi apparati sacri; & ottennero dal Sommo Pontefice Eugenio quarto Indulgenze perpetue, sì per l'istessa, come per la Chiesa di N.S. detta S. Maria di sotto, a loro raccomandata, ch'vltimamente è stata abbellita con misteriose figure, per opra del Vescovo Pietro Giorgio Odescalco: dove Papa Martino V., venendo dal Concilio di Basilea, entrò co' la mula sotto il Portico avanti essa Chiesa, e, posta la mano sopra la Porta, fece oratione, e poi concesse Indulgenza plenaria a qualunque la visitasse, con farvi oratione i Venerdì di Marzo, come s'andasse a visitar' il santo Sepolchro a Gerusalemme, secondo l'osservatione del Cancelliero Pozzo nel detto libro della descrittione al fol. 630.
Et il detto Abrahamo fù più volte Ambasciatore del Duca Filippo Maria al Rè di Francia, & al Rè di Napoli, Renato, Duca d'Angiò, Conte di Provenza &c., dal quale nebbe in dono il Castello, e la Terra, di Colonella nell'Abbruzzo, con titolo di Conte, per lui, e per i descendenti legitimi dell'un', e dell'altro, sesso: e com'appare dalla copia del Privilegio registrata dal Pozzo nell'allegato libro della descrittione pag. 610., & anco fù l'istesso Abrahamo Governatore d'Alessandria per il Duca Filippo Maria; del quale fù parimente Ambasciatore appresso il Rè di Francia il sudetto Antonio; e dopo la morte d'esso Duca, il medesimo Abrahamo fù quello, che con amplo mandato del Consiglio Generale di Vigevano concertò li capitoli dell'accordo con il Conte Francesco Sforza l'anno 1449, che fù poi indi a poco Duca di Milano; e del sudetto Antonio fù figliuolo un'altro Antonio, Abbreviatore Apostolico, sepolto in Roma alla Minerva, com'ivi in marmo scritto si legge.
E di questa famiglia furono parimente duoi Preuosti della Chiesa maggiore di Vigevano, l'uno dopò l'altro, huomini dottissimi, e di grand'authorità; dei quali il primo fù l'authore della detta Chiesa fatta a spese del Commune avanti l'vltima del Duca Francesco secondo, e del campanile, c'hora si vede; & il secondo fù Dottor di leggi, Daniele Ardicio, Commissario Apostolico, nell'Instromento della fondatione della Chiesa, e Convento di S. Pietro martire del 1446., del quale era fratello Giuliano Ardicio, Cancelliero della Communità per longo tempo; doppo la cui morte la famiglia Ardicia è sempre andata di mal' in peggio, come quelli dell'oro Tholosano, come dice il Pozzo nel libro ceruleo al fol. 56., il quale nell'istesso scrive ch'essa famiglia è un ramo di quella del Pozzo, così detta dall'authore Ardicio del Pozzo; e d'essa hor viue, solo d'età maggiore, Gio. Battista Ardicio, Gentilhuomo di tenui facoltà."
🇪🇸 Translation:
"ARDIZZI (ARDICII), noble and ancient lineage in Vigevano, counted among the first by Father Porta with the following verses:
The proud house of the Ardizzi, to which alone from above / It has been granted, among the names of our Fathers / To suffer follies, and to know how to die; and often to live badly; / And to raise their own above others...
And [Bernardino] Corio likewise mentions them in his History (part 5), recounting how and when the people of Vigevano confined the Colli and the Ardizzi, and their friends, of the Ghibelline party, to Milan.
Of whom was Cristoforo Ardizzi, founder of the Chapel of St. Christopher in the Cathedral; and Abraham, together with his brother Antonio, were the founders of the Church of St. Jerome and St. Mary Magdalene, which they enriched with many holy relics and various sacred ornaments; and they obtained from the Supreme Pontiff Eugenius IV perpetual indulgences, both for the same church, and for the Church of Our Lady called St. Mary 'di sotto', entrusted to them, which has recently been beautified with mysterious figures, through the work of Bishop Pietro Giorgio Odescalco: where Pope Martin V, coming from the Council of Basel, entered with his mule under the Portico in front of that Church, and, placing his hand on the Door, made prayer, and then granted plenary indulgence to anyone who visited it, praying there on the Fridays of March, as if one were going to visit the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, according to the observation of Chancellor Pozzo in the said book of the description at fol. 630.
And the said Abraham was several times Ambassador of Duke Filippo Maria [Visconti] to the King of France and to the King of Naples, Renato, Duke of Anjou, Count of Provence, etc., from whom he received as a gift the Castle and the Land of Colonella in the Abruzzo, with the title of Count, for himself and for the legitimate descendants of one and the other sex: and as it appears from the copy of the Privilege recorded by Pozzo in the attached book of the description p. 610., and also the same Abraham was Governor of Alessandria for Duke Filippo Maria; of whom the aforesaid Antonio was likewise Ambassador to the King of France; and after the death of that Duke, the same Abraham was the one who, with a broad mandate from the General Council of Vigevano, concerted the chapters of the agreement with Count Francesco Sforza in the year 1449, who was then soon afterwards Duke of Milan; and of the aforesaid Antonio was son another Antonio, Apostolic Abbreviator, buried in Rome at [the church of] the Minerva, as there in marble written one reads.
And of this family were likewise two Provosts of the major Church of Vigevano, one after the other, most learned men of great authority; of whom the first was the author of the said Church built at the expense of the Commune [Municipality] before the last [reform] of Duke Francesco II, and of the bell tower, which is now seen; and the second was Doctor of laws, Daniele Ardizzi, Apostolic Commissioner, in the Instrument of the foundation of the Church and Convent of St. Peter Martyr of 1446, of whom was brother Giuliano Ardizzi, Chancellor of the Community for a long time; after whose death the Ardizzi family has always gone from bad to worse, like those of the 'Gold of Toulouse', as Pozzo says in the blue book at fol. 56, who in the same writes that this family is a branch of that of 'Del Pozzo', so called from its author [founder] Ardicio del Pozzo; and of it now lives, only of greater age, Gio. Battista Ardizzi, Gentleman of slender means."
🇮🇹 Original Text
"POZZI, e dal Pozzo, agnatione trà l'antiche del suo tempo, nominata dal P. Porta; della quale si fà mentione di Bartholomeo dal Pozzo, per huomo di lettere, duceto anni fà, e di Gioanni dal Pozzo, e di Gio. Maria dal Pozzo, huomini altresì letterati, cento cinquanta anni sono; e sopra tutti è degno d'esser lodato, il Cancelliero, per molte decenne d'anni, della Communità, Simone dal Pozzo, più volte sopr'allegato, per haver'egli più d'ogn'altro affaticato, scrivendo, a servitio, & honore di questa sua patria; il cui padre fù Vincenzo dal Pozzo, figlio di Gio. Iacomo, che fù Figliuolo di Stefano dal Pozzo, fondatore della Chiesa, & dell'Hospitale di S. Antonio per i Peregrini, come l'istesso Cancelliero scrive nel libro della descrittione al fol. 617. & il cugino d'esso, il grande Dottor di leggi, Francesco dal Pozzo, fù Lettore per molt'anni in Turino prima, e poi in Pisa, condotto dalla Repub. Fiorentina; finche dell'anno 1500. fatto dal Rè di Fracia, Lodouico, Pretore, e Gouernatore, di Potremolo, iui terminò li giorni della vita sua mortale; e di questa casata, pur fù Hieronimo dal Pozzo, che l'anno 1574. fù fondatore dell'Hospit. dell'Immaculata Concett. per gl'infermi; e d'essa gente dal Pozzo è la Capella di S. Antonio, e di S. Rocho, nella Cathedrale, com'attesta il detto Cancelliero nel sodetto libro della descrittione al fol. 550."
🇪🇸 Translation:
"POZZI, and Dal Pozzo, lineage [counted] among the ancient ones of its time, named by Father Porta; of which mention is made of Bartolomeo dal Pozzo, as a man of letters, two hundred years ago, and of Giovanni dal Pozzo, and of Gio. Maria dal Pozzo, likewise learned men, one hundred and fifty years ago; and above all is worthy of praise the Chancellor of the Community [Town Hall] for many decades, Simone dal Pozzo, cited above many times, for having labored more than any other, writing, in the service and honor of this his homeland; whose father was Vincenzo dal Pozzo, son of Gio. Iacomo, who was Son of Stefano dal Pozzo, founder of the Church and Hospital of St. Anthony for Pilgrims, as the same Chancellor writes in the book of the description at fol. 617. And his cousin, the great Doctor of laws, Francesco dal Pozzo, was Lecturer [University Professor] for many years in Turin first, and then in Pisa, hired by the Florentine Republic; until in the year 1500, made Praetor and Governor of Pontremoli by the King of France, Louis [XII], there he ended the days of his mortal life; and of this house [lineage], also was Girolamo dal Pozzo, who in the year 1574 was founder of the Hospital of the Immaculate Conception for the sick; and of that people 'dal Pozzo' is the Chapel of St. Anthony, and of St. Roch, in the Cathedral, as the said Chancellor attests in the aforementioned book of the description at fol. 550."
🔍 Findings from Curatorial Analysis
📜 Source 2: Sforza Chancellery (1450-1453)
Transcription of records from the Milan State Archives demonstrating the direct relationship between the family and the Sforza Dukes.
📜 1450 September 22 | September 22, 1450 (Francesco Sforza to L. Bolleri)
Record n. 2
Domino Ludovico de Bolero, vicecomiti Relaime et de Monte, et cetera.
Ut primum recepimus litteras magnificencie vestre, quibus requirit ut ad eam mittere velimus unum ex nostris intelecturum quecumque dicere voluerit statum nostrum concernencia, scripsimus indilate ad Abraam de Ardiciis ut eo proficiscatur et veniet certi sumus. Rengraciamur autem magnificencie vestre ex eo quod pro negociis fidum a nobis nuncium postulaverit, ex inde quod singularem in nos affectionem declaraverit in favorem Iohannis de Centalo, subditi vestri, scripsimus opportune ad locuntenentem nostrum Alexandrie, nec dubitamus quin virtute litterarum nostrarum et respectu magnificencie vestre, eidem Iohanni rem gratam facere studebit. Iniungimus etiam prefato locuntenenti nostro quod arma, de quibus in cedula vestra agitur eidem magnificencie vestre restitui faciet. Ad cuius beneplacita queque ex animo parati sumus.
Mediolani, xxii septembris 1450.
Cichus.
Record n. 2
To Lord Ludovico de Bolero, Viscount of Relaime and of Monte, etc.
As soon as we received the letters of Your Magnificence, in which you request that we wish to send you one of our men to understand whatever you wish to say concerning our state, we wrote without delay to Abramo Ardizzi to depart there, and we are certain he will come. We thank Your Magnificence for having requested a trustworthy messenger from us for these matters, and for having declared your singular affection for us in favor of Giovanni de Centalo, your subject; we have written appropriately to our lieutenant in Alessandria, and we do not doubt that by virtue of our letters and out of respect for Your Magnificence, he will endeavor to do something pleasing for the same Giovanni. We also order our aforementioned lieutenant to have the weapons, which are dealt with in your memorandum, restored to Your same Magnificence. For whose good pleasure we are heartily prepared.
Cicco.
📜 1450 December 11 | December 11, 1450 (Sforza to Abramo Ardizzi)
Record n. 2
Abrae de Ardiciis.
Veduto quanto ne scrivi, quanto ala parte dele novelle de là non accade altra resposta se non che hai facto bene et de tuto te comendiamo, quanto ala parte de monsignò lo bayli de Aste, qual debe venire da nuy, havemo caro che tu lo receva honorevelemente et gli faci careze, compagnia et ogni bono tractamento.
Laude, xi decembris 1450.
Cichus.
Record n. 2
To Abramo Ardizzi.
Having seen what you write to us, regarding the news from over there no other response is needed other than that you have done well and we commend you for everything; regarding the matter of Monsignor the Bailiff[2] of Asti, who is to come to us, we are pleased that you receive him honorably and show him kindness, company and every good treatment.
Lodi, December 11, 1450.
Cicco.
📜 1451 January 11 | January 11, 1451 (Sforza to T. Ghilino)
Record n. 4, missive 70
Potestati (1), comuni et hominibus Vigleveni.
Siamo convenuti con Abraam deli Arditii, messo de vuy homini, per la richiesta che vi habiamo facta de ducati milli d'oro in questi nostri bisogni, debbiati pagare ala Camera nostra ducati quatrocento d'oro tanto et il resto ve sia remesso liberamente, il perché vi commectiamo et volimo che havuta questa debiati in modo provedere che per tucta la septimana che vene habiamo moza cinquanta de frumento per quello pretio che convenuto el decto Abraam cum li Magistri dele intrate nostre, el quale vi sia compensato in la summa deli dicti quatrocento ducati, et del resto d'essi denari debbiati respondere ad Martino da Corte, nostro cittadino milanese, per satisfatione de certa quantità de vino ce ha dato per uso dela corte nostra, secundo il prenominato Abraam ordinarà, avisando dapoy li predicti Magistri dela quantità de denari havirete dato al dicto Martino, etiam d'esso formento, aciocheé avisati possano sopra ciò far fare le scripture oportune et necessarie. Et facte havirete le predicte cose, ve liberamo per la presente dela dicta rechiesta, et tu potestà per questa casone non lassi per alcuno modo molestarli.
Mediolani, xi ianuarii 1451.
Cichus.
Antonius.
Iohannes.
Iohannes Petrus.
Christoforus.
Record n. 4, missive 70
To the Podestà[1] (1), commune and men of Vigevano.
We have agreed with Abramo Ardizzi, envoy of your men, regarding the request we have made to you for one thousand gold ducats for these our needs, that you must pay to our Chamber only four hundred gold ducats, and the rest be freely remitted to you; therefore we command you and wish that, having received this, you must provide in such a way that for all the coming week we have fifty moggia[3] of wheat at that price which the said Abramo agreed with the Masters of our revenues, which shall be compensated to you in the sum of the said four hundred ducats, and of the remainder of that money you must answer to Martino da Corte, our Milanese citizen, for satisfaction of a certain quantity of wine he has given us for use of our court, according to what the aforenamed Abramo will order, thereafter advising the aforesaid Masters of the amount of money you will have given to the said Martino, and also of that wheat, so that advised they may upon this have the opportune and necessary documents made. And having done the aforesaid things, we release you by this present from the said request, and you Podestà[1] for this reason do not in any way allow them to be molested.
Milan, January 11, 1451.
Cicco.
Antonio.
Juan.
Juan Pedro.
Cristóbal.
📜 1452 April 20 | April 20, 1452 (Safe-conduct)
Record n. 10, missive 23
[5r] Dux Mediolani et cetera, Papie Anglerieque comes ac Cremone dominus, supplicatum est nobis parte Caruli Surigoni ac Iohannis Francisci et Batiste, filiorum eius civium mercatorum Mediolani, ut cum eis concessum sit validum salvumconductum veniendi ad hanc inclitam civitatem Mediolani et aliis in locis quibuslibet et in eis morari et redire per infrascriptos eorum creditores, videlicet dominum Bartholomeum Moronum, Dionisium de Garbagnate nomine heredum Tomasii de Garbagnate, Gulielmum de Marliano, Martinum de Curte, magnificum comitem Filipum Bonromeum, Melchionem de Arluno et Abraam de Ardicis, duobus mensibus valiturum dignemur approbare et confirmare, mandare quod, dicto durante termino, nequeant antedicti pater et filii quoquo molestari ad instantiam aliquorum eorum creditorum, volentes in requisitis, quantum licet, supplicantibus annuere si creditores prenominati sunt ex quatuor partibus, tres partes tam respectu numeri personarum quam quantitatis debiti, iuxta formam provisionis super his edite et cetera in ea provisione contenta(a) sint complecta, eo casu tenore presentium fidantiam et salvumconductum per tempus suprascriptum firmiter duraturum afirmamus et approbamus mandantes quibuscumque ofitialibus et ius dicentibus ac subditis nostris ad quos spectat et spectabit quatenus has nostras approbationis et confirmationis litteras observent et faciant imviolabiliter observari, in quorum testimonium presentes fieri et registrari iussimus nostri que sigeli munimine robari.
Data Mediolani, die xx aprilis MCCCCLsecundo.
Record n. 10, missive 23
Duke of Milan, etc., Count of Pavia and of Angera and Lord of Cremona. We have been petitioned on behalf of Carlo Surigono and of Giovanni Francesco and Battista, his sons, citizens and merchants of Milan, that since a valid safe-conduct has been granted to them to come to this renowned city of Milan and to any other places, and to reside in them and return, by their underwritten creditors, namely Lord Bartolomeo Morone, Dionigi da Garbagnate in the name of the heirs of Tommaso da Garbagnate, Guglielmo da Marliano, Martino da Corte, the magnificent Count Filippo Borromeo, Melchiorre da Arluno and Abramo de Ardizzi, we deign to approve and confirm that it be valid for two months, and to order that, during said term, the aforesaid father and sons cannot be molested in any way at the instance of any of their creditors, wishing in the matters requested, as far as is lawful, to accede to the petitioners if the aforenamed creditors are three parts out of four, both with respect to the number of persons and the amount of the debt, according to the form of the provision issued on this and etcetera contained in that provision (a) are fulfilled, in that case by the tenor of these presents we affirm and approve the guarantee and safe-conduct to stand firmly for the above-written time, commanding to whatever officials and judges and our subjects whom it concerns and shall concern that they observe and cause to be inviolably observed these our letters of approval and confirmation, in testimony of which we have ordered these presents to be made and registered and fortified with the protection of our seal.
Given in Milan, on the 20th day of April 1452.
📜 1452 April 28 | April 28, 1452 (Sforza to the Council of Justice)
Record n. 10, missive 73
Doctoribus dominis Consilio (a) iustitie.
Dilectissimi nostri, requirit Iohannes Coyrus, civis noster Mediolani, provideamus quod in causa que vertitur inter eum, parte una, et Iohanem de Longis, Cristoforum de Bastiis, Iacobum de Ardiciis nec non Franciscum de Techis, omnes de Viglevano, parte ex altera, ocaxione datiorum et et cetera, de anno proxime elapso vobis commissa et deinde, ob pestem tunc vigentem, suspensa fuit cum iustitia procedatis, cum in presentiarum ab ea pestis infectione hec nostra civitas, divina clementia, liberata sit. Scribimus propterea vobis quod ad ilius cognitionem et terminationem, partibus ipsis vocatis, procedatis, prout vobis convenire videbitur dicta suspensione non actenta.
Data Mediolani, die xxviii aprilis MCCCCLsecundo.
Record n. 10, missive 73
To the doctors lords of the Council (a) of Justice.
Our most beloved, Giovanni Corio, our citizen of Milan, requires that we provide that in the case which is pending between him, on one part, and Giovanni Longhi, Cristoforo de Bastiis, Giacomo de Ardizzi and also Francesco de Techiis, all of Vigevano, on the other part, on occasion of taxes and etcetera, committed to you in the past year and then, because of the then-prevalent plague, was suspended, you proceed with justice, since at present this our city, by divine clemency, has been freed from that infection of plague. We therefore write to you that you proceed to its cognizance and termination, the same parties having been summoned, as shall seem fitting to you, not having regard to the said suspension.
Given in Milan, on the 28th day of April 1452.
📜 1452 September 24 | September 24, 1452 (Sforza to the Captain of Casteggio)
Record n. 10, missive 686
Capitaneo Clastigii.
Abraam deli Ardicii da Viglevano dice dovere havere certi debitori in quella terra nostra de Clastigio et in la iurisdictione tua, como intenderai per la supplicatione sua presente inclusa. Pertanto te scrivemo et committemo che al dicto Abraam contra qualunca suo debitore, per quale cason voglia se sia et de quanta quantitate, administri rasone summaria et expedita constrengiendo tali debitori, constandote del vero suo credito, per ogni via et rasone a farce el debito suo interamente et cum ogni celeritate possibili, perché havemo ad adoprare esso Abraam in nostri servitii, et questo volemo faci aliquibus in contrarium non attentis.
Ex felicibus nostris castris apud Lenum, die xxiiii septembris 1452.
Record n. 10, missive 686
To the Captain of Casteggio.
Abramo Ardizzi of Vigevano says he must have certain debtors in that our land of Casteggio and in your jurisdiction, as you will understand by his supplication included herewith. Therefore we write to you and command you that to the said Abramo against any of his debtors, for whatever cause it may be and of whatever amount, you administer summary and expedited justice, constraining such debtors, it being evident to you of his true credit, by every means and reason to satisfy his debt entirely and with all possible speed, because we have to employ this Abramo in our services, and this we wish you to do, not heeding anything to the contrary.
From our happy encampments near Leno, on the 24th day of September 1452.
📜 1452 September 26 | September 26, 1452 (Sforza to the Podestà of Novara)
Record n. 10, missive 687
Potestati Novarie.
Porrexit nobis his inclusam supplicationem Abraam de Arditiis de Viglevano, cancellarius noster dilectus: eius itaque attento tenore, scribimus tibi et committimus quatenus, evocato nominato inibi Zanino dela Crocia, studeas de iuribus partium diligentem informationem assumere et, prout compertum habueris, iustitiam facias et ministres summarie, simpliciter et de plano, sine strepitu et figura iudicii, cavillationibus et frivolis exceptionibus abiectis quibuscumque, facti veritate attenta, et quanto celerius fieri possit, cum eundem Abraam in nostris habeamus servitiis operari.
Data in nostris felicibus castris apud Lenum, die xxvi septembris 1452.
Record n. 10, missive 687
To the Podestà[1] of Novara.
Abramo de Ardizzi of Vigevano, our beloved chancellor, has presented to us the supplication included herewith: therefore, attentive to its tenor, we write to you and command you that, having summoned the there named Zanino dela Croce[2], you endeavor to take diligent information of the rights of the parties and, according as you shall have discovered, you do and administer justice summarily, simply and plainly, without noise and figure of judgment, having cast aside any quibbles and frivolous exceptions, attentive to the truth of the fact, and as speedily as may be possible, since we have the same Abramo working in our services.
Given in our happy encampments near Leno, on the 26th day of September 1452.
Glossary and Historical Notes
- Podestà [1]
- In medieval and Renaissance Italy, the Podestà was the highest civil and judicial authority of a city. He was generally a foreigner (non-local) hired for a fixed period to guarantee impartiality in the administration of justice and government.
- Bailiff (Bailo) [2]
- Administrative or diplomatic title. In this context, it refers to a governor or representative with authority in a specific stronghold or territory (such as Asti).
- Moggia [3]
- Plural of moggio. Ancient unit of capacity measurement for dry goods (grains) and liquids, used in various regions of Italy. In Milan, one moggio of grain was equivalent to approximately 146 liters.
- Note (1)
- Identified as Tommaso Ghilino (cf. SANTORO, Gli uffici, p. 355).
- Note (2)
- In the original: Zanino dela Crocia. Zanino is a proper name, historical diminutive of Giovanni (John).
III. Academic Reference: Biographical Dictionary
ARDIZZI, Abramo
Born in Vigevano in the first half of the 15th century. He belonged to one of the most important families of the city, of the Ghibelline party [3].
In 1447, upon the death of Filippo Maria Visconti, he was one of the defenders of his city's freedom against the claims of the Ambrosian Republic. When Francesco Sforza besieged Vigevano in 1449, Abramo was one of those entrusted with negotiating the surrender, obtaining honorable conditions.
He then entered the service of the Sforza, being named Ducal Councilor and sent on delicate diplomatic missions, especially to France (1451-1452) to negotiate the alliance with Charles VII, and to Naples before King René, from whom he obtained fiefs and titles.
Source: Ghisalberti, Alberto Maria. Dizionario Biografico degli Italiani. Rome, Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana, 1962. Vol. 4, p. 40.
IV. Real Power: Decurionate and Resource Control
Beyond noble titles, the true power of the Ardizzi in Vigevano lay in their active participation in local government. The analysis of the Memorie Storiche Della Citta e Contado Di Vigevano by Biffignandi Buccella (1870) reveals how the position of Decurion allowed control of critical infrastructure.
1. The Council of Decurions: Executive Government
Being a Decurion was not a decorative position. The General Council had direct attributions over the economic life of the city:
- Finance: Management of the Estimo (cadastre) and tax collection.
- Civil Justice: Resolution of boundary and property disputes.
- Infrastructure: Maintenance of roads and canals.
📜 Key Document: The Water Privilege (1480)
Date: December 11, 1480.
Authority: Gian Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Duke of Milan.
Source: Biffignandi Buccella, P.G. (1870). Memorie storiche..., p. 579.
"Privilegio concesso... di potere estrarre per proprio uso l'acqua dal Naviglio."
TRANSLATION: "Privilege granted... to be able to extract for one's own use the water from the Naviglio [Sforza Canal]."
2. From Commerce to Intensive Agriculture
This document marks a turning point. By obtaining legal control over the sluices of the Naviglio Sforzesco, patrician families such as the Ardizzi were able to transform their lands into rice paddies. Power no longer resided only in wool or commerce, but in hydraulic capacity to sustain the new intensive agriculture of Lombardy.
V. Modern Historiographical Analysis (1987): The Trunk of Antonio
The study of the book "Metamorfosi di un Borgo" by Giorgio Chittolini (Professor of Medieval History at the University of Milan) allowed us to carry out a definitive cross-check between modern documentary sources and our Ancient Genealogical Chart and definitively confirm the genealogy.
The text documents the transition of Vigevano from a rural borough to a "small capital" under the Sforza dynasty, placing the Ardizzi/Pozzo family at the apex of political, economic and ecclesiastical power.
The convergence between the Genealogical Chart and the Academic Text.
In the Ancient Chart
The parchment explicitly declares:
"Primo Stipite da Antonium Pozzi Ardizzi figlio di Francesco..."
It identifies an "Antonio" as the first ancestor of the compound surname, son of Francesco.
In "Metamorfosi di un Borgo"
Chittolini (p. 26) documents the family structure based on notarial archives:
"Francesco Ardizzi... morì nel 1399; ebbe sette figli maschi: Gian Giorgio, Filippo, Gerardo, Ambrogio, Stefano, Giacomo e infine Antonius."
Confirms the historical existence of Antonio, son of Francesco (d. 1399), validating the precision of the family genealogical chart.
- Antonio I "The Father": Initiator of the patrimony in Cantone (d. c. 1421).
- Antonio II "The Brother": Co-founder of San Girolamo together with Abramo (see controversy between sources at www.poatirmonio).
- Antonio III "The Roman": Apostolic Abbreviator (buried at Santa Maria sopra Minerva, Rome).
1. The Ardizzi Dynasty: Power and Nobility (1399-1465)
Chittolini's text not only confirms names but reconstructs the political biography of the lineage. The Ardizzi were not simple citizens; they were part of the ruling elite ("nobiles") that controlled the destiny of Vigevano during the 15th century.
- The Patriarch Francesco (d. 1399): Described as "familiare ducale," a title denoting personal closeness and trust with the Visconti court. His death at the end of the 14th century marks the beginning of family expansion.
- The Branch of Antonio: Of the seven sons of Francesco, the book indicates that the descendants of Antonio were the most relevant. Antonio not only inherited status but engendered the generation that would consolidate power: Abramo (the politician) and Francesco and Daniele (the ecclesiastics).
Abramo Ardizzi: Unpublished Data
The study provides exact dates and positions that enrich our biography of Abramo (son of Antonio):
- 1447: Served as Treasurer of Asti.
- 1449: He was the architect of the "dedizione" (negotiated surrender) of Vigevano to Francesco Sforza after the fall of the Ambrosian Republic.
- 1465 (Date of Death): The book confirms his death in this year: "Quando Abramo Ardizzi morì nel 1465...". The Duke wrote personally to his brother Daniele to offer condolences, recognizing that the deceased "had operated well in favor of the state."
2. The Parallel Power of the "Del Pozzo"
A fascinating finding of the text is the treatment of the "Del Pozzo" family as a parallel power, sometimes allied and neighboring, which evolved from land ownership to mercantile enterprise. While the Ardizzi dominated diplomacy, the Del Pozzo dominated the economy and the Council.
Figures such as Giacomo del Pozzo (Graduate in civil law and judge in 1396) and, above all, Stefano del Pozzo stand out. At the beginning of the 15th century, Stefano appears as one of the greatest "mercanti lanieri" (wool merchants) and reformer of the municipal statutes in 1412. This transition from landowners to textile entrepreneurs was the key to Vigevano's wealth.
⚔️ The Anecdote of the "Pulled-Out Eye" (1470)
The book recounts an episode that illustrates the passionate character and power of these men. In the context of the political tensions of 1470, Spiritino del Pozzo (son or grandson of the Del Pozzo branch) publicly threatened Giorgio Colli, leader of the rival family.
According to archival documents cited by Chittolini, Spiritino told Colli, in the presence of the ducal vicar himself, that "he would tear out his eye" ("gli avrebbe strappato un occhio"). This threat, made with impunity before authority, demonstrates the untouchable status enjoyed by the family.
3. The Ecclesiastical Monopoly
Finally, the analysis confirms the absolute control that the family exerted over religious life. Chittolini states verbatim: "Gli Ardizzi monopolizzano, per tutto il '400, la prepositura" (The Ardizzi monopolize, throughout the 15th century, the provostship of Sant'Ambrogio).
After the death of Francesco Ardizzi (grandson of the patriarch), the position passed to his brother Daniele, and succession was prepared for his nephew Gian Francesco, a student of canon law. This family control over the Church of Sant'Ambrogio was a fundamental pillar of their social power, parallel to their political influence at the Milanese court.
VI. New Findings: The Diaspora and Power (Recent Studies)
The incorporation of the study "Vigevano e i territori circostanti alla fine del medioevo" (G. Chittolini, ed.) allows us to expand the genealogical horizon beyond the city, confirming the presence of the family in regional administration.
A. The Identification of Filippo Ardizzi (1397-1409)
The essay by Enrico Roveda ("Vigevanesi fuori Vigevano...") provides data that allows us to bring to life "Filippo," listed in our tree as son of the patriarch Francesco.
- 1397 (The Witness): Appears as "Filippino Ardizzi" acting as a witness in a notarial deed in Pavia, described as "discretus vir" (distinguished/prudent man).
- 1401 (The Podestà): His political career takes off when he is appointed Podestà of Pallanza (highest civil authority) on Lake Maggiore.
- 1409 (The Alliance): He marries his daughter, Caterina Ardizzi, to the Pavia nobleman Antonio Canepanova, granting her a dowry of 375 florins, a considerable sum for the time.
Source: Roveda, E. In: Vigevano e i territori circostanti... p. 74.
B. The "Top 4" of Sforzesca Diplomacy
Researcher Cristina Belloni carried out an exhaustive census of diplomatic correspondence (1450-1466). Her statistical conclusion is forceful:
"...four men exercised a kind of monopoly over the most delicate missions: the Colli, the Cipollati and Abramo Ardizzi."
Source: Belloni, C. "Prime indagini...". Documentary Appendix.