Marchesato del Monferato

The Marquisate of Montferrat had its origin in the frontier march established by King Berengar II about 950 for his son-in-law Aleramo. The so-called “Aleramic March” was continuously divided among his siblings, giving birth to the branch of the Dal Vasto, holding power in the west as the Marquisate of Saluzzo, and the Aleramici, keeping it in the east.
«King René commenced his march into Italy, but was stopped by the duke of Savoy and the marquis of Montferrat, who, being in alliance with the Venetians, would not allow him to pass».
Niccolò Machiavelli's History of Florence - Book VI, Chapter VI.

HISTORY
About 1133 Marquis William V married Judith of Babenberg, a half-sister of King Conrad III of Germany, and so greatly increased his family's prestige. He entered into the Italian policies of Conrad setting a Ghibelline precedent for his successors, and with his sons became involved in the Crusades. As leader of the Fourth Crusade he established the Kingdom of Thessalonica in the Latin Empire of Greece.
In the thirteenth century, Montferrat waffled between the Guelph and Ghibelline parties under Boniface II and William VII. They had to wage several long wars against the independence-minded communes of Asti and Alessandria and they became the standard-bearers of a renewed Lombard League forged to fight the spread of Angevin influence into northern Italy. The capital of Montferrat at this time was Chivasso, the centre of the margraves' power.In 1305, the last Aleramici margrave died and Montferrat was inherited by the Greek Theodoros Palaiologos, born in Constantinople, son of Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos and Irene of Montferrat.
This unusual graft of a Greek dynasty into Italian politics went unexpectedly well. Theodoros’ son, John II, had great fortune in extending the boundaries of the marquisate against his neighbours, turning against the Angevins of Naples, who held large sway of land in Piedmont. On 9 October 1338, he was also named governor of Asti.
By 1345 the Marquisate included Alessandria, Asti, Tortona, Bra, Cuneo, Valenza, Cherasco, Novara, Pavia and Alba, thus being one of the largest polity in north Italy. Its decline, however, followed after being defeated by the Milanese, who reclaimed Pavia. The “protection” of the King of France to resist Milanese attacks and the continuous succession of regencies, as the heirs inherited the Marquisate when they were too little to rule,  weakened the government.
John Jacob Palaiologos attempted to revive the fortunes of the marquisate through the marriage between his sister Sofia and the Byzantine Emperor, John VIII Palaiologos. John Jacob's expansion, however, spurred the reaction of the Dukes of Savoy and of Filippo Maria Visconti of Milan. In 1431 they signed an alliance aiming at the cancellation of the Montferrine state. John Jacob was therefore compelled to ask support to France. In 1432 he was defeated anyway and sued for peace, ceding several territories to Savoy but retaining the seigneury over Montferrat, although with the status of vassal of Savoy.

TERRITORY
The lands of Monferrato is cut in two by the river Tanaro. The northern part (the Basso Monferrato, "Low Montferrat"), which lies between that river and the Po, is an area of rolling hills and plains. The southern part (the Alto Monferrato, "High Montferrat") rises from the banks of the Tanaro into the mountains of the Apennines and the water divide between Piedmont and Liguria.
Politically, however, the Marquisate of Montferrat is not homogeneous, as it encompasses here and there a collection of other smaller states and powerful cities, like Alessandria and Asti, who were part of the Marquisate in the past – but no more. Internal communication and trade is difficult, as much more is done with other neighbours.

ECONOMY
Agriculture
Monferrato is one of the best wine regions in Italy, especially regarding red wines and sparkling wines. The climate is dry continental with hot summers prone to drought and cold winters and the soil is favourable for viticulture.

Banking and Trade
The nearby city of Asti is a vivid centre of commerce, that draws the attention of moneylenders, bankers and merchants. Specifically, the so-called casane astigiane are the banking families of the area who set up their offices also in the nearby cities.

POLITICS
Relations with Savoy
Savoy is an unpleasant neighbour. Since the Savoia-Acaja dynasty fell, and the Piedmontese lands reunited with the rest of Savoy proper, the Dukes of Savoy wanted to enlarge their power in Italy, thereby hitting hard the Marquisate of Montferrat and other lesser states. The same Marquis is – nominally, at least – a vassal of the Duke of Savoy. The last attempt to pursue independent politics was crushed by them, sieging and occupying Chivasso, and reclaiming all land beyond the Po river. It does not matter what the marquis wants to do: the only rule he has is not to disturb or harm Savoy by any means.

Relations with Milan
Milan is the second problem. Large chunks of Montferrine land are owned by the Duke of Milan, cutting here and there the territory of the state. Milanese forces marched through Montferrine land without the Marquis being able to contrast them effectively, and doing so will be only harmful. Moreover, the Milanese hold a firm grip over the economy of the Marquisate, being able to cause serious troubles if bothered.

ARMY
Montferrat has a large number of lesser nobles, which are part of the court of the Marquis, constitute his retinue, and muster followers in war times. As such, this feudal organization also limited severely the capability of urban settlements to raise their own militias, in fear of possible revolts. Montferrine army is divided between the “cernite”, small groups of chosen militias to serve as garrison forces, and the Marquis’ retinue, intended to follow him in wartime, comprised mainly of heavy cavalry. We have news of a “prima cernita” of soldiers, ranking as a sort of honour guard for the Marquis, and comprised by mounted crossbowmen. Several lesser nobles could serve as condottieri, but they would not be able to muster a large number of people. However, one should not underestimate the capabilities of the state to resist an attack, or to counterattack: they will hold their ground, while awaiting the help of a stronger ally, be that the French King, the Duke of Savoy or that of Milan.


SOURCES
G. Del Carretto, Cronica di Monferrato, a cura di G. Avogadro, in Monumenta historiae patriae, III, Augustae Taurinorum 1848, coll. 1230-1232
Carlo Ferraris - Roberto Maestri, Storia del Monferrato. Le origini, il Marchesato, il Ducato, Editore Circolo Culturale I Marchesi del Monferrato, Alessandria 2016.