March of Genoa
Encyclopedia
The March of Genoa or Eastern Liguria was created in 961 by the Emperor Otto I. It was originally called either the marca Obertenga after its first holder, Oberto I
, or the marca Januensis after its original capital and chief city, Genoa
. Its creation was part of a general reorganisation of the northwest of Italy into three frontier districts
. Western Liguria became the March of Montferrat
and the interior became the March of Turin
. It comprised the counties of Luni
, Tortona
, Milan
, and Genoa.
The march was originally held in the elder line of the Obertenghi
, descended from Oberto I. The title marchio became common in the family. Albert Azzo II
was called marchio de L(a/o)ngobardia. By his time, the march was often called the March of Milan or Liguria. His grandson, Obizzo I, became the first Margrave of Este in 1173 and was created "Margrave of Milan and Genoa" in 1184 by the Emperor Frederick I. From thereafter, the title of Este had more importance, especially with the growth of the commune of Milan and the Republic of Genoa
.
Oberto I
Oberto I Obizzo was an Italian count palatine and margrave and the oldest known member of the Obertenghi family. He was, by heredity, Count of Milan from 951...
, or the marca Januensis after its original capital and chief city, Genoa
Genoa
Genoa |Ligurian]] Zena ; Latin and, archaically, English Genua) is a city and an important seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria....
. Its creation was part of a general reorganisation of the northwest of Italy into three frontier districts
Marches
A march or mark refers to a border region similar to a frontier, such as the Welsh Marches, the borderland between England and Wales. During the Frankish Carolingian Dynasty, the word spread throughout Europe....
. Western Liguria became the March of Montferrat
March of Montferrat
The March of Montferrat was frontier march of the Kingdom of Italy during the Middle Ages and state of the Holy Roman Empire...
and the interior became the March of Turin
March of Turin
The county or march of Turin was founded in 941 by Hugh of Italy, who appointed Arduin Glaber as its governor. Arduin had captured Turin and the Susa Valley from the Saracens...
. It comprised the counties of Luni
Luni
Luni can refer to:* Luni, Italy, a town in Liguria* Luni, Pakistan, village in Pakistan* Luni, Rajasthan, village in Rajasthan, India* Luni River, in Rajasthan, India* Luni Coleone, a rapper from California...
, Tortona
Tortona
Tortona is a comune of Piemonte, in the Province of Alessandria, Italy. Tortona is sited on the right bank of the Scrivia between the plain of Marengo and the foothills of the Ligurian Apennines.-History:...
, Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, and Genoa.
The march was originally held in the elder line of the Obertenghi
Obertenghi
The Obertenghi were a family of Italian nobility descended from Count Obert I of Luni, the first margrave of Milan and Eastern Liguria, a march called the marca Januensis, marca Obertenga or march of Genoa....
, descended from Oberto I. The title marchio became common in the family. Albert Azzo II
Albert Azzo II, Margrave of Milan
Alberto Azzo II , Margrave of Milan, and Liguria, Count of Gavello and Padua, Rovigo, Lunigiana, Monselice, and Montagnana, aka, Albertezzo II, was a powerful nobleman in the Holy Roman Empire...
was called marchio de L(a/o)ngobardia. By his time, the march was often called the March of Milan or Liguria. His grandson, Obizzo I, became the first Margrave of Este in 1173 and was created "Margrave of Milan and Genoa" in 1184 by the Emperor Frederick I. From thereafter, the title of Este had more importance, especially with the growth of the commune of Milan and the Republic of Genoa
Republic of Genoa
The Most Serene Republic of Genoa |Ligurian]]: Repúbrica de Zêna) was an independent state from 1005 to 1797 in Liguria on the northwestern Italian coast, as well as Corsica from 1347 to 1768, and numerous other territories throughout the Mediterranean....
.
Margraves
- Oberto IOberto IOberto I Obizzo was an Italian count palatine and margrave and the oldest known member of the Obertenghi family. He was, by heredity, Count of Milan from 951...
, 961–c.997 - Adalbert, c.997
- Oberto II, c.997–c.1013
- Albert Azzo IAlbert Azzo I, Margrave of MilanAlbert Atto I was the son of Oberto II and Railend, widow of Sigfred, Count of Seprio. He was a member of the Obertenghi family....
, c.1013–c.1029 - Albert Azzo IIAlbert Azzo II, Margrave of MilanAlberto Azzo II , Margrave of Milan, and Liguria, Count of Gavello and Padua, Rovigo, Lunigiana, Monselice, and Montagnana, aka, Albertezzo II, was a powerful nobleman in the Holy Roman Empire...
, c.1029–1097 - Fulk I, 1097–c.1146
- Obizzo I, c.1146–1193