Squarcina Borri
Encyclopedia
Squarcina Borri, also called Scarsini (1230–1277) was an Italian condottiero
and lord of the lands of Santo Stefano Ticino
.
in 1230, Squarcina was the son of Lanfranco of Borri (end of 12th – early 13th century), the local feudal lord of the city of Santo Stefano Ticino. The Borri family was one of the most respected in Milan
, and counted among its ranks a saint, Monas of Milan
, Bishop of Milan. Even in his youth, Squarcina (unlike his father) undertook a military career and placed himself at the head of the noble exiles from Milan after the Torriani
took power in Milan. He remained a faithful supporter of the Visconti family
and distinguished himself as a captain in the service of Ottone Visconti in the famous Battle of Desio
in January 1277.
In 1254, he married Antonia (1236–?) of an unknown lineage, and they had a daughter Bonacossa Borri
, who in 1269 married Matteo I Visconti, a future Lord of Milan. At the same time the family Borri were reconfirmed in their feudal rights over their lands, and the same Squarcina also became lord of the lands of Castellazzo de' Stampi in Corbetta in 1275 and remained in office until his death in Invorio
in 1277.
Condottieri
thumb|Depiction of [[Farinata degli Uberti]] by [[Andrea del Castagno]], showing a 15th century condottiero's typical attire.Condottieri were the mercenary soldier leaders of the professional, military free companies contracted by the Italian city-states and the Papacy, from the late Middle Ages...
and lord of the lands of Santo Stefano Ticino
Santo Stefano Ticino
Santo Stefano Ticino is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 20 km west of Milan. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 4,011 and an area of 5.0 km²....
.
Biography
Born in Santo Stefano TicinoSanto Stefano Ticino
Santo Stefano Ticino is a comune in the Province of Milan in the Italian region Lombardy, located about 20 km west of Milan. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 4,011 and an area of 5.0 km²....
in 1230, Squarcina was the son of Lanfranco of Borri (end of 12th – early 13th century), the local feudal lord of the city of Santo Stefano Ticino. The Borri family was one of the most respected in 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 counted among its ranks a saint, Monas of Milan
Monas of Milan
Monas was Bishop of Milan from the end 3rd-century to early 4th-century. He is honoured as a Saint in the Catholic Church and his feast day is on October 12.-Life:Almost nothing is known about the life and the episcopate of Monas...
, Bishop of Milan. Even in his youth, Squarcina (unlike his father) undertook a military career and placed himself at the head of the noble exiles from Milan after the Torriani
Della Torre
The Della Torre were an Italian noble family who rose to prominence in Lombardy during the 12th-14th centuries, until they held the seigniory of Milan before being ousted by the Visconti....
took power in Milan. He remained a faithful supporter of the Visconti family
House of Visconti
Visconti is the family name of two important Italian noble dynasties of the Middle Ages. There are two distinct Visconti families: The first one in the Republic of Pisa in the mid twelfth century who achieved prominence first in Pisa, then in Sardinia where they became rulers of Gallura...
and distinguished himself as a captain in the service of Ottone Visconti in the famous Battle of Desio
Battle of Desio
The Battle of Desio was fought on 21 January 1277 between the Della Torre and Visconti families for the control of Milan and its countryside. The battlefield was located near the modern Desio, a commune outside the city in Lombardy, northern Italy....
in January 1277.
In 1254, he married Antonia (1236–?) of an unknown lineage, and they had a daughter Bonacossa Borri
Bonacossa Borri
Bonacossa Borri, also known as Bonaca, or Bonaccossi Bonacosta , was Lady of Milan by marriage from 1269 to 1321.-Biography:...
, who in 1269 married Matteo I Visconti, a future Lord of Milan. At the same time the family Borri were reconfirmed in their feudal rights over their lands, and the same Squarcina also became lord of the lands of Castellazzo de' Stampi in Corbetta in 1275 and remained in office until his death in Invorio
Invorio
Invorio is a comune in the Province of Novara in the Italian region of Piedmont, located about 100 km northeast of Turin and about 35 km northwest of Novara...
in 1277.