An aristocratic Lombard family that ruled Milan during the 13th–15th-c. Ottone (1207–95) defeated the Dalla Torre family to win the rule of the city. Matteo I (1250–1322) was imperial vicar for Lombardy and started the expansion to include most of Lombardy and part of Piedmont. He was excommunicated and abdicated in favour of Galeazzo I, who strengthened his domain, as did Azzone. Gian Galeazzo expanded his territories even further in spite of an anti-Visconti league formed by C Italian cities. The Tuscan territories went to Gabriele Maria, and the duchy to Giovanni Maria and then Filippo Maria (1412–47). His expansion drive was opposed by Venice and Florence, and he was defeated at Maclodio (1427). At his death, the succession contest was won by Francesco Sforza, who had married Filippo's natural daughter, Bianca Maria.