GONZAGA  , an

Italian princely family named after the town where it probably had its origin . Its known history begins with the 13th century, when Luigi I . (1267—136o), after fierce struggles supplanted his brother-in-law Rinaldo (nicknamed Passerino) Bonacolsi as lord of Mantua in August 1328, with the title of captain-general, and afterwards of vicar-general of the empire, adding the designation of count of Mirandola and Concordia, which fief the Gonzagas held from 1328 to 1354 . In July 1335 his son Guido, with the help of Filippino and Feltrino Gonzaga, wrested Reggio from the Scaligeri and held it until 1371 . Luigi was succeeded by Guido (d . 1369); the latter's son Luigi II. came next in succession (d . 1382), and then Giovan Francesco I . (d . 1407), who, although at one time allied with the treacherous Gian Galeazzo Visconti, incurred the latter's enmity and all but lost his estates and his life in consequence; eventually he joined the Florentines and Bolognese, enemies of Visconti . He promoted commerce and wisely developed the prosperity of his dominions . His son Giovan Francesco II . (d .

1444) succeeded him under the regency of his

uncle Carlo Malatesta and the protection of the Venetians .