Ezzelino da Romano

Italian politician and ruler of Vicenza, Verona, and Padua, born in Onara, Veneto, NE Italy. The son of Ezzelino II da Romano, he strongly supported Frederick II, whose daughter Selvaggia he married in 1238. He conquered Verona and Bassano in 1232, received Vicenza from Frederick (1236), and seized Padua and Treviso (1236–7). Leader of the Ghibellines, in 1254 he was excommunicated by Innocent IV. He was defeated at Cassano d'Adda by the Guelphs and, captured and wounded, let himself die. He is featured in Dante and in other literary works as a cruel tyrant.

Ezzelino da Romano was the name of various seignors of fiefs and cities in northern Italy starting from the 12th century AD.

The family was founded by Ecelo (Ezzelo), who came to Italy from Germany during the expedition of King of Germany Conrad II (1036). He received the fiefs of Romano , now Romano d'Ezzelino and Onara, near Cittadella (Veneto), expanding his territories in the name of the Emperor and creating the Mark of Treviso. Ezzelino II il Monaco ("the Monk", died 1223) was podestà of Treviso and Vicenza (1193). Ezzelino II married Adheleid of the counts of Mangone, and was Imperial vicar for Otto IV. Ezzelino II da Romano is the father of Ezzelino III da Romano Ezzelino III da Romano (c. 1194-1259) was the most famous member of the family, an outstanding military leader of the wars between Guelphs and Ghibellines, and Emperor Frederick II's brother-in-law as well.